International Black Cat Day 2026: October 27, History & Ways to Celebrate 

International Black Cat Day falls on October 27 every year. It was founded in 2011 by Cats Protection, a UK-based animal welfare charity, to raise awareness about the low adoption rates for black cats. The day covers history, superstitions, adoption tips, and how to celebrate across both the UK and the US.

When Is International Black Cat Day 2026?

International Black Cat Day is observed every year on October 27. In 2026, that falls on a Tuesday  just four days before Halloween. The date is fixed and intentional, chosen to counter negative associations between black cats and Halloween. It is separate from Black Cat Appreciation Day, which falls on August 17.

The October 27 date is no accident. Placing the day four days before Halloween puts it directly in the middle of peak “black cat” search interest  and directly counters the cruelty concerns that arise around Halloween, when black cats face increased risks of harm.

Who Founded International Black Cat Day?

Cats Protection, the UK’s leading cat welfare charity (founded 1927), launched International Black Cat Day in 2011 after data showed black cats took an average of seven days longer to be adopted than cats of other colors. The campaign originally began under the name Black Cat Awareness Day before gaining international recognition.

Cats Protection takes in approximately 200,000 cats each year. When their data revealed black cats were consistently waiting longer for homes, the charity launched a dedicated awareness campaign. The name has evolved, but the mission remains the same: get more black cats adopted and debunk the myths that hold them back.

Why Is International Black Cat Day on October 27?

October 27 was chosen because it sits close to Halloween, a time when black cat symbolism peaks in popular culture. Rather than letting Halloween reinforce negative associations between black cats and evil, Cats Protection deliberately positioned the holiday to reclaim that narrative and redirect public attention toward adoption.

Three forces converge in late October:

• Google search interest in “black cat” surges dramatically
• Shelters see higher intake as Halloween approaches
• Cultural associations between black cats and witchcraft are at their annual peak

International Black Cat Day uses that momentum to flip the conversation from superstition to compassion.

What Is the Black Cat Adoption Crisis?

Black cats face measurably lower adoption rates than cats of other colors. According to the National Library of Medicine, black cats have the highest euthanasia rate in shelters at 74.6% and the lowest adoption rate at just 10%. Cats Protection’s data found black cats wait an average of seven days longer to be adopted.

The problem has more than one root cause:

Superstition: Centuries of association with bad luck, witches, and the devil continue to shape how people perceive black cats  even subconsciously. A Cats Protection survey found that 70% of potential adopters claimed to have no color preference. Yet when shown photographs, the same respondents rated black cats as less playful, less friendly, and less attention-seeking than tabby or ginger cats.

The “selfie problem”: Between 2007 and 2013, the Blue Cross recorded a 65% rise in black cats taken in each year. The RSPCA partly attributed this to the Instagram era  black cats are notoriously difficult to photograph on smartphones, and potential adopters scroll past them in online listings.

Cats Protection reports that since launching International Black Cat Day in 2011, black cats now spend less time in their care than when the campaign began. Awareness campaigns work.

What Is the History of Black Cat Superstitions?

The Western fear of black cats traces back to 1233, when Pope Gregory IX issued a papal decree called “Vox in Rama” that linked black cats to Satanism. This triggered centuries of persecution  black cats were killed en masse across medieval Europe, their association with witchcraft intensified during the Salem witch trials, and the stigma persists today.

How Did Pope Gregory IX’s “Vox in Rama” (1233) Start It All?

On June 13, 1233, Pope Gregory IX issued “Vox in Rama,” an official church document responding to fears of devil-worshipping cults in Germany. The document described cult rituals involving black cats, effectively branding them as vessels of the devil. This single papal statement triggered organized killings of black cats across Europe.

The irony? Mass killing of cats allowed rat populations to explode  and with more rats came more fleas, which carried the Bubonic Plague. Black cats, had they survived, were actually skilled night hunters that could have slowed the spread of disease.

How Were Black Cats Treated During the Witch Trials?

By the Middle Ages, European folklore had established black cats as “familiars”  supernatural companions that assisted witches. When Puritan settlers arrived in colonial America and persecution in Salem intensified in 1692, owning a black cat was treated as evidence of witchcraft. Black cats were killed alongside those accused of practicing dark magic.

Do Black Cat Superstitions Still Exist Today?

Yes. Modern studies confirm that superstition-driven bias still affects adoption rates. Even without active persecution, black cats are statistically last to be chosen from shelter listings. The same coat color that once made them targets for execution now makes them overlooked on Instagram.

How Do Different Cultures View Black Cats?

Black cats are not universally considered bad luck. In Scotland, Japan, and parts of England, black cats are associated with good fortune, prosperity, and protection. The “bad luck” interpretation is largely a North American and continental European tradition rooted in medieval Catholic influence, not a global consensus.

How Can You Celebrate International Black Cat Day 2026?

The most impactful ways to celebrate International Black Cat Day on October 27, 2026 are adopting or fostering a black cat from a shelter, sharing adoption profiles on social media, donating to Cats Protection, and posting photos using #BlackCatDay and #InternationalBlackCatDay to raise awareness.

Here’s a practical breakdown:

Adopt or foster

• Visit your local shelter specifically to look at black cats
• If you can’t adopt, fostering during Halloween period reduces shelter stress
• Black cats have already waited 7+ days longer than other cats  your timing matters

On social media

• Share official shelter adoption profiles (not just cute photos)
• Use: #BlackCatDay | #InternationalBlackCatDay | #BlackCatsMatter
• Tag your local shelter to drive traffic to their adoption pages

Donate or fundraise

• Cats Protection (UK): cats.org.uk
• Local shelters often run specific black cat campaigns in October
• Donation of supplies  litter, toys, cleaning products  is equally valuable

Educate

• Share the statistics  74.6% euthanasia rate, 7-day adoption delay
• Counter superstitions directly in conversation
• Share the cultural flip  in Scotland and Japan, black cats bring luck

How Do You Photograph a Black Cat for Social Media?

To photograph a black cat well for social media, position the cat facing a natural light source  not behind it  to illuminate facial features and capture eye color. Use a contrasting background, shoot during golden hour, and use photo editing tools to lift shadows and bring out detail in the fur.

Black cats’ low adoption rates are partly driven by poor photographs in shelter listings. Better photos save lives. Here’s what works:

• Face the light source: Position the cat so light falls on its face, not behind it. This prevents silhouette and shows facial expression.
• Use a contrasting background: Avoid black sofas or dark floors. A white wall, light wood, or green plants create natural contrast.
• Golden hour is your friend: The warm, diffused light of early morning or late afternoon brings out texture and color variation in black fur.
• Focus on the eyes: Black cats often have striking amber, gold, or green eyes. Lock your camera focus on the eyes  they’re the emotional hook.
• Edit in post: On any smartphone, raise the shadows slider and slightly increase contrast. Most cats lose detail in auto-settings.

Which Famous Black Cats Might You Recognize?

Black cats have a rich pop culture history  here’s a quick lineup:

What Breeds of Black Cats Exist?

The Bombay is the only breed specifically developed to be entirely black  its fur is black to the root, and even its nose leather and paw pads are black. Other breeds, including Persian, Maine Coon, British Shorthair, and Domestic Shorthair, come in black varieties. The Domestic Shorthair is the most common black cat in shelters.

How Does Cats Protection Celebrate International Black Cat Day?

Each year, Cats Protection runs a multi-channel campaign around October 27:

• #BlackCatDay social media campaign  encouraging owners to post photos
• Special adoption promotions  reduced or waived adoption fees for black cats
• Media partnerships  press coverage to shift public perception
• Fundraising drives  specifically supporting black cat welfare programs
• Blog content and owner stories  real accounts from people who adopted black cats

The campaign has measurably worked. Cats Protection reports that black and black-and-white cats now spend less time in their care than they did in 2011, when the day launched.

International Black Cat Day vs. Black Cat Appreciation Day  What’s the Difference?

International Black Cat Day (October 27) was founded by Cats Protection in the UK and focuses on adoption awareness. Black Cat Appreciation Day (August 17) originated in the US and centers on general appreciation. Both were established in 2011, and both are worth celebrating  they serve complementary, not competing, purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is International Black Cat Day 2026?
International Black Cat Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 27. The date is fixed annually.

Is International Black Cat Day the same as Black Cat Appreciation Day?
No. International Black Cat Day is October 27 (UK-founded, adoption focus). Black Cat Appreciation Day is August 17 (US-origin, appreciation focus). They are separate holidays with different founders and purposes.

Who created International Black Cat Day?
Cats Protection, the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, founded International Black Cat Day in 2011 in response to data showing black cats took seven days longer to be adopted than cats of other colors.

Why do black cats have lower adoption rates?
According to the National Library of Medicine, black cats have a 74.6% shelter euthanasia rate and just a 10% adoption rate. Causes include centuries of superstition, difficulty photographing black cats for social media listings, and unconscious bias documented in shelter surveys.

Are black cats actually unlucky?
No. The “bad luck” belief is a Western superstition tracing to a 1233 Catholic church document. In Scotland, Japan, and parts of England, black cats are considered symbols of good fortune, prosperity, and protection.

How many days longer do black cats wait in shelters?
According to Cats Protection, black cats took on average seven days longer to be adopted than cats of other colors at the time the campaign launched in 2011. Since then, campaigns have reduced this gap.

What is the Bombay cat, and is it always black?
The Bombay is the only cat breed developed specifically to be fully black  its coat is black to the root, with a black nose and black paw pads. It is known for its social, loyal temperament and striking amber or green eyes.

What hashtags should I use on International Black Cat Day?
Use #BlackCatDay, #InternationalBlackCatDay, and #BlackCatsMatter when posting on social media. Tagging your local shelter directly can drive adoption traffic.

How did killing black cats in medieval Europe worsen the Bubonic Plague?
Mass killings of black cats during the Middle Ages  triggered by superstition  reduced the cat population and allowed rat populations to grow. More rats meant more rat fleas, which were the primary carriers of the Bubonic Plague. Black cats, as natural hunters, could have helped control the outbreak.

How has International Black Cat Day measurably helped black cats?
Cats Protection reports that since launching International Black Cat Day in 2011, black and black-and-white cats now spend less time in their care than they did when the campaign began  meaning fewer cats are waiting, and more are finding homes.