the black
cat bias
Black cats face more bias than any other shelter animal — not because of who they are, but because of centuries of outdated superstition.
Pope Gregory IX deemed black cats evil
In the 13th century, a papal decree associated black cats with devil worship — triggering mass persecution and slaughter of cats across Europe.
the plague
followed
shortly after
With cats nearly gone, rodent populations exploded — spreading the fleas that caused the Black Death. The persecuted were the protectors.
but not everywhere.
the rest of the world
told a different story.
black cats
were royalty
Sacred and associated with the goddess Bastet — deity of home, fertility, and protection. Harming a cat was punishable by death.
they bring
prosperity
& love
In Japanese culture cats bring good fortune and ward off evil. A black cat was also believed to help a single woman attract suitors.
sailors kept a black cat on board
to protect them from storms
Seafarers believed a black cat on deck would guide them safely through dangerous waters — and bring them home.
they absorb negative energy
& protect the home
Many traditions hold that black cats absorb negative energy — promoting calm, warmth, and a positive home.