For hundreds of years, black cats were thought to be bound as familiars to witches and wizards to conduct evil deeds in villages across Medieval Europe. More recently, urban legends had spread rumors of black cats being sacrificed and tortured. And, of course…never let a black cat cross your path or you will be cursed. 

The idea of cats being associated with witches really stemmed from a time when independent women in Europe and America had only a few choices for work. One of the most common was midwives. Midwives have been around for thousands of years helping deliver children. They used a variety of ingredients in concoctions designed to ease pain and assist with healing. Keeping cats to be mousers would have been commonplace in a house filled with ingredients necessary to make healing tonics and tinctures. But midwives kept all manner of cats, so why do we pick on black cats? According to history.com, it may come down to the fact that black cats made better mousers.

Midwives were easy targets as they were made up entirely of single women and they seemed to understand the human body and how to help it using simple ingredients found in nature. Both of these were frowned upon by the superstitious, and opened them up to accusations that led to millions of women, who had little to no rights, being condemned for witchcraft. The cats simply became an extension of the superstition. History.com noted the irony that at a time when plague carrying rats were ravaging Europe, the cats that could have helped thwart the vermin were being killed by the tens of thousands.

Then there was the Satanic Panic of the 1980s…from listening to Black Sabbath records backwards to the popularity of games like Dungeons and Dragons, there was growing alarm of kids largely committing atrocities and sacrificing animals in satanic rituals…particularly black cats. The myth spread quickly and by the late 90’s, rescues and shelters began banning the adoption of black cats in the weeks leading up to Halloween. The practice of refusing to adopt black cats continues to this day despite reports from the ASPCA, Humane World for Animals, and an in-depth report from National Geographic concluding that there was no evidence to support this myth. Like razor blades in Halloween candy, sacrificing black cats in occult rituals was simply urban legend. 

The fact is black cats already have a tough time finding homes in shelters. Many shelters are poorly lit. Cages are often dark. Frankly, they do not do a great job showcasing these beautiful cats. Making it impossible to adopt a black cat for one twelfth of the year, we are simply condemning them to spending more time in a cage. What’s worse? National Geographic stated in their article that shelters and rescues are actually the ones propagating the myths surrounding black cats. Inadvertently, in their efforts to protect the cats they love, they were spreading fear around black cats. 

To dispel the myth once and for all, October 27th is National Black Cat Day. It is a day to celebrate and promote adopting these fantastic felines. It is also a time to point out a  couple of other interesting myths about black cats.

Still think black cats are bad luck? Here are some other cultural perspectives on black cats.

• According to Scottish legend, it’s considered lucky to encounter a black cat on your doorstep. They believe black cats are a symbol of prosperity. 
• Ever see that little black cat waving at you in your favorite Chinese restaurant?  That’s a “maneki-neko” or “beckoning cat” figurine. In many Asian cultures black cats are believed to bring good fortune.  
• In most of the United Kingdom, black cats are considered so lucky that some people give them to newly married couples believing it will bring them riches. 
• Single ladies in Japan may keep a black cat because they believe it will attract a successful man. 
• In Ireland, sailors considered it bad luck to get rid of a black cat that stowed away aboard a ship. In fact, the families of sailors would keep a black cat in their home for a little extra luck for a safe and successful voyage. 
• Many theater actors and companies believed black cats ensured show stopping performances and standing ovations.