Adopt a Black Cat – You’ll Be Glad You Did!
August 06, 2012 at 9:00:47 am | Posted by Hilary C. in Cat Adoption, Cat Behavior, Pet Adoption
TweetBlack cats have more baggage than your average feline. Seen as an enigma, a superstition, a symbol of luck – good or bad, depending on the tradition or belief, they are often misunderstood, or just plain looked over. Black cats have the lowest shelter adoption rate, a phenomenon dubbed “black dog/cat syndrome.” This is unfortunate, and not just for the cats- black cats make some of the best companions and people are really missing out! Although each and every cat has a unique personality, in general, I have noticed a few traits that really stand out in black cats. Here, in my humble experience is why:
Beautiful: From brownish to bluish to every shade of black in between, black cats are beautiful in the way that one can only imagine onyx would be, if it were covered in fur.
Loyal: No matter how many work trips or late nights, I am always greeted at the door. I am meowed to over the phone when away. Black cats are wonderful in being both friendly to all and dedicated to their person/people.
Adaptable: While some cats struggle with change, black cats tend to quickly adapt to whatever circumstances they are dealt. Rescued black cats from the streets tend to warm quickly to not only their rescuers and people in general, but are often friendly and outgoing even in a high-stress kenneled shelter environment.
Tock, on a cross-country roadtrip in Aspen
Companionable: Friendly not only towards people and animals they are familiar with, black cats tend to be outgoing and like to get to meet new friends and admirers.
Tock and Darcy
Keen: If there is one superstition I do believe in, it is that black cats are unusually perceptive to the things going on around them. From having a bad day to preparing to move, they sense the changes and accompanying stress their humans are under and do their best to stay by your side and provide moral support. Every time I pack for a trip, mine jumps in my suitcase.
Compassionate: Not only friendly, black cats seem to take it a step further. Mine feeds and waters his toys and lets fosters that stay with us eat before he does. Over the last dozen years, every time I’ve cried, every time there was an upset, I’ve had a steadfast companion. They seem to be very pro-active about taking care of others- bringing other animals food, and washing people and animals they’ve just met.
Aware: Black cats seem to walk a line- they tend to be more calm and reserved than some other cats, yet they balance that by staying playful and active throughout their lives. They relish new toys, found objects, and are talented at entertaining themselves for hours (and napping for hours thereafter). The types of games they create and the ones they enjoy engaging in often involve others-people, cats, dogs, etc., and tend to be more complex, such as games of fetch and tag.
Tock: “T” is for Tock, my cat that turned me on to all that black cats offer. I rescued him, his mom and siblings, as a freshman in college when they were starting to bulldoze the field they lived in. All the kittens suffered from ringworm and Tock was the last one left as everyone thought he still had ringworm, but it turned out he really has white “bikini” markings on his tummy. As Darcy (my dog) and I settled into having a new kitten, it very quickly became apparent that Tock was not only incredibly smart, but could relate to and comprehend a great number things- and thus I named Tock after the dog who tells time in The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Jester, as Tock most certainly not only tells time and know when you’re late, but also greets you, follows you, comes when called and fetches.
Smart: In a final word, black cats are smart. They are savvy to things going on around them, and highly responsive and capable of handling change, throughout which, they remain calm, loving, energetic companions.
Tock, always nearby and ready to lend a paw.
Convinced black cats are for you? Want to meet some and see for yourself?
Currently these two black cats are available for adoption at Adopt and Shop!
I love black cats and have two. I agree they are the most wonderful, friendly, fun, and sweet types of cats. Thanks for article
I love, love, love our little black kitty named MissChiff. She is a ball of thunder in our home of three cats! Only problem is getting a picture of her!!
I completely agree with this article. I have a black cat named Watson, which I adopted from a shelter. He quickly warms to new cats that I have adopted, or my brother and sister have adopted. He demonstrates most, if not all of the traits mentioned in this article. He is a wonderful cat.
Thank you for the article. Our cat, Bam Bam aka B.B. was found scared, worn out and hungry after a really July 4th. She doesn’t like loud noises at all, but is interested in everything. She isn’t much of a predator — I try not to give her much opportunity, but she likes watching birds, insects, weather, and us. I think of her as a “poet and a scientist.” Adopt more black animals.
As they are, unfortunately, the last to be adopted, I have rescued many black cats from death row and found a lot of them homes, though over the years our own population of them has grown–LOL. I have always thought they were especially sweet, smart (though I think that most cats are remarkably smart) and loyal–and so beautiful, of course, so I love that you wrote this article and pointed out more of their great features. Mine are all wonderful and I am always amazed at how incredibly loving and affectionate they are. A few of my short haired ones have that hilarious line of long white fur on their belly, so it was very cool to learn that it’s called a bikini.
Thank you so much and keep spreading the word–everyone should adopt a black cat!
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