Each year on August 17, National Black Cat Appreciation Day invites us to reexamine centuries of folklore, myths, and cultural shifts—and to celebrate the enigmatic elegance of black cats. This observance was established in 2011 by Wayne H. Morris, in heartfelt tribute to his sister, June, and her devoted black cat, Sinbad, both of whom passed away that same year.
Historically, black cats have traversed a fascinating journey in human imagination. In ancient Egypt, they were revered and often associated with the goddess Bastet. Conversely, by the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church had linked them to witchcraft and misfortune—a stigma formalized in the 13th-century document Vox in Rama. Yet in other cultures—such as Japan, Scotland, and parts of Britain and Celtic lands—black cats were regarded as tokens of luck, prosperity, or safe passage for sailors.
Today, National Black Cat Appreciation Day serves two key purposes: it challenges lingering superstitions that contribute to longer shelter stays for black cats, and it encourages their adoption through awareness campaigns both online and in local shelters.
