Celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day this Week

August 17^th is Black Cat Appreciation Day!

                Black cats are most often associated with Halloween and bad luck, at least in this country.  But did you know that in many places around the world, a black cat is actually considered a good omen?  In Ireland, Scotland, and most parts of England, as well as in Japan, owning a black cat or having one cross your path is considered good fortune.  Fishermen also consider a black cat to be good luck. 

                The ancient Egyptians also worshipped black cats and thought them to be good luck. 

                Black cats may be male or female, but there are more male cats with all black coats.

                There is one breed, the Bombay, for which the only approved coat color for the breed is black.    Bombay cats are sometimes known as “parlor panthers” for their diminutive resemblance to the great black cats of the jungle.  There are as many as twenty-two other breeds for which solid black is an accepted coat color. 

                Most black cats have golden or copper eyes as a result of the large amount of pigment or melanin in their bodies.

                 Patton’s Cat Hospital loves cats of all varieties and sees many black cats. In fact, one day a few weeks ago, all my feline patients had shiny black coats!  

                Many shelter statistics show that black cats are half as likely to be adopted as cats with other coat colors.  This may be due to bad luck connotations or that these cats may blend into the background of the cage or other unknown factors. 

If you already own a “mini panther,” kudos to you!  Feel free to share a story about or photo of your ebony kitty with us!  If you are thinking of adopting a cat, consider giving a black cat a home.  Black cats are beautiful and really, they have the same personality traits as any other cat. 

Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day!

P.S. Most of our staff and long time clients will recognize a photo of Midnight, our well loved hospital cat who lived a long, healthy life at Patton Veterinary Hospital.  He was a classic example of the quintessential black cat.  Unique, sassy and always in charge, Middy is surely missed.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities. 

Black cat facts taken from http://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/seasonal-topics/15-Black-Cat-Fun-Facts.html