INFO CENTER
At TFF, we believe education and myth-busting are the first steps to increasing adoption rates and combating misinformation especially surrounding black cats.
Black cats have a 10% adoption rate and a 74.6% euthanasia rate across all ages.
Senior cats (cats 7 years and older) are adopted at a 3% rate, significantly lower compared to their kitten and young adult counterparts.
Let's break the superstitious stigma and prove that bad luck is a myth.
JUST THE FACTS ON BLACK CATS
"According to the National Library of Medicine, of all cats in shelters, black cats have the highest rate of euthanasia at a rate of 74.6%, and the lowest rate of adoption at 10% of any cat. Even as kittens, those with a black coat are the last and least likely to be adopted compared to all other kittens, which is extra alarming since research shows that kittens are adopted at a rate of 82% compared to adult cats who are 1.5 years or older being adopted at a rate of only 60%. This puts black cats not only at a higher risk of living out their entire lives in shelters, but of also being euthanized." (source)
"Black cats (and dogs) have historically been stigmatized in Western culture, often linked to witches, the supernatural, and bad luck. These associations have led to superstitions, cruelty, and persistent negative stereotypes. While some cultures view black cats as lucky, in places like the U.S., they are often feared or avoided. This has contributed to a phenomenon known as Black Cat Bias (BCB), where black pets are less likely to be adopted, partly due to negative cultural perceptions and difficulties in photographing them. A broader concept, Dark Cat Syndrome (DCS), extends this bias to all dark-colored cats, who are often overlooked in favor of lighter-coated animals, leading to lower adoption rates and higher euthanasia risks." (source)
While many have associated black cats with "witchcraft", superstition and bad luck, black cats appear in the folklore of many more cultures as both good and bad omens. In some European folklore, black cats are considered common companions of witches and bringers of misfortune if they happened to cross your path. In contrast, Welsh folklore depicts black cats would bring luck to a home and could even be a reliable weather predictor. (source)
SENIOR CAT SHELTER STATS
​Cat adoption data shows that over 40% of adopted cats are under 1 year old, with kittens being adopted quickly—usually within 2 months. Adoption rates drop sharply with age: cats aged 2–3 years take about twice as long, and those aged 9–10 years wait up to 10 times longer. This trend is partly due to older cats, especially those from the streets or colonies, having more difficulty adjusting to home life, unlike younger cats who adapt more easily to families and domestic environments. (source)
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In the study of senior cats, those surrendered due to illness and diagnosed with a terminal condition were 80% likely to be euthanized and only 20% likely to be adopted. In contrast, cats needing further medical care or in poor body condition were adopted at much higher rates—99.5% and 98.3%, respectively. (source)​
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