Black Cats and Halloween

Black dogs are less commonly adopted than those of other colors, a phenomenon appropriately dubbed “black dog syndrome.” 

Their feline counterparts have it even worse. Animal shelters refuse to adopt out black cats around Halloween for fear they will be sacrificed by cults. This fear of satanic cults is largely irrational.

On the other hand, Halloween does play a part in the adoption of black cats—not as objects of horrific sacrifice, but as cute props for parties. The cats are then unceremoniously discarded.