Unwanted black cats in Birmingham Adoption Centre are being left on the shelf

Cats Protection’s Birmingham Adoption Centre is urging people to adopt a black cat as it struggles to care for growing numbers of them.

The branch is currently looking after 109 black or black & white cats and each one is waiting weeks longer than average to find a home, costing the charity more money to look after them.

Alison Dickenson said: “We’ve always had a high proportion of black, as well as black-and-white cats, as they are a more common colour, but they are staying with us longer than ever before.

“We suspect the cause is the tough economic climate. Fewer cats are being adopted from us, and there may be a tendency to see black cats as less unusual so people pick out the tabbies and the gingers which catch the eye.

“Whilst we are pleased to see each cat go to a loving home, we feel sorry for the black cats that are left on the shelf. It’s a great shame as they have just as much love to offer an owner as any other cat”

Black cats in need of homes include Susie Q, Alice, Sadie, Sebbie, Bebe, Scaredy Cat, Patch, Elvy and Candy – all cats have been in our care for over 6 months.

The Birmingham Adoption Centre is also urging people to upload photos of their black cat onto their Facebook page on Thursday 27 October, as part of the charity’s national Black Cat Awareness Day.

Alison Dickenson said: “During a time of year when black cats are much talked about, we’d like owners to upload photos of their cat on the Cats Protection Birmingham Adoption Centre facebook page and tell us a bit about them. It’s a nice way to mark the day as well as encourage other local cat lovers to give a home to a black cat.”

To adopt a black cat, call the Birmingham Adoption Centre on 01564 822020 or visit www.birmingham.cats.org.uk Further information about Cats Protection’s Black Cat Awareness Day can be found at www.cats.org.uk/black-cats