National Cat Day was inaugurated by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige in 2005.

Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965) was born in London; prolific English author of children’s stories and plays, poetry, biography, history and satire. Though she wrote many books, she is best remembered for the lyrics of the hymn “Morning Has Broken.”

To read Eleanor Farjeon’s poem “Cats” click: 

Cats

by Eleanor Farjeon

Cats sleep anywhere,
Any table, any chair,
Top of piano, window-ledge,
In the middle, on the edge,
Open drawer, empty shoe,
Anybody’s lap will do,
Fitted in a cardboard box,
In the cupboard with your frocks–
Anywhere! They don’t care!
Cats sleep anywhere.

“Cats” from Eleanor Farjeon’s Poems for Children, © 1951 by Eleanor Farjeon –
J.B.Lipincott