Surrounded by a veil of superstition, black cats bear the brunt of historical stigmas that mark them as bad omens or even symbols linked to witchcraft. The fear surrounding these felines stretches back centuries, notably with assertions like that from Pope Gregory IX in 1233 AD proclaiming them as devilish incarnates.

While countries such as England, Scotland, and Japan celebrate black cats as good luck, their darkened reputation continues to negatively impact their adoption rates. A TikTok user, @calicatcrew, heart-wrenchingly shared: “Black cats are considered lucky in some countries but still to this day remain one of the last adopted from shelters.”

The reluctance to bring black animals into homes transcends mere folklore; experts indicate that the challenge of reading expressions on dark-coated animals leads them to be unfairly dismissed.

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As observed by Outward Hound: “Due to their dark fur, black dogs’ facial features can look less defined to the human eye. This can make them appear less approachable because adopters can’t see their expression as clearly. As a result, they might interpret a more negative expression.”

National Black Cat Day, which has been observed on October 27 since 2011, aims to raise awareness about the difficulties black cats face in finding forever homes. These felines are reportedly only half as likely to be adopted as their more colourful peers, a trend that the AFB Pet Club finds alarming.

Despite the challenges, black cats are just as loving and worthy of a home as any other cat. Cat Chat, a dedicated cat rescue organisation, encourages those looking to adopt to “look beyond the coat, and black cats have all the charm, and charisma of their more colourful cousins. Their sleek glossy coats complement their bright shining eyes. They are stunning, regal looking animals – each one an individual. Black cats are just as wonderful as any other, with all the same needs – love and care, in a home of their own. If you enjoy the company of cats whatever their colour, please consider adopting a black cat.”

To counteract the superstitions associated with these animals, Animal Wellbeing Specialist Catrin George clarifies: “There’s no evidence to support the idea that a black cat crossing your path leads to any sort of bad luck. Similarly, there’s nothing that shows that black cats have any connection to bad luck at all.”