Veterinarian Reveals Why Black Cats Struggle Every OctoberGabrielle LaFrankThu, October 22, 2026 at 1:45 AM UTC
As Halloween draws nearer, skeletons, pumpkins, and vampires are popping up everywhere. It’s the season of witches, scary movies, and black cats, though these spooky felines actually have a very complicated relationship with the beloved holiday.
As Dr. Eileen R. Adamo, Medical Affairs Consultant for PrettyLitter, explains, black cats face a number of surprising challenges in October. Shelter cats, strays, and even pets can feel these effects, which have surprisingly little to do with Halloween itself.
Why Do Black Cats Have a Bad Rap?
Most people have heard the idiom about black cats bringing bad luck, but cat parents and feline experts know that couldn’t be further from the truth. So how did this superstition begin?
These beliefs likely developed between the 15th and 18th centuries, when Europe and the Colonies were embroiled in a record number of witchcraft accusations, trials, and even executions. Black cats became famously associated with witches during this period, but for most of human history, people did not truly believe they caused bad luck.
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“I don’t think many people would still actually believe that black cats bring bad luck,” Dr. Adamo agrees. “However, people do still seem to prefer (either consciously or subconsciously) cats of lighter colors. Despite knowing that black cats can bring just as much love, joy, and cat antics into a home, many people do not feel an immediate emotional draw to black cats.”
Why Black Cats Wait Longer in Shelters
Even though the belief that black cats are bad luck is nothing more than a myth, the statistic that they wait longer in animal shelters is entirely true. In fact, Dr. Adamo shared that, on average, black cats spend 24% to 40% longer waiting to be adopted.
Woman holding black catOR Images / Getty Images
“One very large shelter study concluded that black cats face adoption rates as low as 10% and euthanasia rates as high as 74.6%,” the veterinarian says. “Witnessing this disheartening pattern led rescue organization team members to wonder: why exactly do black cat adoptions fall below even the abysmal average adoption rates?”
The problem is that black cats are much harder to read than their lighter-colored companions. With an all-black face, it’s difficult to see a black cat’s facial expression and read their subtle feline body language, which can deter potential adopters.
Dr. Adamo explains, “When you look at a black cat in a shelter cage (or even more so, an online photo of a black cat in a shelter cage), you might interpret its neutral expression as ‘unfriendly’ or ‘sad’ simply because you can’t see its face as clearly.”
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To help black cats get adopted, shelters and rescues can practice different lighting techniques when photographing adoptable pets. They can bring black cats to in-person adoption events and encourage potential adopters to meet the pets outside their cages before making a final decision.
Real October Dangers For Black Cats
As Dr. Adamo revealed, people no longer hold harmful superstitions about black cats, so why are they still at risk in October? Many animal shelters and rescues pause black cat adoptions during the month leading up to Halloween, and although this is meant to keep the cats safe, the veterinarian believes it does more harm than good.
Black cat rests on folded blanketGrace Cary / Getty Images
“Though there have been instances of adoption of black cats as Halloween ‘holiday props’, these adoptions are rare due to the careful screening processes employed at shelters,” she explains. “The real October risk for black cats is when shelters shut down adoptions during this month. This policy prevents them from being adopted, and since time is limited at most municipal shelters, this policy thereby increases their risk for euthanasia.”
Additionally, some people may see these cats as unavailable for adoption and believe it’s due to behavioral reasons. The pause on adoptions in October can actually increase the stigma around black cats, Dr. Adamo believes, especially because the idea that black cats (and dogs) may be harmed or ritually sacrificed during this time of year is purely a myth.
Overall, black cats can be incredible companions year-round, and their lower adoption rates are not their fault. Instead of pausing adoptions, rescues can give them their best shot at finding a forever home by taking better profile pictures and telling everyone who’s looking to adopt just how wonderful black cats can be.
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Oct 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: Nature
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