Traditional Halloween imagery usually involves, pumpkins, bats, witches…and black cats. Test your black cat knowledge with our 15 black cat fun facts.
Did you know:
Bonus round: It's bad luck to walk under a ladder that a black cat just passed. However, we would also suggest that it's just good common sense not to walk under any ladder, whether or not a cat of any color is nearby.
If you're interested in adopting a black cat, know that many rescues suspend adoptions of black cats around Halloween. Many also advise keeping your black cat indoors on or near the Halloween holidays. It's actually a good idea to keep all pets indoors on Halloween; the increased foot traffic, noises and costumes can be frightening to many pets.
Click here to read 5 Reasons To Adopt A Black Cat via The Animal Rescue site Blog.
Did you know:
- The Egyptians revered all cats as good luck. Today, many cultures worldwide view black cats as good luck.
- Somewhere during the Middle Ages, Europeans got the idea that black cats were associated with witchcraft. The elderly, solitary women who often fed and cared for stray cats were also often (mis) identified as witches and the cats as their conspirators.
- In England (except Yorkshire) and Ireland, should a black cat cross your path, it's good luck.
- Speaking of Great Britain, giving a cat to a bride in the English Midlands is good luck.
- Are you Scottish? A strange black cat arriving at your home means you may win the jackpot!(A stray black cat arriving on your doorstep signals prosperity.).
- If you're German, you have to pay attention. If the cat crosses your path from right to left, that's bad; left to right is good. Directionally challenged? We can't help.
- If you're a pirate, it gets even more complicated. If the black cat is walking toward you, it's bad luck. If it's walking away, that's good. If the cat walks onto the ship and then back off—get off the ship, it's going to sink. If you can get a cat to do any of those things on command, that's impressive.
- Fishermen (and their wives) saw black cats as good luck, with many keeping them on their ships or in their homes. Black cats became so highly valued that some could not afford them.
- In Japan, black cats are considered symbols of good luck, especially for single women. Owning a black cat is thought to attract potential suitors.
- In Russia, all cats are viewed as lucky.
- There is not just one breed of black cat. There are 19 cat breeds in the Cat Fanciers Association directory that list “black” as a color option.
- Many black cats have golden eyes, which is the result of high melanin pigment content in their bodies.
- Black cats can be boys or girls, but more are male than female.
- Black Cat Appreciation Day is August 17.
- Black cats go with every décor, and, best of all, you can't see their fur on your furniture!
Bonus round: It's bad luck to walk under a ladder that a black cat just passed. However, we would also suggest that it's just good common sense not to walk under any ladder, whether or not a cat of any color is nearby.
If you're interested in adopting a black cat, know that many rescues suspend adoptions of black cats around Halloween. Many also advise keeping your black cat indoors on or near the Halloween holidays. It's actually a good idea to keep all pets indoors on Halloween; the increased foot traffic, noises and costumes can be frightening to many pets.
Click here to read 5 Reasons To Adopt A Black Cat via The Animal Rescue site Blog.
