This is the most comprehensive black cat statistics, myths and superstitions on the web today.
Here’s why.
I want to do a free PR for The City of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department.
And also contribute to #EmptyTheShelters with BISSELL Pet Foundation.
But that’s not all.
I want to ensure every black cat has an equal adoption opportunity this October and every other month.
But there’s more we can do.
Let’s dispel the myth, superstitions, rumor, and folklore about black cats and bad luck, with powerful statistics.
Not forgetting popular black cats characters that have won our hearts and minds.
From Hollywood to Netflix.
- Black cat statistics: myths and superstitions.
But make sure to check this article on pet adoption statistics in 2025.
Here’s why.
It offers ways to:
Reduce cat euthanasia and abandonment rate.
Offer new guides to increase pet adoption online and offline.
And most important of all.
It shows pet shelters how to increase pet adoption without spending a dime.
A big Shout out to:
Balise Subaru of Hadley in partnership with The Dakin Humane Society offering discounted adoption fees for pets during October.
Orange County Animal Services for reduction in Adoption Fees, and advocacy for more rescue, placement and reclaiming of lost pets.
Most important of all.
A big heartfelt congratulation from the furrsomecats.com to Bastian and Andres’s Joelle for winning the People’s Magazine world cutest dog award.
Not forgetting folks at Burlington County Animal Alliance of New Jersey for their commitment in rescue and adoption.
Please share this article now, why it’s fresh in your mind to friends and relatives to adopt a pet today.
Black cat statistics: myths and superstitions.
If you’ve asked, what is the black cat myths, please pay attention.
I want to make this the best resource on the web about black cats statistics,myths and superstitions.
And here’s how.
I have divide these black cat statistics myths and superstitions into several areas like:
- Black cat Coats and Genetics.B
- Back Cat Acceptance in Cat Fancy Association
- Black Cat Adoption.
- Myths, superstitions and Folklore about black cats.
- Anarchist symbolism § Black cat.
- Black cats and Space Shuttle Program- this will surprise you plus
- Notable black cats in history.
- And Black cat adoption rate, it’s not what people say.
With that said, come with me as we explore these black cats myths superstitions with powerful statistics.
Black cat coats and genetics
- Black cats can “rust” in sunlight, by turning into brownish-red shade. Due to lack of Eumelanin pigment and in rare cases a deficiency of tyrosine.
- The gene for black fur is dominant in cats, thus a parent carrying the black allele can produce black kittens.
- Some so-called “black” cats show faint tabby stripes with certain lighting (ghost striping), because tabby patterns can only be partially suppressed.
- Solid-colored cat coats are a result of a recessive gene that suppresses the tabby pattern.
- A cat with black fur and white roots is known as a “black smoke.
Black cat acceptance in Cat Fancy Associations.
- Bombay cat and Over 21 cat breeds are recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association as standard color solid black.
- In the mid 20 century The Bombay cat was explicitly bred to look like a “mini panther” with all black coat, nose, etc.
- In many cat registries, the word “dense coal black” is a description of sound from roots to tip” with exceptions of ragamuffin Oriental and sphynx cat.
Black Cat Adoption.
- Many shelters limit black cat adoptions around Halloween for fear the cat might be used as living decorations or tortured and then abandoned.
- However evidence points that such animal cruelty rarely exists, rather natural predators like coyotes, eagles or raptors are likely causes.
- ‘Black Cat Day’ is celebrated on October 27 in the United Kingdom by the Cats Protection.
- “Black Cat Appreciation Day” is held on August 17 in the United States, it was created by. Wayne H. Morris in honor of June, his late sister’s black cat.
- The RSPCA reported in 2014 that 70% of abandoned cats in shelters were black cats because they were not photogenic.
- In 2014 Toronto, held a Black Friday to allow waiver of $75 adoption fees for any black cat adopted to drive adoption of black cats, and this has spread to the United States and United Kingdom.
- The success of the movie Black Panther created a fad where people adopt domestic black cats and named them after characters in the movie like Shuri and T’Challa.
- To reduce cats abandoned after the black Panthers fad, pet shelters took precaution by asking Adopters questions and filling questionnaires to reduce unserious adopters.
Myths, superstitions and Folklore about black cats.
- In the Celtic nations and England, a black cat crossing one’s path is a sign of good luck;
- RSPCA in 2014 states that black cats symbolise good luck in UK folklore.
- A Scottish lore show that a black cat’s arrival at a new home signifies prosperity, while Welsh lore identifies a black cat with good health.
- A cat sith is a Scottish mythology, in which a fairy cat takes the form of a black cat with a white spot on its chest.
- In the 1961 movie tales of terror by Roger Corman, there was an audition seeking cast for black cats, in Los Angeles.
- Black cats are important items in the folklore of Chiloé of southern Chile, before hunting the treasure of carbunclo.
- Sailors favor a black cat as a ship cat to help with good luck, while a sailor’s wife keeps black cats to help protect their husband at sea.
- Black cat on a farm In Latvia, means prosperity and a good harvest.
- A black cat walking left to right in Germany means good luck.
- In the United States years ago, VHF television stations on channel 13 used black cats as mascots to show their “unlucky” channel number.
- In medieval Europe, black cats were often believed to be witch familiars, or shape-shifting witches themselves.
- A modern survey found 41% of respondents said black cats bring good luck, 21% said bad luck, and 30% said it had no effect.
- In some Asian cultures (e.g. Japan, Thailand), black cats are auspicious and attract prosperity.
Anarchist symbolism § Black cat.
- In 1880’s the black cat in a fighting or alert posture was the symbol for anarcho-syndicalism.
- However, Since 1915, The black cat has been used as a symbol of propaganda, poster or “silent agitator.” by the international workers of the world
- Ralph Chaplin, of International Workers of the World ‘s popularized “sab cat” for the IWW, to symbolize the “slow down” strike tactic (i.e. sabotage).
Black cats and the space shuttle program.
- The Space Shuttle program was renamed from STS-13 to STS-41-C for superstitions, sources link to Apollo 13.
- However, The STS-41C crew included a black cat with number 13 as a tongue-in-cheek playful nod to superstition.
- The STS-41C mission was a great success,and landed on Friday the 13th.
Notable black cats in history.
- Gladstone is popularly known as the Chief Mouser of HM Treasury.
- India, also known as Willie, was a black cat that stayed in the White House with President George W. Bush, and Laura Bush.
- Between 1801 and 1803. Trim a black cat, sailed with Matthew Flinders as he mapped Australia coastline.
- Hodge was a black cat that belonged to Samuel Johnson: a subject of James Boswell biography.
- Oscar was a black cat that was injured by a combined harvest in New Jersey, when sleeping on a field, he attained celebrity status with a “bionic” leg in 2010 in the UK.
- “Tiddles” was a black ship’s cat in the Royal Navy known to have gone to sea and gained fame.
- In pop culture, a massive black cat called Behemoth appears in The Master and Margarita novel, Behemoth was famed for its size, and supernatural attributes.
- Homer the Blind Wonder Cat, was a real rescue cat that inspired a bestselling memoir, and raised awareness for disabled pets. [Animal Foundation]
Black cat adoption rate
- A study of ~7,983 cats at a Kentucky shelter (in 2010–11) found black cats had the highest euthanasia rates (≈ 74.6%) and lowest adoption rates (≈ 10%). [PMC: National Library of Medicine]
- Shelter & rescue communities refer to “black cat bias” (or “Dark Cat Syndrome”) because dark-coat cats have low adoption odds, and high euthanasia rates. [AAHA.org]
- Shelter-data aggregators claim black cats are not necessarily struggling, but do perform well in certain months due to awareness campaigns like Black Cat Appreciation Day. [Shelter Animals Count]
- Overall, black cats tend to stay longer in shelters compared to lighter-coated cats.
Wrap up on: Black Cat Statistics
If you’ve read this article on Black Cat statistics you’re aware that:
Black cats are among the most fascinating and misunderstood animals in the feline world.
Statistics show their population is strong and genetically unique.
The dark fur gives them a sleek appearance and health benefits.
Despite these advantages.
Studies from American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Rover.com show:
black cats spend more time in shelters, due to these myths, superstitions and cultural biases about bad luck or witchcraft.
Shout out to:
- Every organizer of Black Cat Appreciation Day (August 17) and Halloween campaigns.
- The UK Government who had adopted several black cats as Mouser from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
- Not forgetting Cats Protection in the United Kingdom for their adoption drive for black cats.
As a result, awareness and acceptance are increasing.
Black cats are now symbols of elegance, and good fortune rather than bad luck.
These black cat statistics highlight an important lesson:
Our perceptions can shape animal welfare.
Today, you and I can help break these unfair stereotypes.
Share this article now why it’s fresh in your mind to friends and relatives.
But that’s not all.
Together, we can promote love and equal adoption opportunities for all cats, regardless of color.
Black cats are not symbols of misfortune; rather a proof of how beauty, mystery, and resilience thrive even in face of misunderstanding.
Eke Obiajurum.
