International Cat Care

😺 This brilliant photo was taken by our Senior Marketing and Communications Executive, Lauren Collins, of her beautiful calico cat, Pepper.

📸 For , share your favourite photo that you’ve taken of a cat. 👇

🖤 Black cats have a special place in our hearts and in cultures across the world.

Show some love for these beauties by sharing a photo of your mini house panthers, void cats and tuxedo cats in the comments 📷 👇

Moved house? New phone number? This is your reminder to update the details linked to your cat’s microchip if any of your contact information changes! 🐈

Keeping your details up to date gives the best chance of being reunited with your cat if they ever get lost. Even indoor cats and cats with collars should be microchipped. In some countries, including England, microchipping your pet cat is required by law.

✅ You can usually check and update your details online by visiting the database you are registered with. Your vet can also check the details for you, but they cannot update them.

Learn more about microchipping cats 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/microchipping-cats

At iCatCare, we are dedicated to supporting individuals and organisations who work and volunteer with unowned cats around the world 🌍 🐱

This we’re excited to share three brand-new, FREE Cat Friendly Homing Practical Guides to support you:

🐈 Traffic Light Assessment: https://icatcare.org/articles/traffic-light-assessment

🐈 Cat Friendly Interaction: https://icatcare.org/articles/cat-friendly-interaction

🐈 Quality of Life Assessment: https://icatcare.org/articles/quality-of-life-assessment

Understanding the world through the cat’s eyes is at the heart of the work we do. 📧 If you work or volunteer with unowned cats anywhere in the world, sign-up to our Unowned Cat Community emails to receive free information, updates, and helpful resources from iCatCare ➡️ https://go.icatcare.org/unowned-cats-community

☀️ Cats can often be found relaxing in the warmth of the sunshine, but any cat can be at risk of sunburn. Cats with white, thin or no hair are at higher risk. Repeated sun exposure can lead to sore and damaged skin, which in turn could lead to skin cancer.

Here are our tips if you want to use sunscreen to protect your cat:

🐾 When applying sunscreen, use gentle Cat Friendly handling paired with positive reinforcement - don’t force your cat into the interaction.

🧴 Only use sunscreen that is specifically for pets. If you are using a new product, monitor your cat for any reactions.

🐱 Focus on applying it to their nose, tips of ears, belly and groin areas, along with anywhere that has thin or no fur.

🪶 After applying, distract your cat with a treat or play to allow the product to be absorbed without being licked and groomed away.

🏡 If you would prefer not to put anything on your cat, restricting their access outdoors during the hottest part of the day may be necessary.

🏥 Contact your vet team if your cat is showing any signs of sunburn or skin cancer, or if you would like advice on sun protection for your cat.

More advice on our website 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/should-i-use-sunscreen-on-my-cat

Do you want to champion a better experience for cats visiting your clinic? 🐱

Take one of our Vetpol accredited courses to become a recognised cat advocate. Whether you’re a vet professional or receptionist, you will gain an understanding of how to create a Cat Friendly experience at every stage of a cat’s journey, from booking appointments, the waiting and consultation rooms to hospitalisation and aftercare.

Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional 👉 https://icatcare.org/courses/cat-friendly-veterinary-professional

Cat Friendly Veterinary Receptionist 👉 https://icatcare.org/courses/cat-friendly-veterinary-receptionist

Get started today to improve feline welfare and reduce stress for cats, their owners or caregivers, and the whole team at your practice! 😺

ℹ️ iCatCare Veterinary Society vet members - get a 20% discount as part of your benefits!

If you have taken one our courses already, we'd love to know how it has supported you to be more cat friendly. 👇

Thank you everyone for joining us on 👏😻

We hope you enjoy the rest of the day, and remember to ! 😺 You can still find all of our FREE information and tips on our website 👉 https://icatcare.org/international-cat-day

Tell us in the comments how you have been celebrating today and the Cat Friendly changes you are going to make. 👇

If you enjoy our free content and advice and want to make a difference to global cat welfare, please support us ❤️ https://icatcare.org/support-us

When it comes to your cat's health and wellbeing, finding trusted advice can be confusing. Here at iCatCare, we've got your back! 😺 Find FREE information and advice, compiled by leading veterinary experts and backed by veterinarians around the world on our website 👉 https://icatcare.org/cat-advice

📧 Get the latest in Cat Friendly care, expert vet insights and useful information straight to your inbox each month by signing up to our newsletter https://go.icatcare.org/community

🐈 If you work or volunteer with unowned cats, visit our dedicated pages packed with cat friendly solutions and expert resources designed to support you 👉 https://icatcare.org/working-with-unowned-cats

🐈 Cats receive less preventive care and visits to vet clinics than dogs, with millions of cats never receiving any veterinary care in their lifetime. Show your cat you care with annual check-ups to keep them healthy and happy.

All cats should have at least one annual check at the veterinary clinic, but some cats need to visit more often. 🩺 Your vet team are there to support you and your cat, helping to identify health and behavioural problems early.

We understand how stressful vet visits can be for cats and owners/caregivers - we have plenty of free advice to help you, like carrier training and travel tips. Learn more 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/taking-your-cat-to-the-vet

🏥 Our global Cat Friendly Clinic programme means that accredited clinics meet high standards in Cat Friendly care during every step of your visit. Find your nearest and book your cat in for their annual check today 👉 https://icatcare.org/cat-friendly-clinic/for-owners-and-caregivers

If you visit one of our accredited clinics, give them a shoutout in the comments! 😻 👇

If you visit a clinic that isn’t accredited, speak to the staff and encourage them find out more.

Happy ! 😻 Today we’re championing Cat Friendly care! 🙌

Cat Friendly care means considering your cat’s individual needs throughout their lifetime, from creating a purrfect home environment, to recognising their emotional, behavioural and physical needs. These needs can change as cats grow older or become unwell, and it's important to recognise how to adapt your care to support their wellbeing.

🐈 Understanding your cat is the first step to being ‘Cat Friendly’. Even small changes – an extra litter tray, creating safe perching and hiding places, acclimatising your cat to travel, choosing an accredited Cat Friendly Clinic – can all make a difference.

Are you providing Cat Friendly care for your feline companions? Find FREE, easy to follow advice written by iCatCare experts on our website 👉 https://icatcare.org/international-cat-day

Show or tell us in the comments about how you have made your home more Cat Friendly! 💬

If you want to make a difference to global cat welfare, please support our work ❤️ https://icatcare.org/support-us