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Celebrate National Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17th by showing your love and appreciation for these amazing animals! This special day was created to recognize the unique beauty of black cats, as well as to raise awareness about how often they are overlooked in shelters. There is a long-standing superstition that black cats bring bad luck, but with this day we can spread the message that all cats deserve respect and admiration regardless of their colour.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Middle Ages</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Black Cat Superstitions Begin</div><div class='timeline-text'>Black cats began to be associated with witches and bad luck during the Middle Ages in Europe, a stigma that would persist for centuries.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Early 1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>The Lucky Black Cat</div><div class='timeline-text'>A contrasting belief formed in some cultures, such as Japanese and British, associating black cats with good luck and prosperity.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1940</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"The Black Cat" Animation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Disney releases the cartoon "Bold King Cole", featuring a mischievous black cat character named Figaro who would later star in other Disney media.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1966</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Black Panther Comic Debut</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first mainstream superhero black cat, the Black Panther, was introduced by Marvel Comics, creating positive representation in media.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Black Cat Appreciation Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>American cat enthusiast Wayne H. Morris created National Black Cat Appreciation Day to celebrate these oft-maligned felines and raise awareness about their plight in shelters.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Adopt a black cat</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you are considering adding a furry friend to your family, why not adopt a black cat? With their sleek, glossy coats and beautiful eyes, black cats make wonderful companions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at a shelter</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Helping homeless cats is one of the most rewarding ways to celebrate National Black Cat Appreciation Day. Whether you spend time playing with them or help with the cleaning, you’ll be making a big difference in the lives of these animals.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw a black cat party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends over for some feline fun! Decorate with black cat themed items and serve up some homemade snacks (like tuna on crackers). You could also play some music and set up a cat toy station.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share your photos</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your love for all things black cat by sharing photos of your own kitty on social media. Tag friends and use the hashtag #NationalBlackCatAppreciationDay to spread the word.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to a local rescue</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Consider donating money or supplies to a local animal rescue that specializes in helping black cats find forever homes. Every little bit helps, so even if it’s just a few dollars, it can go a long way towards saving a life.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Black cats are regal and majestic</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The deep color of a black cat's coat is both sophisticated and mysterious. With their beautiful eyes and luxuriously sleek fur, these felines embody all that is graceful and dignified about the feline species!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Black cats have unique temperament & personalities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>No two black cats are quite alike! From outgoing and friendly to independent and aloof, black cats come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. Embarking on the journey of owning a 'cat from the dark side' can be a truly rewarding experience with surprises around every corner!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It helps us fight stereotypes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Unfortunately, black cats often get overlooked at shelters due to superstitions or misconceptions people may have about them. By supporting Black Cat Appreciation Day, we can help raise awareness for the plight of these beautiful kitties and challenge long-held stereotypes!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Black Cats Can Change Their Coat Color in Sunlight</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to a phenomenon known as "rusting," a black cat’s fur can turn a reddish-brown color when exposed to strong sunlight. This is due to a pigment called melanin in their fur.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Black Cats Were Revered by the Ancient Egyptians</h3><p class='facts-content'>In ancient Egyptian society, black cats were considered sacred and were often represented in religious iconography, even being kept in temples.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Science Finds Black Cats to be Genetically Unique</h3><p class='facts-content'>Scientific research indicates that black cats may have a stronger immune system compared to cats of other colors, due to genetic diversity. This can make them less susceptible to certain diseases.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>All-Black Cats Are Not Always Pure Black Under a Genetic Microscope</h3><p class='facts-content'>All-black cats owe their color to a dominant gene that overshadows others, meaning a black cat might look purely black but can contain genes for various patterns or spots hidden underneath.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Black Cats Can Have Either Yellow or Green Eyes Due to High Melanin Pigment</h3><p class='facts-content'>Black cats have more melanin pigment, which provides their fur color, but also works to cause their eye color to generally be either yellow or green.</p></div></div>
National Black Cat Appreciation Day is celebrated on August 17th every year. In 2024 National Black Cat Appreciation Day will occur on a Saturday.
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