Many people have heard that people in animal welfare do not adopt black cats out during the Halloween season. Now this has spread to all white cats as well. This color has appeal to Satanists for it's representation of wholesomeness and virginity.
Fortunately, white cats are fairly popular to adopt, however holding them back during Halloween does nothing but increases the euthanasia rate of all cats in October.
As someone who has been in the animal welfare field for 20 years I have experience running shelters and I have recently started my own rescue. For every animal in my care it is important to find the right forever home. For all these years I would cease adopting black and white cats throughout the Halloween season. When someone would inquire about a cat with these colors I would let them know that they were not available until after October ended.
So, apparently every October I would turn off my gut sense, not even bother to screen an adopter and just deny every black and white cat inquiry. I get a good giggle out of that now! But then I look around and realize that 85% of the other rescues are still doing this. Best Friends Animal Rescue just wrote a wonderful article about the issues related to not adopting black cats throughout October.
The truth is I train all of my volunteers to screen. If they get a gut reaction that something is not right the know to place the adoption on hold or refuse it. They utilize an adoption questionnaire, interviews with family members and in some cases a home visit. We also provide follow up consultations as well. But, not in October! We put our brains on auto pilot and say no to adoptions of black or white cats just on principle.
Most families come and look at cats. They choose based on one that catches their eyes or respond to them. Most do not call and ask if we have white or black cats and how much are they. If this were to occur perhaps that is the time to question. But, don't deny the family that comes in and falls in love with Fluffy because of her stunning white long coat and blue eyes.
Yes, there are folks out there, Satanists perhaps, that wish to do ill to cats. There are also many strays and outdoor cats that are running loose. So, why would someone need to come to a rescue, go through a screening process and pay a fee to do harm to the animal that took them all afternoon to adopt?
Fortunately, white cats are fairly popular to adopt, however holding them back during Halloween does nothing but increases the euthanasia rate of all cats in October.
As someone who has been in the animal welfare field for 20 years I have experience running shelters and I have recently started my own rescue. For every animal in my care it is important to find the right forever home. For all these years I would cease adopting black and white cats throughout the Halloween season. When someone would inquire about a cat with these colors I would let them know that they were not available until after October ended.
So, apparently every October I would turn off my gut sense, not even bother to screen an adopter and just deny every black and white cat inquiry. I get a good giggle out of that now! But then I look around and realize that 85% of the other rescues are still doing this. Best Friends Animal Rescue just wrote a wonderful article about the issues related to not adopting black cats throughout October.
The truth is I train all of my volunteers to screen. If they get a gut reaction that something is not right the know to place the adoption on hold or refuse it. They utilize an adoption questionnaire, interviews with family members and in some cases a home visit. We also provide follow up consultations as well. But, not in October! We put our brains on auto pilot and say no to adoptions of black or white cats just on principle.
Most families come and look at cats. They choose based on one that catches their eyes or respond to them. Most do not call and ask if we have white or black cats and how much are they. If this were to occur perhaps that is the time to question. But, don't deny the family that comes in and falls in love with Fluffy because of her stunning white long coat and blue eyes.
Yes, there are folks out there, Satanists perhaps, that wish to do ill to cats. There are also many strays and outdoor cats that are running loose. So, why would someone need to come to a rescue, go through a screening process and pay a fee to do harm to the animal that took them all afternoon to adopt?
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