Black Cats, Witches, and Bad Luck: How Did We Get In This Mess?

October is Black Cat Awareness Month! I know (like me) you’ve been thinking all year about what to get that special furbaby in your life. Halloween comes once a year!

Since the Middle Ages, black cats have received a bad reputation they’ve never deserved, so it’s finally their time to shine…or…blend into the shadows. Whatever makes them happy.

But why do black cats have such a bad reputation?

Well it all started in the Dark Ages (see what I did there, you’re welcome) and there are a couple of theories on why black cats were associated with witches and why people thought they were bad luck.

One theory is a folklore about a man and his son who came across a black cat, which they began to toss rocks at. The injured cat ran into a woman’s house who was suspected of being a witch. The next day, when the woman appeared limping and bruised, people suspected the cat must be the woman in disguise.

Other theories believed that during this time, people started to see black cats as a sign of death and bad luck simply because of their black fur, just like ravens and crows. Sadly, mass killings of black cats spread across Europe as people tried to rid the streets of these “bad omens."

During the European witch trail in the Middle Ages and eventually the Salem Witch Trails, people accused of witchcraft were usually identified by the fact they owned a cat. Witches were believed to have “familiars,” which was typically a cat due to their nocturnal and independent nature. Some also believed cats were actually witches in disguise. These were mainly black cats, since “their black fur meant they were evil.”

But wait…it gets worse.

Not only were people and cats accused together, they were also prosecuted together. Since people thought black cats helped witches in their evil doings, and also believed witches could transform into black cats to lurk in the shadows and cast spells on people. “Witches” and black cats were persecuted and killed together.

For some reason, these ridiculous beliefs have been pasted down from each generation. Luckily, in the 21st century we’ve (for the most part) have moved away from them.

But then, why do we have a Black Cat Awareness Month?

Well these poor babies have a tough time getting adopted in shelters. We still have people who think they’re unlucky (I’m hoping no one actually still sees them as evil…) and, even worse, we have people who only go for the “pretty kittens,” which is equally as ridiculous, because black kittens are gorgeous.

So like always, shelters make sure you get great photos of black cats, so they’ll attract more potential adopters. We’ve already talk about how easy it is to take their photos in my blog “Why Do People Think Black Animals Are Hard to Photograph?” And adopters make sure you meet ALL the adoptable cats, and pick the one who has the personality you’re looking for NOT the one who you think looks the best.

So remember this Halloween season, fur color is only skin deep. But the added terror of a demon jumping at you from the shadows every night will keep your heart young for years to come.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!