Superstitions about felines are urban legends
Some people may think that black cats are a witch’s best friend, but they can be your best friend too.
The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter has about 10 black cats for cat lovers to choose from, but they do take precautions when adopting out black cats during October.
Rumors have circulated for years that black cats are temporarily adopted as Halloween decorations and then abandoned, or that they are even used in animals sacrifices on Halloween and tortured.
Jena Troxler, veterinarian with the St. Charles Humane Society, said that she has never heard of a report verifying these claims. However, some shelters across the nation have limited or banned black cat adoptions during October. Other shelters go another route and try to take advantage of the holiday to get more cats adopted out, even offering reduced-price or promotional programs.
While the St. Charles shelter does not ban or promote black cat adoption during October, the Humane Society nationally does warn its shelters to carefully check those who wish to adopt black cats this month.
“A lot of shelters do take caution during the month of Halloween, but we already use a lot of caution here at the Humane Society,” Troxler said.
Black cats causing bad luck is another belief that Troxler thinks is an urban legend.
She has never experienced bad luck from a black cat and she crosses paths with them daily.
“About 25 percent of cats coming into the shelter are mostly black,” Troxler said. “It’s a common color.”
She said she does not believe that people give them up because of their coloring, but that black is not the most popular color for cats that are adopted from the shelter.
“It’s just not the color that people will usually go for first when there’s a Siamese or Calico next to it,” Troxler said.
Troxler said that any parishioners wishing to invite these iconic Halloween felines into a “forever home” are welcome to apply at the shelter at any time, even during October.
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