With Halloween on everyone’s mind, let’s take a moment to discuss the black sheep of the felis catus family – or rather, the black cat. Everyone knows the superstitions that surround these beautiful animals, and the history of the black cat is one that’s stepped in legend and lore. The image of a black cat conjures up thoughts of bad luck and familiarity with the supernatural in many cultures. As pervasive as these stories are (and damaging to the reputation of these great pets), there’s an even more dangerous myth hurting their cause even to this day.
It’s a myth we’ve all heard: black cats shouldn’t be adopted around Halloween. It’s the duty of animal shelters, some believe, to take these cats out of adoption even as early as a month before the holiday. While it’s understandable and is clearly an idea born out of concern for these animals, it is an idea based on rumor and speculation, one that only hurts the adoption rates of black cats, no matter the good intention.
There has been no evidence to show that black cats are more at risk in October than they are any other time of the year. The biggest threat to black cats is one they face year around: a life spent in the shelter. Why blacklist these cats when they already have already have a harder time getting adopted in comparison to other cats? Surely, they need all the time and attention they can get.
So, in spirit of the Halloween season, let’s make the image of a black cat a good thing! Picture this, a cozy fall evening in front of the fire, a beautiful ball of midnight-furred cat curled up in your lap. But remember, pets are a many year commitment, not just for a season.
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If your curious to know more about the topic of black cat adoptions around Halloween, check out these links:
