National Black Cat Appreciation Day

Celebrating Our Black Cats

August 17th was Black Cat Appreciation Day, a time to show some love for our striking feline friends!

Did you know that statistically, black cats and dogs have a harder time getting adopted, and even face higher rates of euthanasia?

The reason for this is twofold. For one thing, black animals don’t photograph well, which makes them harder to promote. Cameras often struggle to focus on them due to the lack of color contrast in their features. Additional light, an adjustment in camera features and staging techniques, as well as post-editing are often required to truly capture these beautiful creatures, and not all shelters are equipped to handle this.

Furthermore, people still carry lingering superstitions and biases about black cats. Folklore and media have spread stories associating black cats with spooky concepts like witchcraft and bad luck. However, in many parts of the world, black cats are actually associated with fortune. In Egypt, black cats were considered sacred protectors. In Japan, black cats are seen as symbols of love and wealth. And in Scotland, seeing a black cat on your doorstep means prosperity is on its way!

While some believe black animals are unfriendly or scary, that couldn’t be more untrue. Black cats and dogs are just as sweet, loving, and playful as their peers. Don’t believe us? Have a look at some of our lovable black cats that are up for adoption!

• Ebony is a curious, affectionate girl who loves a treat! While she is easily startled, if you give her time and approach her gently, she loves to hop up on your lap for a pet!
• Merino is a bit shy and skittish, but is currently in our socialization program. He’s making great strides in becoming more affectionate and sociable, and is ready for a calm, patient human to welcome him into their home.
• Azula is a curious adventurer, always eager to explore his environment and join the fun. He’s a silly cat who loves crawling into bags and boxes, as well as chasing laser pointers and playing with the door stopper.
• Raven is a beautiful, intelligent, gentle girl. She has overcome life as a stray, pregnancy, motherhood, and medical issues. She may take a bit to warm up to you, but once she does, get ready to give her all the head scratches!
• Billy and Willy are friendly feline brothers looking for a new home. Willy is a social butterfly who loves attention from people. Billy is more on the shy side initially, but loves being pet and brushed.

If you’re looking to adopt a cat into your home, consider one of our black house panthers, who are all deserving of a second chance. Check out our website for more information, or stop by our shelter during visiting hours.