Second Chance: Black Cats & Halloween!

23 Oct Second Chance: Black Cats & Halloween!

For 30+ years, the Animal Resource Center and Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been serving Ouray, San Miguel, and Montrose Counties. Adoption hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org.

“Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives.”

View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432. 

Go here for more options from Second Chance.

There are urban legends, myths, and horror stories about black cats at Halloween. It’s commonly believed that black cats are unsafe this time of year because people with bad intentions target them for abuse – and worse. The story is that there are legions of devil worshippers or animal abusers out there looking for black cats to sacrifice or torture. Some shelters even halt adoptions of black cats in October.

While some may choose to believe the horror stories, multiple studies have shown that black cats are in no greater danger in October or at Halloween than at any other time of the year. Experts on Halloween and cults have found no statistics, court cases, or studies to support the idea that serious satanic cult crime even exists.

But myths die hard.

The hissing, hair-standing-up, evil-eyed image of a black cat at Halloween likely isn’t helping their reputation as bad-luck felines. Being the preferred pet of witches and vampires is another strike against them. Despite that, we trust that most people won’t let these stereotypes get in the way of knowing and loving a cat.

In most shelters, black cats are the last to be adopted, so taking them off the adoption roles for up to a month or more before Halloween makes no sense. Nationwide shelter statistics show that black cats have higher euthanasia rates and lower adoption rates than other colors. At Second Chance, we always have several black cats and kittens who have been overlooked in favor of flashier felines. We have a waiting list for white kittens, while their dark-furred littermates hope to be noticed.

Why are black cats adopted less often? Some anecdotal accounts say that people see black cats as more aggressive, less friendly, and less loving than others of their species. Some claim black cats are mysterious due to the fact their facial expressions being harder to read.

October 27 is Black Cat Appreciation Day. The best reason to adopt a black cat is that they are just like every other cat. Some are sweet; others sassy. Some are lap cats, some are playful, and some like to sit and observe. Like other colors of cats, each black cat has a unique personality and temperament and they deserve a chance to be cared for and loved.

Eli

Eli, Ellie, and Panther are examples of black cats who have been overlooked. They came into the shelter as kittens and are now eight months old. Ellie is an affectionate lap cat who will climb on your back and sit on your shoulders. Eli is her brother and loves attention and pets. Panther is very playful and loves treats. Their siblings were all different colors (tabbies, tuxedos, etc) and have been adopted.These three “plain black cats” are still waiting.

AND… To continue the Second Chance Highlights section, we want to share the following:

Kitten Season in October?

This has been anything but a typical year for Second Chance. Usually, we see litter after litter of kittens in April and May. This year, we are seeing an even bigger kitten baby boom in October!

From abandoned babies who need bottle-fed to pregnant cats who deliver in our care, we are swimming in kittens (not literally, of course).

This means:
• Kitten-only adoption events
• We NEED fosters
• We need cat adopters for those who get overlooked.

Please consider fostering! Cats, kittens, dogs, puppies- all need temporary homes with foster families. Click here to sign up.

See flyer (above) for the estate sale coming up in Telluride.