ASHLAND Anyone hoping to adopt a black cat might have to wait until next month.
Caretakers of the dark felines take precautions during October to prevent any misconduct toward the animals.
For example, PetSmart displays no black cats in the store throughout the month, Becky Williamson, store leader for 11 years at PetSmart in Ashland, said.
“I make it a point to have the rescues pull black cats out of the front windows for that reason,” she said, noting abuse of black cats does happen around Halloween, but it’s more on the level of pranksters than malevolence.
“I’ve never heard of anyone killing one, but I have heard people say their cat didn’t come home for a few days and when it did, it had been shaved or glued or dyed,” Williamson said. “But pranks are not healthy for them. The cats are scared to death and don’t know what’s happening.”
She said she keeps a close eye on her own cat during the month, even though Halloween activities in her neighborhood are sparse.
Cathy Queen, executive director of Ashland Animal Rescue Fund, said she has heard of “terrible things” happening to cats, and AARF takes measures to protect black cats in its possession during Halloween season, as it does all year.
“We do take extra precautions just because,” she said of the adoption process, which all potential “furever” homes are required to go through. “We are just more careful to let Halloween season pass by. If they want a black cat, not just Halloween but any time.”
Black cats have been considered unlucky for centuries and were blamed for spreading the bubonic plague as far back as the 1300s. Puritans hated black cats, even burning them on Shrove Tuesday to protect their homes from fire. To this day, black cats are less likely to be adopted than other colors.
As a measure to help ensure their safety, October is Black Cat Awareness Month, established by cat expert and author Layla Morgan Wilde. Everyone is urged to drive slowly and look out for black cats while trick-or-treating, as well as encouraging friends and family to adopt black cats.
Jim Wente, owner of Bert’s Pet Center in Russell, said his store rarely has black cats for adoption any time of year, but when it does, he’s meticulous.
“We can’t vet everyone 100% but we really try to make sure they’re going to a good home,” he said.
As far as abuse of black cats during October, he said he’s heard all the stories but has never personally seen a case of abuse.
Lana Fisher, a veterinary technician at a day practice and at Tri-State Animal ER, said she hasn’t seen abuse of black cats during October; in fact, she said more often she’s seen the works of Good Samaritans.
“We see a lot of black cats being brought in randomly off the streets by people who are trying to rescue them and do good,” she said, noting based on her experience, black cats being in danger in October is an urban legend.
Fisher said she doesn’t know why there is more compassion for black animals in October — maybe it’s the beginning of the holiday spirit — but it applies to cats, dogs, rabbits or any animal that’s black or has a black pattern.
“I’ve seen some horrible things, but not just in the month of October,” she said. “People have their superstitions but that’s not everybody. Some people don’t pay attention to it. We tend to see people trying to stop and help, especially the real sick ones.”
Queen said it’s important to be aware of the potential injury and abuse to black cats during October.
“There are people out there with poor intentions who don’t value animals,” she said. “They deserve the best we can offer.”
