As unbearable as it may be to hear, many shelters across the country firmly believe that cats, especially black cats, are either neglected or abused around Halloween. Many will postpone any feline adoptions until after October 31st in hopes of preventing this. But what has generated this fear in the animal rescue community?
Many of these workers believe that individuals will adopt (or abduct) cats during the Halloween season for a variety of reasons. These reasons range from using the cat as a prop for a Halloween party or a witch’s costume to sacrifice at a satanic ritual. Either way, these cats typically end up in terrible situations.
While the sacrifices for cult rituals typically result in the tragic death of an innocent cat, those who adopt because a “black cat would be cute for the Halloween party” will often abandon or neglect the cat once the festivities die down. With winter just around the corner, many abandoned cats will suffer from the dropping temperatures and increasing precipitation.
If you are genuinely interested in a feline companion, but your local shelter won’t allow the adoption until after Halloween, be patient. You can ask to be put on a waiting list for a specific cat or to be notified when adoptions will be available again. The safety of the cats is everyone’s main concern. And if you see a cat (or any animal) in a dangerous situation this month, be sure to contact your local humane society, SPCA, or animal control!