Black cats of course. What’s not to love? Black is always in fashion and slimming to boot (though wearing your cat at all times could be a tad challenging). And what could possibly be cooler than living with a sleek miniature panther?
Sadly not everyone agrees. If cats have an image problem, black cats are in need of major crisis management.
“This is my guy Blackjack. He is a great snuggler & has the best purr ever!” – IHC fan Sheila Ceci Hampson
While statistics are hard to come by, the need for black-cat-specific adoption events and groups like “Black Cat Rescue” speak for themselves. I’ve even read of facilities killing* black cats (and dogs) upon intake because homing them is so challenging.
The goal of National Black Cat Appreciation Day (today) is to bring attention to the plight of black cats in society through education, and find ways to attract adopter to cats they might otherwise overlook.
“I always called her (Eos) the fairest kitty in the land, . . . now, I happen to know all the kitties in our land, and she still is.” – IHC fan Lauri Donovick
WHY do these animals have such a bad rap? Superstitions and stereotypes aside, black pets seem to have it harder due to two major misperceptions. The belief that they are:
- Ill tempered – aggressive, unpredictable, unfriendly
- Less unique – viewed as more common and “generic,” due to lack of markings and hard-to-read facial expressions
As anyone who’s loved an ebony pet can attest, neither of these are valid, but how to convince others? Turns out our black-coated furry friends and single women 35+ share a common foe. Bad lighting.
This handsome fellow is Bubba, who once shared a home with Gina K. Callaghan (OldCatsRule.com) and was dearly loved.
With both the dating and adoption worlds migrating online, a good photo makes all the difference when it comes to getting your foot in the door – and ultimately getting a mate or forever home.
Not enough light and Fluffy looks like a dark blob with floating eyes. Use flash, and that shiny coat reflects light, blowing out detail and creating creepy glowing eyes!
In doing my research I picked up a few photography tips for those working with animals looking for homes (or singles looking for a date!).
Meet Mewsette, one of Bernadette e Kazmarsk’s five black kitties (TheCreativeCat.net).
- Natural lighting works wonders
- Make sure the light source is in front of you and/or kitty
- Don’t use flash (you’ll need a steady hand or something to lean on for support)
Movie star Milo of “Cat Diaries: The First Ever Movie Filmed by Cats!” resides in NYC with my friend Kira Alexis Kuck Hersch.
- Color is your friend (stay away from dark backgrounds and use colorful props like toys, collars - or clothing if the subject is fur-less – for contrast)
- If you’re working with a shelter, avoid taking photos in cages, or cover the bars with a colorful blanket (If you’re a straight furless male, never take photos of yourself shirtless – especially not a photo of the reflection in your bathroom mirror)
My friend Sharon’s cat Merlin giving a very seductive look! Meeeow!
Another good suggestion is the use of video to convey an animals temperament and personality. Have any other photo tips? Leave a comment!
As it turns out, black cats might be lucky after all. Scientists believe dark fur has its benefits. Not only has it served cats well as camofloge in the wild, but the genes responsible for black fur might also make them more resistance to disease.
IHC fan Daiane Silva’s pretty kitty Phoebe
So if you’re wondering what you can do to help black cats and dogs find homes, it’s easy. Be a good brand ambassador. Tell friends and family considering adoption to give a black cat or dog a chance. Many people are unaware of the difficulties they face based on the color of their coat.
And remind them of that well known saying. Once you go black, you never go back.
Retired feral Cassius who lived out his last years with lots of love and care from IHC fan Rebecca Vernon (R.I.P)
The Fantastic Four (Sunshine, Bean, Mewsette, Giuseppe and Mimi) enjoying their Fifth Birthday breakfast with Mom!
If you want to see more beautiful photos and paintings that do black cat’s justice, check out fellow cat blogger Bernadette Kazmarski’s site, The Creative Cat. Close to five years ago she took in a pregnant black cat Mimi) who went on to give birth to four black kitties (The Fantastic Four). They all live happily with Bernadette. Yay Bernadette!
I couldn’t resist. Just a few more black cats! Be sure to share your black cats with us over on the I HAVE CAT Facebook page!
My ex-roomie’s panther Leo!
One of my many black foster babies!
IHC fan Jamie LeBlanc Ellender’s kitty Emmy! Just look at that face! So much personality!
IHC reader Chorthip Daengsathian saved this baby from a temple and named her Nong-Keng.
“Bane thinks every day is Black Cat Appreciation Day!” – IHC fan Ashley Kirk
Another foster baby! Handsome!
Tamar! Tamar! Tamar! I LOVE the title of this piece! LOL
Tamar, thanks! It’s wonderful, and really, you don’t go back, you just have to have another black cat. Look at me!
I like the photo tips too–two I might add that will help is to point your digital camera at their eye if possible and let it meter for the lightness of the eye and the blackness around it to get the best possible exposure range from most cameras, and try to use a solid background, if possible white or light blue, so that it can reflect up onto them if all you have is ceiling light, as in a shelter. You can even use a real reflector of a piece of foil-covered cardboard to reflect light up onto their face and chest, usually the darkest areas.
And lastly, if they will tolerate it, loosely tie a colorful bandanna or other scarf around their neck to break up the black and help give the viewer’s eye something to go to that is right below the cat’s face–it helps them focus on the personality.
I love how different all of these black cats look. I miss my Black Kitty (yes very original name) even though he was a trouble maker.
I used to pick him up and lift him to catch flies and moths that got into the house. He LOVED it! He learned to jump onto doors! He was very agile and had little fangs. He was fun, even though he used to go after my cat Pauleen for fun. She was so happy when he died. Sad but true, kitties think that way!
LOL! I have the cutest/funniest mental picture of a person giving a kitty a boost so he/she could catch a fly! Tricky work i must say! Takes precision! thank you for sharing your Black Kitty store with us!
Thanks for posting,Tamar.
From:all the black cats:)))
My pleasure! =^^=
Yes, this is a great post! I also create cat art and my images of my black cat Billy are my most popular sellers. People who live with black cats know how special they are. Billy is sensitive, intelligent and very talkative. And he is gorgeous! Just have a look:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/99631486/black-cat-wooden-decorative-box
http://www.DeborahJulian.etsy.com
He looks so regal! Thanks for your readership and for taking the time to leave a comment Deborah!
Wonderful post!
My Merlin made IHC! Love the photos of all the other black kitties. Black cats are the best!
Black is beautiful!!!! We got our first blackie in November last year and he is such a special boy!!! Yes he is difficult to photograph but he is so fantastic in every other way
We have many sweet black cats at PAWS waiting for adoption. You’re right, they can be tricky to photograph in available light. I don’t like to use the flash. I dangle toys above my camera to get them to look up to catch the light in their eyes. Here are some- http://www.shelter-cats.com/2012/06/three-black-cats/
You’re right once you go black you never go back. We had a wonderful black kitty named Cleopawtra. A stray that a friend from work was able to get inside her home to so that she might stand a chance. But , she found out she was very allergic. Asked if I would take her I jumped at the chance. She was a loving and well mannered friend, always getting into bed with me always at my side. It pained me when she died. It took over 3 years before I could think of getting another kitty, couldn’t find another mini leopard, instead got a calico. She a love, but will never be Cleo.
awww thank you so much for sharing your memories of Cleo with us!
what a lucky kitty indeed!
I’ve always loved ALL felines, but the House Panthers have always been my favorites, aesthetically. As for the single women thing, I’m currently single because I have not met one man I’d like to spend more than five minutes with. Or one I could trust. Same/same, actually. The problem is not with me. It’s with the society.
Thanks for spotlighting Bernadette and the plight of black cats so purrectly <3
***blushes***
We love Blackjack’s mesmerizing eyes and the Fantastic Four! Purrs!
Posted on the Facebook page! For a long time, all I wanted was a black cat, so back in middle school, I got one. Phoenix. She’s a fantastic cat, and right now she’s my dad’s best friend. She pretty much decided with me that she didn’t want to be my cat but my dad’s.
As far as photographing her goes, I found the sunlight to be the best place to get great shots of her!
Thanks for sharing this post! I will need to update the photo “tips” section to include all the new ones all the readers are posting!
I have decided that my next cat will definitely be all black! At least that’s the plan now…
yay! maybe black and/or specially abled?!
Thanks for this, Tamar. It’s sad that black cats (and dogs) have a hard time being place because of silly misconceptions. I adore mine, Henry, also known as Mr. Handsome Pants.
awww i LOVE that nickname! I call Petie Petie Pants sometimes
I have a black cat named Pete and he is the sweetest cat ever. As is his brother Hobbes, a tuxedo. Thanks for the photo tips, because they can be hard to photograph. This is definitely my favorite picture of Pete.