Can I Adopt a Black Cat on Halloween in Connecticut?

Today (10/27) is officially National Black Cat Day, a day intended to raise awareness about low adoption rates for black cats. We have all heard the superstition concerning the sable felines and when they navigate past your path. Plus, the unmistakable association with the colors of fall and Halloween, not to mention its common knowledge that "wicked witches" prefer cats that are black.

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The poor guys and gals don't deserve the stigma attached to being a "black cat" and not only is October 27th National Black Cat Day, but I have also learned that all of October is actually Black Cat Awareness Month. Nationally, black cats are one of the least likely to be adopted, according to a 2017 report from the Huffpost, with brown cats being the very least likely. Some organizations around the country have banned the adoption of black cats during October for fear of animal cruelty and that is why I ask the question, "can I adopt a black cat for Halloween?"

I reached out to Happily Furever After Rescue, a no-kill foster-based organization in Bethel. I asked them, if they have an uptick in requests for black cats this time of year and if a person is allowed to adopt a black cat in the days leading up to Halloween? Jaclyn Gartner, President & Founder of Happily Furever After Rescue responded with this:

There has been a lot of requests for surrenders but not specifically black cats. October is actually recognized as Black Cat Awareness Month to break the stigma that black cats are "bad luck." Our adoption process remains the same all year long and we do very extensive vet and reference checks.

So, yes you can adopt a black cat ANY time of the year, as long as you pass their extensive vet and reference checks. That makes sense to me, my girlfriend and I attempted to adopt a dog in the Putnam County area and we can attest that the criteria can be a bit lengthy. A good rule of thumb for someone that wants to adopt a dog, have a yard and a fence, that helps a ton. Cats, I am not so sure about, but I do know that you can't show up at an adoption agency a couple of hours before your Halloween Party and pick up a black cat to match that expensive "kitty cat" costume you purchased at the trendy vintage Halloween shop in Greenwich.

Happy Halloween and for more articles written by your friendly-neighborhood afternoon drivetime DJ, you can tap or click right here, including one recently about an abandoned house with an indoor pool and Mercedes left to rot. Thanks for hanging out with me and see you all again real soon.