There's a problem happening in animal shelters across the country, and it doesn't quite add up.

Walk into any shelter and you'll notice something strange. There, in the corner kennels, sitting patiently and watching visitors with those golden or green eyes, are the black cats. Lots of them. Way more than any other color.

And here's the frustrating part: they're almost always the last to find homes.

Not because they're less friendly. Not because they're any different from their tabby or orange siblings. Just... because they're black. That's it. That's the whole reason.

It sounds ridiculous when you say it out loud, doesn't it? But the numbers don't lie. Studies have shown black cats face lower adoption rates and longer shelter stays than cats of other colors. Some research even suggests they have the highest euthanasia rates of any coat color in shelters.

So what's going on here? Why are these gorgeous little house panthers getting passed over?

The Medieval Baggage We're Still Carrying

Here's where things get a little wild. The bias against black cats isn't some random preference—it's centuries-old superstition that somehow survived into 2025.

Back in ancient Egypt, black cats were actually the celebrities of the animal world. They were associated with Bastet, the cat-headed goddess of protection and fertility. Hurting a cat was literally a crime punishable by death. These sleek black beauties were considered sacred, mummified, and buried with honor.

Then medieval Europe came along and absolutely ruined everything.

In 1233, Pope Gregory IX issued a church document that basically declared black cats to be incarnations of Satan. From there, cats became linked to witchcraft, paganism, and all things evil. During the witch trials that swept through Europe (and eventually Salem), owning a black cat could literally get someone accused of witchcraft. Cats were killed alongside the women accused of being witches.

And in a particularly bitter twist of irony? All that cat-killing led to an explosion in the rat population—which helped the Bubonic Plague spread faster. So the superstition that black cats brought bad luck actually brought the worst luck imaginable. To everyone.

Not Everyone Got the "Bad Luck" Memo

Here's the thing though—not every culture bought into the bad luck nonsense. In fact, in plenty of places around the world, black cats are considered seriously good luck.

In Japan, black cats are beloved. They're associated with prosperity, and single women believe that owning a black cat will attract suitors. The famous Maneki-neko (the beckoning cat you see in shop windows) is sometimes depicted as black to ward off evil spirits.

In Scotland, if a black cat shows up on your doorstep, it's considered a sign of incoming prosperity. You don't shoo it away—you probably offer it some tuna and hope it sticks around.

British and Irish sailors actively sought out black cats for their ships, believing they'd ensure safe passage and good weather. These cats were so valued that they were often too expensive for regular sailors to afford. Fishermen's wives would keep black cats at home to protect their husbands at sea.

In Germany, a black cat crossing your path from left to right is actually good luck. In England, giving a bride a black cat on her wedding day is supposed to bring happiness and fortune to the marriage.

So really, the "black cats are bad luck" thing is just one regional superstition that happened to spread with colonization. It's not some universal truth. It's just cultural baggage that hasn't been fully unpacked yet.

The Practical Stuff (That Isn't Really Their Fault Either)

Beyond the superstition, there are some practical reasons black cats get overlooked—and none of them have anything to do with the cats themselves.

They're harder to see in shelters. Walk into a shelter with fluorescent lighting and dim kennels, and black cats blend into the shadows. Their features are harder to make out. While an orange tabby practically glows from across the room, a black cat needs visitors to get up close before they can really see their face and personality.

They photograph terribly. In the age of online adoption listings, this is a real problem. Black fur absorbs light instead of reflecting it, so photos often turn out as dark blobs where you can barely see their eyes, let alone their adorable expressions. Some shelters have started working with professional photographers who know how to light and capture black cats properly—and it makes a huge difference.

There are just... a lot of them. Black is a dominant gene in cats, which means black fur gets passed down more often than other colors. At any given time, about a third of the cats in shelters are black. When there are more of something, each individual one gets less attention. It's simple math, but it has real consequences.

What Black Cat Owners Actually Say

Here's what's striking about people who've adopted black cats: they're obsessed with them.

Not in a "they're fine" kind of way. In a "this is the best decision I've ever made" kind of way.

Black cats have the same range of personalities as any other cat. Some are cuddly lap cats. Some are chaotic little gremlins. Some are dignified and aloof. Some follow their humans around like a tiny shadow and meow until they're acknowledged.

There's also something genuinely stunning about a solid black cat. That sleek, panther-like appearance. The way their eyes pop against their dark fur. The way they look like they're plotting something mysterious even when they're just thinking about their next nap.

And here's a fun fact: researchers at the National Institutes of Health have been studying the gene mutation that gives cats their black fur. They've found that this same gene may be connected to disease resistance. So black cats might actually be healthier. Science is still working on the details, but it's a pretty cool possibility.

How This Can Turn Around

The good news is that awareness is growing. More people are learning about "Black Cat Syndrome" and actively choosing to adopt black cats because of it. Shelters are holding special adoption events. October—with National Black Cat Day on the 27th—has become a month for celebrating these overlooked beauties instead of fearing them.

For anyone thinking about adding a cat to their family, consider giving a black cat a real look. Not a glance from across the shelter, but a real, up-close meeting. Watch how they interact. See if they have that personality spark that feels right.

And for those who already have a black cat? Share their photos. Tell their stories. Every time someone sees a happy, healthy, clearly-not-evil black cat living their best life, it chips away at centuries of unfair bias.

Because here's the truth: black cats aren't unlucky. They're just waiting a little longer for their luck to walk through the shelter door.

Maybe that luck could be you.

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At Made With Purrpose, we're here to celebrate all cats, but there's a special place in our hearts for the ones who get overlooked.