Dark furred felines and black and white cats are often last to be adopted in rescue centres.
The average number of days a ginger cat will stay at The Mayhew Animal Home before finding a new home is 41 days, but astonishingly in comparison a black cat will on average stay for 83 days, nearly half as long as a ginger cat.
While a black and white cat will stay for 60 days in comparison to a tabby cat that will on average stay for 47 days.
Here are ten reasons why you should adopt a black or black and white cat:
1) Black and black and white cats are just as affectionate and loving as cats that are white, tortoiseshell or ginger. They are adorable animals who deserve love just as much as any other.
2) They are beautiful – these cats have just as much charm and charisma as their more colourful friends. Not to mention their sleek, glossy and dark coats which complement their bright sparkling eyes. They are like little panthers.
3) Black or black and white cats can match any home – you wouldn’t have to redecorate your house to coordinate with your cat, black goes with everything!
4) Famous black cats – these regal characters have a certain mystery and allure about them and are often a key character in films, TV shows and books. For example, Sylvester, the mischievous black and white cat from cartoon show Looney Tunes, Felix, the cat who advertises the cat food brand of the same name and, Salem, the black cat from the TV programme Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
5) Black cats are said to be lucky – in parts of the world including Asia, Italy, and the UK, black cats are believed to be symbols of good luck. In Scotland, a black cat appearing on your doorstep is a sign of prosperity.
6) Most black cats are not actually black at all, but are a mix of all sorts of dark colours. Look at a black cat in the sun and you might see shades of brown, tabby, white and auburn.
7) If you love wearing the colour black, you don’t need to be as careful about vacuuming or brushing off cat hair as with a light coloured cat.
8) Black and black and white cats have low adoption rates, so when you adopt a black or black and white cat, you are giving a forever home to a feline who has likely been waiting longer than their rescue friends. So they will forever be thankful!
9) They are natural models in the right lighting, especially if you take cool black and white photos of them.
10) All black and black and white cats have individual personalities –some are sassy and some just want cuddles all day. Each cat has its own unique personality and temperament. Just like every other cat, they just want to be loved and cared for and they just want a chance.
The Mayhew’s Cat adoption officer, Matthew Pearson, said: “Black and black and white cats are often overlooked at The Mayhew.
“Sometimes it can be difficult to connect with a black or black and white cat in a rescue centre, especially when there is a wide range of colours which people are more drawn to. They may sometimes blend into the background.”
“We would urge people to never judge a cat by its colour and look at its personality and temperament instead. Rehoming a black or black and white cat can be an incredibly rewarding experience and we know that their perfect home is out there somewhere.”
