The REAL Scary Truth about Black Cats

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 - 11:15am
Black Cat

Have you heard the myth that black cats are unsafe in October, in part because witches may try to adopt them for rituals? We sure have. But guess what? Top ASPCA experts agree that it’s just not true.

Unfortunately, the truth is kinda scary, too: Year-round, black cats are the least likely to get adopted in shelters across the U.S. In fact, black animals in general take more time to find homes, says Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President of the Adoption Center.

At the ASPCA, we LOVE black kitties. (Some of our friendliest cats, like Marissa, are black—yet Marissa has waited more than nine months to find a family. What’s up with that?)

Aside from the most important reason to adopt black kitties—that they really need extra help finding homes—here are a few reasons to take home one or two:

  • Their fur won’t show on your little black dress.
  • You can tell your kids you adopted a mini panther.
  • Black cats go with everything.
  • In most cultures, black cats are a sign of good luck.
  • You already know black cats are awesome—you have one at home! If you’ve got a great black kitty, tell us about him or her in the comments. You just might persuade someone else to give these felines a little extra attention.
Tags: 
Adoption

Comments

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:36 — Jennifer (Visitor)
Our Sadie is the best. She's a medium hair black cat and not only is she beautiful, she is the sweetest, spunky little companion. I can't imagine life without her!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:37 — cathyr (Visitor)
I have 4 black cats, 3 females adopted from our local SPCA and one male that was on his way to the shelter. They are great and are like their own little family. They bring a lot of joy to our home.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:39 — Armida Turk (Visitor)
I have three black cats, and all of them are awesome in their own way. Licorice is the most spoiled rotten, and persistent when he wants to be petted. His brother died of FIV at 8 wks old. Licorice survived it. Simon is an 18 pound beauty, and he is not fat. Just big, and he is a big sweetheart. He was rescued by a friend who asked me to take him in along with another abandoned cat who was to be shot if someone didn't take them. Musti (means black in the Finnish language) was tossed out a car window on a local highway. She landed on her head. All she did for two weeks is sleep, eat, and use the litter box. After 2 weeks she recovered enough to be a playful kitten.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:39 — Carole Dallek (Visitor)
I had a wonderful black cat with a white spot on her neck. That was my Bonnie. I had her for almost 20 years. She and Clyde were my children. I now have Tiger and Becky. Bonnie and all the cats were and are great companions. Bonnie would meow most of my name (Carole). She would call out Caro, Caro. I would say Bonnie, I hear you sweety. She would come to me and love to be petted and hugged. I love to kiss and hug my cats. They're very sweet. Every cat lover should have a black cat.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:40 — Michelle (Visitor)
3 of m y furbabies are black and I would adopt more if I could. Each of them are special and have the best personalities. I can't imagine not having them in my life!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:43 — sharon (Visitor)
I adopted a 4 month old male black cat almost 2 years ago. I have 3 female cats I adopted. He is by far the most loving cat I have ever have. He loves to cuddle, give me kisses and is a big talker. I wouldn't trade him for any other cat in the world.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:44 — Denise (Visitor)
I have always had black cats, among cats of other colors. Her name is Shadow,born in the month of October. She goes well in our Halloween pics we take,of her with pumpkins in the back ground. I love my Halloween black cat,Shadow.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:46 — Elizabeth (Visitor)
My husband and I have four cats - and three of them are black! (one is a tuxedo). All four of our cats (and our dog) are rescues, and we brought them home because of "the moment." That's when you pet them and all of a sudden they look up into your eyes, and you instantly know they were meant to come home with you. It doesn't matter if they are black, white, yellow or bald - they are furry, loving and playful, and they need a loving forever home. Our three black cats have very different personalities- one is a sweet, shy love bug that loves to be on your lap, one is a furry, poofy, loving bundle of energy, and one is a furry little tank that loves to play fetch like a dog and sleeps across my husband like a seat belt. Black kitties will always have a special place in our hearts!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:47 — Annaliese (Visitor)
Oh! My! Gosh! I had gone into the shelter to adopt a 'shadow cat'. One of the workers there told me about this lovable black cat that had been there the longest of all the other cats - and she was only 3 years old, so not that old that people would shy away from the vet bills that generally come with an older cat. I ended up adopting both the shadow cat and the black cat. Toffee is a tortoise-shell cat, and she's the shadow cat. Munchkin is the black cat. Let me tell you!... Munchkin is SO loyal. she is hardly ever not in the same room as me. She sleeps by my head every night (for the past 2 years now). I work from home, so she has a bed in my office - even though we have a couple of perches and beds around the house for both cats, she keeps me company in my office all day long. She does not like to be held or cuddled, though. But she definitely lets me know every day that she loves me. I guarantee you that black cats are nothing to be afraid of!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:48 — lynne (Visitor)
Had five until yesterday.aphael lost a 6 month battle with skin allergies. Slinky, Bullet, Ritabonita and Daphne can still smell him but can't find him. black cats are smart, loving and beautiful ! Daphne butts me in the face every morning to let me know it's time to eat.Bullet was a feral and 7 years later still is but he knows who feeds him and who his friends are. I also have a tabby, a torti and a tuxedo. they are all friends and love their dog Sophie ! Animals make life fun !

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:49 — Cindy (Visitor)
I have two black cats - both female - not related - and they are both the most loving, caring cats I have ever had. (I also have 4 other cats.) My granddaughter is a year old and when she cries, one of them - Lily - always comes to make sure she is ok - she gets assertive with me and my daughter when she thinks we are hurting or being mean to Emily. Couldn't ask for better cats.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:49 — Heather (Visitor)
I have had the pleasure of having a black kitty her name was Krazy. She was 14 when she passed and was from a unwanted litter. I cryed so much and then a year and a half later I took in a unwanted 4 year old black munchkin she was very ill. I am so glad I took her in and brought her back to health my vet told me that she would not of made it if she had not been taken out of the environment that she was in! She is the coolest cat! I love Minnie so much I named her after my grandmal that passed and it seamed to fit due to her size. Adopt a black cat they are the only cats I will have because no other breed is like them in my opinion. They are so mmuch fun to watch and cuddle with!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:50 — Donna Garrett (Visitor)
One Halloween night. There was a black cat around our neighborhood. Somme kids thought it waould be a funny joke and hung it in a tree by the neck killing it. Later on a little girl cried because she found out. This is not funny anymore.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:51 — Robbie Graves (Visitor)
My wife and I adopted a black cat from a shelter earlier this year. He is low vision (his right eye is non-functioning) and he has a limp from probably being hit by a car before we knew him. Despite his disabilities, nothing stops him! He is one very happy, friendly, loving cat!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:52 — Cindy (Visitor)
I have two black cats! They're the best!!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:53 — mary (Visitor)
I recently lost my 15 year old black kitty and while I'm not yet reay to go get another kitty right now, my next kitty will be a black one as well. Black Cats ROCK.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:54 — Giovanni (Visitor)
I was outside a few years back and started listening to a little scraping, sounded like a mouse and here it was this teeny weeny little kitten that just did not look like he was going to make it. I started trying to give him some baby milk with a eye dropper. I eventually took him to the local SPCA and they said he would most likely be put to sleep because they could not take care of him so I decided to take him back home. He quickly recovered and always stayed little so I named him Littleman. He was the most loyal kitty he follwed me everywhere but inside my home, he utterly went crazy if you tried to bring him inside so he was my outside kitty but he had a door to go into my heated garage. Recently he did not show up anymore I am not sure if something happened to him in the wild forrest I have outback or if someone picked him up but he is nowhere to be found. He is electronically tagged but no leads yet. Anyway just wanted to say he was the friendliest cat I ever met. I only found a tick on him once or twice opposed to my white kitty that is a magnet to ticks sometimes. It was like having a miny Leapard out in the yard with the smallest meow you ever heard. I miss him and can only hope he shows up again soon. http://york.craigslist.org/laf/3346444948.html

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:55 — Hannah N. (Visitor)
I have owned many black cats and dogs. They are the sweetest lil things! I owned one named Snoozer, and he would crawl on the back of the couch and give us shoulder mesages! I have a black dog right now and she is awesome! Fun, energetic, and she's full of love.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:56 — Marisela Kuzma (Visitor)
I found in the street a gogeous black cat about 8 years ago... and was the best thing that happened to me when I moved to USA. He is no only my firned .. he is my confident and great company at all times. He stay next to me and show me his love in many ways... he is always purrrrrrrrrring really loud when I am around. His name is AZABACHE which is a semiprecious stone find it around volcanos in South America and the locals use the stone to protect themselves against bad energy and bad spirits.... Since I have him my life is the best... I also recued another cat and a Dog too....

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:57 — Love my black kitty (Visitor)
Shes the sweetest. I wasn't looking for a black cat, but when I saw her in the shelter, she won me over! Playful one moment, melting with love the next.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:58 — RED (Visitor)
I have adopted 2 black kitties but my most recent love is the best cat I have ever owned. He has the BEST personality and I couldn't imagine a day without him. I found him on the streets as a kitten - probably because on one wanted him and we have been inseperable ever since. I would love to attach a photo of him - does anybody know how to do that? If so please let me know. I would love to share a photo of my little man!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:58 — Pamela (Visitor)
Black cats are great. I had one for years until someone ran over him in my driveway. I just recently adopted another stray kitten. He is mostly black but a little white. Kittens are hilarious in general but this one loves to snuggle and give kisses. I have a tiger cat that likes his head kissed also.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:34 — Gail (Visitor)
The poor kitten that was killed in your driveway never would've happened had the cat been kept indoors. I hope you've learned your lesson. Outdoor cats only live an average of about 3-4 years if they're lucky; indoor cats live an average of 13-15 years. It's a no-brainer.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:59 — Pam York (Visitor)
I have had one for 12 years, found when he was just a tiny kittens, another just found me about two months ago.he is just a love and has taken to his new brother and sisters. A wonderful addition to our home and family of felines.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 11:59 — Marsha (Visitor)
Pye is our second black cat, and the sweetest, most affectionate boy we have ever had. We would not part with him for anything.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:00 — Lisa (Visitor)
I am blessed with 10 wonderful cats(all rescues) and 4 of them are black. I do like to think of them as my little black panthers. They are all very smart and super affectionate. I also have a wonderful Shepard mix dog that is black(also a rescue). I would like to encourage everyone to give a black animal a home. Your life will be greatly enriched.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:01 — Marilyn (Visitor)
When I met my husband in Feb. '96, he was a self-professed "cat-hater." In August of that year, a very persistent & friendly black cat began hanging around our house. After a few weeks we accepted his adoption of us and named him Nicodemus. My husband is now a "closet" cat-lover.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:02 — Lisa (Visitor)
Sissy, our black cat, came to us last summer. She had two other starving kitties with her who hid in the bushes. She was the leader who came up to us and begged for help. We have fallen in love with her kind, calm nature. She is confident and sweet and loves to climb the tree that leads to a walk on the roof! Because of her precious personality, I always look twice when I see a black cat!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:04 — Dorothy McKnight (Visitor)
I've had three black cats! All of them were male cats and so loving and fun. My previous cat, Spike, was what I called an "old soul" he was so wise. My current cat Shay I adopted with his sister. It is sad to hear people are hesitant to adopt Black cats. I can assure you all of mine were so loving!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:06 — Sandy (Visitor)
I have 2 black kitties (and a black Doberman). Ian is all black with some white on his belly. He loves to play with toys that make a crackle sound but his favorite place is on my lap...especially if I'm using a blanket to keep my lap warm. He just purrs and purrs and will give up his belly shamelessly for a good belly rub. He is very loving and is the only kitty that will try and give his Doberman brother a kiss. My Halle is a tortie and she is very loving and loves to be held like a baby. They have brought nothing but happiness into our lives.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:08 — Nancie Forrest (Visitor)
We had our King Mahina, a beautiful, silky black cat with white flecks and majestic gold eyes for 12 years. He was our sweetheart and a big part of our family. We just lost him 3 weeks ago and miss him terribly. He was independant but loving. Always slept with us since the day we brought him home at 8 weeks but was not clingy. He came when you called him and he loved to be outside! Which we couldn't deny him because he explored and chased and that was his joy (besides us...). We called him the "panther", he was regal and stealth. We love him and miss him terribly!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:11 — Barbara Jenkins (Visitor)
We have a black cat HER name is Johnny Cash. You see from a distance we thought this cat was a male, but when she had a kitten we changed our mind, but not the name. She was a constant companion of one of the old cats in the masonry yard of my business. When he left us to go off and die, she went with him. We did not see her at all for a couple of years, then she began to appear for food every couple of weeks, then more often, and finally became a permanent resident with our other outside cats. When our home kitty died at 15, rather than get another kitty from a shelter, we decided we'd like to take Johnny home. I asked the vet what he thought she'd think about that. He said he thought she'd love it. And he was right. She became an inside cat about two years ago and has absolutely no interest in going outside - been there, done that!. There's nothing like a black cat!!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:13 — Lisa (Visitor)
I adore black cats and black dogs. The best natured pets I've ever had have been black ones. I cannot understand why in the world people have the idiotic idea of not wanting black pets!!!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:15 — Christal (Visitor)
My black cat, Pepper, is such a sweetie. He talks, a lot! And he loves to be scratched while he eats. He follows us from room to room, and he likes to stand up on his hind legs and hold on to our legs with his front paws, and have his head rubbed. He is shy around strangers and usually hides if there's company, but with us he's friendly and playful and just such a sweetie. I love black cats!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:15 — Rhonda McGuire (Visitor)
I have a black kitty names Evie. She is the sweetest most loving kitty ever. I adopted her and her baby a few years back because no one wanted her or Victor (who is black and white). Evie has a very caring nature, and loves to cuddle. She has super long hair that is silky, and when the sun hits her fur it's like so shiny. Black cats are truly the best.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:19 — Abby (Visitor)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my black cat! I call her my teacup panther.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:19 — Patti Lynn Walker (Visitor)
My sons aunt asked asked to take in a black kitten that she couldn't care for anymore. I renamed her Ebony and Ebony was one awesome black cat! I had her spayed and declawed (my first time doing that and I vowed I would never declaw a cat again!) Then she gets hit by a car on a New Years eve, loses her bottom canines and receives a broken pelvis. She mended very well. For all of this, Ebony was a tremendous hunter. Try as I could my cats would not stay indoors. One day Ebony went out and never came back. We were sadden by this. Six months later Onyx, another black kitty, was sitting at the window one early morning and I figured her daddy wanted in the house. It was still dark out and I looked out the window to only see yellow eyes and a meowing mouth. Ebony!! I woke my boys up for school with great news that morning. Ebony never did reveal where she had been for that six months. Black cats are AWESOME!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:45 — Gail (Visitor)
I applaud you for caring for your cats, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE never ever declaw a cat again. Declawing is not only barbaric but it irrevocably harms cats, it's unnecessary and is, in reality, MUTULATION! It's not like removing a human fingernail. Declawing involves extensive surgery and the vet actually AMPUTATES up to the first knuckle of each claw! Sometimes bone fragments remain and causes the cat extreme pain. I'd hate to tell you how many declawed cats have been surrendered to our shelter over the years with the people not understanding why their cat suddenly attacked people, defecated outside the litter box, became withdrawn...the reasons are endless. It's because the cat's in pain! Our shelter has adopters sign a contract that includes NO DECLAW and if we find out they do, we remove the cat from the home and will never allow them to adopt again (part of the contract they sign). Over 25 countries in the world have banned declawing; if only the USA would smarten up.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:22 — therese england (Visitor)
My two black kitties are the sweetest and most loving-one is long hair and one short..it is true-black cats are cuddle kitties! Try one ..or two!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:22 — Kelly (Visitor)
I have two black cats one is solid black and his name is Binx. The other is a mostly black tortoiseshell and her name is Hoot. Hoot got her name because her markings on her face make her look like an owl. Binx I actually didn't name but it is fate that I ended up with him. I have always wanted a black cat named Binx since I saw Hocus Pocus and he also has the same birthday as I do. They are both sweet, playful cats, and they look great with my 3 orange cats too! I love my black cats and my orange cats I'm always ready for Halloween! :)

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:22 — Matthew Humphrey (Visitor)
I've had two black kitties, and both of them were sweet and affectionate animals. The first black cat I owned, Bruno, became my kitty when my erstwhile housemate left him with me; I had him for over ten years after that. Bruno wasn't always the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he had a loving and placid temperament, and was always up for a snuggle on my lap. He was an only kitty for years and years, until I adopted my second black cat, Fiona, whom my mother's friend found under her neighbor's front porch. She was the last kitten of the litter to find a home (whether because of her coloration, I don't know), and being semi-feral, she still hasn't quite gotten comfortable around people other than me. (She was even distrustful of me at first, until she learned that I meant he no harm. Then she responded with a purr that rattled the windows.) As a kitten she was a veritable buzz saw of hyperactive energy, only settling down to sleep next to my head after bouncing back and forth between the bed and the closet a dozen times or so. Now, at almost seventeen years of age, she is more mellow, but still a sweet, if sometimes skittish, older cat. By all means, adopt a black cat if you get a chance. You won't be sorry!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:23 — Karen U. (Visitor)
I had a black cat, Koya, for 15 years. He was my companion, we had a very strong bond. He was extremely smart, which is why we were able to bond so well. He was beautiful when he got older, but he started as a fuzzy "bat" kitten! No one wanted him, all the other kittens had waiting lists for people to take them at the humane society. Little did they know what they were going to miss! A sweet, affectionate, smart, laid-back, beautiful cat! He was my handsome boy and I'll mourn his loss for the rest of my days.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:29 — Karen Antonucci (Visitor)
My black cat Jazzy is the best! I was able to save her from a couple that was going to drop her off outside somewhere. I didn't care why, I just took her. She has been with me now for 3 years, and it's been nothing but a joy having her. My older Siamese cat had passed away and I was going to head to a shelter to adopt, but Jazzy was there for me instead. She gets along gst with my other Siamese. Little Girl is an older cat with a very relaxed personality. But, Jazzy was able to bring her out of the slump of losing her sister. Black cats are beautiful and they brighten any room. I wish more people would ignore folklore and give these beautiful kitties homes. She has brought such joy to my family... and everyone that visits. I love her with all of my heart!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:29 — Kathi (Visitor)
My Black cat is Zeke and he is a handful. He came to me at 7 weeks because my brother could not care for him. He instantly captured my heart and the heart of my 2 year old cat SAM. He was a small 7 week kitten and my first thought was I hope he doesnt turn into on of those skinny black cats. He has become the most gorgeous little black panther and by the way he now weighes in at 20 pounds is not at all fat. He is a big lean, sleek love bug. He loves to snuggle and believe me a 20lb big baby has a hard time finding a comfortable spot on my lap. I can not imagine my life with him.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:30 — Linda (Visitor)
I have owned 3 cats, and I have met dozens of cats in my lifetime. I have to say that my black kitty, Sabrina, is the sweetest cat I've ever known. I actually adopted her with her sister from a rescue, because they thought she was a boy (her foster family named her "Elton"), and I had wanted a male and a female cat. Thank goodness for the mistake, because I couldn't imagine life without her. She greets me every morning with a long stretch on her back on the bathroom rug with her unique and adorable trilling sound she makes. And from that time on, she is my companion whenever I am in the house. She will always find an excuse to play; if there isn't a game going on, she will create one. And I've never seen a kitty so enamored with any size cardboard box than her. She has gorgeous silky black fur with one tiny tuft of white on her chest, beautiful gold-orange eyes, and six tows on each of her back paws. Don't overlook a black cat when considering adoption--she/he could be the best pet you've ever had. And I can assure you, Sabrina has been nothing but Good Luck, so don't believe the myths!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:31 — Gail (Visitor)
I volunteer at a 100% NO-KILL animal shelter as a Feline Adoption Rep and we also don't adopt out black cats/kittens in October unless we know the people. The reason is because we are in Massachusetts, near Salem, which is the historical witch trial location. We're not concerned about real witches (Wicca) as they practice peace, harmony and all things Mother Earth. Our concern are with the screwballs who decide it's 'cool' to have animal sacrifices performed on this holy of nights for Wiccans. They're nothing more than abusers and we have a very strong network of animal rescue organizations that are in constant contact with giving notice of abuse. Our shelter has loads of black felines and we are very fortunate to have adopters who specifically request these wonderful cats.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:32 — Tucker (Visitor)
I HAVE HAD BLACK CATS!! THEY ARE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CAT!! I LOVED MUCH, JUST AS MUCH AS MY OTHERS!! SAYING YOU DON'T LIKE BLCAK CATS OR DOGS IS LIKE SAYING YOU DON'T LKE PIT BULLS!! GET A GRIP!! LEARN!! EDUCATE YOUR BRAIN!! BEFORE YOU JUDGE!! ALL ANIMALS ARE DESERVING!! ALL ANIMALS ARE BEAUTIFUL!! ALL ANIMALS ROCK!! I KNOW A LOT OF SHELTERS THAT DON'T HAVE BLACK CATS ADOPTED IN OCTOBER BECAUSE OF CRAZY ASS, NO GOOD HUMANS!!, I THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA!!

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:34 — Daly (Visitor)
I have two black kitties. It's so funny everyone always asks me how can I tell them apart. To me they look so different. Free, she is a rescue who was going to get put down because no one wanted her, is so lady like doesn't like attention on the other hand Kyle is such a boy he plays fetch he rolls over he drinks water from the toilet (gross I know) They might look alike but yet so different. They are the best cats in the world I wouldn't trade them for the world. And as a added bonus they go with everything... :-)

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:37 — Kathy Smith (Visitor)
My black cat "Chill" was found in an abandoned home. I got him at about 6 weeks. He is the most unique cat I've ever had. He loves to play fetch with me, just like a dog. He's now 3 years old, and I hope he'll be around forever. His name fits him...he loves to lay on top of the sofa, with his paws hanging over the edge & just "Chill" all day long.

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 12:40 — Cheryl Chimino (Visitor)
We have three black cats we used to have four but recently lost our beloved Phantom we had him since he was a kitten he was 16 yrs old. They are all rescues . Today in fact is my baby girl Jettzias 3 rd birthday Bear came from Friends of Michican animal rescue we drove all the way from Cleveland to get him he's going on two then there's Raven she's six . We love our black cats and we always adopt black cats because they are the least likely to get adopted they are so awesome thanks for listening

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