October 27 is National Black Cat Day, and we’re here to celebrate! 
Black cats have been part of human history, folklore, art, and households for thousands of years. They’ve been called everything from bad luck to miniature panthers, but around Town Cats, we mostly call them what they are: cats who deserve homes.
So, in honor of National Black Cat Day, here are some black cat facts, a little history, and some very important Town Cats black-cat statistics.
- Not every black cat is a Bombay, but every Bombay is black.
Black cats come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, personalities, and breeds. Bombay cats, however, were specifically developed to have that sleek, all-black, mini-panther look. They are sometimes called “parlor panthers,” which feels pretty appropriate.
And while your average black rescue cat is probably not secretly a Bombay, they can all pull off the panther look.
- Town Cats has rescued 99 black cats in the past year.
Yep. Ninety-nine. That means 99 black cats have come through our doors looking for safety, care, and a place to land.
And every single one of them has been an individual cat, with their own personality, history, quirks, and favorite ways to demand attention.
- Black cats weren’t always considered bad luck.
The idea that black cats are bad luck is rooted largely in European folklore from the Middle Ages. But thousands of years earlier, cats held a very different place in ancient Egyptian culture.
Cats were associated with several Egyptian deities, including Bastet, who was represented as a woman with the head of a cat or as a cat herself. Cats were valued for their companionship and their ability to help protect homes and food stores from pests.
So depending on where and when you lived, encountering a cat could mean very different things. Bad luck? Or excellent pest control and a tiny roommate? We know which one we’re voting for.
- In the past year, Town Cats has found homes for 100 black cats!
One hundred cats who went from waiting for a family to having one.
And there are still more waiting.
- Black cats can change color in the sun!
Black cats who spend a lot of time in the sun can develop a reddish-brown tint to their fur, sometimes called “rusting.” So if your black cat starts looking a little more chocolate brown around the edges, they may have been spending a little too much time soaking up the sunshine!
- Black is the most common color of cat!
The gene responsible for expressing eumelanin, the pigment that gives fur its black color, is dominant, which helps explain why black coats are so common in cats.
- Black cats aren’t magical. But their genetics are pretty interesting.
There is ongoing research into the relationship between coat-color genetics and other feline traits, including genetic factors that may influence susceptibility or resistance to certain diseases.
For example, current feline genetic testing research includes markers associated with potential FIV resistance. But that does not mean that black cats are immune to FIV or other illnesses.
Like every other cat, black cats need routine veterinary care, vaccines, parasite prevention, good nutrition, and plenty of love.
And probably an unreasonable number of cardboard boxes.
- Black cats are not bad luck.
They’re not bad luck.
They’re not evil.
They’re not less loving.
They’re not less deserving of a home.
They’re cats.
Some are cuddly. Some are chaotic. Some want nothing more than to sit next to you, or right on top of you. Some want you to admire them from a respectful six-foot distance.
And some will absolutely sprint across your house at 2 a.m. for reasons known only to themselves.
At Town Cats, we’ve met 99 black cats over the past year, and we’ve watched 100 of them become someone’s beloved companion.
So this National Black Cat Day, celebrate the black cats in your life. Give them an extra treat. Take approximately 700 pictures of them. And if you’re looking to add a little more midnight velvet to your household, check out the black cats waiting for homes at Town Cats.