Black Cats Deserve Better Than Centuries of Bad PR
Black cats have a PR problem—and they’ve had it for centuries.
Somewhere along the way, these sleek, gorgeous felines became tangled up with witches, bad luck, spooky legends, and all sorts of nonsense they had absolutely nothing to do with.
And while most of us aren't seriously worried that a black cat crossing our path is going to ruin our day, those old superstitions have proved surprisingly hard to shake. I believe that Groucho Marx had it right...
That’s where Black Cat Appreciation Day comes in, which is today, August 17th!
Because black cats don’t need better personalities. They need better publicity.
Ask anyone who has shared a home with one and you’re likely to hear about an affectionate shadow who follows them from room to room, a world-class lap warmer, an accomplished troublemaker, or a tiny household dictator who somehow manages to run the place without paying a dime toward the mortgage.
"Black cats were created to give everyone the opportunity to be owned by a mini-panther."
... Unknown
Black cats can have a tougher time getting noticed in shelters. They are three times less likely to be adopted and are usually first to be euthanized. Part of the problem may be as simple as visibility. In the shadows of a shelter enclosure, their expressions and features don't always stand out immediately. And when it comes to adoption photos, a black coat can be notoriously difficult to photograph well.
So while the orange tabby is mugging for the camera and the calico is showing off all her colors, the black cat may be sitting two cages down thinking, Seriously? Have you seen my eyes?
And those eyes are often spectacular—gold, amber, copper, or green staring out from a coat that can look like velvet in the sunlight.
But the best thing about black cats has nothing to do with how they look. Like every cat, each comes with a personality entirely its own. Some are shameless snugglers. Some are comedians. Some want to supervise absolutely everything you do. Others simply want a sunny window, a comfortable sofa, and the occasional reminder that dinner is running three minutes late.
Black Cat Appreciation Day is their chance to finally get top billing!
So forget the witches, the bad-luck nonsense, and the centuries-old superstitions. If a black cat crosses your path, you might not be unlucky at all.
You might have just hit the feline jackpot!
17 REASONS TO OWN A BLACK CAT
WHERE TO ADOPT A BLACK CAT IN CHARLOTTE
- Humane Society of Charlotte: click on this link to learn more about adopting a cat from the Humane Society of Charlotte.
- Greater Charlotte SPCA: click on this link to learn more about adopting a cat from the Greater Charlotte SPCA.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD): click on this link to find out more about adopting a cat at CMPD Animal Control Center.
- Carolina P.A.W.S.: click on this link to find out more about adopting a cat from the all-volunteer Carolina PAWS organization.
This Black Cat Appreciation Day reminder is provided by Nina Hollander, Coldwell Banker Realty, Greater Charlotte region's pet-friendly residential real estate expert. I've been opening doors for Charlotte region home buyers, sellers, and their cats since 1999.
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