It’s International Cat Day 2017! Here’s 5 Liverpool places to find yourself a feline friend

International Cat Day is a full 24 hours of love, recognition and attempting to hug of one of humanity’s oldest and most beloved pets.

It’s got to be said that we’re self-professed dog lovers here at The Guide Liverpool, but it has to be said, watching funny cat videos on YouTube is still one of our favourite ways to waste time. We’re pretty surprised that Liverpool hasn’t followed suit and got itself a cat café yet (business idea anyone?) as we are most definitely a city of animal lovers.

The International Cat Festival celebrations were put together for the first time in 2002 by IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, among other animal rights groups, to celebrate the most popular pet on the planet.

It’s estimated that 500 millions cats are thought to be roaming the globe, from way back with Cleopatra to roaming the cobbles on Corrie. We love their crazy antics, chasing laser pointers, pooping in neighbours gardens and running around the house at 3am for no reason, scaring the life out of us! Owning a cat has been known to improve mental health and relieve stress, anxiety and depression.

Photo Credit: Official Coronation Street Facebook Page. The wonderful Betty and Corrie Cat.

Want a kitty of your own? If you think you’ve got what it takes to become a cat owner, why not look at rehoming a moggy from a local rescue centre? Whether you’d like a black cat, ginger cat, Persian, Siamese, Burmese, Bengal, Shorthair, Munchkin, Balinese, Ragamuffin or simply any cat and you’ve got a place in your heart for a furry bestie, head this way.

Check out these 5 Merseyside cat rescue centres to find your new four-legged friend…..

1 – Boote Home for Cats

Boote Home for Cats, based in Fairfield, has been caring for abandoned and unwanted cats and kittens in Merseyside since 1942. Open from Monday to Saturday 10-4pm, call 0151 228 4336 to arrange a viewing appointment or head to www.bootehomeforcats.org.uk for more info.

2 – Freshfield Animal Rescue Centre

Freshfield Animal Rescue Centre, Ince Blundell, is home to in the region of 65-80 cats and kittens, that are vaccinated and neutered and that they are all de-fleaed, wormed and microchipped while awaiting their forever home. Head to www.freshfields.org.uk or call 0151 931 1604 to arrange a viewing.

3 – Liverpool Cat Welfare

Liverpool Cat Welfare is based in Huyton and run by volunteers. They rescue, neuter and re-home many unwanted cats and kittens each year and you can see the little beauties for yourself by heading to www.liverpoolcatwelfare.com or calling 0151 735 0110.

4 – RSPCA Liverpool

The RSPCA is the oldest animal welfare charity around and the Liverpool branch continues to rescue, care for and rehome local animals in need, including lots of cats. Based in Halewood, you can begin your search for a furry friend by heading to www.rspca.org.uk/local/liverpool-branch or calling 0151 486 1706 for more information.

5 – Cats Protection St Helens

If you haven’t already ‘awwwwwww’ed at these two, you’re not ready to own a cat! The Cats Protection St Helens Adoption Centre is open every day (except Wednesday) and is looking for forever homes for tonnes of friendly felines. Check out www.sthelens.cats.org.uk or call 01744 817718 for more information.

If you’re not quite ready to own a cat but you’d like to offer help and support these local charities, you can donate much needed funds or goods by checking out their websites for details. Stock up on the catnip and bust open a can of tuna for your feline friend today and celebrate their four-legged fabulousness. Happy International Cat Day 2017!

Think you’ve got the cutest cat in Merseyside? Does your kitty have its own Instagram account? Tweet us your cat pics @TheGuideLpool or email us info@theguideliverpool.com and we’ll share the best on our socials.