Black cats have been intrinsically linked to Halloween, here’s why.

      Halloween really can be a scary time for cats, most particularly black cats. Even to this day, some animal shelters don’t allow black cats to be adopted out around Halloween because of fears that they may be abused or used in some sort of bizarre satanic ritual. Thankfully, it seems that overall, this abuse is a matter of historical record, and rarely really occurs in this day and age. So, increasingly shelters are, with care, adopting out all cats throughout the year.

      Around the Middle Ages, it was another matter all together. Black cats were roundly vilified. Since no one alive today can personally recall the Middle Ages, and historical accounts differ some, the real history is a matter of best guess. It seems clear though that black cats were thought to be akin to the devil itself. In fact, cats overall, weren’t too well thought of in many places around the world.

      Talk about your bad press. Cats were, at first, blamed for the Great Plague, and countless cats were tortured or killed as a result. This turned out not to be the wisest of decisions.  The truth is that a flea infesting rats proved responsible for the plague, and cats were the best offense public health officials had at the time to keep rats in check.

      Way back in time, even Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241) wrote that the devil was like a black cat.

   The origins of Halloween dates to around 800 BC. The Irish Celts celebrated Samhain at the end of October to mark the end of summer, and give thanks for a harvest. The Celts believed that souls of the dead could return and live freely among the living. Of course, they returned to the living as – you guessed it - black cats. To discourage these dark spirits, villagers dressed up in costumes to scare them off. The same notions were imported to America with Halloween, All Hallows Eve, and All Saints Day. 

 Generations later cats were still thought of as evil. As people were accused of sorcery and witchcraft in Europe and America, some were put to death. Others were able to make a get-a-way. When they managed to escape, the presumption was that they magically transformed into black cats.  

      Not everyone in history reviled kitties, many revered them. Notably in Egypt, black cats were thought elevated in importance enough to be buried with the Pharaohs lucky enough to own one. These may have been the first cats kept as pets.

      In the 15th Century in England, King Charles adored his black cat so much that the Royal Kitty had a Royal Guard 24/7 to prevent anything bad from happening. When the cat died a natural death, the Guard reportedly was killed for allowing the cat die. For a time it was even thought good luck if a black cat happened to cross your path. Black cats were kept by Fishermen’s wives to prevent disasters at Sea in the U.K., and later in America.

      Superstition and folklore can be all very confusing. Certainly, a lot has changed through the ages, from those olden days of long ago when people weren’t quite so enlightened. Or have they? “I have news for you, cats are still tortured around Halloween in some places; I know one place is right here in Los Angeles,” says Kari Winters, who formerly rescued cats with Southern California Siamese Rescue.

      Winters, who has also worked in canine rescue, says “Dogs that are all black in color might have a slightly harder time at being adopted. I will tell you all black cats often have a very hard time being adopted. I get these highly educated people who say, ‘I’m not superstitious, but still I’d rather not tempt fate and adopt a black cat.”

      Truth is that today cats are man’s best friends; they’re the most popular pet in America. There are around 20 per cent more cats than dogs. But you’ve gotta wonder how we’re treating our friends. More cats are abused than dogs, more cats are just let outside to survive (or not), and more cats are relinquished to shelters (than dogs).

      “Cats are somehow treated differently,” adds photographer/poet Betsy Stowe, author of “Calico Tales and Others” (Infinity Publishing, Conshohocken, PA, 2004; $14.95). “I think it’s because they’re somehow beyond our control. Some are drawn to their independent spirit, others feel threatened; they did back in history and today and that hasn’t completely changed.”

      Christine Church is hopeful that finally a change is occurring, and that cats are benefiting from a greater understanding. “Even in history some have revered cats, and today we’re talking about millions who consider cats every bit as a much a family member as the most loved dog,” says Church, author of “House Cat: How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Sane and Sound (Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2005; $16.99). “Dogs have a sort of unfair advantage, they’ve been domesticated longer than cats have.”

      Winters says if you want to do a good deed – adopt a cat, most especially a black cat.

photo by Betsy Stowe