Today is National Cat Day, a day to celebrate cats and remember the millions still living without a home.

One of them was a kitten named Iris.

Two years ago, a stray mother cat gave birth outdoors in a California backyard. 

Her kitten, Iris, was found weighing less than a quarter pound, her eyes swollen shut, with severe infections spreading around her nose and mouth. 

She was too small and too sick to eat on her own.

For seven weeks, someone syringe-fed her by hand every few hours until she was finally strong enough to eat on her own.

Iris survived.

Her mother was later spayed and vaccinated, so she would never have another litter face what Iris did.

Not every kitten is found in time.

In 2025, nearly 3 million cats entered shelters and rescues across the U.S. 

60% were classified as strays, and 59% of all cat intakes were kittens.

Many of those kittens were born outdoors, where food is uncertain, and disease spreads fast. 

A mother cat may spend hours searching for food while her kitten waits, hoping she will return. 

Someone found Iris in time. 

Every day, kittens just like her are born with no one nearby to find them.

Shelters and rescues work tirelessly to keep up, but the number of animals needing help is overwhelming.

Every litter that is not prevented becomes the next generation born into suffering.

This is why our mission is to end the #1 cause of suffering and death for dogs and cats, overpopulation, by developing a Cookie that will only need to be eaten one time, and it will, in effect, spay or neuter without surgery.

While we build toward that future, your support helps animals who are suffering right now.

A $25 one-time gift treats infections and parasites suffered by 2 dogs and 2 cats: mange, ringworm, and infected wounds, so they can heal.

A $50 monthly gift provides immediate emergency care including pain relief, X-rays, IV fluids, and antibiotics for a dog or cat hit by a car.

A $100 one-time gift provides a litter of 6 puppies or kittens with special formula, food, and heating pads for 3 months, helping them grow strong enough to become independent.

National Cat Day is a celebration of the cats who share our homes. 

It's also a reminder that somewhere out there, a kitten is hidden and waiting right now, hoping someone finds her the way someone found Iris.

With your support, we can care for animals in need today while building a future with far fewer born into suffering tomorrow.

Thank you for caring and for helping animals!

Sources:

[1] Shelter Animals Count

[2] ASPCA