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Every year at Halloween, the warnings start coming. Ominous Facebook posts, emails from friends and admonitions on Next Door warn you to keep your black cats locked up in the house at Halloween lest they be taken, tortured and sacrificed to Satanic cults.
No one seems to know where all those scary stories began, but like zombies, they refuse to die.
No doubt there have been cases of murdered cats at Halloween, but the frequency of the disturbing rumors doesn’t match the reality, thankfully. The horror stories appear to be more the work of urban legend than demented demons.
Those who work in the pet rescue world say that cats, black or not, are in no greater danger on Halloween than they are at other times of the year, and that cats should be kept indoors or only allowed outside under supervision no matter the date on the calendar.
Also not true, for the most part, are stories that shelters avoid adopting out black cats in October.
Steve Burdo, spokesman for Contra Costa County Animal Services, says anyone wanting to adopt a black cat — or any pet — is welcome at anytime.
Because the shelter — and other pet rescue groups — screen potential adopters, the risk to black cats is small.
“We conduct counseling with each adopter,” Burdo says. “The counseling tends to weed out any adopters that do not have pure intentions for adopting. (Staff is) also very aware of the stigmas and take that into consideration at this time of year when counseling.”
Humane Society Silicon Valley, which has been working to dispel all the black cat myths, also doesn’t put restrictions on adopting black cats around Halloween, says the group’s director of marketing, Sandra Mallalieu.
There’s no need to make black cats wait for a new home. Some shelters even promote the adoption of black, or mostly black, animals in October. The Hayward Animal Shelter, for example, just hosted its Black and White Fur Ball.
Black cats have long suffered in the superstition swamp. Centuries ago, the cats were singled out as demons or omens of ill portent. Some of those myths have persisted long after reason should have destroyed them.
Busting black cat myths
- Black cats are alleged to be familiars — servants — of witches, highly prized for doing their enchantress’ bidding, such as following foes, cursing enemies and collecting newts and other creatures for witches’ brews. Yeah, right. Even the most magical witch couldn’t get a cat to do anything that’s not its own idea.
- Satan has a particular affinity for black cats. Cats say that’s just an ugly rumor spread by family dogs.
- A black cat crossing your path, especially at night on Halloween, is a sure sign you are doomed. Unless you live in Asia or part of the United Kingdom, where black cats are considered lucky.
Bottom line is, keep your pets safe at all times.
Haunted Halloween shelter
Jelly’s Place Animal Rescue is hosting a family friendly haunt tonight at its shelter, 2905 San Pablo Dam Road, San Pablo. Admission is $5, but children younger than 6 get in free. Activities for children 11 and younger start at 5 p.m.; activities for the older kids start at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds help support the shelter.
