Debunking the Black Cat Myth

Friday, July 13, 2012 - 10:45am
Black Cat

Black cats have never had it easy. In fact, they have long been considered bad luck and unfairly linked to witchcraft for centuries. With it being Friday the 13th, we think it’s the perfect time to put some common assumptions about black cats to the test.

Black Cats Bring Bad Luck
False. In reality the color of a cat's coat has nothing to do with good or bad luck. And just for the record, in many other cultures, a black cat is a prized pet. In places like Japan and the British Isles, they’re even thought to bring their pet parents good luck!

Black Cats Are Evil
False. Sure they may jump on the kitchen counter or use your favorite chair as a scratching post. And just maybe they even try to nibble your toes while you sleep. All cats can be playful. But evil? We think not.  

Black Cats Are Often Unwanted
True. Ask any shelter or rescue worker and they will tell you—black cats are the hardest to get adopted. In fact, they are only half as likely to find homes as other cats. So, what’s the problem? An unfairly earned reputation? Yep.   

Black Cats Make Awesome Pets!
True. Black cats may get a bad rap, but really they're just as lovable as the next furry feline. So help us turn their luck around.Share this article with your friends, and consider adopting one of the cuties currently available at the ASPCA Adoption Center!  

Tags: 
Adoption
Cats
Pet Care

Comments

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 20:34 — Laura (Visitor)
We have 3 cats in our family - a black cat, a tuxedo & a very dark tortoiseshell. Our black cat Wisp was found as a kitten hiding under a palette of cement mix outside a hardware store, abandoned. She has been my constant companion for 10 years now, and we've been through everything together (including a very scary bout of fatty liver disease, which she completely recovered from!). Black cats have such wonderful personalities, I think everyone should get to know at least one.

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 21:03 — Julie (Visitor)
I'm very glad my black cat has come into my life. He has been a wonderful addition to the family, and a great companion for the tabby cat I have. He is extremely lovable, and not at all bad luck. I feel sorry for the people who left him behind when they moved. They lost a great companion. However, their loss is my gain.

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 21:05 — Joyce (Visitor)
I had a Black Kitty named Midnight and he was the best! I had him for 16 years and cried sooooo much when I had to put him to sleep because he had cancer! He would play fetch and was such a great companion. He slept with me all the time and always had to touch me when he was on the bed. After he died, I was given another Kitty by my Vet, an Orange Tiger Kitty, but a friend of mine knew I missed my Black Kitty, Midnight sooooo much that He got me another Black Kitty that I named Charcoal! He is soooooooooooooooo affectionate! He kisses me all the time, while he is purring and is sooooooooo loveable! I am happy I got another black Kitty and will probably always have a black kitty. They are, like so many on this site said soooooo lovable! They are not EVIL! Both my Kitties sleep with me every night. \

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 21:07 — John Sokso (Visitor)
We have three black boys. One was a pharo kitten, one wondered to a friends house and the other was in a kill shelter in Broklyn NY.

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 21:09 — chandra (Visitor)
I have had my black cat blackman for over 2 yrs now and he brings me love and joy and he is so sweet black cats are not bad luck it's just the people that think that.

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 21:56 — Cindi (Visitor)
I have a 3yr old black Princess who my family adores-she is such a sweetheart and her black fur is beautiful! This is 2012, not 1812 and yet people in this country are still holding on to ancient superstitions whole other countries view black cats in a completely opposite light...

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 22:32 — Andrea (Visitor)
I've recently heard they were harder to adopt and I was very surprised. I got our black cat, Tyler, from a foster home in New York. Sleek, and Oh sooo shiny!! Big green eyes...My boys just love him! We all do. I can't imagine life without him! Get a black cat...you won't be sorry! :D

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 23:04 — Katie Phillips (Visitor)
I have three black cats. They are as wonderful as any sweet kitty and if anything, are good luck to those who love them!!!

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 00:08 — lisaj (Visitor)
When I went to adopt my last two cats at the Humane Society they asked me what I was looking for. They were surprised when I said I want two black cats. Bagheera and Mowgli really adopted me and I wouldn't trade them for anything! Love Love Love my black cats!

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 00:46 — Doris (Visitor)
I currently have 2--Kaylee is a black tortie polydactal, and my precious baby. Guy Noir is her little (well, younger) "brother"--nosy as can be (Hence the name), and such a friendly, lovable guy! Can't imagine my life without them!

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 00:57 — Deborah (Visitor)
My Black cat, Jasper, was my baby. He kissed me when I asked and purred on my lap within seconds of me sitting down. There was never a sweeter cat, ever. A mama's boy but very social, curious , part of the party and oh so elegant. I miss him always.

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 08:57 — Laura (Visitor)
My black cat, Noir, is such a sweet girl! She's a little diva and very affectionate. I adopted her from Wildlife Rescue in San Antonio; I'm so thankful they took her in so I could find her. Incidentally I also have a white cat. Black cat, white cat. :)

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 09:43 — Bella (Visitor)
Having had my 1st black cat tortured in some stupid "satanic ritual" I have become uber pro-black cat rescue (crazy cat lady) we only adopt & rescue black kittens, teens, adults & seniors. Our 2 newest editions are kittens brother & sister: Sir Lance Charming & Lady London GaGa both are 12 weeks old spayed & neutered (most important a life saving procedure that will hopefully prevent black cat killings tortured abused lives) black kittys are the best! They have unique cat-a-natalies & when you spring a black kitten cat or senior you're more than saving lives you are enriching yours. Cats are always better in pairs, triplets & more. If you've ever got black cat questions contact me

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 09:53 — Vicki (Visitor)
Since I have started owning cats (or them owning me) I have ALWAYS made sure I had one Black Cat in the family. They have a different attitude and in my house, was the master of the house. Playful and loving, sensitive and kind. If you really want to believe in the superstition then read up. On one site I was on it said that WHITE cats are considered bad luck if they show up at you house and stay.

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 10:08 — Doris (Visitor)
I have had many black and tuxedo cats over the years. My little girl Mama Midnight was a petite little girl with a big heart, and was my shadow, (no pun intended!) and stuck 2 me like glue! She would even wrap around my neck at night when I was sleeping and cling to the pillow so I couldn't get away! I miss her and all my other babies who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge over the years. As a volunteer at a local shelter, I see that we currently have many black and tuxedo cats. If I could, I would adopt them all. I currently have this tuxedo cat outside my house 4 quite some time whom I am trying 2 take care of and friend. We have so many stray or unwanted cats, it is so hard 2 keep up. The area just around my house has been extremely busy lately. There was one little guy Dillon who we rescued very young with his brother Jessie. He was black with only one eye when we found him, and needed to have surgery to close it up and keep from infection. He was the smaller of the 2, and so cute always looking like he was winking at u! He and his brother were very close, and Jessie was very close 2 and protective of his smaller brother Dillon, so we wanted them adopted together. We had them well over a year, and they were finally adopted to a good home. :) Many happy stories and many still waiting 4 their forever homes. :(

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 11:05 — Ryan (Visitor)
We adopted a black cat, named Sunny, when she was a kitten. She is 2 years old now and she is absolutely the sweetest, most amazing cat around. She has a great personality and is very loveable. In fact, she looks almost exactly like the kitty posted on this page. It breaks my heart to hear black cats are half as likely to find a home. People need to put their silly superstitions aside, because black cats are just as amazing as every other kind.

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 11:57 — Emily (Visitor)
I have never had a black cat but I would not care what color their coat is. It is like buying a jacket, does it matter what color it is it just matters that it fits right?

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 12:56 — Peggy Angeline (Visitor)
The two best cats that have ever owned me are black. The first was named Sabbath and he was awesome. He was an out door cat and was treated badly. Eventually some one actually did the cruelest thing ever. They poisoned him. It broke my heart and I knew right then that I would never subject a cat to the cruelty of the public again. I have Zeke now who is the sweetest, cutest, funniest, orneriest, and silliest cat in the world. He is jet black with golden eyes. He has certainly never brought me bad luck. Nothing but happiness and joy. Foolish are those who believe in such myth. You are missing out. Please! All cat owners. If you really love your cat, keep it indoors. Not everyone love cats. People, cars and other animals can be very dangerous for you baby.

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 18:30 — ceirra (Visitor)
black cats can be the sweetest thing ever if you train them and care for them if you hate black cats you hate pets

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 12:04 — Errin (Visitor)
I currently have three female black cats. I love each of them dearly. My close friends call me the crazy cat lady and I accept that title with honor. All of my girls are rescue kitties so it makes me feel great for giving them a good home. Stop the myth about black cats! I am lucky to have them in my life!

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 20:47 — Jennifer (Visitor)
I was always a dog person and now I have two black cats. I have a boy and a girl I love them dearly. They are not only the best looking cats (in my opinion), but the most loving and playful as well. Both of my cats love to be around people and are very sweet. They also have a very fun playful side. I do worry around Halloween when all of the crazy and sick people go after black cats, but I would never trade mine. To put it plain and simple black cats have gotten a bad rap and have been stereotyped.

Mon, 07/16/2012 - 21:26 — Paige (Visitor)
I have a black cat named Binxen. She is wonderful. I sought her out because she was black. She is the softest cat I've ever pet & she cuddles with me every night. I've never loved a pet more!

Tue, 07/17/2012 - 09:21 — Danielle (Visitor)
I have three black cats, all of them siblings. They were abandoned in front of my church two summers ago when they were two weeks old. My husband and I bottle fed them and now they are all grown up. They are the most beautiful cats and so sweet. I swear they think they are dogs because they follow us everywhere. I must admit I am very protective of them because they are black and I've heard of people doing HORRIBLE things to black cats. Never judge a book by it's cover!

Tue, 07/17/2012 - 14:44 — Wendybiird (Visitor)
We've had Harold (our pitch black Bombay) since he was a little tyke and he's now 11 years old. He's the best cat. In addition, he and our 13 y/o Ragdoll/Coon cross helped to raise our now 6 year old Catahula. All of our 4-legged beasties were rescues either from the Humane Society or from another rescue organization.

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Wed, 01/30/2013 - 03:10 — M Smith (Visitor)
Unfortunately a cat being born with a black coat is almost a death sentence! Not only are they wrongfully associated with witch craft/black magic, they are a symbol used during Halloween. I used to be a vet tech & we once had someone bring in a dead black cat they had found right around Halloween. Someone had skinned it...while it was still alive! I couldn't believe someone coud do such a thing! Because of this I made it a point to adopt only black cats . I have 2 & they have crossed my path many times & no bad luck here!! If anything I think black cats tend to have more personality! I adore mine! They have been there for me when no one else was! I think their color makes them gorgeous! If you have black cats PLEASE bring them inside around Halloween!!

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