~by guest author, volunteer, and black cat-lover, Tiffany S.
How did I go from growing up with dogs and being allergic to cats to sharing my life with eight mini panthers over the course of the last three-ish decades? Long story short: I ended up with my first cat after my roommate’s cat had kittens in my closet. Going from living with no cats to seven cats in the blink of an eye helped me get over my allergies, too!
After finding homes for his litter mates, I decided my first cat needed a buddy. When I visited my local shelter and fell head over heels for a fluffy black kitten, the shelter staff told me how she had been constantly passed by and that, in fact, black cats tend to be overlooked and least adopted in shelters.
A fire was ignited. I became an instant champion for black cats. Over the years I have adopted many more black cats, and pretty much shouted from the rooftops about how wonderful black cats are. There is even scientific research about how well they get along with humans and other animals! That same research suggests that the genetics that create the black coat make black cats slightly more disease-resistant.
It’s wonderful that in recent years there is more information to dispel the myths of black cats and increase their adoption rates.
But their bad press still lingers and they continue to be overlooked in shelters. Hopefully, folks will see these positive stories from those of us that adore black cats and help change things. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to adopt your own black cat! After all, who doesn’t want to live with a sleek mini-panther and change their luck for the better?
Enjoy these charming stories from adopters, volunteers, staff, and supporters of the black cats they share their lives with.
Ava (17, short hair, NHS alumni) & Jezebel (4, medium hair, CAT alumni) pictured having their regularly scheduled afternoon nap. They struggle to choose between their 10+ cat beds and usually end up on the people-sized bed. A brief moment of quiet where they take a break from vocally expressing their opinions.
I brought home Bubs without ever meeting her in person at the height of COVID. I was looking for my first cat and a companion in my lonely studio apartment. I was having decision paralysis with the available cats at CAT and I saw “drools when she’s happy” in her bio and figured we might work out. Within 48 hours, she was home with me and we were attached at the hip. We slept in bed together, she was my bathroom buddy, and she loved to be near me whenever I spent long nights studying. I quickly learned what it was like to truly love a pet. She’s been with me as I’ve made 2 cross country moves, comforted me when I had a critically ill family member in the hospital, and has brought joy to my existence. I’m so lucky we found each other thanks to CAT!!
Looking for a bonded pair of cats to adopt, I found 8-year-old black Elvira and her 7-year-old tortie daughter Maisy at an adoption center. They were described as lap cats, and lap cats they are! Apparently Maisy never separated emotionally from Elvira. She is laid back and lap loving, and enjoys good pets and chin scratches, and to be brushed. Elvira is a loving mama and always makes herself available for Maisy snuggles. With her big orange eyes she makes a perfectly friendly Halloween cat (thus the name Elvira, Queen of the Night.)
Buddy— informally known as Buggins— is somewhere between 13 & 15 years old. He enjoys cuddles, forehead kisses, chin scratches, and sitting on your desk while I try to work. He is also a talker and will tell you exactly how he is feeling at all times. Although Buddy is getting older he will always be my baby boy.
Luminous & her sister Flower were “foster failures” for our family. They both were underweight & needed a lot of supplemental care. Luminous has become my shadow— she has this awesome trill she does when she’s looking for us. Her personality is so fun to be around & she’s been a great addition to our family.
Of course, we think that all cats are excellent companions. According to the aforementioned evidence provided by more than a few folks, we’re starting to think there’s something special about living with a house panther. If you’ve shared your life with a black— or mostly black— cat and want to participate in a future spread, email us a brief story and a photo or two to [email protected]
