From The New York Daily News…
Ancient false myths leave bewitching black cats shunned by some
BY Amy Sacks
Daily News Writer
Halloween this year has gone to the dogs, with pooches dressed as witches, hot dogs — even the Pope — competing for prizes in contests around the city.
Meanwhile, black cats still get a bad rap. For centuries, sleek black felines in Western cultures have been associated with witches and demons, and have been thought to bring bad luck to those who cross their paths.
“The superstition that black cats bring bad luck is true — only if you’re a black cat!” said Dr. Robin Brennan, a veterinarian at Bideawee, which is teeming with cats and kittens for adoption.
Sadly, the stigma causes people to shun them, leaving many black cats without adopters.
In addition, it has long been believed that shelters shouldn’t adopt out black cats around Halloween, so they can avoid being used for satanic rituals or other abuse.
But local shelter workers say the myth is just that - a myth that was debunked long ago by data and scientific studies that show black cats are not at risk during this time.
The ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement department has not encountered an increase in abuse of black cats around Halloween, said Gail Buchwald, who heads adoptions for the ASPCA, where 36 black cats are available for adoption, along with many other kittens and cats of all stripes.
“The Halloween myth is not” true she said. In fact, when shelters refrain from rehoming these cats around Halloween, it creates a pileup of black cats in their shelters, which further hurts the cats’ chances of finding homes quickly.
Black cats — and dogs, too — are often overlooked because they are too plain or ordinary for some people’s tastes. The stigma means these animals tend to stay in the shelters the longest.
Still, adoptions are done on a case-by-case basis, and some shelters and rescue groups may be more vigilant around Halloween.
At the Animal Care & Control shelters, 39 black cats are among the hundreds of cats and kittens in the shelter.
Greek mythology taught that a woman named Galenthias was turned into a cat and became a priestess at the temple of Hecate, the “Dark Mother,” and is sometimes called the mother of witchcraft. During the 12th and 13th centuries, accused witches in Europe were often found with their “familiars,” usually black cats, and were said to turn themselves into cats at times. During the witch-burning era of the 17th century, accused witches’ cats were put into baskets and burned alongside them.
In many European countries and in the U.S., black cats signify bad luck, while in England, Australia and Japan, black cats are considered lucky.
Helene Zinszner says there is nothing ominous about her affectionate black kitty Monkey Girl, despite the stigma attached to black cats in her native France.
“Everyone loves her,” said Zinszner, an AIDS researcher at NYU, who adopted Monkey Girl when she was a young kitten found in a Staten Island backyard. “She sleeps with me, purrs every time I touch her or even talk to her with intent, and follows me everywhere in the house .”
Still, because there are some evil-doers, cats can fall victim to pranks and in some cases cruelty during this season.
To be on the safe side, animal experts say it’s best to keep cats indoors. Apartment dwellers might want to keep the cat and dog in a separate room so the animals don’t run out when trick-or-treaters come knocking at the door.
Shelters are teeming with cats awaiting new homes. To adopt a cat, go to Petfinder.com or contact your local shelter or rescue group.
For a complete listing of pet-related Halloween events this weekend, go to www.newyorktails.com.
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