It’s that time of year again, where cats are pictured on cards and home décor, wearing witches hats and vampire teeth. Unfortunately, there is a darker side to this theme, which has put black cats in danger around this holiday. Black cats have taken a bad rap for hundreds of years, thanks to myths, stories, and age-old superstitions- they were even believed to be witches incarnate in the middle ages! Check out some of the myths below that are still circling today, and find out how to keep your black cat safe as Halloween approaches.
Black Cats and Luck Myths
- In Asia and the U.K., a black cat is actually considered to be lucky.
- According to Scottish Lore, a strange black cat on a porch brings prosperity to the homeowner.
- Pirates believed that a black cat moving toward them meant bad luck, and if a black cat walked onto a pirate ship and then walked off again, the ship would sink on its next voyage.
- In Japan, they believe a black cat is good luck and if owned by a single woman, it is supposed to bring her many suitors.
- In Germany, the direction a cat takes when crossing one’s path determines if it represents good luck or bad luck. If the black cat crosses from crosses from right to left it means bad luck, while a black cat that moves from left to right signals good things ahead.
- Fishermen in some cultures believe that it is good luck to have a black cat on board ship, and it is also lucky if they also have a black cat living in their home.
- In Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches.
Keep Your Kitties Safe This Holiday
Unfortunately, there are some violent indignities that are practiced on black cats around Halloween time, so it is best to keep all cats indoors on Halloween, regardless of their color. It is also a good idea to keep your cats locked inside a comfortable room in the house, just in case they try and slip out when trick-or-treaters come to your door. Try creating a “safe-haven” for them, with comfortable bedding, food, and water in this designated space. This will help keep them calm with all of the chaos happening at your door!
Animal Shelters and Animal Rescue Organizations
Additionally, some animal shelters have noticed an increase of black cat adoptions right before the holiday, and then many of the cats are returned shortly after Halloween. It is assumed that they are being used as props for witch costumes or house decorations, and the individuals probably do not even recognize that doing so is cruel to the animals. The cats can suffer trauma from being transported back and forth to strange environments and people. This has led to many animal shelters and animal rescue organizations refusing black cat adoptions during the month of October.
For more tips on keeping all of your pets safe this Halloween, check out http://www.petful.com/pet-health/keep-your-pet-safe-halloween/.
