23 Sep Second Chance: Black Cats Aren’t Scary!
Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society (SCHS) have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The facility is located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. View shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org
Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432.
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Urban legends, myths, and horror stories surround the fate of black cats on 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. There are shelters that even stop adopting black cats in October.
While some may choose to believe the horror stories, multiple studies show that black cats face no greater danger in October or at Halloween than at any other time of 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 its reputation as a bad-luck feline. Being the preferred pet of witches and vampires is another strike against black cats. Still, we trust 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 overlooked in favor of flashier felines. We have a waiting list for white kittens, while their dark-furred littermates wait 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 other cats. Some claim black cats are mysterious because their facial expressions are harder to read. They can be harder to photograph, and with so many being overlooked, black is often the most common coat color in shelters.
The best reason to adopt a black cat is that they are just like every other cat.
Some are sweet, some are sassy. Some are lap cats, some are playful, and some like to sit and observe. Like cats of every color, each black cat has a unique personality and temperament, and deserves a chance to be cared for and loved. Plus, there’s a whole cast of black cats who have played important roles in our favorite spooky season movies– Salem in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”; Thackeray Binx in “Hocus Pocus”; and Vermin in “Coraline.” It would be pretty cool to have a movie character of your very own following you around at home!
Lucy, Pluto, and Annie are three black kittens looking for their forever homes. They’ve been overlooked for too long because of their fur color!
Maple is an adult cat who also needs a home. She’s been at the shelter longer than any other animal– over half her life! She’s a polydactyl black cat, meaning she has an extra toe! Come meet any of these voids today, and you might find they’re exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Pluto is a loving, gentle kitten who adores other cats! He’s affectionate and sweet. All he needs is a new best friend to share his life with.
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