Exorcising the black cat myth

Even if you balk at objectification of humans or animals, black cats have been Halloween icons and frequent characters in old horror films forever. Old superstitions about them still exist — they’re bad luck, they’re familiars of witches, they’re demons in disguise, blah, blah, blah. I’ve had three black cats in my lifetime, and they’ve been no more demonic than any of my cats who’ve destroyed the sofa or slept in a drawer and got fur all over the T-shirts. I know a lot of people who love their black cats to the moon, and a good number of potential adopters ask me at adoption events if we have any black cats.

Another superstition, rather, an urban myth, took root sometime in the 1980s. The Satanic Panic, a sort of mass hysteria, saw Old Scratch in everything, from preschool classes to major consumer brand logos. Real-life horrors like the Manson Family murders and a spate of movies starring Satan himself likely fed the flames. Humans and their children were in extreme danger of sacrifice, according to the misinformation, and so were black cats, allegedly subject to ritual murder by demonic practitioners. All this without social media, mind you.

“The black cat Halloween sacrifice lore peaked in the ’80s and ’90s when talk shows, tabloid news and local police seminars spread unverified rumors that underground covens were operating in suburban neighborhoods,” said Brandy Gaunt, founder of the nonprofit Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation. “Shelters, acting out of a well-meaning but unfounded fear, began implementing the black-cat adoption bans during October. However, decades of law enforcement and animal welfare data have not shown that any such risk exists.”

Animal-welfare organizations and fact-checking websites echo Gaunt’s statement.

“Despite persistent rumors, we are not aware of evidence showing a widespread pattern of black cats being adopted for Halloween rituals or sacrifices,” said Preston Moore, director of public policy, companion animal for Humane World for Animals, formerly Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). “Animal welfare professionals have spent years examining these claims, and the fear has largely been shown to be a myth. Unfortunately, these myths can have real consequences by discouraging the adoption of black cats and keeping animals in shelters longer than necessary. Our focus should remain on promoting pet adoption year-round and helping more animals find safe, loving homes.”

Fact-checking site Snopes.com debunked the myth in 2001, in a comprehensive article. Citing experts from HSUS, veterinarians, law-enforcement officials and shelter operators, they call the claims of Halloween cat sacrifices as “overblown.”

“I don’t put much stock in it here in the U.S.,” said black cat mom and advocate Erica Elliott, foster and logistics coordinator for Helen Sanders CatPAWS. “I’ve heard that black cats may face risks tied to superstition in some other countries, but based on what I’ve seen, it doesn’t appear to be a widespread issue. We adopt them out year-round, including around Halloween. It’s our job to educate people and help dispel any superstitions they may have.”

The seven rescues and shelters that got back to me on the subject were all in accord about disbelief in Halloween ritual murder of cats.

“From what I've read and researched, and according to orgs like Alley Cat Allies, ASPCA and Humane World for Animals, black cats are at no statistically higher risk at Halloween than any other day — that in fact they may be at higher risk remaining in some shelters,” CatPAWS cofounder Deborah Felin-Magaldi said.

Our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) agrees.

“LBACS adopts out black cats year-round,” an LBACS spokesperson said. “Statistically, there are more black cats in shelters. Black cats comprise 22% of all shelter intakes nationwide, more than any other coat color, which is one reason they may appear more frequently in adoption centers. These cats are often overlooked because of lingering myths, so maintaining normal adoption practices is an important way to ensure they receive the same opportunities for placement as any other pet.”

Rescue representatives agree that a good, safe home is the best place for any cat to be. Responsible rescue organizations vet potential adopters as intensely as an involved parent scrutinizes a summer camp for their fourth-grader. They require completed applications — Seal Beach Animal Care Services’ (SBACC) is four pages long. Some rescues conduct home visits along with applications as part of their screening process — Paws in the Sand makes video calls and home checks and also schedules a meet-and-greet at the home of the person fostering the cat.

“I don't think that a rescue that charges money and does a thorough vetting process would be the place that [a person with evil intent] would go,” Little Lion Foundation founder Claudia Otis said.

“In the first place, black cats often take longer to adopt anyway, so intentionally extending their shelter or rescue stays is counter to the mission of finding them homes,” Gaunt added. “And in the second place, anyone who has ever adopted a cat from a rescue knows fully well the rigors of the application, screening and interview processes — who is going to subject themselves to that, plus pay an adoption fee, for an animal that they are going to torture, especially when they have given all of their personal data to a rescue?”

All the shelters and rescues who spoke to me adopt out black cats during the Halloween season and every time of the year — Little Lion, in fact, has what sounds like an autumn-color promotion going on, with black, orange and calico cats going home for 50% off the adoption fee.

All that said, animals, cats in this case, face danger during Halloween and all year. Rescuers cited cars, coyotes and disease. — and wicked, misguided and abusive humans, too. The devil does not make them do anything.

“The potential horrors that await a cat that's allowed outdoors are not particular to Halloween,” Gaunt said. ”While werewolves may be seasonal, coyotes are certainly not, nor are cars, or open garages, or warm car engines, or neighbors who may bear a grudge against a neighborhood cat that uses their flower bed as a litterbox.”

Community cats, Gaunt said, are good at hiding from strangers, but they could be at risk as well.

“While we wish all cats could have a safe, indoor home, that is not the reality, and it is not even what all those cats may want,” Felin-Magaldi said. “Owned cats that are used to living indoors are safest when they remain indoors at all times of year.”

“I can’t tell you how often I see posts on Nextdoor with people asking if anyone has seen their missing cat that is indoor-outdoor,” Otis said. Whether it’s intentional or accidental, cats and all our pets rely on us humans to protect and deliver them from evil. Keep them indoors and safe, and provide them with toys for stimulation and windows to peep out from. On Halloween in particular:

• Keep candy out of your pet’s reach, especially sweets containing chocolate or the artificial sweetener xylitol. Both are toxic to cats and dogs.
• If you must dress the cat or dog up, use costumes that don’t restrict movement or have any dangling bits.
• Before the first kid knocks on the door, confine them to a quiet place — even a bathroom — with the door closed and a few treats and toys.
• Even in the best of situations, the cat may escape. Be sure their ID is current, with updated microchip and a visible tag with  the cat’s name and your phone number.
• And as Gaunt said, “Pets are safest inside, period and full stop.”

Happy, safe Halloween to you and your pets!

Thank you, all the shelter and rescue representatives who helped with this article. I wish I could have put down everything you wrote and said to me!

YOURS DROOLY

Brandy Gaunt is the matron of Jellicle Manor, the keeper of its kittycatsand wise woman in general. Brandy would never adopt out a cat of any color, stripe or pattern during Halloween or the days leading up to it, but not because she believes any claptrap about ritual murder.

“A newly adopted kitty settling into their new environment, where everything may be kind of frightening to them anyway as they get used to it all, could bolt out the door when you open it for those trick-or-treaters, faster than you can say ‘Boo!’” Brandy said. “Each time that door opens, there’s a risk of a terrified kitty fleeing out into the Halloween evening. And that's a nightmare nobody wants!”

In less than two days, we’ll be eating leftover candy corn and dressing the 12-feet skeleton as Santa Claus or The Grinch, and you can adopt a cat without either you or the rescue worried about door dashers. Here’s three from Brandy’s Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation. To adopt anyone, fill out an application here.

Jellicle Cats has exactly one black cat in foster. Onyx is a 2-year-old love bug, and Brandy said this about her: “If you're looking for a cat that will tell you whether you brushed your teeth well enough, this is your cat. If you're looking for a cat that's going to exfoliate your face by grooming you with her rough sandpapery tongue, she's your cat. If you want to put a tie on her and have her participate in your Zoom meetings, she's your cat. She would do well as an only cat to hog all of the attention, although with the proper introductions, she can coexist peacefully with others.

Meet Miranda and her son, Ripley. Miranda’s around 3 years old, and Ripley’s a 10-month-old “teenager.” They came to Jellicle Manor after their human passed away. There was no time to get Miranda out of her kennel before a picture was taken! They’re a bonded pair, and luckily, they had each other for comfort as they settled into life at Jellicle Manor. Ripley is super playful and wouldn't mind having another young cat around to play with. However, he’s equally happy playing with people or on his own with toys and then occasionally running back to tackle his mother and send her tumbling across the floor.

Miranda is mostly patient with him, although every so often, she smacks him one to remind him of his manners. She’s very mellow and loves just hanging out — give her a sunny windowsill and she is happy. She’s also happy to help turn the pages in your book, if you actually read paper books, or she'll help you select your favorite show on Hulu or Netflix. She's a very tolerant, very calm kitty.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

LBACS Adoption Fee Trick or Treat

You still have a couple of days left to pick your price to adopt a shelter pet. Go to our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS), find your new BFF, and stick your paw into the pumpkin tin to find out the adoption fee — anywhere from $50 down to nothing! Then, go home together and enjoy Halloween and every holiday after!

LBACS is located at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park. No parking fee for shelter visitors.

Haute Dogs Howl’oween Parade

Halloween in Long Beach wouldn’t be Halloween in Long Beach without the Haute Dogs Howl’oween Parade, now in its 25^th incarnation! The festival includes the whole world and their dog in costumes that run the gamut from adorable to outlandish! Sign up your masqueraded mutt (and your costumed self at no extra charge) here — entries start at $10 per dog, with special VIP and canopy rates. (Please, no culturally insensitive costumes: read the details here.) No dog, or just want to watch them go by? That’s free, or you can rent a chair for $5. Vendors will be there with their wares, and food will be available for sale. Woof out the season with this great event!

Haute Dogs Howl’oween Parade takes place Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween!), 12:30 p.m. to about 4 p.m. at Marina Vista Park, 5355 E. Eliot St., Long Beach (near the tennis courts). Parade starts at 2:30 p.m.

Whiskers in Wonderland Gala

November is the month for festive, glittery events, and animals have their share of galas in their honor! Little Lion Foundation’s Whiskers in Wonderland Gala is such an event — an evening dedicated to celebrating the nonprofit’s rescue and veterinary programs that save the lives of cats and kittens. It’s a heck of a fun way to fundraise for them, too! Guests will enjoy casino games, a DJ and dancing, a sit-down dinner, a silent auction and a raffle. And kittens, too, of course! If you can’t make it, there’s an online silent auction to help support the event! Herd some cat people and come celebrate!

Whiskers in Wonderland takes place Sunday, Nov. 15., 5 p.m. at The Reef on the Water, 880 S. Harbor Scenic Dr., Long Beach. Buy tickets here.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.