August 14, 2026
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director

Umami is a female black cat awaiting adoption at the SPCA Albrecht Center.

There is something undeniably striking about a black cat: the sleek coat, bright eyes and unmistakable “miniature panther” look.

August 17th is Black Cat Appreciation Day, and the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare is celebrating all week with an adoption special that gives every cat a reason to celebrate: cat and kitten adoptions are FREE all week! Black, white, orange, tabby, tortie and everything in between.

Black Cat Appreciation Day has been observed on August 17th since 2011, according to international animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS, and was created in part to challenge the old myths surrounding black cats and encourage more people to consider adopting them from shelters.

And black cats certainly have some centuries-old public relations problems to overcome. Many of the superstitions surrounding black cats can be traced back hundreds of years. During the Middle Ages, cats – particularly black cats – became associated with witchcraft, the occult and bad luck. Those ideas worked their way into folklore and, somehow, managed to hang around long after the Middle Ages ended.

But black cats haven’t always been considered unlucky. In fact, depending on where you are in the world, encountering one might be considered a very good sign.

Baguette is a male black cat awaiting adoption at the SPCA Albrecht Center.

FOUR PAWS notes that British and Irish sailors historically believed black cats brought good luck aboard ships, while Scottish folklore says a black cat appearing at your door can signal prosperity. Some Japanese traditions also associate black cats with good fortune and even romance.

Superstitions aren’t necessarily the only reason black cats can be overlooked in shelters though. Best Friends Animal Society points out that when adopters are faced with rows of cats, darker-colored cats may simply have a harder time standing out visually; particularly when several black cats are housed in the same shelter. That makes taking the time to meet cats individually and learning about their personalities especially important.

At the SPCA Albrecht Center, we currently have several black cats who would be happy to help change anyone’s mind about their supposedly unlucky reputation.

Umami and Ficus are two of our beautiful black female cats waiting for homes, while the handsome Baguette is representing the gentlemen. Each is hoping Black Cat Appreciation Day might be the occasion that brings the right person through our doors.

Of course, you don’t have to adopt a black cat to participate in this year’s celebration. Our adoption special includes every available cat and kitten, regardless of color. Throughout the week, adoption fees for cats and kittens will be completely waived.

Ficus is a female black cat awaiting adoption at the SPCA Albrecht Center.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a feline family member, this is a wonderful opportunity to visit the SPCA Albrecht Center, spend some time getting to know our adoptable cats and see whether one chooses you. Sometimes the cat who catches your attention first isn’t the one who ultimately steals your heart.

And if adoption isn’t an option right now, you can still celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day by fostering, supporting your local shelter or simply sharing photos and stories that help black cats get a little more attention. After centuries of superstition, we think black cats are overdue for some good publicity.

So this week, help us celebrate Umami, Ficus, Baguette and all of the cats waiting at the SPCA Albrecht Center. Whether your perfect match is a sleek black house panther, a tiny tabby kitten or a cat of an entirely different color, cat adoptions are free all week!.

The only “bad luck” would be missing your chance to meet them. 🐾

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband and several beloved cats.