Calling All Cat Lovers: It's Caturday @ the Library!

March 28, 2018 11:15 AM
by Barbara Chang Fleeman

You’ve heard of bookmobiles – but how about a cat-mobile? The Catty Wagon is coming to the Library! This mobile adoption vehicle, created just for cats by the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, will visit the Main Library on Saturday, April 7, bringing rescued kittens to cuddle and possibly provide with a fur-ever home.

The Catty-Wagon.

The Catty Wagon visit is part of the Santa Monica Public Library’s “Caturday” event, a half-day celebration of cats that will also feature a cat storytime, kitty crafts, pet adoption tips from the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, and a screening of Kedi (2017), the heartwarming, award-winning documentary about the thousands of cats roaming the streets of Istanbul.

Promotional image of the award-winning documentary 'Kedi (2017)'

Why cats? There’s a long history of library cats, from antiquity when cats roamed the libraries of Egyptian temples, to modern times, when a book inspired by Dewey, the library cat, stayed on the bestseller list for six months. Browser, a library cat at a Texas public library, recently made headlines when a worldwide backlash saved him from the city council’s efforts to evict him.

While we don’t have a cat at the Santa Monica Public Library, we have lots of cat lovers amongst our staff. A staff member’s cat, Mimi, was selected for the August 2018 page of the prestigious cat calendar issued by Baker & Taylor, a library materials distributor. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts feature popular weekly #Caturday posts with cat news, mews and kitty cuteness. Search the library cat-alog to see the 1800+ books, audiobooks and videos that will delight cat lovers of all ages.

Library staff showing off their love for all-things-cats by donning these great crafty kitty ears.

Beyond that, numerous studies have shown that cat ownership contributes to health and well-being. Petting cats releases oxytocin, which can reduce stress and anxiety. Cat ownership may lower blood pressure, decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke, and increase resistance to allergens. Best of all, cats provide companionship and reduce feelings of loneliness.

So whether you’re a crazy cat lover or just cat-curious, come to the Santa Monica Main Library at 601 Santa Monica Blvd. on Saturday, April 7, and check out the cats (and check out some books and DVDs, too!). These programs are free and open to all ages. Seating and supplies are limited and on a first-arrival basis. For more information, see smpl.org or call the Library at 310-458-8600.

Authored By

Barbara Chang Fleeman
Librarian I