After spending 3 years as a stray, then 3 more years in a shelter with no visitors or applications, this black cat is finally adopted and, despite warnings about being unfriendly, she instantly settles into her new home: 'How did nobody else adopt her??'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Aug 28, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

Did you know that black cats are some of the most difficult to get adopted in shelters? 

Everyone knows the saying: "black cats are bad luck." But we, for the life of us, do not understand why this saying even exists. Why would someone look at these beautiful black cats and think that they are anything other than adorable? We could never understand. Black cats are full of meowgic. They appear and disappear on dark couches and in piles of dark laundry. They hide and love, cuddle and smack just like any other cat. But for some reason, people have decided that they are lesser than other cats. And that is one of the reasons why stories like today's happen - why these cats stay in shelters for so, so long. 

For a cat to spend years in a shelter is one thing. Sometimes, cats really do have behavioral issues and trust issues and need to wait for the right human to give them a chance. But not this one. Not Soot. Soot was a stray cat for the first three years of her life, and after that, she spent three years in a shelter. Three years without visitors or applications. Three years without being given a single chance by a single human, despite being one of the sweetest cats. She needed one human to look at her like the beautiful cat that she is and give her an opportunity, and finally, after years of waiting, that human finally came. It took one second - one look - for them to know that they will be taking her home. And despite warnings that she is an aloof cat who would take a long time to get used to some place new, she settled in right away, proving to everyone that she was more than ready for love. 

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    "After 900+ days in foster…"

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    No applications or visitors, no interest until we came along and picked her up immediately. Soot spent her first ~3 years on the streets, then another ~3 waiting for a forever home.
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    We're obsessed with our girl! Welcome home, house panther
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    velvet_wavess You finally found each other!!
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    kalethegoose OP We feel like the stars really aligned for us!! We say "how did nobody else adopt her??" so often. We're smitten!
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  • Honestly, looking at these pictures, we truly do not know how no one else was interested in her previously. She is the cutest! She's so small, so photogenic, so ready to love. The only explanation we can think of is that she was waiting for you - for her one human, and it simply took you a little longer than she expected to come to her. 

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    Forgotthebloodypassw I miss the mini-panther life, although that belly. looks like a trap :) Good on you for doing it, who could turn that down for three years? We lost our black cat last month and are taking a break, but those eyes - how can one refuse?
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    kalethegoose OP It's 100% a trap haha, the kangaroo kicks come out fast!
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    SalamanderTight5378 Awww. So adorable - and she looks right at home!
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    kalethegoose OP The rescue gave us the "it may take up to 3 months before she's comfortable" reminder, but within an hour at home she was all purrs and in our laps. She settled in right quick!
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    Eternal_Hope_Kali Beautiful! Is she indoor/outdoor or indoor only? I ask because I have 5 strays I keep and take care of that live in my backyard. I love them so much!
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    Indoor only! She's got access to our balcony, which we've enclosed with chicken wire just in case. She's a bit chonky so I doubt she'd clear the railing, but better safe than sorry.
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    The rescue believes she was attacked by a bird of prey (probably an owl or raptor, she's got a long clean scar near her armpit), so she's unwilling to go outside without one of us accompanying her. Not interested in wandering at all. She'll come outside to bring in groceries with us though!
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    Turnover_Realistic Look at her sitting so upright with pride on an afghan no less! She is one lucky and beautiful girl.
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    kalethegoose OP My grandma made that for me I'm more than happy to share with the void (who appreciates it just as much)
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    frolicndetour She is beautiful I hate the stigma against black kitties, but everyone else's loss is your gain!
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    Dapper-Ad-468 Live long and prosper, Soot❤
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    cranky_wellies Welcome home sweet girl! ⇓⇓⇓
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aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
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