Black cats are the least adopted animals in animal shelters nationwide, which makes them more likely to be euthanized or wait longer to be adopted, due in part to American superstitions.
Today, the nation, along with the Pearl River County SPCA, celebrates Black Cat Appreciation Day to spread awareness about black cats.
Maria Diamond, PRC SPCA manager and public relations representative, said because people are superstitious, black cats have an erroneous reputation.
“It’s a shame. In many other cultures black cats are considered lucky,” Diamond said. “I own a black cat myself and he is the most loving cat I have.”
To help raise awareness about the adoption struggles of black cats, the PRC SPCA is holding a one-time adoption fee discount for all black cats. This sale also includes black and white cats. Today, black cats can be adopted for $25 while black kittens cost $50. Diamond said this is a 50 percent reduction in adoption fees.
“The cats that stay in the shelter the longest are the black cats, and I don’t understand why. This isn’t just a problem at our shelter, but shelters all across the nation,” Diamond said. “These cats are some of the most beautiful and well behaved animals you will ever have the privilege of loving.”
In Diamond’s opinion, she said black cats try harder than all the others to find their homes, saying “in a way, they know about their misconstrued status in the nation.”
Diamond said there are a couple of reasons to adopt a black cat.
“Black cats are just like any other cat, if not more loving. If you want to help someone adopt a black cat, here are some reasons: Black cats go with everything and never go out of style, their fur won’t show on a lot of clothes and they are a sign of good luck in most cultures. If you have a kid, tell them you are adopting a miniature panther,” Diamond said.
If black cats, like any other animal, are in the shelter for a long time, Diamond said they become more vulnerable to sickness or depression.
The PRC SPCA has more than 10 cats eligible for the adoption fee reduction today and two with a partial sponsorship. This sponsorship lowers the cost to $10 each for the two cats.
For information about Black Cat Appreciation Day, call the PRC SPCA at (601) 798-8000 or visit them at 1700 Palestine Road, Picayune. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.