International Cat Day USA 2026: August 8 Events, Deals & More 

International Cat Day in the USA falls on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Americans celebrate with nationwide fee-waived shelter adoption drives, major Chewy and Petco discounts, MLB team tributes, and cat café events across the country. It is not a federal holiday, but it is one of the biggest single-day spikes in US pet adoption activity each year.

When Is International Cat Day 2026 in the USA?

International Cat Day 2026 falls on Saturday, August 8. It is the same date worldwide, established by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in 2002. Since August 2020, the charity International Cat Care (iCatCare) has served as the official custodian. The weekend timing gives US adoption events, retailer sales, and in-person activations a significant boost in 2026.

What Is the “Empty the Shelters” Drive on August 8?

“Empty the Shelters” is a nationwide, fee-waived pet adoption event run by the BISSELL Pet Foundation. It partners with hundreds of shelters across all 50 states to remove the cost barrier to adoption. On and around August 8, many participating shelters reduce or completely waive adoption fees for cats.

According to Best Friends Animal Society (2024 data), nearly 4.8 million dogs and cats entered US shelters in 2024, and 188,000 cats were killed in shelters that year  roughly one life lost every 90 seconds. Fee-waived events like Empty the Shelters directly address this. Best Friends also notes that if just 6% more households chose to adopt rather than purchase a pet, the US would reach no-kill nationally.

Adopter prep checklist for August 8:

• Research participating shelters at bissellpetfoundation.org
• Bring a valid ID and proof of address
• Confirm your rental lease or HOA allows cats
• Pre-buy a carrier, litter box, food, and scratching post
• Schedule a vet appointment within the first week
• Ask the shelter about post-adoption support programs

How Does Petco Celebrate International Cat Day in the USA?

Petco and its nonprofit arm, Petco Love (formerly the Petco Foundation), host in-store adoption events at more than 1,500 US locations on and around August 8. Petco partners with local rescues to bring adoptable cats directly into stores. Vital Care members also receive bonus reward points on August 8 purchases.

Petco was founded in San Diego in 1965 and is one of the most active corporate participants in US shelter adoption drives. Deals on August 8 typically cover cat food, litter, and accessories. Check petco.com closer to the date for confirmed 2026 promotions.

How Is the ASPCA Involved on International Cat Day?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)  founded in 1866 and headquartered in New York City  promotes August 8 through its network of partner shelters nationwide. Its annual fundraising campaigns align with the day, and the ASPCA’s Cat Recovery Center and behavior rehab programs highlight why shelters need sustained public support year-round. ASPCA Pet Insurance also historically runs August promotions for new policyholders.

What Chewy Deals Should Americans Expect on August 8, 2026?

Chewy, the Dania Beach, Florida-based online pet retailer founded in 2011, consistently runs International Cat Day promotions. Historically, these include discounts of up to 25% off cat food, 35% off Auto-Ship orders, and BOGO deals on treats. Exact 2026 deals will go live at chewy.com on August 8.

Bookmark chewy.com/cat-day and turn on deal alerts in the Chewy app before August 8.

Do MLB Teams Celebrate International Cat Day?

Several Major League Baseball and professional sports franchises post International Cat Day content on August 8, including adoption partnerships and social media tributes. The Detroit Red Wings (NHL), for example, celebrated 8/8 as International Cat Day in 2025 with a widely shared post. MLB teams with feline-themed mascots or histories  like the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays  have used the day for social engagement.

The Blue Jays connection runs deeper than social posts: rescue organizations have named litters of kittens after Blue Jays players to boost adoption interest. August 8 falls in the heart of the MLB regular season, so teams frequently run in-park promotions or charity tie-ins. Follow your favorite team’s official social accounts on the day for real-time announcements  this is an area where content changes annually and can surface surprising activations.

What Do US Cat Statistics Look Like in 2026?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 2025 research, 46.5 million US households own at least one cat, making cats the second most common pet in the country after dogs. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reported a 23% increase in cat ownership in 2024.

A National Today survey of 1,000 Americans found that 44% own at least one cat, and 25% consider their cat their best friend.

Which US Shelters Run August 8 Events by Region?

Rather than searching generically, use this regional guide to find adoption events near you:

Which US Brands and Restaurants Celebrate International Cat Day?

Beyond pet retailers, several mainstream US brands participate on August 8:

• Chick-fil-A  The chain has posted cat-themed social content on International Cat Day, driving significant engagement among its US audience
• Purina  US-specific promotions on cat food lines, often tied to shelter donation pledges
• Jackson Galaxy (“The Cat Daddy”)  His brand promotes adoption drives and cat enrichment content annually on August 8

Brands typically announce campaigns on their Instagram and TikTok accounts the morning of August 8. Searching #InternationalCatDay on X, TikTok, and Instagram around 8am ET will surface the day’s freshest deals and activations.

What Should US Adopters Know Before August 8?

Competitors rarely cover this  and it is genuinely useful:

• Rabies vaccination: Required by law in all 50 states for cats. Some states (e.g., California) have strict enforcement. Confirm your new cat is vaccinated or schedule it within days.
• Microchipping: Not federally mandated for cats, but many states and cities are moving toward requirements. Best practice is to microchip on day one.
• Pet insurance: US options include Trupanion, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Lemonade, and Chewy’s Connect with a Vet. Enroll before any pre-existing conditions develop.
• Rental housing: Check your lease before adopting  many US landlords charge a pet deposit ($200–$500 is common) or restrict cats in certain unit types.

Where Are the Best Cat Cafés to Visit in the USA on August 8?

Cat cafés often run International Cat Day specials and promote adoptable cats. Here are the standout US locations:

Book reservations in advance  these venues fill quickly on August 8.

How Does the US Celebrate International Cat Day Differently from the UK?

This is a genuine content gap most US-focused blogs skip entirely.

When Is National Cat Day in the USA  and How Is It Different?

National Cat Day in the USA is October 29. International Cat Day is August 8. The two are often confused. National Cat Day was created in 2005 by pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige to encourage adoption. International Cat Day is a globally coordinated observance with iCatCare as custodian. Both are celebrated in the US  August 8 tends to generate larger commercial activity.

Which Famous US Cats Made International Cat Day Bigger?

American internet culture turned International Cat Day into a global phenomenon. These felines drove it:

• Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce)  Her Facebook page hit 7 million likes in 2014; she became the face of cat memes worldwide
• Lil Bub  Indiana-born cat with a unique appearance; raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for animal welfare
• Nala Cat  One of the most-followed cats on Instagram, adopted from a Los Angeles shelter
• Socks  The Clintons’ cat who lived in the White House 1993–2001, arguably the most famous political cat in US history

Frequently Asked Questions

Is International Cat Day a US federal holiday?
No. International Cat Day is not a federal holiday in the United States. It is an informal observance held every August 8, coordinated globally by International Cat Care (iCatCare). No government offices close, but shelters, retailers, and sports teams actively participate.

Which US shelters waive adoption fees on August 8?
Shelters partnering with the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” program waive or reduce adoption fees. Petco Love partner shelters also run fee events. Check bissellpetfoundation.org for the confirmed 2026 participant list closer to the date.

How many cats were killed in US shelters in 2024?
According to Best Friends Animal Society, 188,000 cats were killed in US shelters in 2024  down from prior years, but still equivalent to roughly one life lost every few minutes. The national cat save rate reached 82% in 2024, up from 71% in 2016.

What is Chewy’s best historical deal on August 8?
Chewy’s largest historical International Cat Day discount has been 35% off first Auto-Ship orders. They have also run BOGO treat deals and 25% sitewide discounts on cat food. Deals go live at midnight ET on August 8.

Do MLB teams run in-ballpark cat promotions on August 8?
Some MLB teams use International Cat Day for social media engagement and charity tie-ins, particularly teams with feline mascot themes or local shelter partnerships. In-park promotions vary by franchise and year  follow your team’s official accounts on August 8 for announcements.

How many US households own a cat in 2026?
The AVMA’s 2025 research found 46.5 million US households own at least one cat. The APPA reported a 23% increase in cat ownership in 2024, continuing a gradual multi-year climb from 23% to 24% of all US households.

Is cat ownership growing faster in the US or declining?
Growing. The APPA reported a 23% increase in cat ownership in 2024, and the AVMA data shows steady gains since 2018. Post-pandemic pet adoption trends and younger households choosing cats over dogs are key drivers.

What states have achieved no-kill shelter status?
As of the latest Best Friends Animal Society data, Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have achieved no-kill status (a 90%+ shelter save rate). Eight additional states are on the brink of reaching that benchmark.

What is the difference between National Cat Day and International Cat Day?
International Cat Day is August 8, coordinated globally by iCatCare and founded by IFAW in 2002. National Cat Day is October 29, a US-specific observance created in 2005 by Colleen Paige. Both encourage adoption, but International Cat Day generates larger commercial and shelter activity in the USA.

How much does cat adoption typically cost at US shelters?
Standard cat adoption fees at US shelters range from $50 to $150 for adult cats, with kittens sometimes higher. On International Cat Day, many shelters partnering with BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” drive reduce or fully waive those fees, making August 8 the best single day of the year to adopt.