History has not been kind to black felines

Buddy says "black is the new color black" in felines. Why do we say that? We champion the case of all black felines.

Starting Oct. 1, all black cat adoptions cease (unless we know you as a previous adopting family). However, through Sept. 30, The Buddy Foundation will host a Black Ribbon event for black and mostly black felines.

I am consistently puzzled why we have to go through the struggle of finding black felines homes, and how so many have waited for homes up to the adoption ban.

Black felines throughout ancient history and into modern times have been treated disparate when felines of color are part of the mix, both good and unfavorable, to just plain cruel.

In ancient Egypt, the black cat is the deity Bastet, which represented prosperity and truth. The deity is often represented as a female figure with a black cat head. Most households in Egypt had may black or dark-colored felines to gain favor with the deity. Temple walls and art of the day were replete with black felines.

In Celtic folklore, a big, black feline with a white mark on its chest is called Sith. There is a division in Celtic belief whether Sith was a fairy or a witch. The association with black here is both lucky and unlucky.

The meaning of the white spot is not clear. Was that the first attempt to make the black feline lucky by not showing it to be pure black?

Black felines experienced their worst fate in Europe in the Middle Ages, and in this country during the New England witch hunts. No one can give the black felines credit for the plague of the Middle Ages. Contrary, killing black felines heightened the plague. Less felines translates to more rodents to spread disease.

Early North American folklore is full of stories of witches showing themselves as black felines. A black feline can freely walk around at night, easily unnoticed, until you see the eyes. It is normal human nature to be afraid of what startles us.

Positive influences of black felines can be found more readily as we creep into modern times. Sailors have always welcomed all felines, including black. They were considered good luck for a safe voyage. If the black felines were polydactyl (extra toes) they were even larger symbols of good luck.

In Japan, black felines are considered good luck. I learned at an international cat show just how much they adore all felines. In fact, the Cat Fancier's Association recognizes 22 breeds that are totally black.

People that just love their felines have gotten over the negative connotations of the past. Now all we have to do is change the perception of the general public. Buddy's felines may not be CFA, but they look darn close. Perhaps better, because they each have an individualized story to tell.

Our felines are more like the cartoon cat Felix, known for working his way out of perilous situations. Black felines may have an added bit of luck because they know how to survive.

Statistics show that black felines find themselves homeless in greater numbers. They are simply treated as throwaways.

In October, they will have objects hurled at them. They will be hung by their tails from fences and trees. Some will even be covered by a tar bath.

Please help Buddy make our Black Ribbon event a success. Though our shelter is a beautiful place, do not let our black felines languish here. They need their own special people and a home to call their own.

Featured felines:

• Brandi is a black-and-white female with medium length fur. She and her sister, June, (adopted) were both rescued from an outdoor life by one of our volunteers. Brandi was a little afraid at first, but quickly discovered that the people here were really nice.

She was very friendly and inquisitive, enjoyed chasing small balls around the floor, being brushed and petted, and frequently requesting belly rubs.

She is now without her sister and has become more shy. Perhaps you can be the one that reinvigorates her!

• Peter, a velvety black-furred boy, came in off the street with Bert, who was adopted some time ago. Peter has not taken well to this and has become angry and reclusive. Although we are trying to help Peter cope, it is going to take a very special, patient person to help him.

• Jason is a male, black cat with a small spot of white on his chest. He was dropped at our backdoor with another cat, Argo, who has already been adopted.

Jason is taking a little longer adapting to his new life here, so he currently occupies one of our two-room cat condos. He is friendly, but right now can get a bit testy when he doesn't get his way. Give him a little more time and attention and he is going to be a really nice cat.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.