2024 National Cat Lady Day Gallery: Meet Arlington's Adored Felines

ARLINGTON, VA — A "cat lady" is a "woman who has a lot of cats, especially a woman who lives alone and is considered to be slightly strange," according to the Cambridge Dictionary.

Although some people may take offense at that characterization, the dictionary also classifies the term as "humorous," which is likely why most of the cat ladies out there seem to embrace the title. If it's "slightly strange" to have a big heart and affection for cats of all shapes, sizes, ages, temperaments and fur colors, so be it.

Friday was National Cat Lady Day. To celebrate the occasion, Patch invited all the cat ladies in Arlington to share photos of the felines they adore for this photo gallery.

My 6-year-old, self-professed “cat lady” took the attached photo of our 18-year-old tri-pod rescue cat named Pip. He lives in Arlington, Virginia, and is our only pet right now, living his best life getting smothered with attention and treats. — Suzanne Peurach

Cali is a 10-year-old Calico rescue taking a sun bath on the cat condo and Blue is in the window. Blue is a 10-year-old Flame Point Siamese rescue. — Martha Holder, Arlington

We live in the Claremont neighborhood of Arlington. This is my daughter Olivia holding our baby Stella (aka Littles). She is a Ragdoll and just turned four and is the third of our 3 cats. Ragdolls rule! — Joelle Kivi, Arlington

This is Casper. He’s an 8 year old neutered male Maine Coon mix. Casper is a beauty and he knows it. I caught him cleaning his tail and he patiently waited for me to take this picture of him. He loves watching birds and bees and supervising me. — Carla von Bernewitz, Arlington

Phantom has been a resident of Arlington for almost 12 years.

But her earliest known existence was at the Prince George's County animal shelter. She was acquired by Tails High, a cat rescue group in Alexandria, because a nursing mother cat was needed to help raise a litter of kittens that had been found on a boat.

After the kittens were ready for new homes, "Ribbon" was spayed and made available for adoption. Her new mom had just lost a cat to heart disease and needed a new roommate as soon as possible. When asked what she was looking for, the answer was "a multi-colored, long haired cat," which was met by the surprising response, "we have one of those."

Phantom, who was renamed because of her resemblance to the lead character in the Broadway musical, and her mom have been inseparable ever since. — Melissa Pollak, Arlington

This is Suzy a seven-year old-Abyssinian who loves to eat and run. — Helen Malaskiewicz, Arlington

This is Skipper. She is the queen of our house. She is regal, elegant, and confident. She has the softest fur and looks like loaf of pumpernickel bread when she sleeps. — Alex McElroy, Arlington

My girl’s name is Zouzou. We live in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia. It’s just in the other side of the Potomac River and Washington, DC. She was adopted from a shelter in Martinsburg, WVA. — Janet Utman, Arlington

I'm not much of a lady, but I couldn't resist the urge to participate and share my favorite Kitty Hicks photo. Kitty is my little buddy and I'll put his intelligence, obedience, affection, and loyalty up against any canine. — Jay Hicks, Arlington