This National Black Cat Day (27 October), Battersea is encouraging the public to look beyond a cat’s appearance and give them the second chance they deserve as figures reveal black cats make up over 40% of the charity’s feline admissions.
Battersea welcomes many black cats through its gates each year, but it can sadly take longer to find them new homes due to the misconceptions around them. National Black Cat Day celebrates the often-overlooked black cat, whilst dispelling myths about these sweet animals.
Traditionally, black cats are believed to bring bad luck and are viewed less favourably than their colourful counterparts. At this spooky time of year, black cats are commonly associated with the supernatural and helping witches with their devilish deeds. In some cultures across Europe and America, a black cat crossing your path is deemed to bring bad luck, while in Germany, it depends on which direction the black cat walks in front of you.
However, in other cultures such as in Japan, a black cat crossing your path is seen as a good omen and they are thought of as a sign of wealth and prosperity. In fact, black cats are often sweet, loyal companions that are ideal feline friends for those looking to welcome a pet into their lives.
On any given day, Battersea cares for approximately 200 cats across its three sites and on foster. On average, it will take 27 days for each of these cats to find a new home, but the wait for some can be much longer, particularly black cats who are patiently waiting for their second chance at life.
Panther, a seven-year-old Domestic Short Hair black cat, has been at Battersea for over 50 days and is looking for a calm and loving home to rest his paws. Panther is a gentle soul who loves attention and will greet everyone he meets with chirps and head bumps. With endless love to give, Panther will make a fantastic companion for a loving family.
A kindle of black five-month-old kittens called Salem, Thackery and Binx also arrived at Battersea this month after being found as strays with their mum in London. Typical of their age, the trio are friendly and energetic kittens who love playtime and would make the ideal pet for new and experienced owners alike.
Paige Havlin, Cattery Team Leader at Battersea, said: “Black cats are commonly associated with a number of misconceptions such as that they aren’t photogenic or that they bring bad luck, but at Battersea, we know this couldn’t be further from the truth. There is so much more to these beautiful, loving cats which make them a great pet for many people.
“There are many black cats at Battersea who are looking for a loving home and we hope that through events like National Black Cat Day, we can raise awareness of just how wonderful these sweet felines are and give them a second chance at life.”
To find out more about adopting a black cat from Battersea, please visit https://battersea.org.uk/
