Did you know that white cats are revered for their color? White represents virginity and purity...for Satanists! Animal shelters typically do not adopt black cats in October, and now they are adding white cats to that list as well.
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 loves animals, has been an Executive Director and has started a rescue I can tell you how important it is to match the right cat to the right family. For the last 20 years I would deny all requests to adopt a black cat to anyone during the month of October. In the last 5 years I added all white cats to this list as well.
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.
If you get a phone call from someone who only wants a black cat or only wants a white cat then you can ask why. If someone comes and meets the beautiful Turkish Angora with the stunning green eyes and they hold her and cuddle with her and fall in love, why would you deny just on principle?
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 loves animals, has been an Executive Director and has started a rescue I can tell you how important it is to match the right cat to the right family. For the last 20 years I would deny all requests to adopt a black cat to anyone during the month of October. In the last 5 years I added all white cats to this list as well.
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.
If you get a phone call from someone who only wants a black cat or only wants a white cat then you can ask why. If someone comes and meets the beautiful Turkish Angora with the stunning green eyes and they hold her and cuddle with her and fall in love, why would you deny just on principle?
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?
About the Author:
Looking for more great articles about cats on halloween. Then stop by New Cat Condos and check out their line of Cat Trees for your kitty.
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