Black Cat Appreciation Day, celebrated on August 17th, is a special occasion dedicated to dispelling myths and superstitions about black cats and highlighting their unique charm and beauty. Despite their sleek fur and striking eyes, black cats often face lower adoption rates due to lingering negative perceptions. This day aims to encourage the adoption of black cats, celebrate their presence in our lives, and raise awareness about the importance of giving these wonderful animals the love and homes they deserve.
ā¹ļø Black Cat Appreciation Day and National Black Cat Day are two separate events. While Black Cat Appreciation Day falls in August, National Black Cat Day is celebrated on October 27. Both days aim to celebrate black cats, but National Black Cat Day specifically focuses on raising awareness and dispelling myths surrounding them.
Studies show that black cats are often overlooked in shelters and have lower adoption rates compared to cats of other colors. This phenomenon, known as “black cat bias,” is partly due to lingering superstitions and the misconception that they don’t photograph well. This bias makes it even more crucial for people to adopt and appreciate black cats, as they are just as loving and deserving of a home as any other cat. By dispelling myths and highlighting their unique beauty, we can help more black cats find the loving families they deserve.
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?
The following table shows the dates for Black Cat Appreciation Day up to the year 2030, including the weekday for each date:
| Year | Date (Including Weekday) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Saturday, August 17 |
| 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 environmentsā.
- 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 prosperityā.
- 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 witchesāā.
- 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 Poeās short story The Black Cat. These characters have contributed to both the mystique and the charm of black catsā
- 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 adoptionā.
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.
