Calgary Humane Society hosts black cat adoption event to help adopt out more than half of its available felines

There might be rumours of superstition around them but these cats are simply purr-fect.

The Calgary Humane Society (CHS) is currently full of cats, the majority of which are black, according to the organization’s associate director of community engagement Anna-Lee Fitzsimmons.

Out of 54 cats available, 28 of those are black, which has prompted the facility to announce a new Black Cat Adoption Event.

“We are excited to launch this adoption event to help bring attention to black cats who often get overlooked,” Fitzsimmons says.

“We want people to realize that black cats are just as lovable and deserving of a good home as any other cat.”

Bad luck and superstitions?

The goal is to encourage potential adopters to take a closer look at black cats, as they are often overlooked in animal shelters due to adopters seeking more photogenic or visually appealing cats.

“Black cats are a little bit more difficult to photograph. And visually, they can be considered not as bright or as attractive as maybe some of our other coloured cats that we may have available for adoption,” Fitzsimmons says.

“I think there’s just a natural attraction to bright coloured cats or different multicoloured cats. And black cats are often just selected last just because they’re maybe considered a little bit more boring visually to look at.”

Other barriers include their perceived association with bad luck and superstitions.

While black cats are considered good luck in Scotland, England, and Japan, they are often considered a bad omen in North America.

“There’s also the myths that since black cats are often portrayed as evil characters or associated with witches, that there may be some leftover superstition or kind of bad luck.”

Just as lovely as other cats

Despite being just as loving and playful as any other cat, black cats are often the last to be adopted, resulting in longer stays in shelters, says Fitzsimmons.

“They’re still very pretty with a big variety of personality as well. Just because they have black fur doesn’t mean that they aren’t as affectionate or as playful or kind,” she explains, adding black cats have just as much personality as coloured cats.

Fitzsimmons says the facility has a lot of one and two year old black cats up for adoption.

“There’s really no difference in personality and the cats that we do have like they’re so fun … and just really playful, curious, super affectionate. They’re all really lovely and just looking for looking for a new home.”

Sasha Rowden adopted a black cat during the pandemic and says he’s been the most affectionate cat she’s ever had.

“As soon as I saw him, his black fur was shimmering and he looked so elegant. His personality was so friendly and I fell in love instantly,” she says, adding she’d like to adopt another one someday.

Adopt a black cat this month

Throughout the campaign, CHS is highlighting black cats on its website and social media platforms, sharing their stories, personalities, and photos with potential adopters.

By promoting black cat adoptions, Fitzimmons says the hope to raise awareness and encourage people to see black cats for the wonderful companions they are.

“We're just trying to hopefully raise some awareness that black cats do experience a bit of discrimination and if people are thinking about adopting a cat, we encourage them to consider adopting a black cat,” she says.

“They are often the last selected here at the shelter and it’s really hard to see and sad that so many are here.”

For the month of April there is a special adoption rate (15% off) for black cats in the hopes of finding them their forever homes.

Check out the Calgary Humane Society to browse through the list of available cats. Adoptions are by appointment only on a first-come-first-served basis.