Shelters to Temporarily Halt Black Cat Adoptions
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.
Black cats, sometimes the subject of pranks or abused in rituals, are in the greatest danger during Halloween, Bernstein said.
So for the first time, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services will ban adoptions of black cats from Oct. 24 until the day after Halloween, said Dan Knapp, the department’s general manager.
Both Animal Services and SPCA/LA will try to educate the public about the dangers Halloween poses to all pets. Officials warn that the constant opening and closing of the front door, and the presence of costumed visitors can be stressful for animals.
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