Happy Meow Year for Cats Day
Germans usually prefer cats as their pets irrespective of age. As many as 16.7 million feline companions were reportedly kept in homes across Germany in 2021, in comparison to about 15.7 million the previous year, according to the Pet Supplies Industry Association and as reported by the German website ‘swp.de’.
Every year on the 8th of August, cat lovers and their pets observe ‘International Cat Day’ which was first instituted in 2002 and the organization behind the establishment of Cat Day is the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Abuse of cats and penalties for perpetrators
On this day, animal welfare organizations remind people of the responsibility they have for their decision to keep cats. Abuses in cat breeding and animal welfare are often pointed out on August 8.
For instance, in the case of West Ham opponent Kurt Zouma, who was sentenced to 180 hours of community service in early June for being a cat abuser. Zouma gained notoriety after he was caught on camera tormenting and caressing a cat, which infuriated many in England and on social media. As the largest animal welfare organization globally, the RSPCA also resolved to take custody of Zouma’s two cats.
Renowned football players such as Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, and Messi often post pictures of themselves with their kids playing with their pets or vice versa.
Iranian veterinarian Hala also expresses her pleasure in taking care of cats on a voluntary basis in a Persian cat museum in Tehran that was established three years ago. “When you take care of cats or play with them, the happiness hormone is released,” Hala said, according to AFP.