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Do you have a tortoiseshell cat in need of some appreciation? Now there’s a day you can show your love (even more than usual). Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day is on April 17th. This is a day dedicated to all the beloved tortoiseshell Cats from the past, present, and future.
A Closer Look at Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day
Tortoiseshell kitties have bi-colored coats that replicate a tortoiseshell and have a special sassiness to their personalities known as “tortitude.” But what makes torties truly unique are their genetics.
Torties are almost always female. Their genetics allow them to carry both the black and orange coloring in their fur, whereas males can carry only one of those colors. Interestingly, these chromosomes also determine the sex, making tortoiseshell cats almost always female.
Tortoiseshell kitties are beloved by many people and, up until 2020, they didn’t have a special day like black cats. So, Ingrid King decided to change that in honor of her late tortie, Ruby.
King adopted Ruby on April 17th, 2011, and loved her from day one. Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen illness, Ruby passed away on December 18th, 2021. But Ruby’s love lives on thanks to King’s creation of Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day.
How to Celebrate Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day
What’s the best way to celebrate your tortie? By making it all about them, of course! Flood social media with photos of your precious kitty and ask for a “cat tax” by having people share photos of their torties as well. Change the colors of your profiles to all of the tortie fur colors. Let your kitty feast on their favorite foods. Let the whole world know that it’s Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day!
What Other Cat Holidays Are There?
As a cat lover, you’ll be happy to know there are other cat holidays out there for you to celebrate your kitty, no matter their fur color.
Conclusion
Now that you know about Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day, it’s time to spread the word! Since the holiday is so new, sharing pictures of your cat on social media is the best way to let people know that it’s a special day. How will you celebrate?
Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock
