In January 1931 the then Cats Protection League launched their own magazine, The Cats’ Mews-sheet. It was A5 in size and just four pages long.
In 1934 it was decided to change the name to The Cat magazine and it doubled in size. It has gone from a modest black-and-white newsletter covering the work of just a handful of clubs to a full-colour coffee-table magazine highlighting the work done by over 250 branches and 36 centres today.
The charity has gone from strength to strength; survived the trials of war, embraced the technological advances in cat welfare, seen general attitudes towards our feline friends improve… and The Cat magazine has been witness to it all.
Below are some examples of the magazine from each decade. There have been many challenges since 1927 and there can be no doubt that the passion and the energy of our volunteers and staff have not diminished through the years.
First published - January 1931
Includes: why we’ve created The Cats’ Mews-sheet; how you can help cats; and distinguishing between a lost cat and a wanderer.
First published January 1934
Includes: Announcing our publication's new name, The Cat; how to make catnip tea; and the law on deliberate animal poisoning.
First published June 1945
Includes: A cat marked with 'V' for victory markings; cats in different languages; and knowing your cat from head to toe.
First published January 1951
Includes: Our annual report; news from members; and making cat-related new year's resolutions.
First published July 1973
Includes: How we plan to mark spayed cats; Fluffy's 27 birthday celebrations; and a poem about two feline sisters.
First published January 1981
Includes: an appeal for branches to open in London; a literary quick for cat lovers; and why you should keep your cat in at night.
First published May 1994
Includes: The launch of The Talking Cat; how to treat your cat's injuries from fighting; and how to enter our photo competition.
First published September 2001
Includes: How to carve your own kitty pumpkin; how to join our new cat sponsor scheme; and how cats adjust to the clocks change.
First published Spring 2011
Includes: Celebrating 80 years of The Cat magazine; acupuncture for cats; and whether your cat’s colouring makes a difference to their characteristics.
First published Summer 2018
Includes: How to make your garden safe for your cat; a brief history of cat food; and the role of cats in the Second World War.
Subscribe today for four issues of The Cat magazine a year. Filled to the brim with cat-related news, veterinary advice and light-hearted features, plus tips and tricks to ensure your cat is healthy and happy.
Subscribe