- Categories:
- Animal
- Tags:
- CatPet
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every October 27
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐈⬛
National Black Cat Day shines a spotlight on these elegant felines every October 27. Often unfairly associated with bad luck, black cats need positive PR to highlight their unique charm and loving nature. Join us in debunking myths, sharing adorable photos, and advocating for their adoption.
Want to sponsor National Black Cat Day? Learn how
Expected National Black Cat Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that pet stores and animal shelters often run special campaigns for National Black Cat Day. Look for discounts on black cat-themed merchandise at retailers like PetSmart and Chewy. Local shelters, including those supported by the ASPCA, frequently waive or reduce adoption fees for black cats to encourage their rehoming. Independent pet boutiques and online stores like Catit may offer special bundles on toys and treats. Many cat cafes might also host adoption events with reduced entry fees. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 27 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Black Cat Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBlackCatDay. Share photos and reels of your black cats, highlighting their personalities and debunking superstitions.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalBlackCatDay. Create short, engaging videos showcasing black cats being playful, cuddly, or just generally adorable.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBlackCatDay. Join local pet groups to share adoption stories, educational facts, and resources for black cat owners.
National Black Cat Day Hero
Edgar Allan Poe
History of National Black Cat Day
The black cat carries a unique status among the wide batch of different <a href=”https://cutepaws.org/cats/breeds”>cat breeds</a>. In some locales, notably Scotland, Britain, and Japan, the presence or appearance of a black cat is indicative of imminent good fortune and prosperity. Beyond these regions, though, public favor of the black cat runs sharply southward. In much of the Western world, black cats are considered to be harbingers of misfortune and wickedness. This unfortunate association stems from an image that will be familiar to many readers, which is that of the black cat serving as a companion to potion-brewing, spell-casting witches everywhere.
This relationship would prove to hold severe consequences for owners of black cats in America in the early 17th century. As the Pilgrims established their occupancy on the east coast of the country, they maintained a strict suspicion of anything remotely tied to the perils of witchcraft. The black cat served a symbol of the supposed evils and Satanic sympathies of witches, and as a result, those found harboring black cats would receive harsh punishments; some would even be sentenced to death.
While, in general, the fears surrounding the demonic potential of witches has subsided significantly, the black cat will be left wondering why it still must suffer the consequences of a damaged collective reputation. According to several animal-advocacy groups and adoption agencies, black cats experience lower rates of adoption and higher rates of euthanization relative to other cat breeds. Because of this, National Black Cat Day stands as a fantastic opportunity to subvert these trends and demonstrate appreciation for an animal that could itself use a little luck.
National Black Cat Day timeline
This 13thcentury Latin church document is where Pope Gregory IX first suggested black cats were associated with Satan.
Poe published his story "The Black Cat"in 1843, about a murderer carefully concealing a crime, but eventually breaking down and revealing himself because of a nagging reminder of his guilt.
Since the 1880s, the color black has been associated with anarchism, and the black cat in alert, fighting stance was later adopted as an anarchist symbol
The black cat Gladstone achieves the position of Chief Mouser to the Treasury in the United Kingdom.
National Black Cat Day FAQs
When is National Black Cat Day?
National Black Cat Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 27. It’s the perfect mid-week opportunity to celebrate these often-misunderstood felines and advocate for their adoption.
How many black cats are adopted each year?
While specific numbers for black cats are hard to pinpoint, data from the ASPCA indicates that approximately 3.2 million cats enter U.S. shelters annually. Black cats, despite making up a significant portion of these, often face longer wait times for adoption due to persistent superstitions.
Are black cats really less likely to be adopted?
Unfortunately, black cats are often among the last to be adopted from shelters, and they are sometimes even euthanized at higher rates. This is largely attributed to lingering superstitions and the belief that they do not photograph as well as lighter-colored cats.
Why are black cats associated with bad luck?
The association of black cats with bad luck largely stems from medieval European folklore, particularly during the witch hunts. They were often linked to witches and evil, a superstition that unfortunately persists in some cultures today.
National Black Cat Day Activities
Show Off Your Black Cat on Social Media
If you already keep a black cat as a pet, today is the day to celebrate it on social media. We’re sure you never post photos of it on any other day, right? Show it off, drawing particular attention to its fur color, and hashtag it with a reference to National Black Cat Day!
Watch a black cat
Some of the most famous cats in popular culture are black cats! Watch a TV show or movie that embraces the black cat. Examples include Salem from "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," Sylvester from “Looney Tunes,” and Snowball from “The Simpsons.”
Adopt a black cat
If you've been thinking about adopting a cat, then National Black Cat Day is a great day to head to your local animal shelter and bring home a new dark-furred friend!
Why We Love National Black Cat Day
Black Can Be Lucky, Too
The myth that black cats bring bad luck persists, but we’d like to consider the fact that the opposite may hold true, too. As mentioned before, in some parts of the world, coming across or owning a black cat is just as likely to bring you good fortune. Why not focus on the positives?
Black Cats Match Dark Furniture
Cat fur proves to be a nuisance in homes everywhere. That said, if you happen to own darker furniture, then a black cat’s fur won’t show up on it! Just one consideration that can be factored into your decision of what kind of cat to adopt next…
They’re Cute!
Forgetting all their cultural ties, black cats are still just as cute as any other cat! If anything, their dark fur brings greater attention to the color in their eyes, which are often a rich gold due to their higher melanin content.
National Black Cat Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 27 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | October 27 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | October 27 | Friday |
| 2029 | October 27 | Saturday |
| 2030 | October 27 | Sunday |
Social Media Tips for National Black Cat Day
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