Celebrating the misunderstood black cat

Forget blondes - when it comes to cats most people think it's gingers and tabbies that are the most fun, according to a new survey.
Lucy - one of many black cats looking for a new home this October SUS-160410-123653001Lucy - one of many black cats looking for a new home this October SUS-160410-123653001
Lucy - one of many black cats looking for a new home this October SUS-160410-123653001

Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre, in Lewes Road, Chelwood Gate, says research carried out by the charity found that black cats are perceived as less playful and friendly than their more colourful counterparts.

Staff at the centre said that while the findings may help to explain why black and black-and-white cats typically wait 22 per cent longer to find a new owner, the reality is that a cat’s colour has no bearing on its temperament.

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Today is National Black Cat Day (Thursday), an event designed to encourage more people to adopt a less colourful puss.

According to those surveyed using a sliding scale, monochrome moggies are seen as less friendly, playful, vocal and attention-seeking than gingers or tabbies, which typically find new owners faster.

“There is a tendency to see the black cats as less exciting which we think is because they are much more common among the cat population, says Danielle Draper, manager of Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre.

“When people enquire about adopting from us or look at our website, they can be faced with a large number of black or black-and-white cats so their attention tends to be drawn to the brighter-coloured tabbies, light tortoiseshells and gingers who look more exciting.”

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The centre will be celebrating National Black Cat Day with its own Halloween-themed family fun day on Sunday, November 6, from 10am until 4pm.

Fun and games will include a children’s fancy dress competition, face painting, tombola, raffle and plenty of other stalls.

Entry is free but a donation of a tin of Felix cat food or a cat toy will be greatly appreciated by the 200 cats currently in the care of the centre.

The National Cat Centre is situated in Lewes Road, Chelwood Gate, on the A275 between Wych Cross and Danehill.

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To find the centre using a SatNav, please use the postcode RH17 7DE or for a map and directions visit www.cats.org.uk/find-us/find-the-ncc

To find out more about adopting a cat from the centre, email [email protected]