by Cathy Davis
From an article written by Kelly Kaczala Dec. 12, 2008: “Throughout history, it has conjured up images of witchcraft and magic. In the Middle Ages, it was burned alive for its supposedly supernatural powers. In North America, it is considered unlucky to cross paths with it.
Many shelters during the month of October ban its adoption out of concern it may be abused as a result of the image it portrays on Halloween. The black cat has come a long way since the 15th century. Many in society consider it a social misfit because of, well, its color, or lack thereof.
Indeed, the black cat’s main enemy is its own genetic makeup.”
I share this with you because no matter when, or where, this still holds true. It was true in 2008. It’s true in 2013. Black cats are hard to adopt out. For whatever reason, they are overlooked in shelters time and time again. People think they are “uninteresting”, there are even misconceptions about their temperaments as a result of their color.
At Houlton Humane Society, we see this same prejudice when people come to adopt, especially cats. Right now we have Sammy, a black female, recently spayed. She is four years old and very friendly and has been at the shelter since last October. Why hasn’t she been adopted? From what we can tell, just because she isn’t as “interesting” as some of our other felines.
We have Prancer and Dancer, two brothers who have also been in the shelter since October. Both have been neutered and have been together since their admission to Houlton Humane. Both are sweet, loving cats, but because of their color, or lack thereof, there has been very little interest in their friendly, charming personalities.
Everybody wants the pretty kitty, the Maine Coon, the calico, the double pawed, the blue eyed, but what about these kitties? Who wants them? It is our goal to see that these three find homes before April 1 and my personal promise that you will never regret owning a companion pet for their personality first and looks a distant second.
I have to admit, I was guilty of this prejudice myself. With me it was black and white cats, for some reason they just didn’t appeal to me. No reason for it, I was just one of those people who loved calicos first and then the rest afterward. That was until Boo came into our lives.
This beautiful little fluffy calico kitten came into the shelter and I wanted to adopt her in the worst way. In her same cage the shelter staff had introduced Boo, a black and white kitten who was afraid of everything. They thought that pairing her with a more friendly kitty would bring her out of her shell. So when I took my husband to meet Miss Ellie the calico, he calmly announced that it would not be fair to take her home and leave Boo behind.
Miss Ellie turned out to be sweet, but aloof. She does not like to be picked up or held. She is not a lap cat. Boo is my baby, follows me everywhere, is definitely “my” cat, and has proven to me that I was wrong all along about black and white kitties. She is not only the most loving and friendly cat, but her beauty is undeniable.
Don’t let the color or looks of a pet keep you from giving them a good home. Not a black cat, but certainly not our prettiest little girl at the shelter, Precious is blind in one eye and missing the other eye. She is super sweet and loving but holds her head sideways due to her eyesight and looks a little “funny”. People won’t adopt her. Oh, what they are missing.
I have to tell you, if I was in a room with other people, and I had no home, and a family came along looking for someone to take home and love, I would be the last one they would pick. I’m old, I’m cranky, I’m far from beautiful, my eyesight isn’t what it used to be and my hair is graying. But I might still have something to offer. I believe with all my heart that each and every animal in our shelter has something to offer you, regardless of their disability or their marking, regardless of whether they are old or young, black or calico, male or female. Each of them needs you and I encourage you to give one or two of them a home.
If cats aren’t your thing, please consider Kahuna. He is a sweet dog, loves people, kids and cats, but does not get along with other dogs, and cannot be left alone without being crated due to anxiety issues. He can be a great companion for some family – you would just need to crate him if you go to town for groceries. This poor fellow has been returned to the shelter twice. Please help us find him a forever home. He is a Dane mix, neutered, with all his shots and just a love, he really is.
