Happy Saturday:

• 🇯🇵 Cats are the icon are Japan

• 🐈 What your cat wants to tell you

• 😸 How cat owners can help dogs in need

• ☕️ Rescued cats that live in a cafe

Did You Know…?

The average house cat can run up to ___ miles per hour in short bursts.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Walk through any Japanese neighborhood and odds are, you’ll spot a cat statue with a raised paw beckoning you. That’s maneki-neko, or “beckoning cat,” believed to bring luck. But cats in Japan go far beyond superstition. They’re woven into everything from ancient folktales to pop culture.

Cats first arrived in Japan in the 6th century, tasked with guarding sacred texts from mice. By the 10th century, they had earned elite status, and some even had court ranks along with personal attendants. Their presence continued to grow, showing up in art and spooky stories.

Fast forward to today: Japan is home to Hello Kitty, cat cafes, and even train stations run by cats. Cats are popular not just for their cuteness, but for their quiet independence. They’re perfect for small apartments and busy lifestyles.

From lucky charms to online stars, cats in Japan hold a rare status. They’re not just pets, they’re icons.

If your cat could talk, they’d likely have a few requests. Nothing outrageous, just the basics to feel safe, respected, and a little spoiled.

Start with routine. Cats thrive on predictability and get stressed by sudden changes, loud noises, or unexpected visitors. Regular meals, quiet spaces, and clean litter make a big difference. Speaking of litter, scoop daily (or more). Think of it like this: if someone in your home didn’t flush, you’d notice.

Handling matters, too. Not every cat wants to be carried or cuddled, and many dislike being pet in certain spots like the belly or tail. Learning your cat’s signals, like a twitchy tail or stiff posture, helps you avoid overstepping.

Cats also need space to play and rest. That might mean a sunny perch, a quiet hiding spot, or a scratching post in the middle of the action. And while they’d never ask, regular vet visits catch health issues before they get serious. They can’t tell you something’s wrong, but they’re counting on you to notice.

Thank you to Eko for sponsoring Daily Purr.

Debbie Morgan didn’t just rescue one cat. She rescued 19. While working as a nurse in Qatar, she took in cats abandoned in extreme heat, some injured, some orphaned, and all unlikely to survive without help.

When she returned to Wolverhampton, she couldn’t bear to leave them behind. Six long flights and countless vet checks later, she brought them all home. To give them a space filled with people and purpose, she and her sister are opening a café called The Qattery.

The café’s lower level will serve customers as usual, while upstairs will be a cat-only space. The cats won’t be up for adoption; this is their forever home. And with safety features like quiet rooms and enrichment areas, Morgan says their wellbeing comes first.

She hopes the café can also be a space for education, teaching families and future pet parents what caring for cats truly involves.

From royal thrones to mid-zoomie naps, here’s what’s trending:

• 💤 Persian kitten goes full zoomies, then collapses in the cutest sleep ever

• 🐕 How you can make a difference in the lives of beagles

• 👑 Shelter volunteer thrifts the ultimate cat throne, and the internet approves

• 📸 These Russian Blue cats are internet stars for a reason

Daily Purr is brought to you with love from our cats. We hope they can brighten your day, just like they do ours. ❤️

Love,

Olive, Milo, and Yasmine.

🐱 Bite-Sized Treats

🧐 Did You Know: The average house cat can run up to 30 miles per hour in short bursts.

😸 COTD: Give your kitty the spotlight by submitting them for Cat of the Day. Reply to this email with your best photos of your cat, their name, and a short description for the chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with how your cat speaks to you for a surprise in your inbox!