Adoption of Black Cats Suspended Until Nov. 1
With Halloween approaching, Los Angeles animal shelters are temporarily banning adoptions of black cats until after Oct. 31.
“It’s one of those holidays that’s totally not pet-friendly,” said Madeline Bernstein, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which has stopped the adoption of black cats until Nov. 1.
Black cats, sometimes the subject of pranksters or abused in rituals, are in the greatest danger during Halloween, Bernstein said.
For the first time, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services will also ban adoptions of black cats from Oct. 24 until the day after Halloween, said the department’s General Manager Dan Knapp. Animal Services can place the cats on hold until after Halloween.
Both Animal Services and SPCA/LA will also try to educate the public about the dangers Halloween poses to all pets. With the front door opening and closing, and costumed visitors, the holiday can be stressful for animals, Bernstein said.
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