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.