Some nonhuman animal shelters have developed rehoming programs for black cats to remedy what they believe are their higher rates of euthanasia and lower rates of adoption. This study reviews humans' preferences/aversions to cats of various coat colors and uses contingency tables and multinomial logistic regression to test possible differences in outcomes (euthanasia, adoption, or transfer) for 7983 cats that entered an urban public shelter in Kentucky, USA from 2010 through 2011. While coat color overall was negligibly associated with cat outcomes in a contingency table, the pairwise difference between black and white cats was significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and nontrivial in strength. Specifically, black cats experienced the highest euthanasia and lowest adoption rates, while white cats had the lowest euthanasia and highest adoption rates. Brown, gray, and orange cats experienced similar outcomes, but middling between those of black and white cats. These patterns by color remained weak but significant after controlling for breed and stray status in regression analysis, with the exception of orange and white, which did not differ significantly. A subsample of 1219 entirely black cats was analyzed to assess whether they had different outcomes during the run-up to Halloween; their October percentages of adoption and transfer were comparable to or lower than all other months of the calendar year. Thus, this study did not find that outcomes improved for black cats during October. Overall, this study provides weak support for what has been termed "Black Cat Bias" by others, and hints that black cats in public shelters should receive extra consideration for rehoming, particularly if such efforts do not substantially redirect resources from other initiatives.
Each year, millions of cats enter U.S. animal shelters, where black cats experience lower adoption rates. This study examined whether three factors contribute to this disparity: (1) superstitious beliefs, (2) projected skin-color bias, and (3) difficulty interpreting black cats’ emotions in online photographs sourced from Petfinder , an online searchable, adoption database. A total of 1004 U.S.-based participants completed a 10 min online survey in which they viewed 40 cat adoption advertisement photos: 10 each of black, white, orange tabby, and brown tabby cats. For each image, participants selected one of six basic emotions, rated their confidence, and judged the likelihood that the cat would be adopted within two weeks. Additional items measured superstition and skin-color bias. Black cats were rated as significantly less adoptable than other cats. Participants also attributed negative emotions, such as fear and anger, to black cats more frequently and reported lower confidence when interpreting their emotional expressions. Superstition and skin-color bias, however, did not significantly affect adoptability rating or emotional perception. These findings suggest that difficulty interpreting black cats’ emotional cues in photographs may increase perceptual uncertainty, which in turn influences judgments of adoptability.
animals. Black cats are similarly reported to be subject to the same phenomenon. While earlier studies found evidence for a lower adoption rate for black dogs
Black dog syndrome or big black dog syndrome is a phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter-colored animals. Black cats are similarly reported to be subject to the same phenomenon.
While earlier studies found evidence for a lower adoption rate for black dogs, other studies found that they are adopted more quickly than dogs with lighter coat colors. This has le
Black dog syndrome or big black dog syndrome is a phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter-colored animals. Black cats are similarly reported to be subject to the same phenomenon.
While earlier studies found evidence for a lower adoption rate for black dogs, other studies found that they are adopted more quickly than dogs with lighter coat colors. This has led some experts to dismiss black dog syndrome as a 'myth'.
... have also been found to be impor- tant factors . In one study , the likelihood of adoption progressively decreased with increased age of cat and brown and black cats ... other cats more at risk for euthanasia . Several studies surveyed ...
Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff presents and evaluates the available research and programs that address both animal and human behaviors associated with the intake, management and rehoming of dog and cats. Introductions to dog and cat behavior relevant to any animal professional Reviews behavioral reasons for the relinquishment of dogs and cats Describes intake and assessment protocol, shelter design, training and enrichment programs that reduce stress and enhance behavioral well-being Concepts to improve the adoption process and support the human-animal bond post-adoption
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