Celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day Every August 17
They say every dog has its day … But what about the kitties?
Never fear, our feline friends are not left out. And August 17 is all about one particular kind of kitty: the black cat. That’s right, it’s Black Cat Appreciation Day.
Now, black cats are not just for Halloween. And they’re not just witches’ familiars.
They’re wonderful companions—to humans of all kinds—every day of the year.
And to be clear: If a black cat crosses your path, it’s not an omen of impending doom.
As Grouch Marx once said: “A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.”
In fact, if kitty’s homeless and you take him home, he might just become your new best friend.
Wayne Morris came up with this day in 2011 to honor his sister and the black cat she loved. He picked August 17 because that was the day she had passed away some years earlier.
Mr. Morris is a volunteer with Rikki’s Refuge, a no-kill sanctuary for animals of all kinds. When he started the day, the folks at this wonderful place agreed to help with his first event.
Why Everybody Needs a Black Cat
Yes, everyone should have a black cat of their own.
For one thing, they’re slimming. You know how black makes you look thinner? Well, carry around your black kitty and you’ll look 10 pounds thinner. Instantly!
Ok, no. Not really.
But if you happen to like wearing black you won’t have to get out the lint brush quite so often. The black fur won’t be nearly as noticeable as other fur colors. ;-)
Yes, we’re joking. But sometimes it does seem like we need to invent reasons to have a black cat. Many people don’t want them. Black kitties wait longer in shelters and are more likely to end up euthanized than other cats.
Why? For some reason people in the US have decided black cats are bad luck and/or evil.
But they’re really just like any other cat: sweet, loving and adorable.
In fact, most other cultures consider them good luck, not bad.
And come on, they’re absolutely gorgeous with that sleek black fur and big yellow or green eyes.
Admit it, you want a black cat!
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficially sleek feline holiday.
How to Celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day
Spread the word about how wonderful black cats really are.
If you have a black cat, take pictures of him or her and post them on social media. Even better, take selfies of you and your black feline. Show off how loving they are.
Like Mr. Morris’ Black Cat Appreciation Page on Facebook. Share pictures and stories of your black cat on the page.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a cat, consider adopting a black one. You won’t be disappointed!
Many shelters waive or reduce adoption fees for black cats for this day. But you’ll still need to meet the normal qualifications the shelter sets for any adopters.
Search for your new ebony best friend on Petfinder. Or search the site for a shelter near you and stop in to see their cats.
Read The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelschneider, a noted cat behaviorist. The advice in this book is applicable to cats of all colors, of course.
And finally, make Lucky Black Cat Cookies to enjoy and share.
Do you have a black cat of your very own? Or more accurately: Has a black cat allowed you to be his or her human?
How do you plan to celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day?
[…] World Cat Day on February 17 and International Cat Day on August 8. Of course, there’s also Black Cat Appreciation Day and National Feral Cat […]
[…] Black Cat Appreciation Day: We just had a day just for cats, but black cats are so special they deserve a day all to themselves! In many cultures these beautiful felines are considered good luck, but here in the States they’re looked at as bad luck or even evil. 😿 Let’s change that! […]