Since 2011, cat lovers around the world have celebrated Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17th. It’s a day to celebrate and appreciate the black cats in your life. If you don’t already have a black-furred feline friend but have been thinking about adopting one, Black Cat Appreciation Day is an excellent day to visit shelters, because many of them, including the ASPCA, run adoption specials for black cats today.
Black cats are often the least adopted and most overlooked cats in animal shelters, resulting in many of these wonderful animals being euthanized when they can’t find a loving home. Because they are less likely to be adopted from shelters, they need a special holiday in their honor to bring awareness to this issue, and to encourage people to adopt these amazing animals.
The holiday was created by Wayne H. Morris, in honor of his late sister, June, who passed away at age 33, a few years before the first official Black Cat Appreciation Day. June deeply loved her own black cat, Sinbad, who lived to be 20 years old. Sadly, Sinbad was reunited with June two months after her passing.
Wayne Morris declared August 17th to be Black Cat Appreciation Day to remember his sister June, and the bond she shared with her black cat, Sinbad. This day symbolizes the bond between cat lovers and their black cat companions, and is a day to appreciate the black cats in your life.
Black cats are often misunderstood and overlooked because of their coat color. People offer up several reasons why, when looking to adopt a feline friend, are less likely to adopt black cats.
They have long been associated with bad luck, misfortune, and witchcraft. Even in our modern times, there are still people who believe these silly superstitions. You would be surprised to learn how many people still believe that black cats bring bad luck or cause misfortune to anyone who crosses their path. Many religious people also fear them because of their association with witchcraft. These superstitions are not only silly and untrue but are also harmful to beautiful black cats who are in search of forever homes.
Another reason why people may be less inclined to want to adopt a black cat is that they consider dark solid coats to be “boring,” and prefer a flashier tabby, calico, or other uniquely-marked cat. Balderdash! Black cats are creatures with luxurious black coats. They look like majestic miniature black panthers roaming around your home, and are just as beautiful and charming as any other cat. Besides, black matches almost anything, so you will always look fashionable next to your black cat friend. Forget Little Black Dress – a Little Black Cat makes you fashion forward 24-7.
Many prospective pet owners use the internet to find their new furry friends, so they are likely to overlook animals that don’t show up well in photos. Because black cats are a bit harder to photograph than pets with lighter coat colors, they may be overlooked by prospective owners browsing online adoptable pet listings. So it’s important for shelters to photograph the adoptable pets in their best light to help them to find their forever homes.
There are a number of ways to celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day. The most obvious thing to do to celebrate this holiday is to shower your black cat with extra love and affection. Give them extra treats and pets today. You may wish to get him or her a special gift—perhaps a new catnip toy, or a simple cardboard box.
If you don’t have a black cat in your life yet, this holiday is a great time to adopt a new furry friend. Some animal shelters even run adoption specials on August 17th for Black Cat Appreciation Day.
You can also post on social media to tell your friends and followers about Black Cat Appreciation Day to help spread awareness for these fabulous felines. Though black cats get some bad press, they are wonderful pets who deserve loving homes just as much as cats with other coat colors.
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