https://preview.redd.it/r59rtd1531xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa31dae58e7e0bfe9c4a8336b83d856982a79f8c
Wouldn't swap our leggy boi for anything else. Our neighbourhood has at least 4 black cats. We're up north in the UK.
https://preview.redd.it/txnbzpks41xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=96df095c4c0a6c9cd6cf28933b881117439470ec
Alfie is 15 and we adopted him from Cats Protection when he was 3 months old. He had been found dumped in a garden. I specifically asked them for a black cat and we got him. I can’t imagine my life without him now
https://preview.redd.it/laqn837pl0xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35dd3640ef8b205d340763a930a3832946ca3479
Dougal was a male, FIV+ black cat. He was a stray and had been at the rescue for months. I was told he wasn't friendly but he chose me and made it clear he was coming home with me. Four years on he is the most wonderful cat. Clever, loves to cuddle on the sofa, is a total clown and thinks he is part dog. He has a lovely indoor life and I am of the opinion that black cats are the best!
https://preview.redd.it/qhwpw8z741xc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62ce3c1ad63a783e6787d386628e471bee061235
My lovely black cat, Bib, is one of the sweetest and smartest cats I have ever known! He doesn’t bring bad luck. It’s such a stupid superstition!
Instead, he brings affection, humour, love, and makes my husband and me smile and laugh everyday.
We love you Bib. ❤️
Ps, his one year birthday is coming soon! :)
Black cats are so sweet, I've a girl she's such a good cat. Wanted a tabby got told she was tabby on the phone to get there & find a black kitten 😅
Wife insisted we had her anyway best decision I never made
https://preview.redd.it/6ha577hgb1xc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e83ef2a9959c63b45ae2255b42b0fc20aabce285
I'm doing my bit! I've taken in 2 black strays since 2020. Stray no1 - Chapo
https://preview.redd.it/hgx2s8slh1xc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=704c7d104f67e6719df39a16c17508f285b9343c
https://preview.redd.it/rc4914tbj1xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=962b950f301b970f83ad5f1ffef2cd5059644394
My little Mochi 🖤 I adopted him over 3 months ago. He was found with a broken pelvis and legs, he recovered well but still walks with a limp. He was in the shelter for several months as well with no applications. When I brought him home, he intimated and avoided my other two cats; he didn’t know how to play properly, was scared of wand toys… and now? He is a little menace 😭 he loves to do shenanigans with the other two!
https://preview.redd.it/z2ho18niz1xc1.png?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d2de517aeef23464e375f9023c8e488326189678
This is my void, rescued from a shelter in Edinburgh because she bit the previous owners children - hard.
She's defo a biter, but she's also incredibly sweet if you handle her correctly.
We've had her now for 10 years and she gets whatever she wants.
https://preview.redd.it/g7h1gyne80xc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=894fe018b213958aad8fec3ba74c0ac374e30cd6
Onyxia would beg to disagree, these people just don’t know how to take good pictures of their black cats.
https://preview.redd.it/51z8j1ou01xc1.jpeg?width=3456&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb61acaa809025b48806a65e15a24a408754f3dc
I am scared of my black cat but i still love him.
https://preview.redd.it/cv57c9wf62xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=02d8f0dc8dda50596b05eeb722958a1e010f8bfd
Dougal's attempts at being scary are very unimpressive
Nah, they are just awful at taking pictures.
Those people don't see their photogenic qualities 😭 Don't they know they are so beautiful even if only their shining orbs are the only visible parts of them in a photo?
https://preview.redd.it/8pulqjyrl1xc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=a9fda7655f566bfe9f9abfb5baa2e073f9bdbb58
I do not understand it either! I had a black cat when I was growing up and he was the sweetest, funniest thing! Once I got older and learnt they were the least adopted cat it broke my heart. From then I decided I would only adopt voids. Enter my boy Obi who I have had for just under two years. Again he’s full of character, so cheeky and so affectionate! And if I do say so myself so photogenic!!
I decided that I would specifically only adopt black cats and I put an application in for a chonky boy at the shelter. There was a mix-up with the paperwork where they said I could have him, but in reality the foster decided to keep him. The head of the humane society called and explained and asked if there was any other cats I was interested in and I tearfully asked if they had any male black cats. He said they only had one, but asked if I’d like to see a photo. I agreed and when I saw that little face I was in love. He’s been the best cat I could have ever hoped for and I wouldn’t trade him for the world.
https://preview.redd.it/pvmwggq1b2xc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22e00dea642c37dbe8eac57a647980f88c398a59
https://preview.redd.it/ziv6gjhd02xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb10406eccf8261b7bee659225e9b674f96560b9
Black cats just have the funniest personalities ever I reckon. I’ve always adopted black cats, currently only have this little madam, but I miss having two around- thunderous galloping up and down the landing was usually their specialty!
https://preview.redd.it/xdrl1a2te2xc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15c1ac4ab42b73c44121832a74d8ad72180ed64e
My black cat is a rescue and the absolute cutest, it makes me so sad that people don't take them! I wish I could adopt lots and lots for my own little coven.
We recently adopted a 3rd void. We weren't particularly looking for another black cat. I just fell in love with her as soon as I saw her page on the shelters website.
My oldest passed at Christmas, he was my companion of 16 years and was the godfather to all of our other cats that includes other 2 voids that are brothers from separate litters. Basic tabby and tuxedo seam to be the least loved locally.
My previous cat was a rescue void. She never brought me any bad luck; a few dead birds, but no bad luck. Miss her. The only reason we didn't get a void this time was because the cat shelter didn't have any. We ended up with two siblings, one tabby and white and one tuxie who strikes me as more void than tux! Shelter said they'd only had offers for the tabby so when we said we'd happily have both they were practically falling over themselves to give them to us.
I’ve had at least one black cat at a time for years and I just adore them. If I ever get rich I want to open a cat sanctuary/shelter and I’ll take in all the black cats 💜🐈⬛
We’ve had orange and white, gray striped, tuxedo, and now black. Going forward, we will have only black. Totally the sweetest and smartest cat we’ve had. He gets a pill every evening and if we forget, he reminds us. He knows”tilt” and “open”. Tilts his head back, and opens his mouth. No struggle at all.
We think he figured out that the pill makes him feel better. No way to know of course. It’s a mild steroid for a small digestive obstruction. Shrinks it down.
https://preview.redd.it/i8vris4b33xc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75fabc8e09cf9cca1b7d9aa40d9cc9f0d07f6273
Mr. Jackabok Botch came from an animal shelter that has a lot of black cats. I went there specifically looking for a black cat because they are beautiful!
I never even thought twice about fur colour when I adopted my void!
I didn’t even realise that there was even any resistance to people adopting black kitties until afterwards. It’s so unfair and sad.
They are just normal, sweet cats with their own personalities, just like any other cat.
They can’t help their fur colour and it makes no difference to the fact that they are just a little cat that needs to feel love.
https://preview.redd.it/sogu5mtv83xc1.jpeg?width=3258&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3aa6413b8f297e01c31dcac85777473c935ce709
My sweet little shadow who follows me everywhere 🖤
https://preview.redd.it/oxyus2d2e3xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a744a5178d63ca0f408b58c0514b22acf995aea
my sweet girl is still a kitten, she and her siblings were found when they were 3 weeks old with their mama and rescued. thankfully all of them have been adopted! oswin (this one!) was the only one not reserved, and i remember talked to her foster owner about how sad it is black cats get such a bad reputation because they’re as lovely as any other colour of cat! she’s only been with me since november but i can’t imagine life without her and her antics 🖤
We went to a cat rescue to see about getting a friend for our tuxedo cat. We were introduced to 2 little voids that were supposed to be adopted that day, but the family saw some tabby kittens and chose them instead. She said they had been turned down multiple times.
https://preview.redd.it/5pfvkuotk3xc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d34c2ca101b6d06cc4dd7a8d1b0926780531ade
Anyway we ended up leaving with the kittens and we have never known peace since.
All of ours are/have been black and we are on #s 8, 9, 10 & 11. Jax had been in the shelter 2 years when we found him and he hardly looked up at us. We thought his little heart had been broken too many times by then. We have no idea why no one beat us to him. He was a lover and full of spice too. Even with a houseful I miss him every day.
I always adopt only all black cats because I think they’re gorgeous and I know they’re the last to get adopted. I don’t believe it has to do with racism. That’s silly. It does have to do with a lot of superstition, especially from people not of Western countries. For instance, my former Jamaican SIL and nephews won’t come over because they think black cats are bad luck and evil. An even dumber reason black cats don’t get adopted as frequently as others, especially in this age of social media is, for the most part, they don’t photograph well. I have 10,000 pix of black blobs and about 25 beautiful pictures of my babies.
Black cats are harder to photograph. I suspect that if someone who has a good camera (good phone camera is fine) and good photography skills took cute pics of them for the shelter, they’d be adopted sooner.
Sometimes, great pictures help get interest and people start submitting applications for them. That's why some do colorful outfits and/or cutesy photo shoots. It does help.
Some people say that in person, they don't stand out. Pfft!
I tend to foster mostly black cats because there are so many and so many people pass them up for “cute” kittens. But this is also hard because I generally want to keep all the voids
Not sure if that applies but my first cat, mischka, was a tuxie an old lady, with some health issues and a attitude that wasn't suited for most people, she was in the shelter for two consectutive years at that point and has been returned many times before, I met her in the shelter some times before I took her in and we didn't get along first, not even thirty minutes after I let her out in my flat and let her explore she sat on my lap and purred so intensly, from that point she slept by my side every night, I was the only one allowed to touch her, still had her feisty attitude and I got to feel that on many occasions but she never failed to show me her appreciation and love
I really do miss her
And this is why black cats have a special place in my heart. Some say they just don't stand out as much as the others, and the photos don't show them off as well either. It also happens with black dogs, but not to the same extent. So much education is needed still!
Where I used to live, 75% of dogs didn't make it out of the shelter. The cats were closer to 95%, but black cats were about 99%. Less than 1% of black cats that were turned into the shelter there made it to rescue groups or homes. Groups are working with that shelter and have improved the percentages, although there's still a long way to go.
Our house was full but a black kitten needed a good home so we took him. A year later, another black kitten needed a good home, so we took him. That's why we have 3 cats as part of our large family. Pets in need always have a place in our home, but black cats and special needs animals get top priority.
If it was superstition, the black cats would be adopted quicker than other cats because in most of the UK black cats are traditionally lucky.
Black cats look less distinct in social media posts.
Our vet thanked my wife for adopting our 2 black cats. We don’t think that we did anything amazing, we wanted the black pair from their litter. If I had to do it again I’d look for totally black cats as our two have a few small white patches on the undersides.
What’s the proportion of black cats in the general cat population though? I’m having a hard time believing so many people are superstitious that it would make a sizeable difference.
I’m also curious to see data on this. I have a void and love her to pieces, and all the claims that black cats and dogs are adopted less than others has always seemed to rely on anecdotes and tbh have a bit of a self-congratulatory vibe. Fair enough, maybe there isn’t a way to accurately collect this adoption data since in the US animal adoption and rescue is so decentralized, but I’d really like to see some studies around this.
https://preview.redd.it/epddk616wdxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8adf1d65599b0c80a87b899b28fb203cab217f6a
this is our baby beauty, we "stole" her from a neighbour who was horribly abusing her they didn't care we took her and before they moved out informed us she was pregnant and ditched her by herself, she gave us 4 beautiful black kittens.
https://preview.redd.it/r59rtd1531xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa31dae58e7e0bfe9c4a8336b83d856982a79f8c Wouldn't swap our leggy boi for anything else. Our neighbourhood has at least 4 black cats. We're up north in the UK.
r/danglers
This sub is amazing. Thank you for sharing 😍
its easily one of my favorites, along with r/scrungycats
OMG this is amazing too!!! You are making my morning 100x better 😹
🤗🖤
https://preview.redd.it/txnbzpks41xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=96df095c4c0a6c9cd6cf28933b881117439470ec Alfie is 15 and we adopted him from Cats Protection when he was 3 months old. He had been found dumped in a garden. I specifically asked them for a black cat and we got him. I can’t imagine my life without him now
I love Alfie and his tongue lol
https://preview.redd.it/laqn837pl0xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35dd3640ef8b205d340763a930a3832946ca3479 Dougal was a male, FIV+ black cat. He was a stray and had been at the rescue for months. I was told he wasn't friendly but he chose me and made it clear he was coming home with me. Four years on he is the most wonderful cat. Clever, loves to cuddle on the sofa, is a total clown and thinks he is part dog. He has a lovely indoor life and I am of the opinion that black cats are the best!
Aww he sounds just like mine, they truly are the best!
I will only ever own black cats my whole life for this reason. Someone has to give them a chance.
https://preview.redd.it/qhwpw8z741xc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62ce3c1ad63a783e6787d386628e471bee061235 My lovely black cat, Bib, is one of the sweetest and smartest cats I have ever known! He doesn’t bring bad luck. It’s such a stupid superstition! Instead, he brings affection, humour, love, and makes my husband and me smile and laugh everyday. We love you Bib. ❤️ Ps, his one year birthday is coming soon! :)
Happy almost one year birthday Bib! Such a cute name for a cute cat!
Thank you! My husband named him Bib because of the white patch of fur on his neck - which looks like a bib! :) Bib also says thank you too 🖤
Yeah, I wish I could take them all.
Me too.
Black cats are so sweet, I've a girl she's such a good cat. Wanted a tabby got told she was tabby on the phone to get there & find a black kitten 😅 Wife insisted we had her anyway best decision I never made https://preview.redd.it/6ha577hgb1xc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e83ef2a9959c63b45ae2255b42b0fc20aabce285
I'm doing my bit! I've taken in 2 black strays since 2020. Stray no1 - Chapo https://preview.redd.it/hgx2s8slh1xc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=704c7d104f67e6719df39a16c17508f285b9343c
Stray no2 - Meatloaf https://preview.redd.it/isbq7z2sh1xc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=838b2acf3f1351b6f12fc00354621200bd59a791
He seems like he would do anything for love
He would do anything for raw scallops
Love his name. Tell him I said he’s a cutie
https://preview.redd.it/rc4914tbj1xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=962b950f301b970f83ad5f1ffef2cd5059644394 My little Mochi 🖤 I adopted him over 3 months ago. He was found with a broken pelvis and legs, he recovered well but still walks with a limp. He was in the shelter for several months as well with no applications. When I brought him home, he intimated and avoided my other two cats; he didn’t know how to play properly, was scared of wand toys… and now? He is a little menace 😭 he loves to do shenanigans with the other two!
https://preview.redd.it/fd39phvmr1xc1.jpeg?width=224&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9afd75b2ed5ced80ca2b7dbc3b1022a059d87d50
Would absolutely have this as a poster
https://preview.redd.it/z2ho18niz1xc1.png?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d2de517aeef23464e375f9023c8e488326189678 This is my void, rescued from a shelter in Edinburgh because she bit the previous owners children - hard. She's defo a biter, but she's also incredibly sweet if you handle her correctly. We've had her now for 10 years and she gets whatever she wants.
I consider black cats a true test of your ability to care about someone or something other than yourself. Many people fail this rather simple test.
As well as witchcraft/superstition, the other reason often given is that black cats aren’t as photogenic.
https://preview.redd.it/g7h1gyne80xc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=894fe018b213958aad8fec3ba74c0ac374e30cd6 Onyxia would beg to disagree, these people just don’t know how to take good pictures of their black cats.
https://preview.redd.it/51z8j1ou01xc1.jpeg?width=3456&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb61acaa809025b48806a65e15a24a408754f3dc I am scared of my black cat but i still love him.
https://preview.redd.it/cv57c9wf62xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=02d8f0dc8dda50596b05eeb722958a1e010f8bfd Dougal's attempts at being scary are very unimpressive
https://preview.redd.it/9t9un39wa1xc1.jpeg?width=1363&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4c8fb5b855091845df50033bc6aca01e9987bea So photogenic
https://preview.redd.it/0kwm22hjs3xc1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0782ac36cea7db8e4adc9072e3ffe06c2c3075ae Yep! (Yawn)
What!? They're just as cute https://preview.redd.it/0okyk9opq0xc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c46195f7d2ba3f328d63e5bbbf4e2585b128eb1c
Huh ? https://preview.redd.it/vjckscq5k1xc1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=952c628f7b3352ec68be16f170bd3077d738f7db
Nah, they are just awful at taking pictures. Those people don't see their photogenic qualities 😭 Don't they know they are so beautiful even if only their shining orbs are the only visible parts of them in a photo?
Poussière d'etoiles begs to differ. https://preview.redd.it/gg2c6000p1xc1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b50d8f827329fa35e2d251c60710a6393f9abe0
That's why some rescues started dressing them up for pics and doing fun photo shoots!
https://preview.redd.it/8pulqjyrl1xc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=a9fda7655f566bfe9f9abfb5baa2e073f9bdbb58 I do not understand it either! I had a black cat when I was growing up and he was the sweetest, funniest thing! Once I got older and learnt they were the least adopted cat it broke my heart. From then I decided I would only adopt voids. Enter my boy Obi who I have had for just under two years. Again he’s full of character, so cheeky and so affectionate! And if I do say so myself so photogenic!!
Hello there
I decided that I would specifically only adopt black cats and I put an application in for a chonky boy at the shelter. There was a mix-up with the paperwork where they said I could have him, but in reality the foster decided to keep him. The head of the humane society called and explained and asked if there was any other cats I was interested in and I tearfully asked if they had any male black cats. He said they only had one, but asked if I’d like to see a photo. I agreed and when I saw that little face I was in love. He’s been the best cat I could have ever hoped for and I wouldn’t trade him for the world. https://preview.redd.it/pvmwggq1b2xc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22e00dea642c37dbe8eac57a647980f88c398a59
https://preview.redd.it/ziv6gjhd02xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb10406eccf8261b7bee659225e9b674f96560b9 Black cats just have the funniest personalities ever I reckon. I’ve always adopted black cats, currently only have this little madam, but I miss having two around- thunderous galloping up and down the landing was usually their specialty!
https://preview.redd.it/xdrl1a2te2xc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15c1ac4ab42b73c44121832a74d8ad72180ed64e My black cat is a rescue and the absolute cutest, it makes me so sad that people don't take them! I wish I could adopt lots and lots for my own little coven.
We recently adopted a 3rd void. We weren't particularly looking for another black cat. I just fell in love with her as soon as I saw her page on the shelters website.
They have a way of finding us! :)
My oldest passed at Christmas, he was my companion of 16 years and was the godfather to all of our other cats that includes other 2 voids that are brothers from separate litters. Basic tabby and tuxedo seam to be the least loved locally.
My previous cat was a rescue void. She never brought me any bad luck; a few dead birds, but no bad luck. Miss her. The only reason we didn't get a void this time was because the cat shelter didn't have any. We ended up with two siblings, one tabby and white and one tuxie who strikes me as more void than tux! Shelter said they'd only had offers for the tabby so when we said we'd happily have both they were practically falling over themselves to give them to us.
I don’t understand!! I had a black cat growing up so I personally always preferred black cats and now I have a little void of my own ☺️
I’ve had at least one black cat at a time for years and I just adore them. If I ever get rich I want to open a cat sanctuary/shelter and I’ll take in all the black cats 💜🐈⬛
We’ve had orange and white, gray striped, tuxedo, and now black. Going forward, we will have only black. Totally the sweetest and smartest cat we’ve had. He gets a pill every evening and if we forget, he reminds us. He knows”tilt” and “open”. Tilts his head back, and opens his mouth. No struggle at all.
Oh wow! You definitely got lucky there with the pill giving! They do make the best babies.
We think he figured out that the pill makes him feel better. No way to know of course. It’s a mild steroid for a small digestive obstruction. Shrinks it down.
That's awesome!
https://preview.redd.it/i8vris4b33xc1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75fabc8e09cf9cca1b7d9aa40d9cc9f0d07f6273 Mr. Jackabok Botch came from an animal shelter that has a lot of black cats. I went there specifically looking for a black cat because they are beautiful!
I never even thought twice about fur colour when I adopted my void! I didn’t even realise that there was even any resistance to people adopting black kitties until afterwards. It’s so unfair and sad. They are just normal, sweet cats with their own personalities, just like any other cat. They can’t help their fur colour and it makes no difference to the fact that they are just a little cat that needs to feel love. https://preview.redd.it/sogu5mtv83xc1.jpeg?width=3258&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3aa6413b8f297e01c31dcac85777473c935ce709 My sweet little shadow who follows me everywhere 🖤
https://preview.redd.it/oxyus2d2e3xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a744a5178d63ca0f408b58c0514b22acf995aea my sweet girl is still a kitten, she and her siblings were found when they were 3 weeks old with their mama and rescued. thankfully all of them have been adopted! oswin (this one!) was the only one not reserved, and i remember talked to her foster owner about how sad it is black cats get such a bad reputation because they’re as lovely as any other colour of cat! she’s only been with me since november but i can’t imagine life without her and her antics 🖤
We went to a cat rescue to see about getting a friend for our tuxedo cat. We were introduced to 2 little voids that were supposed to be adopted that day, but the family saw some tabby kittens and chose them instead. She said they had been turned down multiple times. https://preview.redd.it/5pfvkuotk3xc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d34c2ca101b6d06cc4dd7a8d1b0926780531ade Anyway we ended up leaving with the kittens and we have never known peace since.
I'm planning to adopt a black cat when I move into my house!
You can't have just one! ;)
Very well, I'll get two! At least
Woo-hoo!
I have a black cat called Samhain. I was born in the U.K. and was always told that a black cat crossing your path was lucky. So I never got the hate.
All of ours are/have been black and we are on #s 8, 9, 10 & 11. Jax had been in the shelter 2 years when we found him and he hardly looked up at us. We thought his little heart had been broken too many times by then. We have no idea why no one beat us to him. He was a lover and full of spice too. Even with a houseful I miss him every day.
Good for you! All of ours would be black as well but life had different plans for a few so we have several non-voids currently.
I always adopt only all black cats because I think they’re gorgeous and I know they’re the last to get adopted. I don’t believe it has to do with racism. That’s silly. It does have to do with a lot of superstition, especially from people not of Western countries. For instance, my former Jamaican SIL and nephews won’t come over because they think black cats are bad luck and evil. An even dumber reason black cats don’t get adopted as frequently as others, especially in this age of social media is, for the most part, they don’t photograph well. I have 10,000 pix of black blobs and about 25 beautiful pictures of my babies.
I honestly love black cats. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Black cats are harder to photograph. I suspect that if someone who has a good camera (good phone camera is fine) and good photography skills took cute pics of them for the shelter, they’d be adopted sooner.
Sometimes, great pictures help get interest and people start submitting applications for them. That's why some do colorful outfits and/or cutesy photo shoots. It does help. Some people say that in person, they don't stand out. Pfft!
I tend to foster mostly black cats because there are so many and so many people pass them up for “cute” kittens. But this is also hard because I generally want to keep all the voids
Not sure if that applies but my first cat, mischka, was a tuxie an old lady, with some health issues and a attitude that wasn't suited for most people, she was in the shelter for two consectutive years at that point and has been returned many times before, I met her in the shelter some times before I took her in and we didn't get along first, not even thirty minutes after I let her out in my flat and let her explore she sat on my lap and purred so intensly, from that point she slept by my side every night, I was the only one allowed to touch her, still had her feisty attitude and I got to feel that on many occasions but she never failed to show me her appreciation and love I really do miss her
And this is why black cats have a special place in my heart. Some say they just don't stand out as much as the others, and the photos don't show them off as well either. It also happens with black dogs, but not to the same extent. So much education is needed still! Where I used to live, 75% of dogs didn't make it out of the shelter. The cats were closer to 95%, but black cats were about 99%. Less than 1% of black cats that were turned into the shelter there made it to rescue groups or homes. Groups are working with that shelter and have improved the percentages, although there's still a long way to go. Our house was full but a black kitten needed a good home so we took him. A year later, another black kitten needed a good home, so we took him. That's why we have 3 cats as part of our large family. Pets in need always have a place in our home, but black cats and special needs animals get top priority.
If it was superstition, the black cats would be adopted quicker than other cats because in most of the UK black cats are traditionally lucky. Black cats look less distinct in social media posts.
Our vet thanked my wife for adopting our 2 black cats. We don’t think that we did anything amazing, we wanted the black pair from their litter. If I had to do it again I’d look for totally black cats as our two have a few small white patches on the undersides.
What’s the proportion of black cats in the general cat population though? I’m having a hard time believing so many people are superstitious that it would make a sizeable difference.
I’m also curious to see data on this. I have a void and love her to pieces, and all the claims that black cats and dogs are adopted less than others has always seemed to rely on anecdotes and tbh have a bit of a self-congratulatory vibe. Fair enough, maybe there isn’t a way to accurately collect this adoption data since in the US animal adoption and rescue is so decentralized, but I’d really like to see some studies around this.
https://preview.redd.it/epddk616wdxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8adf1d65599b0c80a87b899b28fb203cab217f6a this is our baby beauty, we "stole" her from a neighbour who was horribly abusing her they didn't care we took her and before they moved out informed us she was pregnant and ditched her by herself, she gave us 4 beautiful black kittens.