National Feral Cat Day

National Feral Cat Day is observed each year on October 16. It was created by Alley Cat Allies in 2001 to raise awareness about feral and community cats, promote humane solutions like Trap‑Neuter‑Return (TNR), and inspire people to take action to help cats living outdoors.

History of National Feral Cat Day

Alley Cat Allies launched National Feral Cat Day during its 10th anniversary in 2001, with the goal of rallying cat lovers, veterinarians, shelters, and communities to more actively support feral cat populations. In doing so, the organization sought to shift public perception—urging people to see outdoor cats not as pests or strays to be eliminated, but as living beings whose welfare deserves attention and care.

Over time, the observance evolved and in 2017 the name Global Cat Day was introduced, uniting the message for all cats with emphasis on community cats everywhere. But National Feral Cat Day remains the action component—October 16 is still set aside for concrete efforts in communities to support outdoor cats responsibly.

Why National Feral Cat Day matters

Feral cats often live in precarious conditions: exposure to disease, predators, starvation, injury, harsh weather, and lack of consistent human care. By raising awareness of their struggles, this day nudges us to look beyond stereotypes and consider how humane interventions can help both cats and communities coexist more peacefully.

Also, National Feral Cat Day draws attention to effective, compassionate strategies—especially Trap‑Neuter‑Return (TNR)—that reduce reproduction, limit suffering, and stabilize cat populations without resorting to mass removal or euthanasia. It galvanizes local action, encourages policy change, and helps build networks of caregivers, advocates, veterinarians, and officials working together.

Here are some concrete reasons the day is meaningful

• It highlights feral and community cats who are often invisible
• It promotes humane, evidence‑based solutions rather than punitive ones
• It enables local groups to rally around cat welfare initiatives
• It reinforces that small actions (spay/neuter, feeding, shelters) add up
• It helps shift public attitudes toward compassion and shared responsibility

How to Observe National Feral Cat Day

You don’t need to be a cat expert to take part. On October 16, you might join or support a local TNR project, help set up trap or spay/neuter clinics, or assist in caring for cat colonies in your area. Even simpler steps—like educating neighbors, distributing resources, or advocating for humane local laws—can make a difference.

In many places, animal welfare organizations, shelters, and volunteers host events: free or low-cost sterilization, vaccination clinics, building outdoor shelters, feeding stations, or educational outreach. Some lead workshops or letter-writing campaigns to local governments that lack cat‑friendly policies. Collaborating with others can magnify your impact.

Here are some actionable ideas

• Volunteer with or donate to a TNR or community cat group
• Help trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return feral cats safely
• Build or distribute insulated outdoor shelters or feeding stations
• Share educational materials and help correct myths about feral cats
• Contact local policymakers to support humane community cat programs

National Feral Cat Day Dates Table