The truth about the Black Cat

The truth about the Black Cat

 

 

In aid of National Black Cat Day 2020, we’re dedicating this post to all the things about the black cat!

 

National Black Cat Day was created by the Cats Protection in 2011 to raise awareness of the beauty of the black cat. Although we can’t fathom why anyone would discriminate against them, we recently delved into why they're less likely to get adopted here - Why do rescue shelters struggle to rehome black and white cats?

 

But today’s post is all about celebrating black cats and finding out all the things we don’t know!

 

The Witch's Cat
 

October is a particularly difficult month for black cats. Associations with scary witches means that children might not be as kind to them when they see them on their trick or treating routes! Shelters often find that October is also the hardest month to rehome black cats.

 

Disease Protection
 

With a specific gene pool many studies have been created to research whether black cats have better health because of their colour. Dark fur doesn’t just have a camouflage benefit!

 

Egyptian Heritage
 

Egyptian’s held the black cat very sacredly. It was actually punishable by death if you harmed a black cat!

 

Scottish Stranger
 

Folklore suggested that black cats were soul-stealing creatures, but now having a strange black cat arrive near your home is considered a blessing and good luck.

 

 

The Middle Ages
 

During the black death many black cats were sacrificed in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, they needed the cats to hunt the rats that were actually the spreaders!

 

Japan and the single woman
 

In Japan the black cat is a symbol of luck. Single women are encouraged to adopt black cats to bring them luck in finding a suitor. (If a black cat sneezes near the bride on her wedding day it’s thought that she will have a happy married life!)

 

Lucky 22
 

There are 22 breeds of cat that can have exclusively black coats.

 

The Satan Incarnation
 

In 1232, Catholic Pope Gregory IX decided that the black cat was the incarnation of satan. It’s still unknown where his reasoning for this came from, but it definitely had an effect on Europe and many people became fearful of them.

 

 

Ship Mates
 

Black cats were kept on ships in the 19th century to bring sailors good luck and fishermen's wives would keep them in their homes as they believed it ensured their husbands a safe return.

 

Superstition
 

It’s an old wives tale that if a black cat crosses your path it’s bad luck. We should feel greatly privileged that they want to come near us after the things we’ve said about them in the past!

 

Black cats are beautiful - just as beautiful as any other colour or species of animal. They can be elegant, clumsy, fast, cuddly and all the other things inbetween. All cats are unique in their own way and these guys deserve just as much love as anyone else!