Cat lovers have long found it challenging to help others understand the deep bond that can form with a feline companion. While cats are truly remarkable creatures, they’re often unfairly compared to their canine counterparts. But just because they show affection differently doesn’t mean cats aren’t just as loyal, loving, and beneficial for our well-being as dogs.
What is National Cat Lady Day?
In an effort to highlight the meaningful bond between humans and cats, National Cat Lady Day was created. Celebrated annually on April 19th, this holiday isn’t about the old clichés of women hoarding dozens of cats, far from it. Instead, National Cat Lady Day reclaims the term “Crazy cat lady,” turning it into a symbol of strength, independence, and compassion.
This special day celebrates the connection between women and their feline companions, whether they have one cat or a clowder. It challenges outdated stereotypes, honors the modern cat-loving woman, and brings attention to the importance of cat adoption and animal shelters. National Cat Lady Day is the purrfect opportunity to embrace a more empowered, compassionate, and inclusive view of what it means to love cats.
Did you know?
Cats have been intertwined with human history for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians were among the first to domesticate and revere them, considering cats sacred and even divine. Felines were associated with the goddess Bastet, protector of the home and symbol of fertility, and were so beloved that harming one was a crime. Cats were often mummified and laid to rest with their owners, signifying their deep cultural significance.
By around 900 BC, domesticated cats began to spread into Europe, becoming a part of daily life across many societies. While their hunting skills were appreciated, cultural perceptions began to shift, especially during the Middle Ages.
During the witch trials, women who kept cats were viewed with suspicion. Cats (particularly black ones) were labeled as “familiars,” believed to be supernatural beings that assisted witches in their dark deeds. Simply owning a cat could place a woman in serious danger, fueling fear and superstition that would last for centuries.
Fast forward to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and a new stereotype emerged. Instead of being accused of witchcraft, women, especially those who were single, widowed, or living alone were portrayed as frumpy, reclusive figures obsessed with their cats. Pop culture picked up on the trope, painting the “cat lady” as someone lonely and eccentric. Movies and television shows reinforced this image, suggesting that if a woman didn’t have a partner, she must at least have a house full of cats.
Then in 2009, an article used the term “crazy cat lady,” and the label stuck. While intended as humorous, it further reinforced negative stereotypes about women who love cats casting them as socially awkward or emotionally unstable.
Thankfully, times are changing. With awareness and empowerment, the “cat lady” image is being reclaimed by proud, independent cat lovers everywhere. Today, loving cats isn’t a sign of loneliness, it’s a sign of compassion.
How to celebrate National Cat Lady Day?
(Because being a cat lady is a lifestyle, not a stereotype)
🐾 1. Spoil Your Cat (or Cats!)
- Treat them to a new toy, comfy bed, or fancy treats
- Schedule a cat spa day (brushing, nail trim, cuddle time)
- Create a cozy cat fort or enrichment station at home
📸 2. Post a Cat Lady Shout-Out
- Share photos of you and your cat(s) with a proud caption
- Use hashtags like #NationalCatLadyDay, #CatLadyPride, #FurMama
- Tell your followers what being a cat lady means to you
🧶 3. Embrace the Cat Lady Aesthetic
- Wear your best cat-themed clothes, socks, or jewelry
- Rock that “Cat Mom” mug at work or school
- Watch classic cat lady characters from movies or TV
📚 4. Learn & Share Feline History
- Read about the role of cats in ancient cultures (like Egypt!)
- Share cat facts or bust stereotypes
- Watch documentaries like Inside the Mind of a Cat (Netflix)
🐱 5. Adopt or Foster a Cat
- Visit our cats needing homes page to see our cats available for adoption
- Can’t commit long-term? Fostering helps give cats a temporary home and love. See more information on fostering
- Bonus: Volunteer at or donate to our shelter in honor of the day
🐈 6. Support Cat-Themed Small Businesses
- Buy from artists who make cat-themed merch
- Check out Etsy shops with custom pet portraits or accessories
- Follow & share about our shelter
7. Reclaim the Term “Cat Lady”
Post about what being a cat lady means to YOU, not what society says.
Proud. Independent. Compassionate. Strong.
Break the stigma, one meow at a time.
The Moody Violet X The Sheffield Cats Shelter
We have paired up with The Moody Violet to help break the stigma! The lovely artist Harriet Lucy has made us amazing prints that all you cat ladys can buy and 10% of the sale goes to helping our cats.
Buy these fantastic prints here: https://themoodyviolet.com/
About The Moody Violet?
Harriet – “I created The Moody Violet as a brand over 10 years ago in college, with the idea of having a creative space and a belief that art should resonate with the soul. Now this idea has come to life, I have also included my love of community and involve charity in everything that I do. I believe we all have the power to create positive change. That’s why a portion of every sale is donated to charities that resonate with my values and vision.
As a cat lover myself, I have always wanted to create a collection that supports animals, and where better than my local Sheffield Cat Shelter 🫶🏼
I used mix media a lot, and the images in this collection are all part hand drawn part digitally drawn. “The Cat Lady” is an image based on the founder of The Sheffield Cat shelter.”
See more here: https://themoodyviolet.com/
