Celebrating International Black Cat Awareness Month

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Black cats and superstitions have gone hand and hand for centuries as these felines are often associated with Halloween, witches, bad luck, and evil. Ergo, black cats tend to have lower adoption rates than other colored cats.¹

As a result, the International Black Cat Awareness Month was created to help debunk the many myths and misconceptions surrounding cats with black fur and to improve public perception of these majestic creatures. To complete this occasion, we have detailed its origins and various ways you can partake and celebrate this cause.

History of Black Cat Awareness Month

The idea that black cats are bad luck has an origin around the Middle Ages in Europe through folklore.² Black cats have been believed to be signs of death, witches in disguise, and beyond and this may be due to the association the color black has with crows and ravens.

After recognizing there were only 2 existing days dedicated to black cats—1 in the US and 1 in the UK—but no internally recognized holiday for these cats, Layla Morgan Wilde established International Black Cat Awareness Month US.² Wilde felt the campaign was necessary at the time because shelters refused to adopt black cats out during October because they were often adopted as a Halloween charm, only to be discarded (or worse) after the holiday concluded.

Black cats are extremely difficult to adopt out during the remainder of the year, with an adoption rate 50% lower than any other color cat.² Therefore, October is dedicated to raising awareness of these black cats so they can ultimately find loving homes.

Celebrating International Black Cat Awareness Month

Here are some methods for celebrating this occasion and honoring black cats.

Debunk black cat myths

Make others aware that cats aren’t a sign of bad luck. You can even inform them that in ancient Egypt, black cats were seen as divine creatures, the Irish believed finding these cats on the porch indicated good luck, and the Japanese consider black cats a symbol of prosperity.²

Adopt a black cat

If you are in search of a new cat, consider adopting a black cat. This can help to improve the rate of black cats adopted and possibly display to friends and family just how endearing these felines are.

Raise awareness of black cats

Urge clients, family, and friends to adopt black cats and you can even share this appealing characteristic of these felines (black cats also shed noticeably around the house!).

Reference

1. Mlynar P. Black Cat Awareness Month: 6 reasons to adopt a black cat. Cattime. https://cattime.com/cat-facts/advocacy/39441-black-cat-awareness-month#1
2. Black Cat Awareness Month. Days of the Year. Accessed October 29, 2021. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/black-cat-awareness-month/