Today’s post is the kickoff to my Adoption Tails series. Each post will focus on a different aspect of adoption or something to consider when adopting a cat. And what better month to start this series than in June, which is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! So, let’s get started with the series and look at an often overlooked color of cat when it comes to adoptions.
Choosing Black Cats
What do you think of when you hear the words “black cat?” I hope you think of beautiful, loving, cuddly, precious, perfect…you get the idea.
Sadly, not all potential adopters feel this way. Some are superstitious; some are looking for a cat that photographs well in less-than-ideal lighting. I can’t really think of any other reason why black cats would be harder to adopt out. A cat is a cat…is a cat…is a cat, right?
A black cat just wants a forever home like any other color of cat, so why don’t we look at a black cat adoption story to inspire others to adopt. And this isn’t the tail tale of just one black cat – but three!
A Black Cat Adoption Story
This adoption story starts out as many do. Someone wanted to add a cat to their home and contacted an adoption agency. But this someone, Alison, knew she wanted a black cat. So, two years ago when Alison contacted City Critters in New York City, she asked if they had any black cats and also listed a few specific traits she was looking for. The rescue organization was likely overjoyed to have someone calling specifically for a black cat. Alison learned at the time that a stigma still exists with black cats and that they are considered bad luck by some. And oftentimes, they are the first to be euthanized and the last to find homes.
City Critters told Alison about one special black cat who had been with them for a year since kittenhood, with no one wanting to adopt her simply because she was a black cat. Alison said, “It broke my heart that this gorgeous, brilliant little animal had spent all of her known existence in a cage because people are ‘scared’ of a superstition.”
I bet you know what happened next. Alison adopted this little black kitty, named her Sally, and the rest is history. Almost.
When the time was right, Alison and her husband decided to add a second cat to their home. Alison asked shelters to let her know of any black cats that needed a home. She learned of a litter of black kittens that had been born on the streets in Brooklyn. “They came to us full of worms and pretty scared of humans. But they have quickly become the most happy, affectionate pair, and Sally took them under her wing almost immediately. The three of them are the sweetest and most fun, affectionate bunch you could ask for, and we are insanely smitten with them!”
Alison not only adopted three black cats, but she also does her part to help raise awareness of the fact that black cats tend to be most vulnerable because of false perceptions. Two of her kitties are happy to go out on a leash in public and interact with people who are charmed and delighted by Alison’s cats.
Alison knows that changing people’s thoughts on black cats still has a way to go. But she takes it in stride and pokes a little fun at the silly perception. She gave them all ‘witchy’ names (Sally Owens, Lucius Malfoy and Winifred Sanderson) and refers to them as ‘The Coven’ – which she says makes people laugh and realize how uninformed some are about black cats. “Hopefully more people will give them a chance and open their homes and experience it for themselves!”
Black Cats Tell All
If you’re not in the position to go out and adopt a black cat at the moment, you may be wondering how you can help black cats and change their perception. Or, maybe you just want to read some wonderful stories of black cats. Why not hop on over and check out this Kickstarter campaign for Black Cats Tell All.
“This is the first anthology of positive stories about black cats and narrated by the fearless felines to debunk the superstitions. They feel it’s time to tell the world the truth. These 22 real, black cats share nothing in common except the color of their fur and a yen to pen their stories.” Source
Black Shelter Cats
As we all know, everyone loves taking pictures of their furry friends. And one of the reasons some might overlook adopting a black cat is because they don’t photograph well. Let’s just put that thought to rest and wrap this post up by showing you these beautiful black shelter cats.
Shelter Photography
(click to enlarge and browse through)
If you’re looking to adopt a cat, please don’t discount a black cat. He will thank you for his entire life. And yours will be thoroughly enriched!
A big thank you to all who participated in this post about spreading the word about adopting black cats.
~ Cat adoption story from Alison ~
~ Shelter photos from Angel, Erinn and Lizzy ~
Do you know any beautiful black cats? Bonus question, can you name the three movies that Alison’s cats are named from? Sally Owens, Lucius Malfoy and Winifred Sanderson.
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I love balck cats! :-)
Black, sorry! :-)
Black cats have the most beautiful noses, very full and dignified. How can people not fall in love with them?!
You know my beautiful house panther, Simon. He was a street cat that was rescued then fostered then ran away then came home to where I lived. I fed him for a few months until he got used to me and one frigid night after I poured his food into his bowl and he started to eat I just picked him up, carried him inside and 8 years later he is still with me. He is one of the sweetest, most gentle cats I have ever known.
I had 2 black cats. I have great photos of them too. People are just crazy!
At the shelter I used to volunteer at, there were several black cats that were just the sweetest most precious babies! They had a “double strike” against them as they were seniors, too. I could never understand why these senior black panthers stayed in the shelter for years!! I would have gladly taken them home if my circumstances allowed for more kitties. Thankfully, many of them have found homes to go to after being in the shelter for years, and I truly hope they are being spoiled rotten by their new humans!
Mom loves, loves, loves black cats. Besides Thelma, who she wrote about today, another of our angels, Twinkle, was black with just a bit of white on her neck. Mom has always said that if she came into any money, she would start a shelter for black cats. They truly are special. How beautiful all the panfurs are in your post today! We are super excited about Layla’s book. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
I have to admit, I wasn’t a fan. Not from superstition … not sure why. Until I fostered a number of them. They were the sweetest, most affectionate love bugs! All of them. They haven’t always liked other cats but they’ve always loved humans! Even the scaredy cats (mom & son) I have now LOVE being petted although they’re too scared to come out to me. Fortunately, our rescue — especially one store partner adoption centre in particular — has a great track record with black cat adoptions. Still harder than most others but word is finally getting out!
I love that she calls them the coven! When I was younger, I wanted a tuxedo cat. I thought they looked very dapper. Mr. N would likely be affronted if we brought home a cat though.
There is something majestic about black cats
My black Manx cat, Amos was the coolest cat ever. If anything, he brought me good luck. ♥
We think black cats are very special and we’re so excited about the book project :)
When we started our blog, one of the first jokes involved Bear wanting to be a black cat because of how cool they are. This is why he likes to call himself “Male Princess BLACK Bear Cat of the Forest.” He certainly got the coolness factor right <3
We are BIG fans of black cats here.
Black cats are pawesome! The past few years were the first time in the head peep’s adult life she lived without a black cat. Everyone should have a chance to share their life with a black kitty!
Black cats are a little harder to photograph but they are worth the challenge. That certainty doesn’t affect the fact that they are great pets. Our black cat Puck causes less problems than our two gold cats.
Stunning photos, and I adore black cats my old kitty was mostly black with a bit of white and I miss him everyday! great post.
I am glad she adopted 3 black kitties. I have 3 black cats, they are all sweet. And we miss our Spooky very much.
We love black cats and know some people who will only adopt black cats. #BlackCatsMatter
Loved this post and not just because of the shout out for Black Cats Tell All. Seeing those beautiful black faces made my day. Thank-you!
I am IN LOVE!!!! I love black dogs and black cats! I use to have a black kitty named “Spider Man”! He acted so goody – climbing in weird ways. He was a skinny kind of cat, but had long legs – reminded me of spiderman LOL! Black cats and dogs are both so precious and deserve love! Bums me out that they are often overlooked!
I adore black cats!
It breaks my heart to think that these wonderful cats are being discounted over nothing but the color of their fur. Thank you for bringing attention to this. I am going to be sharing this post a lot! I can’t wait to read other adoption tails!
I’m amazed at how, though they’re all black cats, they all look different. I’d think it would be very hard to tell them apart, especially in a mult-black cat household, but I can see that isn’t so!
I love sleek, beautiful black cats and I love this post! I’m sharing & will also hop over to Black Cats Tell All.
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
We think black cats are beautiful!
Black cats are wonderful! My mom has a black cat named Tootsie and my dad has a black cat named Stormy. Both are great. A cat’s color would never stop me from adopting them. I like that Sally gave her cats witchy names. That is my kind of tongue in cheek humor. :) Cats don’t even have the ability to be evil, if you ask me. It has always been the evil in humanity that has kept rumors like that afloat.
It’s so sad that ignorant people still have prejudices like that. Black cats are just as beautiful and loving as any other cat. The only cat that our family’s ever had was an amazing black cat that was just awesome. Unfortunately we can’t get another because I’m allergic to cats. And for the bonus question – Practical Magic, Harry Potter, and Hocus Pocus. I think Alison and I have the same taste in movies because I immediately recognized those names as coming from some of my all time favorite movies.
What a great message! We think black cats are beautiful! Mom would never adopt a cat based on looks alone, here the shelters usually put a ban on adopting black cats around certain holidays for unthinkable reasons. Thanks for sharing. Love Dolly
It’s so sad that black cats and dogs don’t get adopted as much. Both are beautiful! I love how black cats tend to have those big green eyes.
For the past 15 years, I have shared my home with 2 mini panthers. Ophelia who has since passed was a shelter kitty and now Kit Kat age 4 was adopted from an emergency animal clinic. I adopted both of them because they were black, knowing how unfairly treated they are. Beautiful, loving creatures.
That is wonderful – I wish there were more people like you!
It breaks my heart that the black cats are left in shelters. Mine had been there 5 months because of the colour of her fur. She is the sweetest, funniest little companion and I’d be lost without her.
Ig:rosie_posy_pudding
Actually, a little black male would round out our family perfectly and that is what our human is searching for.