Did you know October is officially Black Cat Awareness Month?
“Mom, did you know some people think black cats bring bad luck?” Violet, age 7, asked me.
“I did know that!”
“Isn’t that crazy? Newt isn’t bad luck!”
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If you’ve been around for a while, you’re probably going to be shocked by this fact. I know I am.
Newt is 12 years old. A senior!
She’s our resident Elder Stateswoman.
And thank heavens she shows no signs of slowing down. Newt is wise. She is tolerant. She’s also feisty and will not hesitate to correct any behavior she doesn’t like from us, Penny, or Ripley. She loves to curl up in a warm lap for a snooze, and she greets us at the door every time we come home. Newt loves to watch the birds and squirrels from her window perch and spends hours out in the catio.
She has a depth of emotion that people so rarely understand or pay attention to in cats. Example: Violet started having terrible dreams. Newt, all on her own, started sleeping in Violet’s bed with her each night. Bad dreams disappeared (for the most part) and still Newt stays to help Violet feel safe.
BTW, this window perch is AMAZING. Sturdy, easy to install, can move around the house, and Newt spends much of her day here. I did a whole post about cat-friendly household accommodations if you want more ideas here.
So, why do black cats get their own awareness month?
While Newt believes it should be a month honoring how amazing she and her black cat relatives are, the reality is a bit more sinister.
Black Cat Awareness Month is a time shelters and rescues strive to dispel myths about black cats.
You know those superstitions? A black cat crossing your path and so on…
Turns out, not all superstitions around black cats are all bad! In fact:
Black cats appear in the folklore of many more cultures as both good and bad omens. In some European folklore, black cats are considered common companions of witches and bringers of misfortune if they happened to cross your path. In contrast, Welsh folklore depicts black cats would bring luck to a home and could even be a reliable weather predictor.
One of the most pervasive myths about black cats, though, is actually more harmful then the easily-dismissed superstitions.
What is the myth?
People spread the story that black cats are in danger during Halloween.
This belief–not based in fact–prevented a lot of black cats from being adopted from shelters in October.
The good news is that there is no data to substantiate these ideas that black cats are more at risk on Halloween or that nefarious people adopt black cats in October.
You can read the evidence on Alley Cat Allies:
However, black cats are in no more danger on Halloween than any other time of the year. The chilling reality is countless cats are killed every day in animal shelters, regardless of the color of their fur.
Let’s clear away the cobwebs and shed some light on the dark matter. That means debunking the Halloween-time hearsay that distracts from feline perils that really are true.
Or even more from The Greenhill Humane Society:
Although myths of Halloween-related mistreatment of animals abound, they are exactly that—myths. According to the ASPCA, HSUS, and many others, black cats are in no more danger in October than at any other time of year—nor are they more likely to be mistreated than other animals.
Or from USA Today or from, my personal favorite, Catster.
Black cats need their own awareness month to dispel myths not of ghosts and Goblins or witches in the night… but from well-meaning, but misinformed, public spreading the idea that black cats shouldn’t be adopted out in October.
That myth could lead to lots of black cats like my Newtie not finding a home or, worse, running out of time at their local shelter.
What can you do to help black cats this month?
If you’re considering adopting a cat, don’t overlook the black cats! Past data showed black cats in shelters had a higher risk of euthanasia than other colors of cat, and while that trend is changing, you can help be the change for black cats!
Not everyone’s looking for a pet, of course, so consider sharing adoptable black cats from your local shelter on your social media pages.
And, if you spot someone spreading misinformation about these lovable felines, jump in to correct them and spread the love for black cats!
