Dark furred felines and black & 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 twice as long as a ginger cat. While a black & white cat will shockingly stay for 60 days in comparison to a tabby cat that will on average stay for 47 days. At the Mayhew Animal Home, we are trying to change their luck by finding them the purrfect home this Black Cat Day. From the 27th to the 30th October, we are celebrating everything that is great about these mysterious felines.

Here are ten reasons WHY you should adopt a black or black & white cat:

Black and black & 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.

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.

Black or black & white cats can MATCH ANY HOME – you wouldn’t have to redecorate your house to coordinate with your cat, black goes with everything!

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 & 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.

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.

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.

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.

Black and black & white cats have LOW ADOPTION RATES – so when you adopt a black or black & 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!

They are NATURAL MODELS in the right lighting, especially if you take cool black & white photos of them.

All black and black & 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 & white cats are often overlooked at The Mayhew. Sometimes it can be difficult to connect with a black or black & 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 & white cat can be an incredibly rewarding experience and we know that their perfect home is out there somewhere.”

Here are some of our LONGEST staying black and black & white cats that are still looking for their furever home – CAN YOU HELP?

PHYLLIS is a lovely girl who’ll make a great companion to a full time worker.

MONTANA is completely undemanding but likes to be nearby when you are home

If you’d like to give any of our cats a loving forever home then find out more about them here or by calling 020 8962 8000.

If you are not ready to adopt, please consider a donation to help us look after and rehome more cats.

Black Cat Day 2016