This blog post will answer the question, “do black cats get adopted less” and cover topics like reasons why black cats are refused for adoption, their historical importance, and finally end the blog by giving you reasons for going forward with adopting these cute furries .
Do Black Cats Get Adopted Less?
Three Reasons Why People Refuse to Adopt Black Cats:
The color of a cat’s coat has a significant impact on its fate. According to statistics, black cats are adopted for a longer period of time than cats of other hues. Non-black cats took an average of 20.64 days (SD = 21.02) to find a home in a Colorado shelter, but hard black cats took an average of 26.55 days (SD = 25.09). While a six-day difference may appear tiny, it might raise your cat’s chance of developing a range of diseases.
According to one research, each day spent at a shelter raised the risk of upper respiratory tract infections by 5%. When cats are kept in shelters for long periods of time, they might develop stress-related breakouts (such as feline herpes).
Black cats, however, are more likely to be euthanized at shelters. According to a recent study of over 8,000 cats at a Kentucky shelter, black cats are slightly less likely to be adopted and slightly more likely to be killed than other colored cats.
Anecdotal evidence suggests a number of potential explanations of prejudice towards black cats, dubbed “the black cat bias.” Because photographing black creatures is more challenging, the list has been deemed less appealing. People have recently advised that adopters look for more attractive cats.
Superstition (black cats are said to bring ill luck) and the unfavorable connection of black cats with witchcraft or evil are other potential deterrents to adopting a black cat.
Because black cats have trouble understanding facial expressions, they may look less sociable and lively. Finally, the researchers speculate that racial bias may be at the root of anti-black cat discrimination.
Psychological Study Conducted
Jones and Hart (2019) aimed to examine black cat prejudice and its reasons empirically in recent research. In their survey, 101 persons (83 percent of whom were women) took part. Participants were asked to score 20 distinct cat photos with “neutral facial expressions and posture” in an online poll.
They evaluated each cat’s friendliness and aggressiveness, as well as its eagerness to be adopted and its ability to interpret facial expressions. They also measured their own personalities, attitudes, and beliefs in a variety of ways.
The researchers discovered that, contrary to popular belief, black and non-black cats are equally adoptable. The findings, however, corroborated black cat prejudice and provided three plausible explanations for why individuals do not acquire black cats:
- Black cats are thought to be less friendly and aggressive than white cats. Black cats were shown to be less friendly (M=35.46, SD=7.29) and more aggressive (M = 20.86, SD = 8.09) than non-black cats (M=19.31, SD = 6.95).
- There is a strong belief in superstition. The more superstitious the participants were, the more biased they were toward black cats, considering them as a lesser breed, less sociable, and more violent. The capacity of black cats to read expressions is also questioned by superstitious individuals, which leads to the following discovery.
- People believe they are unable to read the emotions of black cats. Black cat prejudice is predicted by understanding black cats’ incapacity to perceive emotions. To put it another way, persons who thought they couldn’t interpret black cats’ emotions assessed them as less sociable, more aggressive, and less pampered.
While the researchers were able to corroborate some of the predictions, they also found minor findings. Religious and racial prejudice were not linked to black cat discrimination, contrary to expectations.
What Gave Black Cats Their Bad Reputation?
The apprehension of ancient cats
When you think about it, it’s no wonder that humans are wary of our feline companions. Cats were huge carnivores in the beginning of history, and evidence suggests that people had to defend themselves to live.
Imagine living among tigers with saber-toothed tiger teeth! Humans, unlike our wolf buddies, did not seek to tame these deadly animals until much later, and it is our fear that keeps us alive and away from them.
Fear of the Black Cat is sparked by the Dark Ages:
How did this phobia spread to a certain colored domestic cat thousands of years ago? This belief is thought to have originated in Europe during the Middle Ages.
A traditional story of a father and his kid who stumbled across a black cat and began flinging stones has gone viral. When the injured cat went into the house of a lady accused of being a witch, everyone assumed the cat was the woman when she appeared lame and battered the next day. Disguise.
Other hypotheses claim that humans began to see black cats as harbingers of death and ill luck about this period because their black fur resembles that of crows and crows.
Unfortunately, as people strive to get rid of these terrible omens on the streets, black cat killings have spread across Europe.
The Black Cat and the Witch
This heinous practice persisted during the hunt for witches across Europe, culminating in the Salem witch trials. Black cats with witchcraft accusations are associated with demons and evil.
Black cats are said to help witches in their wicked actions, and witches have been known to shift into black cats in order to hide in the dark and perform spells on humans.
Witches and black cats were both feared and slaughtered at the same time. Isn’t that sick?
However, not everyone despised black cats:
Nonetheless, there have always been a lot of black cat fans throughout history! The ancient Egyptians revered the black cat and thought that it housed the gods. Seeing black cats in various regions of Europe in the nineteenth century was considered a good omen.
The black cat on the pouch was thought to bring good luck to the Irish, and the black cat is also revered as a sign of fortune in Japan. Fortunately for cat lovers, this unpleasant superstition has largely vanished, and black cats can now be seen in many homes throughout the world.
Many black cats, however, are still tormented and feared today.
Halloween. As a result, we are always paying attention to the owners of black cats at this season to protect their interior safety. As someone who owns and loves black cats, I can assure you that the fur color will not be bad.
Yes, I was bitten or scratched on occasion, and yes, he frequently brought the mouse home as a “present.” However, any cat owner will agree. This is not a wicked witch, but a cat.
For the rest of the time, there have been black cats.
Cats had long been revered as the embodiment of the gods, and priestesses had pampered them. Then, in Ancient Rome, cats were associated with the goddess Diana (who subsequently became known as the Queen of the Witches) and were revered as a symbol of fertility.
The black cat became seen as an omen of dreadful success rather than its image of life when Rome became Christian, and something to do with the old Pagan practices had to be lost.
Europe in the Middle Ages
Things are just getting worse for black cats! Even when they performed things like capture and kill mice, they were linked to the devil and how he catches souls, and how the devil transforms into a black cat when he catches humans. I persuaded you that you could accomplish it.
Cats, particularly black cats, were thought to be intimately affiliated with witches and were so punished. Cats are subjected to a variety of terrible games, customs, and witch hunts around Europe.
Adopt a Black Cat for These 10 Reasons
Now that we have understood the reasons behind why black cats don’t receive the same amount of warm welcome as their colorful counterparts do, let us try and decode possible reasons for having them around your house anyway.
Black cats have a bad reputation due to superstitions, making it difficult for them to find a home. We’re here as veterinarians to tell you that myths and superstitions aren’t real.
These sleek, intriguing cats make terrific pets, with the only drawback being that they don’t have one. There are numerous important reasons for adopting a black cat:
It is said to bring good luck in some cultures.
Do you have trouble overcoming superstitions? If that’s the case, you should know that black cats are associated with good fortune in many cultures. Women with black cats are thought to be lucky in love in the United Kingdom.
A black cat was formerly brought on board by the captain to guard the men at sea. In Asia, a black cat crossing your path is considered a lucky charm. Rather of concentrating on damaging superstitions, embrace positivity!
They are descended from royalty.
Approximately every cat feels they should be treated like a king or queen. Black cats, on the other hand, have always been regarded as royalty. They occupied a place of great distinction in ancient Egypt.
They were so revered that murdering one became a capital penalty. Black cats, like pharaohs, have been mummified and entombed to ensure their proper place in the afterlife.
Adopting one of today’s black cats, who are derived from those lineages, is the best way to add a touch of nobility to your household.
A black cat’s eyes are stunning.
Excessive quantities of melanin give black cats their color. It’s just melanin that gives these stunning women their bright yellow eyes. We all agree that cats have lovely eyes, but getting lost in those golden orbs is truly enchanting.
They have the appearance of small panthers.
The simplest (and safest!) way to introduce the grandeur and beauty of a black panther into your house is to hire a black cat.
Black cats, affectionately known as “house panthers,” thrive in an unusual environment that allows them to explore the wild side without requiring special authorization.
Black is a universal color.
You will have no issue harmonizing with your black cat, no matter what style you have. They go well with a variety of colors and designs of furniture.
You won’t have to worry about locating a lint roller if your cat wants to snuggle a little bit while getting ready for a black tie occasion. This is not the case with white cats at all!
They are endowed with great personalities.
Don’t be thrown off by their reputation. Black cats are not frightening. Despite the fact that each cat has its unique personality, many black cats are happy, active, and energetic.
It’s like attempting to combat unfavorable perceptions by having an adorable cub. Get a black cat if you want a devoted and caring companion.
There Are Very Few Health Issues
Black cats have an evolutionary advantage owing to their innate camouflage, according to study. Furthermore, research shows that they may be less susceptible to illness than other felines.
Although additional research on the feline is needed, experts have discovered that black-coated cats are more immune to infections such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Of course, all cats, regardless of their color, require regular veterinarian treatment.
They have a lot of celebrity clout crazy behind them:
Get a black cat if you’ve ever wanted to join the ranks of celebs like Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, John Lennon, and Patti Smith. Everyone lives in this Panteresque, from movie stars and artists to authors and powerful politicians.
People in popular culture also enjoy it. Who can forget Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Felix the Cat’s terrifying Salem? There are also a number of well-known black cats on Instagram!
Love is Colorless
Your feline pal is unconcerned by the color of your hair. Whether you’re blonde, brunette, or colored in every hue of the rainbow, they’ll adore you just the same. Why should you disregard a cat simply because its hair is black?
You have the ability to save a life.
What are the most compelling reasons to get a black cat? You will save people’s lives. Black cats spend more time in shelters and are more prone to go ignored than other cats. Giving a black cat a home and a heart provides your favorite pet a second opportunity.
Conclusion:
If the picture of a fearsome black cat with sharp fangs and shaggy fur comes to mind, it’s time to let go of your worries and superstitions and view these magnificent and gorgeous animals for what they actually are, deserving of their rightful owners. Sharing a house with a black cat is a fantastic experience.
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