International Cat Day UK 2026: Events, Adoption & Celebrations
International Cat Day falls on Saturday, 8 August 2026. Organized globally by iCatCare a UK-based charity headquartered in Wiltshire the day unites cat lovers, shelters, and welfare organizations across Britain. Key UK events include Cats Protection’s £8 adoption special, Battersea’s rehoming spotlights, and iCatCare’s #ThinkCAT awareness campaign.
When Is International Cat Day 2026 in the UK?
International Cat Day 2026 falls on Saturday, 8 August. The date is the same globally every year. The weekend timing gives UK families, schools, and shelters the best possible conditions to participate expect peak activity between 9am and 8pm BST, with the #InternationalCatDay hashtag trending throughout the day.
The day was founded in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and is now supported by more than 100 charities worldwide. It has grown significantly the hashtag trended in 47 countries in 2025.
What Is iCatCare’s Role, and What Is the 2026 Theme?
iCatCare (International Cat Care) is the global custodian of International Cat Day and is headquartered in Wiltshire, England. For 2026, iCatCare’s official campaign theme is #ThinkCAT: C for Cat Friendly care, A for Annual vet check-ups, and T for Tips and advice throughout your cat’s life.
The charity’s mission focuses on science-backed, expert-led education for cat owners, caregivers, and veterinary professionals. On August 8, iCatCare shares free resources across its social channels (@icatcare) and encourages everyone to post how they’re celebrating using the official ‘Supporting International Cat Day 2026’ badge.
UK cat owners can support iCatCare directly by donating via icatcare.org, or by signing up to its free newsletter for year-round Cat Friendly guidance.
What Is Cats Protection’s £8 Adoption Event?
Cats Protection the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, founded in 1927 runs a special £8 adoption event across its UK branches on 8 August every year. The reduced fee covers microchipping, neutering, a full veterinary health check, vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, and four weeks of free Pet Plan insurance.
Every UK branch participates, making this one of the most accessible adoption opportunities of the year. Cats Protection also runs the annual National Cat Awards, its flagship celebration of remarkable rescue stories, typically announced around August 8.
What Does Battersea Do on International Cat Day?
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home operates three UK centres London, Brands Hatch, and Old Windsor. In 2025, the charity cared for 1,745 cats across those sites, taking in an average of five cats every single day. The average feline stay at Battersea is 28 days, though some cats wait far longer.
For International Cat Day 2026, Battersea is shining a spotlight on cats currently in its care who deserve a second chance including:
- Sir Loves-A-Lot – an 8-year-old who has been waiting over 300 days for a home. Black and tuxedo cats are consistently among the most overlooked in UK shelters.
- Lady Ethel – Battersea’s oldest resident at 16, seeking a quiet home for her golden years.
- Neptune – a young mum who arrived as a pregnant stray and has since raised a healthy litter in foster care.
Battersea’s international partnerships including Nine Lives Greece and Save-a-Pet South Africa extend its reach well beyond the UK, with the charity having helped more than 140,000 cats globally.
How Do RSPCA, PDSA, and Blue Cross Mark August 8?
Three additional UK charities play important roles on International Cat Day:
| Charity | Key Activity on August 8 | Notable Offering |
| RSPCA | National rehoming campaigns, stray/feral cat awareness | Post-adoption support, local council partnerships |
| PDSA | Veterinary care for pets of people on low incomes | Free vet advice events, adoption support |
| Blue Cross | Regional adoption events | Free vet guidance, rehoming meet-and-greets |
What Do UK Cat Statistics Tell Us About 2026?
According to UK Pet Food’s 2026 survey (Kantar/Soulor Consulting, January 2026, n=8,951):
- 13 million pet cats live in the UK
- 31% of all UK households own at least one cat
- Cats rank as the UK’s second most popular pet, behind dogs (15.5 million)
- 62% of UK households own at least one pet of any kind, from a total of 36.5 million pets
The most popular cat breeds in the UK include the Domestic Shorthair, British Shorthair, and Ragdoll.
How Does BBC Cover International Cat Day?
BBC coverage of International Cat Day is a reliable annual fixture. BBC Newsround ran a dedicated feature for 2024 under the theme ‘Celebrating Cats.’ BBC News has previously spotlighted Battersea’s rehoming cats seeking homes on August 8. A BBC report from August 8, 2025 on International Cat Day in the UK was also widely shared on YouTube.
Local BBC regions typically run their own features, while BBC Sounds has carried podcast content tied to the day. ITV, Sky News, Channel 4, The Guardian, and The Telegraph also regularly publish editorial coverage each year.
Which UK Cat Cafés Are Worth Visiting on August 8?
Several established UK cat cafés make August 8 a day worth planning around:
- Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium – London (one of the UK’s original cat cafés)
- The Cat Café Manchester
- You & Meow Bristol
- Maison de Moggy Edinburgh
- Kitty Café Brighton and other UK locations
Many venues run International Cat Day promotions check individual café websites for 2026-specific offers.
Who Are Britain’s Most Famous Cats?
The UK has a long tradition of official government cats, each with their own following:
- Larry Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street since 2011; born c. January 2007, rescued from Battersea
- Palmerston Retired Chief Mouser at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- Gladstone Chief Mouser at HM Treasury
Is There a National Cat Day in the UK?
There is no official UK National Cat Day. The UK celebrates International Cat Day on 8 August alongside the rest of the world. The UK does, however, have National Black Cat Day on October 27, introduced by Cats Protection to raise awareness of black cats who are statistically harder to rehome than cats of other colours.
What Is Global Cat Day?
Global Cat Day is a separate annual awareness event held on October 16, organized by US-based charity Alley Cat Allies. Unlike International Cat Day, Global Cat Day focuses specifically on feral and community (stray) cats, advocating for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs rather than general cat welfare and adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is International Cat Day a UK bank holiday?
No. International Cat Day on 8 August is not a UK public or bank holiday. However, in 2026 it falls on a Saturday, making it easy for most people to participate in events and adoption days without taking time off work.
Where can I adopt a cat for £8 in the UK on August 8?
Cats Protection branches across the UK reduce their adoption fee to £8 on International Cat Day. The £8 fee covers microchipping, neutering, vaccinations, vet health check, flea and worm treatment, and four weeks of free Pet Plan insurance. Find your nearest branch at cats.org.uk.
Which UK charity runs the National Cat Awards?
Cats Protection runs the National Cat Awards annually, celebrating remarkable stories of rescue cats and the people who care for them. Announcements are typically made around August.
Does Cats Protection do free microchipping on August 8?
Microchipping is included in Cats Protection’s £8 adoption fee on August 8, but it is not offered as a standalone free service. Contact your local branch for details on their specific 2026 event.
Who is the official global coordinator of International Cat Day?
iCatCare (International Cat Care), headquartered in Wiltshire, England, is the official custodian of International Cat Day. The charity organizes the annual campaign theme and coordinates participation across charities worldwide.
How many cats does Battersea rehome each year?
Battersea cared for 1,745 cats across its three UK centres in 2025, taking in approximately five cats per day. The charity’s global partnerships have helped more than 140,000 cats internationally.
What is the #ThinkCAT campaign for 2026?
#ThinkCAT is iCatCare’s official 2026 theme for International Cat Day. C stands for Cat Friendly care, A for Annual vet check-ups, and T for Tips and advice for all stages of a cat’s life. Follow @icatcare on social media on August 8 for the full campaign.
What is the most adopted cat breed in the UK?
The Domestic Shorthair (DSH) is the most commonly rehomed cat in UK shelters. While British Shorthairs and Ragdolls rank among the most popular pedigree breeds, the majority of cats in UK rescue centres are mixed-breed domestic shorthairs.
Why are black cats harder to rehome in the UK?
Black and tuxedo cats consistently take longer to find homes in UK shelters. Battersea’s Sir Loves-A-Lot, an 8-year-old black and tuxedo cat, had been waiting over 300 days as of August 2026 far above Battersea’s average stay of 28 days. Cats Protection introduced National Black Cat Day (October 27) specifically to address this issue.
Is International Cat Day the same as World Cat Day?
International Cat Day (August 8) and World Cat Day refer to the same globally recognized annual event, coordinated by iCatCare. Global Cat Day (October 16) is a separate event run by Alley Cat Allies, focused specifically on feral and community cats.
