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Thread: Black Cats?

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  1. #1

    Black Cats?

    My boyfriend and I have decided to get a cat in October. He is leaving on a trip for a few weeks and didn't want to get the cat before he left to come back and have it not remember him. So we are waiting until he gets back.

    I am a cat person who before I moved out had only gone 3 whole days in my life of not owning a cat. So it now being almost 2 months has been a bit torturous for me! I've been looking at the Humane Society website weekly to see which cats get adopted and which have been there a long while. Our plan is to adopt a cat that has been there awhile or is less likely to be adopted.

    One problem is that my boyfriend suffers from asthma and allergies. We don't agree with going to a breeder (for "hypo-allergenic" cats) because of the cost, but also because there are so many cats out there that need homes. His allergy is not that bad.... We've spent the week out at my family's cottage with "their" cat (still mine too!) and she has long dark fur and he's never appeared that he's had any worse allergies than he gets seasonally. (Although he has perhaps complained)

    But I have two questions regarding black cats:

    Doing some reading I read that dark cats produce more allergens than light coloured cats. Is this true or just a myth? I do understand that everyone is different too, but in general?

    Are black cats REALLY less likely to be adopted at shelters? We thought originally we'd get an older black cat (if there was one) as I have heard black cats are less likely to be adopted. Watching the website, I haven't really noticed any black cats being left at the shelter longer than others. In fact there was one I had my eye on who was just recently adopted. So I'm not sure how true this is.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    40,169
    I have read that Black Cats are not as likely to be adopted for some reason, I was at PetsMart one day and our SPCA had several Black Cats in various shapes andsizes and they were 25 dollars to adopt.
    I woud have taken one, but they know that I have a lot of Cats , and will not adopt one to me.:
    I do not think that Black Cats cause more allergies than lighter Cats , but you could ask your Vet.
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
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    40,827
    Black cats are not more likely to produce more allergens than other colors, that's a myth. It's just that black shed hairs are more noticeable than lighter colors that blend in better, so that rumor came about! But it is the dander - not the hair - that causes allergic reaction! Some of the longer-haired cats give people with allergies less trouble, their dense undercoats mean they tend to leave less dander about.

    And it varies from place to place but yes, statistically, black cats get adopted slower - in a cage setting they are harder to see and literally get overlooked, and some people have stereotypes about them lodged in their brains as well, so they can languish and become withdrawn, and then even less likely to be adopted - you get the picture!
    I've Been Frosted

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Los Angeles, Ca
    Posts
    4,265
    I have allergies to pet dandruff and I have 3 short-haired cats. I just live with the itchy eyes and scratchy throat. It helps quite a bit if I brush them often. Yes, even though I have cats with short hair, I find that long-haired cats bother my allergies much less than short-haired cats. Still, I wouldn't trade my three for anything!
    Proud to be a crazy cat lady!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Methuen, MA; USA
    Posts
    17,105
    Never heard that black cats are more or less allergy causing, lol.

    Black cats -- and black dogs -- are much less likely to be adopted. It is very difficult to read their facial expressions is one reason; another, as already mentioned, is the idea here in the USA that they are bad luck. Funny thing, in UK, they are considered GOOD luck! Go figure, lol.

    Many shelters will not adopt out a black cat at all during the month of October. Sadly, black cats are at high risk around Halloween, so to keep them safe, the shelters hold on to them.

    If you want say, a Devon Rex, or another low allergen type, why not check if any are in a rescue? Use Google and put in
    devon rex rescue
    or which ever other breed you are thinking about.
    .

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    San Ramon,CA
    Posts
    1,822
    I have a thing for blackies after adopting my two 15 years ago. Hobbes has passed but Calvin is still with me. I'd always adopt black boys given another opportunity. They have the most personality of any of the 15 or so cats I've owned in my lifetime. Calvin is a little affectionate monkey that is my heart kitty for sure. He's a velcro cat and makes me laugh each and every day with his antics. The shelters I've worded at did not adopt out black cats in Oct. They tend to be adopted as seasonal ornaments or worse. I also know how difficult they are to photograph so sites like Petfinder have a hard time. I know when Calvin closes his eyes, the can virtually disappear. I think that happens in shelters also and they get over looked. Best of luck in finding your furbaby.

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