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By Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know October has been designated as Black Cat Awareness Month? One would wonder why the need for such a designation. Unfortunately, it is especially difficult for black cats and kittens to have to deal with all the superstitions that surround them simply because of the color of their fur. Especially at this time of year. Not everyone views them as bad luck or evil. But sadly, they are the ones that get overlooked in shelters despite their beautiful panther-like appearance.
The following is the list of black cats & kittens waiting months and years, currently at our shelter with their intake date and age at that time:
– 5/21/15 Hava 1 yrs. old, stray from Homestead Village, returned to shelter on 8/17/23 at 9 years old
– 7/30/21 Han Solo 9 weeks old, found on 17M in Chester, now 3 years old
– 9/19/21 Moon & Star 5 years old, removed from unsanitary & unhealthy living conditions, now 8 years old
– 8/9/22 Melody & Piccolo 7 weeks old, found near a dumpster, now 2 years old
– 8/17/22 Rae & Reese 1 yr & 6 months old, given up, now 3 years old and 2 ½ years old
– 11/20/22 Daphne 2 years old, stray from Division Street, now 4 years old
– 10/27/23 BonJo & Poncho 6 months old, young strays from Chester, 2 ½ years old
– 3/27/24 Talia 2 years old, trapped near the Goshen Diner, now 4 years old
– 4/13/24 Lilo, 8 months old, mother of 5 kittens, now just over a year old
– 5/23/24 Gus, 4 years old, trapped at the abandoned colony of 60+ cats
– 5/20/24 Ember 1 years old, surrendered
– 6/29/24 Axl, SueSue, Brick 7 weeks old, strays from Prospect Road, Middletown, now 6 months old
– 8/18/24 Keesha, 4 weeks old, found on Kenilworth Lane with dual ulcerated eyes, blind, now 3 months old
Black is not a breed. In fact, there are 22 breeds of black cats. Black coats are produced because the cat has more melanin, a pigment that contributes to the color of both skin and fur. This pigment also creates a rich amber eye, which explains why black cats often have this eye color. Something that’s unique about black cats is that they have unique genetic mutations that help them to resist diseases. In fact, these mutations are similar to HIV resistance in humans. The black coat color is the dominant gene therefore, there are more black cats than any other color. The black coloration overrides all other colors. But sometimes, some black cats have a dark rusty, brown color which happens whenever the sun breaks down the coat’s pigment, revealing the tabby stripes underneath.
There are people who love black cats and for them National Black Cat Day was established which falls on October 27th. If you are a black cat person, celebrate this day and think about those on the list above waiting for their chance to bring “good luck” to a new home.
Pet of the Week:
Adoption applications are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
