Happy hump day, friends! Today I’m talking about a subject close to my heart – cats!
National Black Cat Day is actually tomorrow – 30 October. It’s a celebration of black and monochrome cats which was started to raise awareness of the fact that, in rescue centres, black and monochrome cats are sadly overlooked and left without loving homes in favour of other colours of cats. They’re less than half as likely to be adopted as other cats – and when you consider that rescue centres are currently overflowing with kittens, black cats are even worse off.
In 2010, I adopted Marty and Milo with my now husband. They were black and white (tuxedo) kittens and I knew I wanted black and white cats, and wanted to experience having kittens, even though there are so many older cats that need homes. Marty tragically died suddenly in December last year, and this summer, we adopted two kittens to keep his brother company (and bring some light and fun back into our lives!).
Meet Bella (nickname Blackie) and Brownie (like the chocolate… )! We intentionally went for cats that would be difficult for the centre that we got them from (Cats Nottingham Rescue) to adopt out – Bella is completely black as night, but she photographs just fine most of the time as you can see! Brownie is a brindle tortie with distinctive markings which come out really well in natural light.
Rescue centres struggle to get even dark coloured kittens adopted, so you can imagine how adult cats fare. So why are darker cats rejected? There’s a whole raft of reasons, ranging from superstitions about them being evil, to being difficult to take pictures of, to simply being less pretty than other kitties. Interestingly, brown cats actually fare even worse than black cats.
So, what can you do to help?
Consider adopting a black or monochrome cat
Or even go to a shelter and ask to see the animal who’s been there the longest. Chances are they deserve a loving home too, even if they’ve been overlooked for a long time.
Donate to a cat rescue organisation
How about Cats Protection, or Cats Nottingham Rescue, who we adopted our kittens from? They’re an independent rescue centre run by volunteers who simply love and want to help cats. They completely rely on donations of money and food to help them operate, so please consider donating.
Get your pet neutered or spayed
This is SO so important. There is absolutely no reason not to get your pets neutered or spayed. The current crisis that animal rescue centres are facing, which has led to some even turning cats and kittens away, is entirely a result of careless or ignorant people failing to ensure that their cats don’t have or father kittens. Cats can get pregnant from 4 months old, even though they’re still so teeny tiny! They shouldn’t be going outside at that age anyway, and can be spayed or neutered promptly at 6 months old.
Do you have cats?
x Kerry
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Pallergy says
December 3, 2015 at 3:03 amBlack cat isn’t that bad. As many people says that black cat is bad luck, still many are adapting them. This article will enlighten people that not all the time black cat will give you a bad day. Often, it is us humans who think that we’re going to have a bad luck. This post will inspire lots of people to adapt black cat and not to throw them away in instant.
Rachel Vagabond Baker says
October 31, 2014 at 11:58 amBlack cats are the only cats that could tip me over into crazy cat lady! I just adore them, I could surround myself with them…oh look, there you go CCL!
I grew up with two, my best friends (both uncreatively called Blackie!).
I’ve known many black cats since, all absolutely wonderful, black cats just have such awesome personalities!
I also find I’m less allergic to most black kitties, which saves on the antihistamines 😉
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Amanda says
October 31, 2014 at 3:13 amHappy Black Cat Day! Great post!
Amanda recently posted…focus
Emma says
October 29, 2014 at 5:24 pmIt really surprises me that people don’t want black cats!!! I grew up with a completely black cat and my aunty had a tuxedo cat too.
Unfortunately when my cat (originally named Inky died) we didn’t replace him. At the time we didn’t feel we could and then eventually my Mum decided she liked not having to hoover up cat hair 24|7!
I’d love to get another cat. We currently look after a neighbours cat. They leave him outside 23hrs a day so we let him in for cuddles sometimes. I got in at midnight last night and found him asleep on our doormat 🙁 Poor kitty!
Perhaps we will adopt eventually. Until then I guess the best we can do is donate!
Em
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Diane @ Life of Di. says
October 29, 2014 at 4:56 pmI’ve told Marty that whenever we decided to adopt a cat – I want a black or black & white one. All of the orange kitties I’ve ever owned have always been really mean?? I’m not sure if it’s their ‘inner tiger’ coming out 😉 Ha.
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Kerry Cooks says
October 30, 2014 at 2:49 pmI’ve heard that too! Apparently black cats are nicer in temperament. I bet baby boden would LOVE growing up with a kitty! Tuxedo cats are definitely amazing
Jenni says
October 29, 2014 at 8:54 amWe’ve got 3 cats! Our first one, a calico called April we adopted from our local branch of the RSPCA last year when she was 2 years old, she is quite unusual looking and doesn’t trust strangers which is probably why she’d spent 3 months there. She is now a happy chubby kitty. The other two (a brown tabby boy Twix and black and white girl Penny) arrived in our house both at less 12 months old back in February from a friend who had to give them up. We weren’t planning on ending up with 3 but we love them all dearly and would never give them up! I give regular donations of food, toys and blankets to our local RSPCA and also help out with bake sales etc.
Kerry Cooks says
October 29, 2014 at 12:55 pmHow wonderful! Us too 🙂 I think darker calico’s are probably even more overlooked than black cats. What a wonderful lady you are to do so much to help kitties!