Black Cat Friday/Weekend is coming up at the shelter
WEST MILFORD — Adopt a “mini-panther” or a four-legged penguin at the West Milford Animal Shelter’s annual Black Cat Friday/Weekend special adoption event. It coincides with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and is a special day for black or black and white cats at the shelter. The shelter volunteers have expanded the event to last all weekend.
Every adopter of any cat, dog or kitten will receive a pet gift bag and an entry into a free raffle to win a $20 ShopRite gift certificate. But those special adopters who choose a black or black and white cat or kitten will receive a special black cat t-shirt.
Silly superstitions
Black cats come in different shades. Some appear more grey and others more brown. Black “smokes” are lighter due to a white undercoat. Auburn hued black cats have been in the sun. Some black cats have tabby markings. Black cats often have white markings. The most common is a white spot on their necks, known as a locket. Black cats with white bibs are called Tuxedos. They resemble four-legged penguins in fancy dress clothes.
The belief that black cats cause bad luck started with the hysteria of witches practicing black magic that hit Europe. It was taken up a notch when a story involving a father and son in Lincolnshire in the 1560s started making the rounds. The pair was to have been traveling one moonless night when a black cat crossed their path and dove into a crawl space. They threw rocks at the cat, injuring it. The helpless cat scurried out into a woman’s house, who at the time was suspected of being a witch. The next day, the woman was limping and bruised. It was believed to be more than just a coincidence. From that day on in Lincolnshire, it was thought that witches could turn into black cats at night. The belief of witches transforming themselves into black cats in order to prowl streets unobserved became a central belief in America during the Salem witch hunts.
The only bad luck this superstition caused was to black cats – black cats are always the last to be adopted. Cats with grey fur are twice as likely to be adopted as cats with black fur.
The tables are turning
In many countries now, including Britain, Ireland, Egypt, Japan and Scotland, it is believed a black cat brings good luck and good fortune. If one walks into your home, you are blessed. A black cat figurine is often placed in a Feng Shui home, facing north to ward off evil.
A 2007 genetic study revealed domestic cats are descended from African wildcats. And what could be a better example than a sleek, elegant black cat – a “mini-panther.” Their coats shimmer, their eyes are mesmerizing and basic black is always in style.
Black and white cats are always “dressed to the nines” – dapper four-legged penguins.
There are 14 black (or mostly black) cats or kittens and 12 black and white cats or kittens waiting for new homes and families, including a bonded pair of cats named Wanda and Cadet. Wanda is black and Cadet is grey. They have been at the shelter for a year. Because they must be adopted together, their adoption fee is “two for the price of one” during this event.
Be a hero – adopt a “mini-panther or four-legged penguin. You will be loved and blessed for many years to come.
For information about Black Cat Friday, call 973-728-2859, go to www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org or facebook/TheRealCatsAtWMASS. The shelter is located on Lycosky Drive, behind recycling.