'Some shelters even limit adoptions': Black cats are still the least adopted feline in 2025 due to "black cat bias", and the cat community is purrmanently fed up with it

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 29, 2025 12:00 PM EST

We no longer believe that women who speak their minds are witches, nor do we believe that sicknesses are evil spirits infecting our souls, so why do some people still believe that black cats are bad luck? This singular superstition has stuck in the minds of silly hoomans, and as a result, even in 2025, black cats are still the least adopted cat. Researchers even have a name for this purrticular phenomenon, calling it "black cat bias". As lovers of all cats, but especially little voids, this news makes us feel like we're not quite as purrgressive as we think we are.

We've had at least one black cat at a time for most of our lives, and they've been the best cats we could ever ask for. Mischievous? Absolutely. But also adorable love bugs that just wanted us to love them with all of our hearts. We even had one, 'Shadow' (yes, a very original name, don't come for us), who learned to roll over on command for chicken. He really loved chicken.

After hearing this news, the cat community has officially had it. We have the hissterical, thoughtful, and caring voices of some void pawrents below putting their two cents in. This is the purrfect thing to enjoy on a Caturday, so grab your nearest void and stare at it lovingly. It will stare back, and it will want chimken.

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  • 01
    Hand feeding a hungry black cat including 'An outdated superstition is having a very real, modern- day consequence'
    via Nils Jacobi

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    There is an article (Published Jun 13, 2025) cites a study from the University of Louisville that confirmed what shelters call "Black Cat Bias." Basically, black and dark-furred cats are consistently adopted less and euthanized more than their lighter-colored counterparts. The
    via ironandfire
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    lighter-colored counterparts. The weirdest part? The study found that even in October, around Halloween, adoption rates for black cats don't actually increase. Some shelters even limit adoptions then, which the study suggests might backfire.
    via ironandfire
  • 04
    As someone who admires these animals, this is genuinely confusing and sad to me. It seems like an outdated superstition is having a very real, modern-day consequence.
    via ironandfire

  • All you black cat owners out there, it's time for you to spread the word of the joys of owning a black cat. Dispel this myth that black cats bring bad luck, and let's change the narrative to all cats bringing good luck, no matter their color. Well, maybe except orange cats. Orange cats bring hissterical chaos and big himbo energy. 

  • 05
    Only Impression4100 • 1d ago They are the most adopted in our household, last three cats have been black, and will continue to be so for future cats.
    via Only_Impression4100
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    PocketPal26 · 1d ago I'll preface this by saying, I'm not an expert and have only done a little research when preparing to adopt my own cat.
    via PocketPal26
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    1. Obviously, there is plenty of superstition around black cats bringing bad luck. This is obviously bogus, although I'm sure there are some who believe it. But that superstition is popular in tv shows and cartoons. So if your kid associates black cats with bad luck and witches, would you adopt a black cat for them?
    via PocketPal26
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    2. Black cats are harder to photograph, meaning they don't look as good in their adoption profiles on websites. Which means for shelters that require you to schedule a meet-and- greet appointment with specific animals (a policy that became more popular during Covid and still lingers around for some) they'll probably receive less. interest.
    via PocketPal26

  • All cats are hard to photograph. As soon as you take out your camera, they stop doing whatever cute thing they were doing and pretend like you're crazy for even considering recording them. It has nothing to do with black cats.

  • 09
    3. On the same note, it's harder to read the expressions of black cats, due to not being able to see their nose or mouth. On the other hand, this makes their claws more visible. This can cause people to believe they're not as expressive or friendly as others.
    via PocketPal26
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    Those are just a few reasons off the top of my head and a little research. Personally, I walked into the shelter and went off of personality. Which led me to my precious little chaos gremlin
    via PocketPal26
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    Cheezburger Image 10581016832
    via PocketPal26
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    Ched_Flermsky • 1d ago My super-religious 95 year old stepmother asked me if I find my black cat "devious." There really are still places where people think black cats are for witches.
    via Ched_Flermsky
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    She also got offended when I told her I have a friend with pet snakes. At first I thought it was just a case of "eww, snakes." But later I realized it was totally because of the serpent who tempted Eve.
    via Ched_Flermsky
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    Delicious_Tea3999 · 1d ago I've had two black cats in my life, and they were both my favorites. The smartest cats with the best personalities. The superstition is so unfair
    via Delicious_Tea3999
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    franglish9265 • 1d ago
    via franglish9265
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    kypopskull7 • 1d ago . Black Cats welcome!
    via kypopskull7
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    Royal_Main1660 • 1d ago They are the BEST. My void just passed, and when I'm ready, my next will be a void as well. I've found black cats to be the most loving, smart cats with such a wonderful temperament. Mine was like my shadow.
    via Royal_Main1660
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    • professor-crybaby 1d ago Short answer: humans can be exceedingly stupid and biased for no good reason
    via professor-crybaby
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    marklonesome • 1d ago
    via marklonesome
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    ThatlckyGuy 1d ago . Superstition mostly. When I was looking to adopt a cat after my previous one's passing, I saw one black cat at the shelter I went to and after meeting him, I knew I wanted to
    via ThatlckyGuy
  • 21
    adopt him. Fortunately for me, his adoption fee was lower than the other cats. PetsMart told me it was because his previous owner had surrendered him and had paid for part of the adoption fee, but I've always wondered if part of that just had to do with the fact that he's black.
    via ThatlckyGuy
  • 22
    He's definitely the most mischievous cat I've ever had, but that just might be his personality and not due to his fur color. I have no idea as he was my first black cat. (I had always wanted one, but didn't get one until him.)
    via ThatlckyGuy
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    Cheezburger Image 10581019648
    via ThatlckyGuy
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    Jackmino66 • 1d ago Superstition that is wrong The correct superstition is that cats are good luck, and black cats are the luckiest cats
    via Jackmino66
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    • AmbitiousParty 1d ago
    via AmbitiousParty
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    Our (now 14 years old) black cat was half off when we adopted him. We adopted his brother at the same time, an orange tabby, and paid full price. We still like to joke about him being half off for being black. It's a dark joke, lol.
    via AmbitiousParty
  • 27
    . empress_chaos5 · 1d ago When we decided to get an esa for my daughter, we specifically asked for a black cat. Found out she had a sister and well now we have 2 black kitties..
    via empress_chaos5
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    OPOLY SUPER MONUPO RIS Strateg t's here.
    via empress_chaos5
  • 29
    uppy-puppy • 1d ago I think a lot of people just don't see black cats as "cute" as others and therefore they are adopted less. We have one void and she is the most stunning creature in our house.
    via uppy-puppy
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    Cheezburger Image 10581022208
    via uppy-puppy
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    Ladydragon90 • 1d ago :
    via Ladydragon90
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    We adopted two this past year. This is Jiji, his photo looks intimidating but really he's a big doofus.
    via Ladydragon90

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black cats adoption voids adopted feline cat rescue animal shelter Cats animals rescue
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