Bad luck to blame: Devon's black cats wait longer for their forever home

Two thirds of UK rescue centres (63%) say black cats are the hardest to rehome, with half (48%) blaming perceptions of bad luck.  Rising costs and increased animal intake are putting strain on UK's rehoming organisations, with 85% concerned for the future of their operations.  This National Black Cat Day (27 October), rescues call for an end to the stigma surrounding black cats – which often take more than 90 days longer to rehome.  27 October 2025: New research1 has revealed that for two in five (40%) rescue centres, it usually takes more than 90 days longer to rehome a black cat compared to other colours, with 10% reporting it can take over 350 more days to find these unlucky felines a home.  The data comes in time for National Black Cat Day (27th October), with two thirds of UK rescue centres (63%) saying black cats remain the hardest colour to rehome – a phenomenon known as 'Black Cat Syndrome'.  The research, conducted by Agria Pet Insurance, found that more than a quarter (28%) reported appearance or colour as one of the key reasons cats are not adopted, ahead of more serious traits like illness and disability (18%) or behavioural issues (15%) - with superstition still casting a shadow over their chances of finding a new family.  With their long-standing association with magic, mysticism and the supernatural, it's not surprising that half (48%) blame perceptions of bad luck for this discrimination against black cats. In fact, this year saw a 133% increase in searches for "black cat luck" across the UK.2    But it's not just historical assumptions that shape these attitudes. The power of popular culture has not gone unnoticed among the nation's rescue centres, with half (48%) believing it can affect black cat adoption rates.   A recent example is Taylor Swift's new album Life of a Showgirl – released October 3rd – which features black cats in her song 'Wood', among a list of other common superstitions: "Penny's unlucky, I took him back / And then stepped on a crack / And the black cat laughed / And baby, I'll admit I've been a little superstitious".   However, depictions aren't always so negative. Beloved black cats include Hocus Pocus' Thackery Binx, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch's Salem Saberhagen – both charming and nostalgic favourites often revisited by fans at Halloween. Online search interest for Hocus Pocus saw a 15% year-on-year increase last October, while Sabrina saw a 19% increase2.    Interestingly, 28% of rescue centres surveyed believe that popular culture can have a positive impact on adoption rates, with 13% noticing an increase in black cat adoption around autumn and Halloween.    With Black Cat Day landing just days before Halloween, it's a holiday steeped in superstition, and a time where a seasonal fascination with all things gothic, witchy and magical is present.   However, behind the seasonal magic lies a stark reality, with 85% of rescue centres reporting concern for the future of their operations, thanks to rising costs (55%), falling donations (30%), and increased animal intake (33%).  Half (50%) take in more than 100 cats per year, with four in five (83%) reporting that they've taken in more cats than usual in 2025. Zara Oldfield, Founder at Hector's House Cat Rescue said, "Black Cat Day is a wonderful chance to celebrate these beautiful animals. Black cats still face the longest waits in our rescue centre – although we're working hard to change that, and doing everything we can to spotlight each cat's personality in the hopes that it won't be dismissed due to its colour. It's encouraging to see attitudes are slowly changing – we're seeing more and more people wanting to adopt the cat most in need of a home, regardless of colour or appearance.   "Black cats aren't unlucky – they're lovely, loyal companions who deserve just as much love as any other. My beloved black cat Hector, who went missing in 2018, and after which our rescue is named, was jet black. I hope others can love black cats as much as I do, and that together we can start shifting attitudes, to help give these beautiful creatures the chance to find a forever home."   To drive awareness of this cat rehoming crisis and inspire an adoption uptake, Agria Pet Insurance is launching its second official Cat Walk – a three-week social media photo competition that will award pet owners across three categories: Playful Paws, Messy Models and Black Cats.  The winner of each category will win a £1,000 donation to the UK cat charity of their choice plus a luxury cat hamper from Love Louie. The three runners-up each get a £500 donation to their chosen UK cat charity along with a luxury Love Louie hamper.   The £4,500 adds to the £34,500 Agria has already donated to cat rescues as part of the campaign, and more than £2 million the pet insurer has donated to animal welfare organisations to date.   Karen Green, Charity & Welfare Sector Manager at Agria Pet Insurance said, "Here at Agria, we believe all cats are worthy of love and care. This National Black Cat Day, we're urging those who can, to support their local rescue with a donation – or even better, to provide a black cat with the forever home it deserves.   "For those who are already proud cat owners, don't hesitate to get involved in the Agria Cat Walk. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everything we love about our furry friends, and raise awareness and funds for the deserving cause of rehoming rescued pets."  To find out more about the Agria Cat Walk competition and how to enter, visit: www.agriapet.co.uk/agria-catwalk/