See our readers’ cute cat photos to celebrate International Cat Day 2017

Ted, age four. Picture: KELLY LAUDRUM. (Image: Archant)

Cats have given us company since before records began and are always loyally waiting for us to walk through the front door each day, so there is no better way to celebrate our purring pals than to create a whole gallery dedicated to them and their antics.

The International Cat Day was created by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in 2002 to celebrate one of the world’s most favourite pets, with more than eight million cats in our homes and scratching our furniture throughout the UK, according to statistics from 2016.

IFAW work tirelessly to make the earth a safer place for all kinds of animals and strives to create a world “where animals are respected and protected”.

To find out how you can join the mission to protect animals across the globe then visit the website.

14-week-old Simba. Picture: CHIARA MADDALENA. (Image: Archant)

Can you spot three-year-old Pongo in this photo? Picture: LEANNE BRUNNING. (Image: Archant)

Seven-year-old Smokey enjoying the fresh air. Picture: JENI MICHELLE CANT. (Image: Archant)

Rambo, three-years-old. Picture: RHYANNON ROPER-HARWOOD. (Image: Archant)

Four-year-old Minnie. Picture: JENI MICHELLE CANT. (Image: Archant)

Three-year-old Florence. Picture: KELLY LAUDRUM. (Image: Archant)

Titch, age five. Picture: AMANDA KIRBY. (Image: Archant)

Three-year-old Tabby and Toots. Picture: RACHEL LONDON. (Image: Archant)

Twinkles and Poppy, both two-years-old. LUCY SWARBRICK. (Image: Archant)

Rory and Peaches, both one-years-old. Picture: KEELEY MONSON. (Image: Archant)

Simba and Pip. Picture: VALERIE SCHOFIELD. (Image: Archant)

Pioneer, three-months-old. Picture: LYNSEY CLEREHUGH-SMITH. (Image: Archant)

Jake, age five. Picture: DAVID FRANCIS. (Image: Archant)

Two-year-old Rooney getting comfy. Picture: DAVINA BURNETT MARJORAM. (Image: Archant)

One-year-old Max. Picture: HEIDI COBB. (Image: Archant)

Maisie, age seven. Picture: MARTIN KEMP. (Image: Archant)

15-week-old Freddie, Puzzle and Winston. Picture: KATE CRANMER. (Image: Archant)

Marley and Milo, both 16-weeks-old. Picture: KATIE LAY. (Image: Archant)

Six-year-old Jack and eight-year-old Miko. Picture: ALEX JACOBS. (Image: Archant)

Three-year-old Aggie. Picture: MARTIN KEMP. (Image: Archant)