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Thursday 25 October 2012

National Black Cat Day UK 2012

(c) Cats Protection


Today, Thursday 25th October, is National Black Cat.

Why, you ask.  Now, this may come as quite a shock to some of you out there, but black cats are considered less adoptable than other cats.  Rescues across the UK (and in other countries too) are bursting at the seems with purrfectly awesome, loving black cats waiting for their forever homes.  Yet these wonderful cats are passed up time and time again for that cute tabby or funny little tortoiseshell.

(c) Cats Protection


But why are these beautiful felines losing out on loving homes.  Some feel it's because they're less exciting than their colourful counter parts.  Other feel that it is the black cats strong connection to myth and superstition that is holding it back. 

One such myth is that it is bad luck for a black cat to cross your path as misfortune will surely befall you.  In early Christian beliefs black cats were considered evil, a mixture of the devil and dark sorcery.  Black cats were often believed to be the familiars of witches and wizards, their earthly connection with the devil himself.  So strong was this belief that at one time simply owning a black cat was enough to convict you of witchcraft.  There is a case in Windsor Berkshire in 1579 of a group of women tried and executed for witchcraft.  One of the women, Mother Dewell's, only crime seemed to have been owning a black cat called Gille. For a long time if you were a black cat, you were cursed.  But we all know this is nothing but a load of hocus pocus.


Source - I Can Has Chezburger

But black cats haven't always been thought of as evil or unlucky.  King James I owned a black cat for many years and considered it to be a source of good luck.  When the cat passed away King James I was reported to have said, "Alas, my luck has run out."  He was soon arrested and executed for high treason.

Fishermen's wives would keep black cats for luck while their husbands were away at sea.  These cats were considered so valuable that many were stolen.

In Scotland a strange black cat appearing at your porch will bring prosperity.

In Britain having a black cat in the house is considered to be lucky.

In France there is a myth that if someone owns a black cat with even one white hair, lady luck will smile upon them.

(c) Cats Protection
 
 
So why not spread some of that good fortune and consider giving a black cat (or two, or three) a warm loving home.  Just like our mum did.  Black cats are AWESOME, if we do say so ourselves... and we do.
 
If you don't have room for anymore cats, no matter how handsome and awesome they may be, please consider donating to your local cat charity, rescue or centre.  You don't have to donate just money, you can donate your time, food, blankets, litter, cat toys or anything else of use.
 
 
Thomas O'Toole and Charlie O'Marley
 
 
 
For more information on National Black Cat Day and for some fun downloads, including the pictures above, please visit Cats Protection.
 
For more information on how you can get involved with Cats Protection and their tireless work to help homeless cats and kittens, please click here.


Hello Handsome!
(c) Cats Protection
 
 
 
Why not join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is the black cat.  Link up your black cat posts here.  The linky will be open until 31st October, so plenty of time to get your Halloween on.

 
 
 
 
Pictures copyright of Cats Protection and reproduced with permission.
 
 


20 comments:

  1. We just can't understand why people don't like black kitties. We think they are gorgous and sleek :)xx

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  2. We love our black kitty friends, and send purrs to all that are looking for their forever homes.

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  3. My human loves black cats - well, she actually loves ALL cats - and she chooses on connection and personality, never on fur. If all humans were like that, black kitties would probably be among the most frequently chosen kitties!

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  4. My brother has two wonderful black cats that he has named "The Panther Sisters." They are just big doofus heads and quite intimidated by his other kitty even though she is much smaller. I understand people are irrational about black dogs as well.

    Mango Momma

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  5. Darn it all we did not know it was Black cat day. We love our black cats and all three that live here, have terrific personalities and are just great cats. This is a terrific post. It is just a shame that Black cats have such a bad rap. Take care.

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  6. Black is beautiful...I should know!

    Ernie

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  7. We purr for all of our black furred furriends who are still looking for their forever homes. Our mom loves our black furs and says we are the BEST cats EVER!

    xoxo Cory and Nigel

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  8. Well, I had no idea it was Black Cat Day. Big Al will be very happy that he's going to be spoiled .. more than normal .. today. My first cat was an all black Siamese. Which meand he talked a lot. I've always had a black cat. Love them !!!

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  9. I think black cats are wonderful and can't imagine our home without Kip as a part of the family!!! We hope that all the lovely black cats out there find safe and happy homes.

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  10. Reminds me of my old Black cat nipper

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  11. Moms eldest Grandson has a black cat and her only granddaughter had one. Black cats are very sweet!

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  12. Isn't that the silliest thing, leave it to humans, less adoptable, bah humbug I say!

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  13. Pop has always dreamed of being staff to a black cat but it hasn't happened yet. Black IS beautiful and sometimes I dream that I'm a black cat.

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  14. Our mum used to have 2 black brothers and she says they were both cuddle bugs.

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  15. We didn't know about this holiday! Up until this year, we have always had a black cat in our family. This if the first time in our human's adult life that she didn't have a black cat! We don't exactly have an opening in the household, but we would not be surprised that when the time comes, the next cat might well be a black cat. They are wonderful!

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  16. Our family just adopted a black cat named Luna.

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  17. We love black cats! In all of our years keeping cats, we've never had anything but magnificent companions in good health. I recently read on the Internet( somewhere!) that the gene that is responsible for the black colour is also responsible for greater disease resistance.

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  18. Geez! I missed out on this!

    If people only knew how wonderful we black cats are...

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  19. My brofurs are so lucky to have me, a black cat, in their family. I'm what the Momma calls the "Tiny, Shiny, Kitten" because I'm small and lean and my black furs glow! Black Cats Rule!
    Tipp

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