BLACK CATS: UNLUCKY OR JUST MISUNDERSTOOD?

October is here, which means pumpkins are showing up on front porches, Halloween decorations are everywhere, and, of course, black cats suddenly become the stars of the season.

But have you ever wondered why black cats became associated with Halloween in the first place? And more importantly, does being a black cat actually make it harder for them to find a home?

Unfortunately, research suggests that it can.

THE BLACK CAT BIAS

According to Robert Carini, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Louisville, black cats can face a disadvantage when it comes to adoption.

Carini and his colleagues studied 7,983 cats at an urban Kentucky animal shelter to see whether coat color was associated with adoption and euthanasia outcomes. Their research found that black cats had less favorable outcomes than cats with lighter coats. White cats had the most favorable outcomes, while brown and gray cats fell somewhere in between.

The researchers refer to this as "black cat bias," meaning that cats with black coats may be viewed less positively, adopted less often, and face higher euthanasia rates than lighter-colored cats.

Now, before anyone starts thinking, Well, black cats must not be as friendly, that's not what the research found.

Coat color is only one factor people consider when choosing a cat. Health, personality, age, compatibility with children or other pets, and simply whether someone connects with a particular animal all play a role.

But sometimes, the first thing people notice is simply…black.

And that can be a problem.

WHY ARE PEOPLE AFRAID OF BLACK CATS?

A lot of it goes back centuries.

Black cats have been associated with witches, the supernatural and bad luck in various cultures. In medieval Europe, black cats became connected with witchcraft and the Devil, and those associations continued through the centuries.

Eventually, those old beliefs became part of popular culture. We've all seen the Halloween decorations: a witch, a broomstick, a full moon and a black cat with its back arched and fur standing on end.

But here's the funny thing.

Black cats aren't actually spooky.

They're cats.

They still knock things off your counter at 2 a.m. They still demand food five minutes after they were fed. They still chase toys, climb into boxes that are entirely too small for them and decide your lap belongs to them.

Their fur just happens to be black.

And while some cultures have associated black cats with bad luck, others have considered them lucky. In Japan, for example, black cats have traditionally been associated with good fortune. So even the superstition itself depends on where and when you happen to live.

WHAT ABOUT HALLOWEEN?

You would probably assume that October would be the perfect month for black cats to find homes.

After all, they're practically the unofficial mascot of Halloween!

But Carini's research found something interesting: the study's group of approximately 1,200 entirely black cats did not have higher adoption rates during October.

So much for the Halloween adoption rush.

Some shelters and rescue organizations have historically restricted black-cat adoptions around Halloween because of concerns that someone might adopt a cat for the wrong reasons or use the cat as a Halloween decoration or prop.

But Carini notes that these restrictions can actually have unintended consequences. If black cats are harder to adopt during October, they may simply remain in shelters longer.

Instead of assuming people will mistreat a black cat because it's Halloween, perhaps the better approach is to use Halloween as an opportunity to show people just how wonderful these cats can be.

And that brings me to one particular black cat.

MEET CHARGER

Our family didn't set out to adopt another cat. We had five already. That was MORE than enough.

You've probably heard that one before.

Charger started out as a foster through Fresno TNR. And, well…you can probably guess where this story is going.

He became a foster fail.

We named him Charger, and honestly, he has one of the BEST personalities.

This cat is funny. He's playful. He's fearless. He loves riding in the car. And when I say he loves riding in the car, I mean he really loves riding in the car so much we need to check our cars when a car door is left open to make sure he didn't stow away.

He also rides around with us on our farm tractor.

Yes. You read that correctly.

Our black cat rides around on our farm tractor.

Charger doesn't seem to have received the memo that cats are supposed to be cautious and mysterious. He is curious about everything and wants to be right in the middle of the action.

He plays A LOT. He makes us laugh. And he has completely worked his way into our family.

When I look at Charger, I don't see bad luck.

I see a goofy, affectionate, fearless cat who got a second chance because someone at Fresno TNR gave him a second chance.

And that's really what I hope people remember this Halloween.

Don't overlook the black cat sitting quietly in the kennel.

Don't assume a black cat will be less friendly, less affectionate or somehow different from another cat simply because of the color of his fur.

Take a minute to get to know him.

Play with him. Let him come to you. See his personality.

Because you might just meet your own hard Charger.

And if you do, you may discover that bringing a black cat into your life isn't bad luck at all.

It might be one of the luckiest things you've ever done.