Calling All Black Cat Lovers: We’re Celebrating Your Favorite Felines

You might think black cats are a breed all their own—but in fact, several types of cats can have black coloring. Check out these fascinating facts about black cat breeds.

Bombay

These exotic cats were named after the capital of India (now called Mumbai), thanks to their resemblance to that country’s black leopards.

British Shorthair

Black-coated British Shorthairs are especially striking thanks to their large, round eyes, which are usually a bright copper color.

Maine Coon Cat

This fluffy breed is especially adapted to the cold New England winters, with wide, snowshoe-like paws for walking on snow.

Scottish Fold

This medium-sized breed is best known for their folded-down ears, which make them look like small owls or tiny bears.

Sphynx

Can a hairless cat be black? In the case of the Sphynx, yes! Black Sphynx cats have the same soft, wrinkly skin as their pink counterparts.

In the TV sitcom “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” Salem the cat’s sassy one-liners provided some of the biggest laughs. In fact, Salem was witch in a cat’s body, transformed into a feline as punishment for trying to take over the world

When a trio of kids accidentally revive the three evil Sanderson Sisters in the 1993 Disney movie “Hocus Pocus,” magical cat Thackery Binx steps in to save the day with his bravery and loyalty. Hijinx and, yes, hocus pocus ensue. (No word yet on whether there’ll be a cat in the sequel.)

When Dan and Jackie Vecchitto rescued their cat Emilio, they had no idea he was destined for Internet stardom. But when Dan posted a picture of Emilio wearing a cute cat tie to Facebook, someone snagged the pic and created the popular Business Cat meme. No LOLs for this cat—you’d better have those reports on his desk right meow.

Black cats’ bad rap dates back to the Middle Ages, when superstitious Europeans began associating them with witches, witchcraft and demons. Back in those times, a black cat crossing your path was thought to be an omen of death or misfortune.

But not all the old superstitions around black cats spelled doom and gloom. Ancient Egyptians worshipped cats, and the Egyptian cat goddess, Bastet, was often depicted as a black cat or as a woman with the head of a black cat. In Japan, cats (black ones included) have been held in high regard since the early 1600s. Today, a black Maneki Neko (welcoming cat) figurine is said to help ward off evil spirits. And English and Irish sailors from the 17th to 20th centuries thought that black cats on board their ship could bring good luck and fair weather to their voyage. To this day, a black cat showing up on your front porch in Scotland is considered a good omen.

Still, many people still associate black cats with bad luck—which might prevent them from adopting a black cat of their own.

You can make a difference in your own community by donating to a local shelter or rescue—or, find an organization that specifically helps black cats! Either way, use their Chewy Wish List to send them exactly what they need.

Not ready for a long-term commitment? Fostering a black cat or black kitten will give them the love and care they need until they find their future family. Find out more about fostering.

Animal shelters and rescues need volunteers to help with everything from pet photography to cleaning to cuddling. (No, really—cuddling!) Learn more about how to help your local shelter or rescue.

Are you ready to add a black cat to your family? It’s not a decision to take lightly, but if you’re in a good place to give a cat or kitten their forever home, consider adopting. Chewy’s Adoptable Pets service lets you search for adoptable cats in your area, and you can even filter by color (aka black).

When Hannah Green founded Binx’s Home for Black Cats in November of 2020, her mission was to help black cats find their forever homes. The rescue, located in Asheville, North Carolina, works with local shelters to place black cats in foster homes to ensure they are well cared for until they can find the right adopter.

In less than a year, the organization has helped find homes for 60 cats.

“I have had black cats since I was a kid,” Green says. “Seeing the stigma attached to them, I realized there was a real need for an organization that would put black cats at the forefront.”

Green, who is also working toward becoming a veterinarian, uses the hashtag #blackcatsaregoodluck on social media to help fight black cat stereotyping. She also makes sure that the black felines at her rescue get great glamour shots to showcase them to potential adopters.

The nonprofit is named in honor of Green’s first rescue cat, Binx (who got his name from Thackery Binx of “Hocus Pocus” fame). Helping cats is Green’s primary mission, but she’s also working to educate people about how loyal, loving and all-around awesome black cats really are. Her advice to her fellow black cat fans? Share the love. “I decided to see if I could make a difference,” she says—and for dozens of cats, that’s exactly what she’s done.

You can support Binx’s Home by shopping their Wish List here.

Black cats bring more than a little magic into our lives every day of the year. So go ahead—shout your praise for these unique kitties to the rooftops! Whether it’s National Black Cat Day or any other time of year, there’s never a bad moment to show black cats some love.

Do you have a great story about your own black cat? Tell us all about them in the comments below!