Shelters Temporarily Restrict Black Cat Adoptions Ahead of Halloween

Kevin Bozarth, the Mesa County Animal Services Manager, noted that this practice is widespread, not only in Colorado but nationwide. "A lot of shelters, not just in this area, but across the country tend to put a ban on adopting cats at this time of year," he stated.

Both black cats and dogs often face longer wait times for adoption, largely due to enduring superstitions and stereotypes. Bozarth explained that misconceptions surrounding these animals significantly impact their adoption rates. He said, "There’s a certain stigma on black cats and black dogs. You know, there’s a lot of superstitions revolving around them. They are usually the hardest animals to get adopted from an animal shelter because of those stigmas."

Historically, black cats have been linked to bad luck, witches, and Halloween themes, contributing to negative perceptions of these animals. Advocates point out that these cultural beliefs have perpetuated misgivings toward them. "A lot of it stems from them having kind of a little bit of an unsettling look, but that stigma kind of gets expanded through literature and through film and stuff like that," Bozarth added.

While some shelters opt to stop black cat adoptions in October, Mesa County Animal Services evaluates each adoption individually. The agency reviews applications case-by-case to ensure that animals are placed in safe homes. "If we get a bad feeling about an adopter, we’re not going to adopt that cat to that person," Bozarth emphasized.

Currently, Mesa County Animal Services has approximately eight black cats and nearly 20 black dogs available for adoption. Officials maintain that Halloween hasn’t hindered adoption efforts and encourage families considering a pet to look into adopting these animals. Despite the concerns that lead some shelters to restrict adoptions, there is no statistical evidence indicating an uptick in black cat rituals or cruelty during October. Each shelter and rescue makes its own decisions regarding temporary adoption restrictions.