Truth About Why Shelters Don't Adopt Out Black Cats in October Is Eye-Opening
Black cats have become a symbol of Halloween and spooky season for several reasons. These reasons are rooted in folklore, superstitions, and cultural beliefs. Black cats are often associated with witches and the supernatural. It was believed that witches could transform into black cats to hide their identities, and a lot of people still consider black cats to signify bad luck.
A lot of animal shelters don't allow black cat adoptions during the month of October. This has nothing to do with satanists sacrificing these poor cats under a full moon, but more to do with wanting one of these beautiful cats as a spooky season status symbol, and then growing tired of caring for it in November.
The myth of criminals and cults seeking to sacrifice black cats on the spooky holiday has been dispelled time and time again, and there's just no evidence that black cats are in special danger during October. Snopes debunked this tall tale in 2011, and shared Michael F. Ryan — an investigator with the Baltimore state's attorney's office who has advised police departments on the practices of devil worshipers — said no one should fear that black cats are about to be singled out for satanic sacrifice. "It's no more significant than a white dog, a brown dog or a polka-dotted kangaroo," he said. "The more attention people give to this myth, it just helps to ride along on a wave that takes on a life of its own. It's just not there."
There is a black cat bias, and Psychology Today reported that "compared to cats of other colors, black cats are both slightly less likely to be adopted and slightly more likely to be euthanized." This probably has more to do with potential adopters wanting a more exotic colored cat and less to do with people thinking a black cat is evil in some way.
Still, there are shelters that won't adopt black cats during October because staff members and shelter directors still believe the urban legend that these cats will be sacrificed, mainly through anecdotal rumors and old wives tails. It makes far more sense that some well-meaning adopter thinks it would be super cool to have a black cat posing with their carefully carved pumpkins, but once All Hallow's Eve is over they realize that cats, especially shelter cats, need time to adjust to their new homes and require care, attention, time, and money.
Pets Alive Niagara explains it like this, "At Pets Alive, we do not offer our black cats for adoption during October for the same reason that most rescues do not adopt out bunnies during Easter, or any animals at all to people who intend to give them as Christmas gifts. It's this: there are far too many people out there who see animals as expendable accessories or props that can be dispensed with once the novelty wears off."
Adopting a cat is a huge decision, and not one that should be made because they will look cool with your witch's outfit on Halloween. When you adopt an animal, it should be forever, and you should carefully consider your time constraints, lifestyle, financial situation and whether or not you are willing to care for this animal until one of you passes.
If you think about it, the end of October isn't an ideal time to welcome any cat into your family. With the constant noise of the doorbell plus the door being opened and closed all night, not only could your cat become stressed but they could also escape your home while you're handing out candy.
If you are set on adopting a black cat and your local shelter doesn't allow black cat adoptions in October, fill out your application, speak to a shelter employee and tell them why you think that particular cat is the cat for you, and wait until November 1st.
It's always a wonderful idea to adopt any pet and give them a forever loving home. No matter if you have to wait a few days or an entire month, saving a black cat's life by taking it out of an overcrowded shelter is the best treat you can give yourself and them this Halloween season. Even if it can't happen until November 1.
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