The Annual Black Cat Panic
Saturday October 18, 2008
It sucks that this even has to be brought up, but once again, animal shelters are putting the kibosh on the adoption of black cats right before Halloween. While I'm all in favor of shelters having a strict screening process so that potential adopters are evaluated thoroughly, there's one piece in the article that really jumped out at me. Note the section I've bolded in the following quote.
From the Humane Society of West Texas, Adoption Coordinator, Linda Cox says, "I believe, from the way I understand it, every city of any size is getting more and more witchcraft type people, you know that live in the cities, and these are people that we are concerned about adopting to."
Now, I'm the last person to throw out the Persecuted Pagan Trump Card, but I just have to say something here to Ms. Cox. It's downright disturbing -- and plainly false -- to blame animal sacrifice on people who practice witchcraft. In fact, if you ask around in the Pagan and Wiccan community, you'll find a significant number of us who are stridently opposed to the harming of animals in ritual; dare I say it, maybe even MOST of us? Attend a Pagan Pride event some time, Ms. Cox, and meet the folks who are collecting donations for local cat welfare groups. Say hello to the endless numbers of Pagans I've met who have taken in abandoned cats and dogs they could barely afford, just to save the animal from being euthanized.
While there are a few groups that do perform ritual sacrifice (Santeria comes to mind), these groups do not do so with animals which are meant to be adopted as companions. Most Pagan and Wiccan traditions today are strictly opposed to the harming of animals for any reason. Any person who goes to a shelter to adopt an animal with the intention of harming it is someone who shouldn't be allowed to have a pet at ANY time of the year, let alone at Halloween.
And yes, Ms. Cox, I know there are horrific stories about animals being terribly mutilated, tortured and killed each year in October. But don't blame the witches, k? We are your neighbors, we're your co-workers, we are everywhere, not just "in the cities," and we care about animals as much as you do. Please, let's try not to perpetuate old stereotypes that should have died out long ago.
I should add that I've sent a very polite but concerned email to the West Texas Humane Society, and copied it to the news channel. Ultimately, what matters here is that these abandoned animals receive loving homes some day, and a single quote from a news article should never overshadow that.
10/21/08 - I received the following from Mary Hatfield, president of the West Texas Humane Society, in response to my email, and wanted to share it with you all.
As president of the Humane Society of West Texas, I most humbly apologize for the remark that a Humane Society volunteer made associating Wiccan beliefs with animal sacrifice and torture. It is certainly not the official position of the Humane Society nor any other animal rescue organization that Wiccans or members of any other neo-pagan religion are cruel or inhumane. The remark was motivated more by nervousness on the part of the volunteer than any opinion or idea about Wiccans.
(And let's also not say that such cruelty is the work of mischievous kids. Behavior like that goes far beyond mischief into misdeameanor and felony.)
Along with others in my organization, I have a great appreciation for earth-centered and life-centered beliefs and practices and feel Wicca has made valuable contributions to our culture and to our discourse about how we should live on this planet. I feel our organizations are natural allies.
I so profoundly and deeply apologize for the remark.
Mary V. Hatfield
President
Humane Society of West Texas.
From the Humane Society of West Texas, Adoption Coordinator, Linda Cox says, "I believe, from the way I understand it, every city of any size is getting more and more witchcraft type people, you know that live in the cities, and these are people that we are concerned about adopting to."
Now, I'm the last person to throw out the Persecuted Pagan Trump Card, but I just have to say something here to Ms. Cox. It's downright disturbing -- and plainly false -- to blame animal sacrifice on people who practice witchcraft. In fact, if you ask around in the Pagan and Wiccan community, you'll find a significant number of us who are stridently opposed to the harming of animals in ritual; dare I say it, maybe even MOST of us? Attend a Pagan Pride event some time, Ms. Cox, and meet the folks who are collecting donations for local cat welfare groups. Say hello to the endless numbers of Pagans I've met who have taken in abandoned cats and dogs they could barely afford, just to save the animal from being euthanized.
While there are a few groups that do perform ritual sacrifice (Santeria comes to mind), these groups do not do so with animals which are meant to be adopted as companions. Most Pagan and Wiccan traditions today are strictly opposed to the harming of animals for any reason. Any person who goes to a shelter to adopt an animal with the intention of harming it is someone who shouldn't be allowed to have a pet at ANY time of the year, let alone at Halloween.
And yes, Ms. Cox, I know there are horrific stories about animals being terribly mutilated, tortured and killed each year in October. But don't blame the witches, k? We are your neighbors, we're your co-workers, we are everywhere, not just "in the cities," and we care about animals as much as you do. Please, let's try not to perpetuate old stereotypes that should have died out long ago.
I should add that I've sent a very polite but concerned email to the West Texas Humane Society, and copied it to the news channel. Ultimately, what matters here is that these abandoned animals receive loving homes some day, and a single quote from a news article should never overshadow that.
10/21/08 - I received the following from Mary Hatfield, president of the West Texas Humane Society, in response to my email, and wanted to share it with you all.
As president of the Humane Society of West Texas, I most humbly apologize for the remark that a Humane Society volunteer made associating Wiccan beliefs with animal sacrifice and torture. It is certainly not the official position of the Humane Society nor any other animal rescue organization that Wiccans or members of any other neo-pagan religion are cruel or inhumane. The remark was motivated more by nervousness on the part of the volunteer than any opinion or idea about Wiccans.
(And let's also not say that such cruelty is the work of mischievous kids. Behavior like that goes far beyond mischief into misdeameanor and felony.)
Along with others in my organization, I have a great appreciation for earth-centered and life-centered beliefs and practices and feel Wicca has made valuable contributions to our culture and to our discourse about how we should live on this planet. I feel our organizations are natural allies.
I so profoundly and deeply apologize for the remark.
Mary V. Hatfield
President
Humane Society of West Texas.
Comments
What’s even more ridiculous is that in the cases mentioned it’s not even sacrifice, so how can they claim religious reasons? Spray painting, duct tape mummification, and shaving don’t exactly have “sacrifice” written all over them. And to try and point the finger at witches specifically is just absurd. It just goes to show that the world is still VERY ignorant when it comes to witches and paganism.
I would dare say the vast majority of Pagans have a fondness for animals, whether it be pets, totem animals, familiars and the like. where I live the animal adoption process is very strict with only the best of intentioned people going through it’s riggers to get an animal. I think this story is a result of typical hysteria this time of year when old stereotypes make easy targets for bad things that happen.
-Shane
From what a local shelter told me, the reason so many places put a moratorium on adopting black cats in October is because people adopt them for the holiday and then take them back in November. They only want them for their parties. Needless to say, practically none of these people are true pagans or wiccans.
That is sad they adopt them just for decoration
Well, it is Texas, lol.
But seriously, that’s pathetic. I’m a Pagan and I would never harm an animal! I can’t imagine harming my two kittens.
I wish the old stereotypes would die out, but it seems that the church of old has done it’s job quite well, unfortunately.
That’s wonderful and very considerate of her to send you an apology letter, and I was very proud that you sent a letter to her, BUT, the inconsiderate & deragatory comment was made publicly… was an apology also made publicly? There were alot of animal loving Pagans out there that have been accused of these hideous actions, in just that one comment. Comments like that only reinforce to the public what’s been believed for sooo many years.
The remark was completely uncalled for, everyone who knows me knows how much I love my animals and even bring strays to my house and they are aware of my Pagan beliefs. Honestly some people will just never stop, how many more generations need to go through this narrow mindedness before we finally live in a world that doesn’t find it so easy to label. Like my life motto says – “Be different and you become the amusement of small minds” Bianca
I know so many people who still have this misconception about paganism rituals… I’m glad you posted your concern and also the apology reply, and I hope, like LanoLil said, that this apology was made public too? I’ll post about it at my page right away.
And this concern is coming from a state that raises cows to be sacrifced daily to the God of “fast food”. I wish that people cared as much about cows, pigs,lambs and chickens as they do cats.
I happen to work at a Humane Society. Our Executive Director feels that penalizing animals at Halloween time is unfair. So, every October our black cats and dogs are our monthly promotion. My front desk staff and I thoroughly review applications and interview potential adopters every day of the year. I’m pagan myself and the only people we deny adoptions to are those that will not provide our animals with a loving forever home. This is what we have on our website:
“Black Dog & Cat Syndrome
It’s a shelter phenomenon in which black dogs and cats tend to be the last ones adopted. Many of you might look at this beautiful face and ask yourselves, “how can this be?”…but the reality is, whether our black coated friends are viewed as ‘scary’, ‘bad luck’, or simply over looked due to their tendency to blend in among the sea of other black kitties and pooches…they do indeed fill the shelter kennels and catteries nationwide. It is a very real challenge we face…and one that we want to bring your attention and focus to during the month of October.
We’re celebrating our black beauties this month with discounted adoption fees on all black dogs and cats. Just $65 will get you a lifetime of love and companionship that does not discriminate…so why should we?”
Well, I too sent a letter to that inHumane Facility and have NOT gotten any kind of reply whatsoever. Sad to say but I think you only got one because you’re famous and could have stirred up a lot more repercussions than I.
AND MANY YAYs KUDOS AND RIGHT ONs to Melissa and the shelter which employs her!!!!!
As the proud owner of black cats, I’ve always wondered if a moratorium is necessary. Our local shelters screen applicants thoroughly (at least here they do), then check up on the animals later. As a Pagan, I thoroughly doubt there are animal sacrifices. We love nature and all its creatures, and I personally wouldn’t hurt a fly. (I actually shoo them out of the house.) As for copycats, they tend to draw a few lines on the road to upset the locals, but actual ceremonies with sacrifices? I just don’t believe it. I think the black cat adoption moratorium is just another example of prejudice against pagans.
me and my sister had to “put down” our cat yuesterday becuase she was a feral (we resued her so on one would hurt her), and eaten up with parasites. we origionaly thought she was just born handicapped, but once the vet told my sister the bad news, we cryed all day, and I couldn’t sleep last night. All I can say is this: me and my sister are both agnostic, and we love animals much more than most people I know (we are vegans at that), especialy christians. They always say “don’t worry about aniamls because there is starving children in this world”… umm… get your fat a** up and do something about it then! animals are my thing, so leave it be. I’m making an impact on someones life (aniamls), what are you doing? sorry about the rant everyone, I’m just in a bad mood thinking about how our neighbor called the police on us because our cat was on his lawn. and that was the day before we had to put her down, so his actions are fresh in my mind. All the pagans I know love animals alot, so if anything, she should be worried about her own killing cats because they are crazy and think black cats are evil, some stupid sh*t like that (i.e., the man trying to set his teacher on fire). & Yes, I’ve know peopel like that, who hurts aniamls (especialy cats) or even killed them because they are black. Then turn around and tell everyone it wasn’t on perpose.
Stonelight, u r someone who thinks like me, thank you… It is my life goal to help aniamls (ALL of them), and I want to set up a cat sanctuary, and maybe keep a few cows to show people how sweet and gental they are.
Witchcraft types moving into cities? Maybe that’s why the housing market crashed …because Wiccans and Pagans are moving into the cities and out of the forests…(you guessed it…totally sarcastic)
I’m deeply concerned that someone so ignorant and intolerant of others can be charged with the well-being of animals. Maybe with the New Year will come enlightenment.
Blessed be to all my brothers and sisters on Sam Hain
Okay, we all agree that that Pagans & Wiccans do not practice animal sacrifice. We also, probably, agree that the ban on black cat adoption in October is sometimes prejudicial against us. BUT the reality is that some demented people do harm black cats. The shelter folks may be going overboard but if it saves one creatures’ life I can accept the prejudice and will use it as an occasion to teach the shelters the truth.
Patti, thanks for writing the Humane Society President. I doubt he answered because “you’re famous”. but whatever the reason I’m glad he did.
Sweet response from the Humane Society! One person does not speak for all and all do not speak for one.
Kudos, Patti, for your obviously well written address to the witch hubub because no one would talk about being alies if you had written them an attacking comment.
This helps me to remember that communication is either from the intent to protect(fear?) or the intent to understand(respect?)
It is only from respect that one (or all) can find informative balance.
blessings, and good samhain
My girlfriend and I foster cats for adoption, and volunteer with a Washington based rescue group (Cascade Animal Protection Services), and it was sad that we had to leave Paulette, who is a sweet and loving 8 yr old female black cat, out of the adoption this last weekend. I purr-sonally (ok, lame… I know.) feel that the stigma ascribed to black cats (and dogs) that causes them to be eliminated from the adoption process is ridiculous. Although, the point made by Rowan is most accurate.
I have heard horror stories of black cats being taken and abused – or worse – around Halloween. It may be urban legend, but to be on the safe side, I keep my black cat, Sammy, in the house this time of year. Being that he is 16 years old, he doesn’t mind so much anymore.
I am a Pagan and I have three indoor cats who have a permanent place in our home. My husband and I have even turned down better rentals because our pets wouldn’t be allowed inside. Recently a beautiful black cat came into my yard and adopted me (she’s afraid of men for some reason). She is a stray and I can barely afford to care for the 5! kittens she had on our porch but so far I’ve found homes for three and the other two will probably go to the local Humane Society. She will not meet that same fate. I’m worried about her being put down if I take her also. If I have to scrimp and save my black kitty will get spayed and enjoy a lifetime of love and care on my porch. I would love to bring her in but my other females fight her.
Just to imagine someone targeting her on Halloween because of her coat color disturbs me so much. I will probably cage her and bring her in. She loves being free and I’m sorry to have to punish her for some peoples’ ignorance.
As the owner of several rescue animals, one of them a silky, beautiful black as midnight cat named Bastet, I am also dismayed that there has to be a moratorium on black animals around Halloween. However, as Rowan stated some people think it is fashionable to decorate with a living, feeling animal. Bastet was a Halloween return animal who had been abandoned on the streets after the holiday and taken in by a responsible neighbor who took her into the shelter, where my hubby and I found her. This is not just a problem this time of year either. It is also necessary to prevent impulse purchases of cute cuddly bunnies and chicks that serve as a novelty for Easter. Animal abuse is depraved when it is deliberate, but purchasing an animal with a fickle heart is just as harmful. To this end I understand the overprotective position the humane society has taken. I also commend Patti for taking the time to advocate against discrimination and hope the volunteer is a little more enlightened by the incident.
I read a story once about black cats being the last to be adopted..if at all…since many strays come in without any info…ie: a name, one clever young volunteer at an animal impound named a black kitten “jellybean”…it was adopted almost immediately…so she named ANOTHER black cat “jellybean”…again….instantly adopted…this went on and on…and now EVERY black cat or dog that is brought to that Animal Control facility is named “jellybean”…and the rate of adoption skyrocketed.it just shows how sterotyped an animal can be by it’s color…but give it a clever name, and the whole attitude of prospective owners changes…just a nice story I wanted to share in connection to this article.I am Pagan and love ALL animals….and no one I know would ever purposely hurt one.In fact, my favorite “Witchy” store where I get stones, candles, herbs etc..has a side purpose…they accept lost, abandoned animals of all types for adoption.Birds, kittens, puppies, even horses on occasion.I have seen cruelty from owners who proclaim they practice “Christian ” values…but neglect or purposely abuse innocent animals…
Sterotypes are the biggest problem this country has to deal with in my opinion….
Hhhhmmm…I am Pagan, have several pets which I treat like children, and live in the suburbs…I don’t get where the sterotypes come from!
That dumb witchcraft comment really angers me. Every pagan I know talks about how many rescue animals they have and where they volunteer. I, myself, have 7 rescue cats and I take care of a stray cat colony of 14. I am also a volunteer at Animal Friends.
I’m Pagan and a solitary Witch. Responding to yoon’s comment about Christians caring more about people than animals, all the Christians I know are always talking the same way and say that animals “don’t have souls and don’t make it to heaven”. Well, responding to that, if they don’t go to heaven, then why does the Bible say that “the lion will lay down with the lamb in heaven”? Any answers to that? They never have one. Not surprising. And I’m really not trying to diss other religions, but I’m getting tired of other religions dissing ours. Doesn’t the Bible also say, “Judge not lest thou be judged”? But they do it anyway and think that we are wrong.
On a more positive note, Happy Halloween & Samhain everyone! Blessed Be!
if i could let my black cat out, i wouldn’t thanks to all the idiots out there on this, most lovely time of year. I have some very rowdy neighborhood kids and i don’t trust then. Pookie (my cat) adopted me a couple of years ago after i found her in a shed. She followed me home and has never left. She loves my dog and my other cat and she is quite a spaz! That was right around the time i changed over to paganism..
I am always so deeply disturbed when someone harms cats. I have a distinct affinity for cats and it hurts me so much to see them abused.
On a positive note, I have 1 black kitty that was spared from all of that. We found him in our back yard 8 years ago and he sits in the window and the kids all ooohh and ahhh when they see him when they come for candy. They are cute to watch and he’s a special little rascal!
I had to write. I have a black cat (Abby) that showed up at my sisters house six months after I became a Witch,that someone had burned her wiskers off the right side of her face. She had been thourgh touter. This was in the May. I as a Witch took her in nursed her back to the carefree happy frined she is to me. It just makes me sick and frankly hurts my feelings when ingoret poeple speak on something they have know ideal about. As I know many Witches and Wiccan take in many abond pets. Blessed be all!!
The comment makes my blood boil. I love kitties. And when I take one in who needs a home, who do I go to but my fellow pagans? Thank you for writing the letter to the Humane Society.
Hey!! I object most strongly!! Ask around in most of the Animal Welfare organisations in Australia and you’ll find a high percentage of the volunteers are pagan. When are the muggles gonna learn?!!
Eight years ago, I adopted a cat from a Humane Society. She died a couple of weeks later from an illness their vet had missed. I called to let them know this and asked them if they might have another cat for me. There was a pregnant pause at the end of the line and then the lady asked me “Do you mind black cats?” I didn’t clue in to the meaning of her question and responded quickly with “What’s the problem with black cats?” To make a long story short, they let me adopt a two year old black cat who had been born at the shelter. They had not released a black cat for adoption in years!!! They said that there had just been too many incidents of horrible things happening to black cats. I must have made quite an impression on them for them to let me adopt one.
Good thing I didn’t tell them I’m a witch.
(She’s curled up on my lap, her favourite place in the universe, right now, so I doubt anyone would argue they made a good decision letting me adopt her!)
I am the proud Pagan parent of 3 cats (one Black) and 2 dogs….all shelter rescues. I volunteer at our city shelter. In fact, several of my Pagan friends work or volunteer at the local shelter or Humane Society. I help raise donations for food for unwanted and abused animals. Pagans are more animal friendly than alot of other people are. I just cannot believe how ignorant some people still are when I read those statements.
I have three cats that live in my house Mamacita,Pudge, an Meow. Love you babies!But I also have my outside cat family of 4 yup you guessed it they are all black!I love them too!If anyone came near them they’re will be some serious hurting going on lol.Slim Sweetmama,Frick and Frack love you!
How sad that, once again, ignorance has prompted someone to make such a harmful statement. If only people took the time to educate themselves before making a jugdement! I am pagan and have the priviledge of sharing my home with 2 dogs and 11 cats! (Three inside and 8 outside.)
We live in the country so “drop offs” along the road out here are a common thing, unfortunately. Those sad faces, sitting patiently at the spot their owners dump them break my heart! For two weeks now, we have been searching for 2 very small kittens we spotted by the side of the road but cannot find them and it breaks our hearts!
The apology, at least, was heartfelt and truthful and much appreciated!
It is amazing that so many people are still so closed minded. Judgements are passed on Pagans and Wiccans unfairly. I truly wish that people would do some research on these paths so they might become more informed and realize that our biggest rule is “harm none do as ye will”. For those who are not Pagan or Wiccan who might be reading this…the above stated rule applies to all we do-and all we do comes back on us 3 fold. I am a cat owner and I love my cat. I would never harm any creature in ritual. I care for all animals because they are children of the Goddesses and Gods.Also, if you do some research on Samhain…we celebrate the memory of our ancestors …we do not torture animals or kill them !
Blessed Be to all and to those who are Pagan and Wiccan…Blessed Samhain !
Well Patti, I must say I was a bit upset by the story. I am very happy you sent them a letter, and even happier that you were sent a nice letter in return. Unfortunately, this person is only one person. There are far too many people who still and always will discriminate against us and our ways. How can we get the message across to them that we value all life – human and animals – And see them as equals.
I try and rescue every animal I can. In 2006 a baby bunny came to my doorstep – it fit in the palm of my hand. Somehow, I managed to get nourishment in her, and tried not to handle her too much. I released her to my backyard a few months later, and every year I see more and more bunnies in my yard. I like to think it’s because I saved their mother/grandmother/greatgrandmother… the truth is, she came to my doorstep as a sign. I found out I was pregnant that same week!
Anyways… Thank you for standing up and speaking for us all. And thanks to all of you out there that respect the animals that reside with us on Mother Earth!!!
Blessed Be!!!
Myssteryyy, congrats on your baby and your bunnies. Skydancer, you made me cry with your image of sad faces sittin beside the road where there “owners” dropped them off. I wish I could hold and love each one and let them know that someone loves them and that the ones they are waiting for are not the ones for them. I hope that each one finds their forever home and their real “owners”. I feel more like my Pyewacket’s companion than an owner. Pyewacket is my little Lyon kitten. He has beautiful golden eyes like a lion and is buff colored, but striped like a tabby almost. He purrs every time I touch him. It was the No Kill group that I got him from that told me of the moratorium on black cats for October because of the returns after Halloween or the found on road black kittens.
We all know that we wouldn’t ever hurt cats, black or otherwise. Mary Hartfield’s letter seems a very heartfelt, honest, and appropriate response to Patti’s. The problems of the world will always be based in ignorance. A great deal of the problem in this situation was due to the reporter and editor of the newspaper. These people chose what to print, and media biases are responsible for much of what the populace believes – as this election is proving. What can we, as witches and pagans, do? Be great examples of what we believe. Live our lives without trying to make a statement, but letting our love for people and animals, and Mother Earth, show in our actions; people will ask us what makes us different, and that gives us a much more powerful opportunity to share the truth than a lot of black eyeliner or a pointy hat will ever accomplish. And be proud of who and what we are, and stand up for ourselves, as Patti did with her letter, in a way that commands respect, but shows it for others.
THANKS Rowan !! yeah, I forgot to say that the same week the bunny came to me, and I found out I was pregnant – it was also the time of Ostara.
The comment really bothered me but I was really pleased to see the reply letter. Keep up the good work Patti! Sure she is only 1 person but if all of us educated just 1 person at a time, there would be a lot less ignorance out there. And I have to comment about the moratorium on black cat adoptions. Sure it is a shame and not fair to these beautiful creatures but unfortunately there are some horrible people out there that find it fun to torture them this time of year. I have a black cat and I don’t dare let her outside this time of year. It was only a few years ago that a torture of a black cat by some teenagers made news headlines in my area. 2 of my neighbors have black cats that live outside and I worry about them being out this year. It’s horrible that such people exist and shelters are forced to not let them be adopted.
You have got to be kidding me. Of all of the people that I know, whether online or in person, that practice Wicca or witchcraft, not one of them would even dream of harming an animal that is meant for a pet, and several of them do not believe in harming ANY animal, to the point that they are vegetarians. This just shows how people still stereotype Wiccans and witches. I’m sorry, but if I wave my wand, I cannot turn you into a frog…though I may want to…lol
Aphina
This whole black cat thing is very disturbing to me. I have been trying rescue a stray black cat in our neighborhood to take it into the house to live with my other 2 cats. I am not sure if it is male or female but it doesn’t matter. I just want it to be safe. It is beautiful and it just showed up a couple of days ago so maybe it knows it needs a place to hide out for the holiday! People need to relax and not be prejudiced against an animal because of its color. HMMM – does that make those who are animal racists!!!;-)Have a good holiday everyone!!!
I am the proud owner and sometime breeder of polydactyl black cats. I currently have 4, Wiccan, Jahosaphat, Wyrm-Baby, and Persephone. I love them all like family members, a regularly refer to them as my “familiars”. lol If I thought for one second that a neighbor of mine wanted to cause my cats harm… They’d better start locking their doors.