Every dog, it is written, has its day.
Well, so should every cat.
To get to a dog, life starts as a puppy. Likewise, to reach cat status, life begins as a kitten.
And wouldn't you know it, today, July 10, is National Kitten Day which, says nationaldaycalendar.com, "purrfectly celebrates the cuddly warmth of a kitty. The miniature fur balls of energy snuggle their way into our hearts with no effort at all. Within a flick of their tiny ears, we're in love."
This week's picture from the Museum and Archives of Vernon is from 1928, showing a young Ken Ellison holding on to his unnamed kitten (we decided to call the furball Woody.)
As the website nationaldaycalendar.com reminds us, while kitties are well equipped to find their way into our homes and hearts, many don't find places to reside. They're abandoned, left somewhere, are wild or feral. Spaying and neutering pets, including cats, is vital to their health and, as late legendary game show host Bob Barker reminded us daily at the end of The Price is Right, "help control the pet population..."
To help observe National Kitten Day, play with your little fur baby or bring it a new toy. Share a selfie with your kitty. Visit a shelter, volunteer your time. And if you're considering getting a kitten, adopt instead of purchasing one.
Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert, author, and animal advocate, founded National Kitten Day as a way to encourage adoption and celebrate the joy kittens bring into people's lives.
The Okanagan Humane Society has a number of cats, kittens, dogs and rabbits up for adoption at okanaganhumanesociety.com/adopt.
