Bigging up black cats
24 October 2015
Cats Protection’s annual celebration of black and black-and-white cats is back on Tuesday 27 October 2015 to encourage the adoption of monochrome moggies.
Black and black-and-white cats are the least popular when it comes to rehoming and take 13 per cent longer to adopt than their more colourful counterparts, says the charity, which started National Black Cat Day five years ago to address the issue.
Recent research conducted by Cats Protection shows that the myth that black cats are unlucky seems to be taking hold with the younger generation who perhaps are being influenced by American attitudes.
A notable 12 per cent of those surveyed aged 18 to 24 stated that they think black cats are unlucky, while only two per cent of those aged over 55 agreed with this view.¹
Renowned fashion designer Elizabeth Emmanuel has three black-and-white rescue cats of her own (along with ginger cat Jerry) and she can’t understand why there seems to be an issue around monochrome cats because she wouldn’t be without Newby, Google and Pebbles.
“First of all I would always advise people to adopt a rescue cat because they’re the most in need of a loving forever home,“ says Elizabeth. “But why should colour matter anyway? I don’t understand why some people have a reluctance to rehome black and black-and-white cats because they all have different personalities and become part of the family no matter how they look or what colour they are.”
In 2014, black and black-and-white cats accounted for almost half of all cats taken in by the charity and spent on average 52 days in care, compared to around 33 days for silver tabbies.
In the run-up to the day, Cats Protection is searching for a National Black Cat Day Champion – a wonderful black or black-and-white rescue cat who can show the world just how delightful monochrome moggies really are.
Black cat lovers can take part by posting their black or black-and-white cat’s photo and ‘story’ as a comment on one of the competition posts at www.facebook.com/catsprotection. The best ones will be shortlisted and collected in a photo album on Facebook for people to like their favourite. The owner of the photo with the most likes will win a goodie hamper of cat products and the runners-up will receive a smaller goodie bag.
On launch day, a ‘Five misconceptions about black cats’ video will be available to view at www.cats.org.uk/black-cats and limited edition black-cat pin badges will be available through selected Cats Protection shops and adoption centres.
To take part in the National Black Cat Day Thunderclap on 27 October 2015 and send a message bigging up black cats, sign up at https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/31933-national-black-cat-day-2015?locale=en before the day.
More information about this year’s event can be found at www.cats.org.uk/black-cats
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For further information, black cat case studies or an interview, please contact Emily Fowler on 07970 243480, at contact@emilyfowlerwrites.com or @EmilyFWriter on Twitter.
Notes to Editors:
1. YouGov conducted an online survey of 2078 UK respondents aged 18+ on behalf of Cats Protection. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29-30 June 2015. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
2. Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and helps over 194,000 cats each year through its national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 31 adoption centres.
3. Cats Protection’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
4. Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland). Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity in all published material.
5. More information about the work of Cats Protection can be found at www.cats.org.uk