Black Cat Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on August 17. Founded in 2011 by Wayne H. Morris, the day honors his sister and her black cat, Sinbad, who both passed away that year. Morris created this observance to challenge the negative myths and superstitions surrounding black cats, which often lead to them being overlooked in shelters, and to encourage their adoption.
The day also serves as an educational opportunity to highlight black cats’ unique qualities, such as their striking appearance, affectionate nature, and playful personalities. Animal shelters and organizations use this day to promote adoption and to remind people that a cat’s color does not determine its value as a companion.
ℹ️ There are two observances dedicated to black cats. Black Cat Appreciation Day is celebrated on August 17, while National Black Cat Day takes place on October 27.
🐾 Explore all national days for cats, dogs, and pets! Celebrate your furry companions and their special moments throughout the year. 🐶🐱🎉
This video celebrating black cats and Black Cat Appreciation Day by the creator of the incredibly popular animated series Simon’s Cat is not only cute, it also is educational and heartwarming.
Black Cat Appreciation Day is one of many days celebrating cats. If you want to learn about them all, read our article National Days for Cat Lovers. There you will find a complete list of cat-themed holidays.
When is Black Cat Appreciation Day?
Black Cat Appreciation Day is observed each year on August 17. Founded in 2011 by Wayne H. Morris, the day honors his sister and her black cat, Sinbad, while challenging myths about black cats and promoting their adoption.
| Year | Date (Including Weekday) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday, August 17 |
| 2026 | Monday, August 17 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, August 17 |
| 2028 | Thursday, August 17 |
| 2029 | Friday, August 17 |
| 2030 | Saturday, August 17 |
Black Cat Facts
- In ancient Egypt, black cats were revered and often associated with the goddess Bastet, who represented home, fertility, and protection. Killing a black cat, even accidentally, was considered a grave crime.
- Black cats might have a health advantage. The gene that gives them their black fur is linked to a stronger immune system, potentially offering them protection against certain diseases. This trait might have evolved to help them survive in various environments.
- While black cats are often considered bad luck in Western superstitions, they are seen as good luck in other cultures. For example, in Japan, owning a black cat is believed to bring good fortune, and in Scottish folklore, a strange black cat arriving at your home signifies prosperity.
- During the Middle Ages in Europe, black cats were associated with witchcraft and considered omens of bad luck. This led to widespread persecution of both black cats and their owners, especially women accused of being witches.
- Black cats have been prominently featured in literature, movies, and TV shows. Notable examples include Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Thackery Binx from Hocus Pocus, and the titular cat from Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Black Cat. These characters have contributed to both the mystique and the charm of black cats
- In addition to Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17th, many countries, including the US and the UK, celebrate National Black Cat Day on October 27th to raise awareness about black cats and encourage their adoption.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
📝 This article was originally published on July 18th, 2024. It has been thoroughly updated, and the publishing date has been changed to reflect the new version.
