The Magic of Black Cats: Debunking Myths with Animal-Level Data - Shelter Animals Count
28Oct’24
The Magic of Black Cats: Debunking Myths with Animal-Level Data
Every year in October, as Halloween approaches, black cats find themselves at the center of many myths and misconceptions. You may have heard some of these common claims:
- + “Black cats have a harder time being adopted than other cats.”
- + “They shouldn’t be adopted around Halloween because they bring bad luck.”
- + “Black cats are at risk of being used in rituals or abused during Halloween.”
But what does the data say? At Shelter Animals Count, we use animal-level data to track individual animals across shelters, including their breed, sex, alter status, intake and outcome types, reasons for intake, and more. This comprehensive tracking allows us to debunk some of these myths and gain real insights into the lives of black cats in shelters.
We recently analyzed our animal-level data for black cats, and here’s what we discovered:
Why Animal Level Data Matters
This data paints a different picture than the myths suggest. Specifically, there is no reliable data supporting the claim that black cats are targeted for rituals; this is widely regarded as an urban myth. One of our partner organizations, Operation Kindness, wrote a great blog highlighting this lack of data. In fact, black cats are not struggling to find homes—they have a strong adoption rate, with October being a particularly important month for them to find their new families.
The key to understanding these trends lies in animal-level data—information that’s tied to each individual animal. This includes important details like their breed, sex, alter status, and intake/outcome types, dates, and reasons. By collecting and analyzing this data, we can see real patterns and trends in shelter populations.
For black cats, this means we can track their journey from intake to adoption and understand how external factors like the Halloween season affect their outcomes. The data helps debunk long-held myths and shows us that, with the right information, we can create better outcomes for all animals.
So as Halloween approaches, let’s celebrate black cats for what they truly are—loving, adoptable pets. And let’s continue using data to ensure every shelter animal has the chance to find a home.
Resources
Black cats and Halloween – HumanePro
Don’t get spooked by Halloween pet adoption promotions – University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program
5 Ways to Promote Black Cats – ASPCApro