National Black Cat Appreciation Day in The Villages FL

National Black Cat Appreciation Day in The Villages FL

National Black Cat Appreciation Day is celebrated August 17th.

They’re so sleek and seductive with their all-knowing yellow and green eyes, but black cats seldom get positive press even though they’re just as adorable as other cats.

Let’s look at facts about this national day that honors our beautiful, sleek cats, and the reason why it was created in the first place.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY

Have you ever feared a black cat crossing your path? This is from ancient superstitions where people thought this meant bad luck. For many cultures and historical settings, black cats were actually meant for positive things. So, to try and dispel these myths about black cats, National Black Cat Appreciation Day was created to be celebrated on August 17 every year.

Today, pop culture loves black cats. There’s the sarcastic Thackery Binx in “Hocus Pocus”, Salem, in “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” and Pyewacket in the classic “Bell, Book and Candle,” and we can’t forget the classic cartoon black cat, Luna in “Sailor Moon.” Black cats are seen as loyal companions, and this is what they were seen as for a lot of cultures in history too.

So, who’s to blame for this negative black cat spin? Superstition! But mostly because during the Middle Ages, people (mainly the Catholic Church) saw witches as shape-shifting black cats and the damage was done. From then on, black cats were seen as evil entities for years and years to follow.

But not everyone sees black cats this way. In fact, black cats are actually welcomed by a lot of people. For some, a visit from a black cat means good luck, and for others it meant prosperity or romance. Hey — in some cultures black cats are even worshipped. Basically, there’s no need to fear them. On this day, we celebrate our cuddly friends, no matter what color their coat is!

NATIONAL BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY ACTIVITIES

• • Visit the Nekobiyaka Cat Café

This Japanese café pays tribute to black cats, letting them roam throughout the restaurant for guests to enjoy. Pay $10 to spend an hour with the kitties and order some soda or beer while you’re there. Guests are not allowed to pick up or hold the cats, but customers can pet them. Each cat wears a different color bandana so you can tell them apart.

• • Adopt a black cat

As unbelievable as this sounds, black cats are about half as likely to be adopted as other cats! This is silly but true. Show some love to a homeless or abused black cat or kitten by contacting your local animal shelter to find one in need of a good home.

• • Read Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Black Cat”

The Saturday Evening Post originally published Poe’s short story back in 1843. It’s one of the author’s darkest tales — dealing with the psychology of guilt.

5 MYTHS ABOUT BLACK CATS

1. Black cats can change color
   Black cats that also have the Tabby stripe gene have fur that can turn a rusty brown color after they’ve been lounging in the sun for a long time.
2. They were companions to sailors
   Sailors and fisherman thought that having black cats on board would bring them good luck. It helped that they would eat the rats too!
3. Black cats are not a single breed
   There are actually 22 cat breeds that have solid black coats.
4. Japan’s black cat cafe
   In Himeji, Japan, there is a cafe that’s entirely devoted to black cats where visitors can pet them during their visit.
5. All cats are sacred
   In Ancient Egypt, all cats were considered sacred, so they were worshipped. This includes black cats!

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY

• • Black cats are good luck charms

Luckily, many cultures cherish black cats. In Scottish lore, good tidings would follow if a black cat came to your house. Fishermen often kept black cats on their boats, believing them to bring good luck.

• • Black cats are unique

Their eyes are yellow and their hair can gray with age. Some scientific research reveals that a black cat’s hair can help their immune system because the genetic mutation for hair color makes the cat less likely to contract feline immunodeficiency virus.

• • Black cats inspire Halloween costumes

Black pants? Black top? Homemade or store-bought black ears? Then you, my friend, have got yourself a Halloween costume. You can kick it up a notch by drawing on a nose, whiskers, and a tail. Black cat costumes are good for those last-minute, need-something-to-wear situations that can pull any masquerade look together.

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