…it simply means they’re on their way somewhere!
Black cats are beautiful cats but due to their distinctive fur colouring, they have endured hundreds of years of unwarranted stigmas, many of which still continue today.
Let’s dispel 3 myths surrounding black cats
#1 Black cats and witches
Halloween decorations are often inundated with imagery of black cats. Why?
At some unknown point in history, black cats were paired with witches. It was believed in medieval Europe that witches could take the form of black cats. This myth continued into the Renaissance where it was assumed that a black cat crossing your path meant that a witch sent her familiar to do you harm. Learn more about witches and black cats by clicking here
Even today, black cats are paired with witches as icons of Halloween.
This Halloween, here are 5 ideas that you can do to positively support black cats.
- Don’t buy black cat decorations
- Draw a picture of your own happy cat and post it on your window
- Organize a community donation drive for your local animal shelter in support of their black cats
- Volunteer at your local shelter to do glam shots or videos for their black cats to increase their adoption rates
- Share this blog!
#2 A black cat crossing your path is bad luck
Due to the lore surrounding black cats and witches in medieval Europe, black cats crossing your path was perceived as a bad omen.
Did you know that some people in the United States, Belgium, and Spain still believe that a black cat crossing your path is a sign of bad luck? In Scotland and Japan, a black cat crossing your path means prosperity and good luck. While in Britain, meeting a black cat is considered good luck and in Yorkshire it is good fortune to own a black cat!
At BradyCare, we think that a black cat crossing your path is simply a cat trying to go somewhere.
#3 Black cats struggle to get adopted
Unfortunately, for rescued black cats, the colour of their fur plays a significant role in their fate. The negative associations and biases surrounding black cats increase barriers to their adoption. Black cats take on average 6 more days to be adopted than non-black cats, which increases their risk of infections such as respiratory infections. To learn more about the study why black cats take longer to adopt click here.
Resulting from the myths surrounding black cats, shelters often have to be creative and take proactive measures to increase the adoption rates of these mini panthers.
Such proactive and creative measures include:
- Not naming the cats classic black names such as Midnight or Blackie
- Having adoption day events focused on black cats
- Putting black cats at the top of the adoption list in websites
- Using lighter coloured bedding or toys
- Use different lighting to capture better photographs of black cats to show their facial expressions
We hope that by dispelling these myths about black cats, you can see them for who they really are- a stunning cat that is deserving of love.
Do you have a beautiful black cat? Or do you work at a shelter who has a great initiative to increase the adoptions of black cats?
Let us know by leaving a message in the comments.
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