National Cat Day is observed in Italy and Poland every February 17. The celebration originated in Italy in 1990 when journalist Claudia Angeletti published an open letter in the newspaper Tuttogatto, inviting readers to choose a date for the holiday. The date of February 17 was selected for various reasons, including its association with the zodiac sign Aquarius, which shares traits with cats, and the cultural belief that cats have multiple lives. In Poland, the holiday was launched in 2006 by the magazine Kot and Cat Club Lodz, with efforts to help homeless cats and collect donations for shelters. Following the magazine's closure in 2010, the animal rights group Viva! and the TVP3 Warszawa television program took over as patrons of the holiday. Celebrations in both countries typically include fundraising campaigns for animal shelters and events aimed at promoting the welfare of cats.