Every day in the world is dedicated to some significant past events, people, heroes, discoveries. Such holidays are celebrated for the sake of memory, the transfer of certain experience to generations, and tribute to respect. There is also a holiday that honors pets: World Cat Day.
Why is a holiday dedicated to these fluffy and graceful creatures, and why is it celebrated in most countries of the world? The cat has been present in human life since ancient times. At different times, cats were credited with either medicinal or magical properties; at one time they were even considered the devil’s messengers.
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The modern world is grateful to these beautiful animals for the fact that they decorate our home, give a lot of warm and bright emotions, and protect our home from rodents. There is evidence that these animals treat many diseases, even save the owner from heart attacks. Therefore, it is not surprising that people willingly gave an entire calendar day to cats and cats as an honor and respect for these creatures.
Story
There are more than 600 million cats in the world. About 40% of the world's population keep these animals at home.
The first mentions of domestic cats appeared in Ancient Egypt. They were considered sacred, protecting grain from rodents and the owners' homes from dark forces.
There were no homeless animals in Egypt. They were housed in a special temple. Caring for furry creatures was considered an honorable service. Usually this position was occupied by priests.
In medieval Europe, attitudes towards pets changed. They were considered the personification of evil spirits and were burned at the stake along with witches.
The first cats appeared in Russia in the 11th century. They were brought in on ships.
Among the ancient Slavs, cats were guides to the world of spirits. Animals were considered a symbol of peace and prosperity. Only rich people could have a furry protector in their home.
Today, cute furry creatures continue to delight people with their affection and beauty. Keeping them at home is considered good for health. Pets relieve stress, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and treat headaches.
For those who love cats but cannot keep them, there are cat cafes.
History of World Cat Day
Like any other, this holiday has its own, albeit not very long, history. In 2002, the International Fund for Animal Welfare proposed introducing World Cat Day into the holiday calendar. Initially, it was intended to use this calendar emphasis to draw everyone's attention to the lack of shelters for stray cats, as well as to launch the production of affordable, complete cat food. For felinologists, this date is associated with thematic exhibitions of pets. Kindness towards our furry brothers is also being actively promoted.
In some countries, cat cafes attract the attention of visitors at this time: guests with cats have a special place. The hotel business associated with furry pets is also developing, as there is a demand among owners for cat rooms where you can leave your pet for a certain period of time and not worry about its well-being.
The public has gradually become imbued with the spirit of Cat Day, and this holiday is celebrated by an increasing number of people every year. Participants in the celebrations happily plunge into the cat atmosphere, visit exhibitions, and collect signatures in defense of our little brothers. World Cat Day is celebrated on August 8th
Traditions
On this day, cat lovers try to please their pets with a treat or a new toy. On August 8, charity events and exhibitions are held, where everyone can adopt an animal from a shelter.
Representatives of animal welfare funds and volunteers involve the public in solving the problems of homeless animals and those who have suffered from human cruelty.
Thematic exhibitions, various educational events, and competitions are held during the holiday.
How to celebrate cat day
In order to please your pet on a holiday, you can come up with festive events at home:
- Please your cat with a tasty, albeit expensive, treat. You can decorate it in the form of a cat cake from your favorite canned food or meat.
- Buy a new one or make an original pet house with your own hands. Or special shelves for climbing - experts believe that a cat should have many personal, not only horizontal, but also vertical surfaces.
- Give your pet a special relaxing massage with brushing if he loves it.
- Buy new beautiful and comfortable accessories - a collar with a tag and a leash, overalls, a bowl.
- Place anti-cat nets on the windows to prevent the cat from falling out.
- Microchipping your pet.
- If there is no cat in the house, adopt a kitten from a shelter or work as a volunteer there.
- Make a donation for homeless animals in the form of money or necessary items - food, litter, cat complexes and houses.
- For your household, bake a cake or cookies in the shape of cats.
Interesting Facts
- Felinologists study cats;
- In China, in ancient times they ate cats, but now it is prohibited;
- Ancient cats hunted not only rodents, but also rabbits;
- The Templars were accused of witchcraft, including because they kept cats;
- In Malaysia they still believe that cats can call for rain. According to various information, animals are either bathed or drowned;
- It is believed that a cat has 9 lives;
- The cat is allowed into the new home first, so that life in the house is happy;
- Animals protect the home from negativity and evil people;
- Furry helpers hunt not only for food, so they “work” in museums and grain warehouses. In England and Austria they are even given a food pension for old age;
- Black cats and cats warn of trouble;
- This is the only animal that can enter a Christian temple;
- Animals predict natural disasters;
- There are 200 cat breeds in the world;
- Savannah is the most expensive and largest cat breed. Bred by crossing an African serval and a domestic cat. Weight about 20 kg. Price from 4 to 22 thousand dollars.
Cat Day (Cat Day). As noted in different countries. Interesting facts about cats.
Cat Day or Cat Day is an unofficial holiday, but it is celebrated all over the world. The holiday is designed to draw attention to all the merits of these animals to people. On this day, people show love and respect to cats.
Cat Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries. In Russia, it is customary to celebrate March 1 (since 2004, when the Moscow Cat Museum and the editorial office of “Cat and Dog” organized this holiday in Russia for the first time). In most European countries this holiday falls on February 17th. In Japan, Cat Day is celebrated on February 22 (the date was not chosen by chance - why? Read below.). In the USA - October 29 (since 2005, with the support of the ASPCA).
And International Cat Day is August 8th. The initiator of the holiday in 2002 was the International Animal Welfare Foundation. By the way, World Animal Day is October 4th - see HERE
In general, the history of the appearance of the Cat Day holiday is not known, but it is believed that it arose due to the ancient connection between cats and people.
In Great Britain, it is customary to honor the services of cats to the fatherland, because according to statistics, every year one cat saves 10 tons of grain, and the exhibits of the British Museum would have long since fallen into disrepair if they had not been protected from mice by a dozen cats. At one time in the British Museum their number reached 100, later they were sterilized and the number decreased to 6.
Unfortunately, they no longer work in the British Museum, but there are several stuffed animals in the halls. In 1868, three cats were officially employed by the London Remittance Service as mousers. They received a salary of one shilling a week, later 1.5 shillings. Money, as a rule, was spent on their maintenance. During World War II, every British ship carried at least one cat. In the UK, cats still work in some museums and even in the police and receive their salaries.
Cats also become government employees. It is known that the first cats to be officially supported by the state began in 1515. Cats also have an official position - Chief Mouser for the Cabinet of Ministers (at the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street). True, only four cats had such an official title - Chief Mouser: Humphrey, Sybil, Larry and Freya; others received this title unofficially and were called so by the British press.
Current Chief Mouser - Larry the Cat (since 2011)
World Cat Day in Great Britain is a real holiday, especially for those who serve the state. On this day they are well treated to various delicacies. They offer soft feather beds and a specially tailored uniform - everything to make cats happy and purring.
Austria is keeping up with the UK in celebrating World Cat Day. The most persistent cats and cats who worked in the “civil service” for more than 10 years protecting grain warehouses, etc. receive a pension in the form of meat, broth and milk.
As you know, Russia also has its own “galaxy” of cats who guard museum valuables from rodents in the Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery and in other museums. But there are no media reports about rewarding these museum guards on this day. And in the Hermitage budget there is no provision for the maintenance of museum cats, although they honestly fulfill their duties of catching rodents, but live off donations from employees.
“Bulgakov House” the cat Behemoth walks freely around the museum and the surrounding area. It only comes into view when it wants to
As you know, there is an expression “March cat” when cats actively arrange serenades under the windows in the month of March. Laughing, people say that they are happy and announce the coming of spring. After Cat Day was established in Russia on March 1 in 2004, people began to joke that cat serenades had become official: this is how cats congratulate their fellow cats on the holiday.
In China, the celebration of Cat Day is specific. For the sake of this holiday, the Chinese legislated a ban on eating the meat of cats and cats, which certainly became a real holiday for them. (In Asia, about 4 million cats are eaten annually).
In Japan, Cat Day is celebrated on February 22 and this is explained by the fact that in Japanese the meowing of a cat is translated as “nyan-nyan-nyan”. It is believed that "Nyan" means "two", and "two-two-two" is regarded as 22 (February 2). On this day, a Cat Day festival is held in Tokyo, where cats win prizes for the most unique behavior. This holiday has been held since 1987. Then it was first organized by a food production company (based on the results of a survey of residents who have cats).
In Poland, “Cat Day”, like in most European countries, is celebrated on February 17th. A festival is held where people play with cats with balls of wool. The culmination of the holiday is that all the players find themselves wrapped in multi-colored threads from balls of wool.
In Belgium, Cat Day is not an annual holiday, but is held every three years. Then in the city of Ypres, a cat parade is held every second Sunday in May. The holiday was continued from the day “Cat Wednesday”, which was the worst day in the life of cats living in the city of Ypres. On this day - every year in the second week of Lent - the townspeople threw live cats from the bell tower of St. Martin's Church. By the way, in 1955 they decided to resume the tradition of throwing cats, but it was decided to replace the animals with toys.
In Italy, the holiday has its own characteristics and is celebrated on November 17 as Black Cat Day. According to Italian beliefs, this day is the most unlucky day of the year, which is associated with evil spirits and the approaching Halloween. Italians in the Middle Ages firmly believed that a cat with black skin was almost proof and direct evidence of its belonging to witches or the devil, and black cats were exterminated by the Inquisition, considering them to be assistants of the devil.
Therefore, November 17, in Italy, Black Cat Day is considered a day of remembrance of all cats that were subjected to torment and torture in ancient times.
Interesting Facts
Despite all-round love, there are a lot of “stray” and feral cats in the world. Thus, according to experts, there are about 120 million of them (feral cats) in the USA alone. For example, in Chicago there are about 5 million cats. In Australia, the number of stray cats reaches 18 million. According to 2008 data in Estonia, the number of stray cats was twice as high as stray dogs. In Latvia, there is no record of stray cats, but it is believed that in Riga alone there are about 200 thousand of them. And in Belgium, there are practically no stray cats. Strict records are kept, and all domestic cats are microchipped (there are currently 1.84 million cats out of the country's 10.4 million inhabitants).
In Australia, almost 90% of people have cats in their homes. In Australia and Great Britain, a black cat brings good luck.
The world's first professional cat show took place on July 13, 1871 in London, at the Crystal Palace. It was organized by the famous English artist and cat lover Harrison Weir. The public liked the exhibition and soon they began to be held regularly.
Bakeneko
The Japanese believe that after death a cat turns into a spirit. Bakeneko (werecat) is a magical cat in Japanese mythology. The third most popular in Japan (after kitsune (fox werewolf) and tanuki (werewolf raccoon - seen as a positive hero, symbolizing happiness and well-being).
Bakeneko (werecat)
Any cat can become a bakeneko: if it reaches a certain weight = 1 kan (3.75 kg), lives more than 13 years, or has a long tail, which then forks.
Statue of the Egyptian goddess Bast with the head of a cat
There is a Cat Temple in the Japanese city of Kagoshima. It was built not in honor of a sacred cat, but in honor of the ordinary 7 cats that a local commander took with him to war in 1600. Cats served soldiers for hours: the Japanese knew how to tell time by the dilation or contraction of the cat's pupils. Now this temple is mainly of interest to watchmakers.
In Japan, the cat is a symbol of the home.
The cat was one of the many animals that were worshiped in ancient Egypt. She was a symbol of fertility and the sun. The people of Egypt worshiped a goddess with a cat's head.
In ancient Egypt, cats were called Mau.
In Ancient Egypt, smuggling of cats was punishable by death.
Using this belief to defeat the Egyptians, Assyrian warriors tied cats to their shields. The defenders of Egypt could not hit the sacred animal.
In the original Italian version of Cinderella, the good fairy godmother appeared to Cinderella as a cat.
Approximately 95% of people talk to cats.
By meowing, cats try to attract a person's attention. At the same time, the cat can be very persistent and can meow without a break for several hours.
As an expression of love for a person, a cat shows itself by raising its tail upward when near its owner. By the way, wild cats are not able to lift their tail up.
A cat in the house can reduce the risk of a heart attack in the owner. A cat also rubs against a person’s leg in order to mark him as its territory (one might even say as its property).
A cat is able to determine a person’s mood, recognize its owner’s voice, but in most cases ignores it. If a cat lies on its back, it expresses its absolute trust in a person and invites careful caresses.
If a cat does not bury its feces, it means that it is showing aggression towards its owner, making it clear that it is not afraid of anything.
Cats were first seen in Europe in 900 BC.
The cat is an animal that is not on the pages of the Bible (one mention is in the non-canonical “Epistle of Jeremiah”). It is believed that the cat has many “disgusting” habits that are not at all compatible with Christian morality and life. And Jehovah's Witnesses answer the question of why cats are not in the biblical scripture: “Throughout history, especially in the Middle Ages and the Salem witch trials in the early 17th century, cats were recognized as demonically possessed animals, and even actual incarnations of real demons. . Since cats are associated with the Devil, can we, as devoted ordained servants of God, be in any way associated with the “living image” of Satan incarnate?”
In the Middle Ages, on St. John's Day, cats were burned at the stake because they were believed to be involved in black magic. The burning of cats led to an increasing number of rats and other rodent carriers of infections, and with them the emergence of epidemics such as the bubonic plague - which claimed at least 60 million human lives!
Although the Christian Church fought against cats, nevertheless, the first who bequeathed his savings to cats, more precisely 14 cats, was Cardinal Richelieu. In the 17th century, this idea seemed crazy, so as soon as the cardinal died, all the “heirs” were killed.
Nowadays there are many such cat heirs. The richest cat heir was the cat Blackie, who was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the richest cat in the world. It is not known exactly how much the cat got, but the fortune of millionaire Ben Rea was estimated at $25 million at the time of his death. According to the will, the cat should receive “all the best.”
millionaire cat Blackie
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the richest cats were two cats who inherited $415,000 in the 1960s. And the richest single cat inherited $250,000.
There are many cat museums, but the first one is the one in Germany. Exhibits for the museum were collected by Angelina Ramsperger from all over the world. And now it contains over 3 thousand exhibits. There are 10 cats serving as guards and caretakers in the museum. There is such a museum in Moscow.
Cat Museum in Moscow
The domestic cat Stubs was the honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, USA. He held his post from 1997 to 2020 (died July 21, 2017 at the age of 20).
Stubs the cat - honorary mayor of Talkeetna
Jack and Donna Wright from Kingston, Ontario are in the Guinness Book of World Records. They have 689 cats.
Excessive love for cats is called Ailurophilia (Ailurophilia or gathophilia, galeophilia is a mental disorder of a person suffering from pathological, uncontrollable attachment and immense love for cats).
Asian leopard cat
The Asian leopard cat, bred by Esmond Gay, is the most expensive cat in the world. Zeus is 90% Bengal and 10% shorthair hybrid and is valued at €100,000.
Maine Coon cat Little Nicky
The most expensive clone cat is the Maine Coon cat Little Nicky. This cat is a clone, born in September 2004 after the death of seventeen-year-old cat Nicky Sr. The owner loved the old cat very much, so she decided to clone. Cloning cost $50,000.
Asherah
The Savannah (Ashera) is considered the most expensive breed of domestic cat. The breed was developed in 1986. The cats reach a maximum weight of 20 kg, with a height at the withers of up to one meter. Maine Coon cats are no less, and sometimes even greater, (translated as “Maine raccoon,” that is, a raccoon from the American state of Maine).
Kira Foster and Maine Coon Rupert
But, while the former (Usher) are best kept in a separate room away from children, Maine Coons are distinguished by an unusually calm, even character and get along well with children and pets, even dogs. Body weight 13-16 kg. The maximum officially registered length of a Maine Coon is 1 m 23 cm.
A cat named Stu holds the record for length among domestic cats - 1.23 m.
And below is the photo of Omar. This red cat lived in Australia. He also has his own page on Instagram - omar_mainecoon
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Ever seen a 14kg cat sprint? You have now! You're welcome! . . #omarmainecoon #mainecoon #mainecoonsofinstagram #mainecoongram #gingercats #catsofinstagram
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Cat Omar
The most popular breed is the Persian cat. The most ancient cat breed is considered to be the Mau.
On average, a cat lives 6 years. The most durable cat is considered to be one that was found alive in a destroyed building 80 days after the earthquake in Taiwan in December 1999.
Cat Cream Puff
The cat, Creme Puff, was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-living cat ever recorded (as of 2010). She lived 38 years and 3 days. It was claimed that there was also a cat named Lucy (Great Britain), and that she died in 2015 at the age of 43. However, this was not confirmed and recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
cat Mr. Peebles
The tiniest cat in the world was the Tinker Toy Himalayan cat from Illinois. He weighed 680 grams, was 18 cm in length, and height (at the withers) 7 cm.
Skif-tay-don
The smallest breed of domestic cat is the Scythian-tay-don (Scythian-toy-bob). They weigh from 900 grams to 2.5 kg, that is, they weigh the same as three to four month old kittens of an ordinary domestic cat.
Cats love enclosed spaces and love to sit in boxes, in which they are found to instinctively hide from predators, gaining restful sleep that can last up to 18 hours a day. Scientists conducted an experiment and it turned out that cats that are allowed to sleep in boxes are less stressed and less aggressive.
Kitty from Staffordshire (UK) gave birth to two kittens at the age of 30! In total she had 218 children. On August 7, 1970, a four-year-old Burmese cat Tarawood Antigone from Oxford (UK) gave birth to 19 kittens. Of these, 14 male kittens and one female cat survived. And the largest litter, with all surviving kittens, was recorded from the Persian cat Bluebell (Bell) in South Africa. She gave birth to 14 kittens.
Towser Cat Monument
Scottish tortoiseshell cat Towser (1966 - 1987), killed 28,899 mice in 21 years. A monument was erected in honor of Towser at the Glenturret Distillery.
Cats are capable of making 100 different sounds. For example, dogs make only 10 types of sounds.
A cat can run at a speed of 48 km/h
A cat is able to drink sea water because its kidneys filter the salt.
A cat has 12 pairs of whiskers, which it needs to move in space.
Tufts of hair in the ears protect the animal from directional sound
All cats are farsighted, so it is difficult for them to see objects that are nearby.
Cats see well in the dark. Due to the position of their eyes, cats can see approximately 300 degrees around them, as each eye has a field of vision ranging from 155 to 208 degrees. A cat's eyes can detect very fast movement (4 mm per second). They do not need to blink to lubricate the surface of the eye. Cats cannot see in complete darkness, but they have many other organs that help them navigate well at night.
About 20 muscles are responsible for the movement of a cat's ears. A cat can turn its ear 180 degrees. During defense, the cat presses its ears to its head. At the moment of attack, the ears move apart.
Kittens, just like small children, have baby teeth. An adult animal has 30 teeth.
Cats do not like sweets because they do not feel the sweet taste, but all cats, without exception, adore valerian. Drinking it makes you stupid.
A cat's nose is unique and has a unique imprint.
It is a misconception that milk is good for cats. Cow's milk is one of the most dangerous allergens for cats. It can cause some health problems for the animal, as many cats are lactose intolerant.
The cat's body temperature is 38 degrees. They prefer to eat foods at room temperature. Ideally, the average food temperature should be 32-40°C.
The cat, with rare exceptions, hates the smell of citrus fruits: tangerines and lemons.
The cat sleeps most of the day, and spends the rest of the time caring for itself - and licking itself
If a cat cannot catch its prey, it begins to clatter its teeth, or “chirp,” which indicates its overwhelming frustration.
A cat's heart beats about 140 beats per minute. For comparison, the human heart beats on average 70-75 beats per minute.
In one minute, the cat makes 30 inhalations and exhalations.
Kittens are able to dream a week after birth. A kitten produces growth hormone only during sleep.
The cat does not sweat, but only the pad of its paw gets wet.
The claws on the front paws are much sharper than the claws on the hind paws
A cat from Ontario, Canada got into the Guinness Book of Records - a five-year-old cat had 27 toes. Typically, a cat has 18 toes (4 on the hind paws and five on the front paws).
Despite their low IQ, cats are capable of solving non-standard problems.
cat Felicette. The cat launch took place on October 18, 1963.
The only cat in the world to have been in space was the cat Felicette from France. She stayed in zero gravity for just over five minutes and experienced g-forces of up to 4g. After landing she was in excellent condition. She also holds the record for the altitude at which cats have been - 155 km. from the earth.
Aspirin (more precisely, acetylsalicylic acid) can be poisonous for a cat, since when it enters the gastrointestinal tract it is metabolized, turning into salicylic acid. Cats do not have enzymes in their bodies to process it. The medicine remains in the stomach for a long time and causes harm to the body.
A cat requires 10 times more territory than a female cat.
A cat's body consists of 517 muscles. The flexibility of a cat's spine is possible due to the presence of 53 vertebrae. The cat skeleton contains 40 more bones than the human skeleton.
A cat is one of the few animals, if not the only one, that can survive a fall from a nine-story building. The cat Andy from Florida (USA) holds a confirmed record for a harmless fall from the highest height - from the 16th floor of a building (approximately 65 meters).
The cat does not know how to climb down from a tree upside down. This is due to the fact that its claws are slightly curved.
A cat sharpens its claws on furniture because it is marking its territory.
When experiencing pleasure, the animal spreads its fingers and retracts its claws.
Cats can sense natural disasters. In the event of an earthquake, the animal leaves the building in advance.
photographer Hiroyuki series of works “Ninja Cats”
A cat can jump to a height 5 times its height.
It is believed that the progenitor of cats is Proailurus, which means “first cat”. Proailurus (lat. Proailurus lemanensis) is an extinct animal of the order of carnivores. Lived in Europe and Asia approximately 25 million years ago, in the late Oligocene and Miocene.
Proailurus (lat. Proailurus lemanensis)
The Turkish Van cat loves to swim. Most domestic cats, to put it mildly, do not like to swim. But they love fresh water and being near water.
Cats love to drink fresh water, so they can often be seen drinking water from the tap. If the owner doesn’t like it, then there is one piece of advice - change the water in the saucer more often.
A domestic cat can survive at temperatures as low as 57 degrees. At the same time, she should have a large amount of water.
Cats are not capable of chewing large pieces of meat. This is because their jaw cannot move laterally.
By bringing mice home, the cat shows that it is not in vain that it eats its bread.
If it is difficult for a cat to make its choice, then it waves its tail in different directions.
The cat licks itself in order to get rid of foreign odors. Cats have a rough tongue that resembles sandpaper. And it’s easier for them to lick their fur.
On 1 square centimeter, cats have 20,155 hairs
As a cat ages, the color of a cat's eyes may change.
And yet... we can write a lot more about our favorites, because this is a truly unique animal.
Kittens
Poland
In Poland, Cat Day is celebrated on February 17th. The Poles have long been famous for their reverent attitude towards their four-legged friends.
Wanting to help our smaller brothers, the inhabitants of Poland established a cat day. Its main goal is to raise funds for donations to nurseries, as well as for medicine and sterilization of homeless animals.
Poles celebrate in a big way. Already in the early morning the main streets are closed and the fun begins. Exhibitions are organized, cat competitions, competitive events, colorful shows and festivals are held.
The “cherry on the cake” is a game of cat fun. Participants dress up in cat costumes and begin chasing huge balls of colored thread. This whole action looks very spectacular.
Cat Day in Poland
Almost half of Poles keep one or more felines in their home. Therefore, February 17, the Polish date of World Cat Day , is celebrated everywhere.
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The key moments of the holiday are considered to be a variety of exhibitions and competitive programs in which everyone can participate with their pets. The main goal of this annual mass event is to raise money to buy food and medicine for homeless cats and sterilize these “nobody’s” animals.
Congratulations in prose
World Day of our mustachioed, tailed and furry pets is slowly creeping up on us on soft paws. Congratulations to everyone who loves these independent, graceful, wayward and so cute animals! Let life only purr to you and never stroke you against the grain. Good luck and success in all your endeavors.
Figure 3. Congratulations on World Cat Day
International Cat Day in Russia
If you didn’t know what date they celebrate Cat Day in Russia , then circle this date on the calendar: March 1st. The initiative to celebrate the day dedicated to your favorite purrs belongs to the Moscow Cat Museum. Officially, this holiday has been celebrated in our country since 2004. This month, marked by cat chants in all courtyards and nooks, the Hermitage, according to history, pays tribute to the palace cats. As you know, on March 27, Catherine the Great issued a decree on the enrollment of cats in the civil service. Representatives of the cat world did no less than protect the palace from rodents.
St. Petersburg organized its annual holiday dedicated to mouse catchers - St. Petersburg Cat Day, which is celebrated on June 8.
Kaliningrad honors cats in early September. Residents consider these animals to be the patrons of the city.
Where did cats come from?
According to scientific data, the first cat appeared on Earth from 6 to 9 thousand years ago. The ancient Egyptians first began domesticating these animals. The spread of cats throughout the world is due to the Phoenicians, who took them with them on ships.
Thus, representatives of the cat family penetrated into Greece and Rome, and from there to Georgia and England. In Rus', purrs appeared in the 7th century BC. e. thanks to the merchants who brought their goods to Russian lands.
Animals that caught mice were very expensive, so they were considered a luxury for a long time. Only representatives of the noble classes could afford to keep a purr.
The appearance of cats among people with small incomes became possible only in the 16th century. Then animals were used as household helpers.
No one even thought that centuries later a holiday related to them would be established. But today no one is surprised that March 1 is Cat Day.
Cat activities: places opened in honor of cats
It is easy to notice that in each country the holiday has common features, but still has its own individual characteristics. If everything is more or less clear with parades and games with balls in the fresh air, then Japanese cat cafes are something new. However, not only such establishments are opened in honor of cats.
Catcafe
The purpose of these establishments is to give people who cannot keep an animal at home the opportunity to communicate with cats, feed, pet, and play with them. Moreover, the cats presented in such cafes do not always have owners. For example, in Belgium there is an institution called DreamCATchers where all the animals are taken from the shelter, and you have the opportunity to take some of the pets home. So far from being limited to entertainment and commercial purposes, many also have charitable goals.
In Russia, cat cafes are presented in the following cities:
- Moscow;
- Ekaterinburg;
- Kazan;
- Voronezh;
- Samara;
Many cat cafes have shelter cats that you can take home.
- Saint Petersburg;
- Nizhny Novgorod.
Cafes you can visit with your cats
In the event that there is no such establishment in your city or this option is unsuitable due to the pet’s passionate jealousy, and the idea of a cafe is still attractive to you, then there is such an option as “Mari Vanna” and restaurants with a similar policy. The point is that in these establishments you will not only be allowed to enter with your pet, but they will also pour milk for it.
Many restaurants will welcome your pet.
Moreover, some of them (for example, the aforementioned Marie Vanna) already have furry guests, and there will be company for your pet.
Exhibitions
You can enjoy the sight of selected purebred cats at exhibitions, which are often held in every city. There you will be able to see and, with the consent of the owners, touch unusual cats, ask questions to the owners about the maintenance of certain breeds and agree on the purchase of a kitten from the nearest litter. You can also watch the awards being given to the best representatives of their breeds.
Cats with titles, as well as their offspring, are more valuable
Museums
There are various museums opened in honor of cats. For example, in the Malaysian city of Kuching, the Cat Museum has been opened, which has collected under its arches everything related to these beautiful animals: from figurines and playing cards with images of cats, to photographs, panels and paintings. Even the entrance to the museum itself is made in the form of a large cat’s head.
At the Malaysian Cat Museum you can find everything related to these animals.
There are cat museums all over the world, here are the most popular ones:
- De Kattenkabinet (The Cat's Cabinet), Amsterdam;
- Republic of cats, St. Petersburg - Vsevolozhsk;
- Cat Museum, Moscow.
Theater
You can admire the cats and see what these freedom-loving animals are capable of in the skillful hands of a trainer at the Yuri Kuklachev Cat Theater.
At Yuri Kuklachev's Cat Theater, cats perform incredible tricks
This unique place opens its doors almost every weekend and delights its viewers with entertaining performances at the address: Moscow, Kutuzovsky Prospekt, 25. Fluffy performers of different breeds will not allow you to remain indifferent, because every performance is a game for them, and for the audience - incredible show.
SPA
If you are tired of the spectacle and just want to relax in the spa, then this procedure can be carried out with the participation of our furry friends. So, let's go to Japan where the kind cat Nia will knead her back and stomach with her paws while the massage therapist works on her feet.
Video: SPA services with a cat
Temple
It would be a good idea to pay tribute to our faithful friends at the cat temple in Tokyo. Buddhists believe that the human soul can be contained in the body of animals, so the bodies of cats can be buried with appropriate honors (statue, portrait) on the territory of this temple. And as the legend says, this will make their path to Nirvana easier.
In Japan, cats can be buried according to all customs in a temple.
Cats are amazing animals, wise, honest in their selfishness and love for their owner, they give us an unimaginable amount of positive emotions and by their very presence, by their life next to us, they change a person for the better. That is why they are loved everywhere, and Cat Day is celebrated all over the world, and despite differences in celebration traditions, its purpose is always the same - to show cats your love.
The most famous cats and cats
From 1997 to 2020, a cat named Stubs was the honorary mayor of an American town called Talkeetna, located in Alaska.
Figure 2. Mayor Stubs the Cat
The cat Cream Puff was honored to be included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest living cat. She was able to live for 38 years.
The smallest feline is the Himalayan cat Tinker Toy. With a length of 18 cm and a height of 7 centimeters, this baby weighs no more than 680 grams.
The only cat who managed to visit Space is a cat from France named Felicette. She experienced 4G g-forces and was in a state of weightlessness for 5 minutes. She was in good condition after landing. She also holds a record for the height that felines have been able to reach - 155 km above the surface of the earth.
Cats are one of the few living creatures that can survive a fall from a 9-story building. And the cat Andy from Florida (USA) was even able to survive a fall from the 16th floor of a building (approximately 65 meters) without harm.
