It's WORLD CAT DAY, so let's band with these internet cats to save lions and tigers

Pop star cats are set to be the next internet sensation

First there were cats in hats, then there were jumping cats and cats in a box, but the latest feline internet sensation is a video of cats making a bid to be pop stars! The famous ‘cats of the internet’ have banded together in a bid to hit the charts with a charity single to raise money to help lions and tigers.

Launching on World Cat Day on 8 August, CatAid is a parody of the famous Do They Know It’s Christmas and We Are the World music videos from the 1980s, using animated versions of well-known YouTube cats.

The video and song, If You Care, Care for the Wild, aims to get the message out that extinction in the wild for both lions and tigers within 20 years is a real possibility.

Philip Mansbridge, CEO of Care for the Wild, who have produced the video alongside international creative agency JWT London, said:

“Cat lovers love videos of cats. Cat videos are all over the internet. But all domestic cats probably want to be lions or tigers, so it’s only fair that they start pulling their weight to help their wild cousins!
“As a wildlife charity we know how much people love lions and tigers. But we also know that they don’t understand quite how serious the situation is. It’s hard to imagine a world without these big cats, but it’s going to happen unless we all do something about it. Hopefully this video will get the message out in a way that people notice – while watching a brilliant video and singing along to a frighteningly catchy song!”

The video is part of the CatAid campaign which is a feline-themed parody of Live Aid

Lions are extinct in over 25 African countries, and there are only 250 lions left in the whole of west Africa, with a total of less than 30,000 across the continent. Only around 3,200 tigers remain in the wild, anywhere. Both species are under threat from hunting and poaching, often for their skin and body parts, which are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and for products such as ‘tiger wine’. Habitat loss and conflict with humans have also taken a massive toll.

CatAid was the idea of JWT London, an international creative agency which supports Care for the Wild in raising awareness about endangered animals. David Masterman, Creative Director, JWT London explains, “We’ve had Band Aid, we’ve had USA for Africa, it was time these cats put their fame to good use and help their wild brothers and sisters.”

Christiano Neves, Creative, JWT London adds, “There’s no denying cats are massive on the internet. They dance, they hide, they do silly things and they always have millions and millions of views. So why not use these cats to deliver our serious message: if you care, care for the wild.”

 Watch the cats in action here:

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