So here’s something you might not know (I didn’t): July 10 is National Kitten Day, which I’m guessing is the cutest holiday on the calendar.
And fun fact: it wasn’t just dreamed up by the internet. The holiday was founded in 2012 by Colleen Paige, a pet and lifestyle expert who clearly knew the world needed more excuses to gush over cute kitty videos and memes.
No!! Just kidding! Actually, National Kitten Day isn’t about adorable photos (although that can certainly be a part of it.)
Colleen created it to shine a light on adoption and kitten welfare, reminding us that shelters are full of fluffballs waiting for homes and that supporting spay/neuter programs can make a big difference.
And here’s the best part: You don’t even need a kitten in your living room to celebrate. Whether you’re a proud cat parent, a foster volunteer, or just someone whose preferred style of procrastinating is looking at cats on Instagram, you can still get in on the fun.
Here are Some fun ways to celebrate, regardless of your current kitten status.
Celebrating With Your Own Cat
If you’re lucky enough to share your home with a kitten (or maybe even a cat who still thinks they’re a kitten), National Kitten Day is basically your reminder to spoil them shamelessly. Think of it as Valentine’s Day, but with less chocolate and more fur on your clothes.
Here are a few easy ways to make the day feel extra special for your feline roommate:
- Upgrade playtime. Break out a new feather wand, chase toy, or crinkly tunnel. Even a simple paper bag can turn into the world’s best hideout. Kittens crave variety, and honestly, so do adult cats who never quite outgrew their zoomies.
- Treats, treats, treats. You don’t have to go overboard—just a little something extra. Try a special catnip blend, freeze-dried meat treats, or even a homemade tuna bite if you’re feeling ambitious.
- Cozier naps. Cats spend most of their day sleeping, so why not upgrade their nap game? A fluffy bed, a sunny windowsill perch, or even a folded blanket in their favorite spot can feel like a thoughtful gift.
- Wellness counts too. A good grooming session (brushing, nail trim if tolerated) or a little extra cuddle time can go a long way in making your cat feel cared for.
You know your kitty better than anybody. Whether they’re the type who likes a good chase session that end in dramatic “pounces,” or they just want to curl up next to you while you scroll through kitten photos online, the important thing is that you celebrate together.
Adoption Events & Shelter Involvement
National Kitten Day isn’t just about showing off and posting 47 pictures of your own cat on social media (although yes, please do).
It’s also a big day for shelters and rescues, many of which use July 10 as a chance to spotlight adoptable kittens.
Here’s how you can join in on the bigger picture:
- Check your local shelters. Many rescues run adoption events or offer reduced fees on National Kitten Day. Sometimes they even host full-on “kitten showers” with tiny paw-print cupcakes.
- Ask about fostering. If you’re not ready for a forever commitment, fostering a litter—even just for a few weeks—can be a lifesaver for shelters bursting with kittens during the summer months. We fostered a sweet, adult, black lap cat named Bandit a few years ago. It was so satisfying to be told by the agency that I literally saved his life — and it was fun to have a special visitor in the house for a few weeks. Unfortunately, we couldn’t continue because our cat Cookie was extremely unwelcoming and unkind, and having to constantly keep everyone separated was too much stress for everyone involved.
- Spread the word. Even if you’re not in a position to adopting a kitten right now (because, for example, you have a mean grey tabby cat at home who would try to kill it), you can help by sharing adoptable kittens on social media. One shared post could be the reason a little fluffball finds their forever lap.
- Donate supplies. Think kitten formula, toys, litter blankets, and scratching posts. Shelters are always in need, and National Kitten Day is a great excuse to drop off a bag of goodies.
Whether you walk away with a new family member or just help a shelter stock up on canned food, celebrating this way makes a difference far beyond your own four walls.
“Boring” Items to Donate
Above I mentioned donating kitten food, toys, litter, and blankets. And yes—those things are essential.
But here’s the secret: shelters run on a thousand little, less glamorous items that rarely make it onto donation wish lists but make a world of difference for staff, fosters, and the cats themselves.
Here are some of the unsung heroes of the shelter world that will really make the people at the shelter do a happy dance:
1. Unscented Bleach & Cleaning Supplies
Unsexy? Absolutely. Essential? Even more so. Shelters scrub constantly to prevent illness from spreading. Bleach, paper towels, and laundry detergent disappear faster than kittens at an adoption event.
2. Towels & Blankets (Used Is Fine!)
Don’t toss that old bath towel—shelters will put it to work as bedding, carrier lining, or an emergency burrito wrap for a wiggly kitten. And the cats certainly won’t care if it’s a little frayed.
3. Heating Pads or Rice Socks
Tiny kittens can’t regulate their body temperature well, so safe heat sources literally save lives.
4. Office Supplies
You wouldn’t intuitively think to donate pens, printer paper, or sticky notes to an animal shelter (or at least I wouldn’t), but these items are vital. Every adoption, vet visit, and intake needs paperwork. Behind every happy adoption photo is a small mountain of forms.
7. Plastic Storage Bins
Shelters are always juggling donations, food, and medical supplies. Bins keep everything clean and organized—and make life easier for foster parents too.
8. Baby Food (Meat-Only, No Garlic/Onion)
That tiny jar of pureed chicken can coax a sick or shy cat into eating. It’s also the trick for disguising meds.
9. Cat Carriers (Used Is Totally Fine)
Some adopters don’t have their own, and cardboard boxes aren’t the safest ride home. A sturdy, secondhand carrier can mean a secure trip to a forever home.
10. Gift Cards
Maybe the least exciting gift to wrap, but the most flexible. A grocery card might fund formula for bottle babies; an Amazon card might replace a broken washing machine part. Shelters love being able to fill gaps on the fly.
Throw a Tiny Party for Your Kitten
Sure, kittens don’t exactly need an excuse to be adorable, but National Kitten Day is the perfect time to sprinkle in a little extra fun. Think of it as their birthday party, but without the party hats they’ll definitely refuse to wear.
A few ideas to get the celebration rolling:
- DIY toy time. You don’t need a fancy pet store haul. A cardboard box with holes cut in the sides? Instant kitten playground. Crumpled paper ball? Hours of entertainment. It’s basically proof that cats think recycling bins are toy chests.
- Safe homemade treats. If you’re handy in the kitchen, you can whip up quick kitten-friendly snacks like baked tuna bites or frozen chicken broth cubes. For the less culinary inclined, a store-bought bag of freeze-dried treats works just fine.
- Kitten photo shoot. Grab your phone, toss in a few props (tiny blanket forts, flowers, or that one basket they can barely squeeze into), and prepare to capture some seriously frame-worthy chaos.
- Interactive play. Feather wands, laser toys, or treat puzzles are perfect for burning off that wild kitten energy. Bonus: you’ll get a workout too, especially if your kitten has Olympic-level zoomies.
Again, the goal is simply some good bonding time. Whether your “treat” is a full-blown play session or just an extra cuddle pile on the couch, your kitten will think it’s the best holiday ever.
Celebrating Without a Kitten
No kitten? No problem. You can join the fun even if you don’t have your own ball of fluff at home.
In fact, some of the most meaningful ways to celebrate come from folks who simply love cats but don’t currently live with one.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Support your local shelter. Consider dropping off a bag of kitten food, some cozy blankets, or a few toys. (Also, don’t forget that “boring” donations are important too. Shelters never say no to paper towels or cleaning supplies.)
- Donate virtually. Many rescues have Amazon wish lists or direct donation links, so you can help stock the shelves without leaving your couch.
- Sponsor a kitten. Some shelters let you “virtually adopt” a kitten by covering food and medical costs until they find a home. You still get updates and photos—basically like being a long-distance cat aunt or uncle.
- Volunteer cuddle time. If your schedule allows, sign up for a shift at a local rescue. Spending an afternoon snuggling kittens? Yes, please.
- Celebrate with friends’ cats. No shame in being the “cat aunt/uncle” who shows up with toys, treats, and endless affection. Kittens don’t check adoption papers at the door.
National Kitten Day is about spreading love and awareness, and you can do that regardless of your cat ownership status. Even small acts of support ripple outward in big ways for kittens waiting on their forever homes.
Sharing the Love on Social Media
There’s no better day to waste time scroll through social media than on National Kitten Day.
Sure, you can stick to just being a spectator, but there are also some ways you can join in the fun.
Here’s how to make your posts part of the celebration:
- Use the big hashtags. #NationalKittenDay, #AdoptDontShop, and #KittenLove are all popular choices. Toss in your cat’s name as a hashtag if you want them to feel like an influencer.
- Share your story. Post your kitten’s adoption glow-up, a silly video of their zoomies, or that photo of them wedged into a box half their size. Personal touches always stand out.
- Boost adoptables. Not every post has to be your own cat—share a photo or reel from your local shelter. Your repost might help a kitten find their forever person.
- Get creative. A funny caption, a themed reel, or even a kitten meme you made yourself? Gold. Internet cat culture thrives on a good laugh.
- Encourage action. Add a link to a shelter’s wishlist or remind your followers that fostering saves lives. Sometimes the right nudge is all it takes.
Think of your post as part cute content and part gentle reminder that there are plenty of kittens out there waiting for love.
Donation Drives & Adoption Specials
Many shelters use July 10 as a spotlight for their busiest season (a.k.a. “kitten season,” when rescues are overflowing with tiny whiskered roommates looking for homes).
Here’s how you can plug in:
- Look for fee-reduced adoptions. Lots of shelters lower or even waive adoption fees on National Kitten Day to help more kittens find homes. If you’ve been on the fence about adopting, this could be the gentle nudge you’ve been waiting for.
- Join a donation drive. Some rescues run special fundraisers, collecting kitten food, formula, litter, or medical supplies. Check your local shelter’s website or socials—they usually post wish lists.
- Double your impact. Sometimes organizations pair the day with matching donation campaigns (think: “every $10 feeds two kittens instead of one”). It’s a feel-good multiplier.
- Community events. Pet stores and rescues occasionally team up for adoption fairs or supply drives. Even if you’re not adopting, you can still drop off supplies or cheer on the new pet parents.
Whether it’s dollars, supplies, or signal-boosting an adoption post, your contribution adds up. For the kittens waiting in cages on July 10, every bag of food or waived fee makes the road to a forever home that much shorter.
Is It Just for Kittens?
Despite the name, National Kitten Day doesn’t come with an age limit. Yes, it’s designed to spotlight the tiniest whiskered troublemakers, but older cats deserve a little fuss on July 10, too.
Here’s how to include cats of all ages:
- Spoil the seniors. Older cats may not chase feather wands like they used to, but they’ll happily accept a heated bed, a new cozy perch, or extra cuddle time.
- Give adults their due. Full-grown cats are often overlooked in shelters compared to kittens. Sharing their adoption profiles on National Kitten Day helps balance the spotlight.
- Celebrate personalities, not just ages. Whether your cat is a zooming kitten or a dignified lap-warmer, the point of the day is showing love and appreciation.
Conclusion
National Kitten Day may officially land on July 10, but honestly? Every day is kitten day if you live with one. Still, it’s nice to have a dedicated excuse to go a little overboard—whether that means spoiling your own furball, boosting adoptable kittens at your local shelter, or just flooding your feed with whiskers and toe beans.
The beauty of this holiday is that there’s no “right” way to celebrate. You can cuddle your senior cat, donate to a rescue, volunteer for kitten snuggles, or simply share a funny photo that makes someone smile. Big or small, every act adds up to more awareness, more adoptions, and more kittens finding their forever homes.
So on July 10, lean in. Play, post, donate, adopt, or just enjoy the purrs. Because at the end of the day, National Kitten Day isn’t only about kittens—it’s about love, and the joy these little whiskered companions bring into our lives.