As the unofficial OnMilwaukee.com "cat person," I felt it was my duty to report on National Cat Day. Until I received a press release yesterday announcing Companion Animal Resource and Adoption Center's (CARAC) plans for celebration, I had never heard of such a thing.

But then again, my co-worker informed me last Thursday that it was National Chocolate Milkshake Day, so I suppose these things can sneak up on us. Did anyone else know that this country celebrated delicious dairy desserts on Sept. 11?

As it turns out, National Cat Day, Oct. 29, was created by animal expert Colleen Page in response to her successful National Dog Day. (She also set aside days for horses and wildlife).

This woman is an animal warrior. As an animal behaviorist, she founded "Pet Home" magazine, authored "The Good Behavior Book for Dogs," and started the Animal Miracle Network, which connects animal lovers, shelters, rescues and businesses that care about helping orphaned animals.

The purpose of the upcoming National Cat Day is to raise money for local shelters and to, simply, celebrate the felines in your life.

CARAC commemorates the day with a Cat Care workshop on Oct. 25 at Bucketworks, 1340 N. 6th St. The $5 event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. and features vendor and information booths, feline microchipping services, a "build your own" cat scratching post workshop and a cat scratching post and condo auction.