🖤 Celebrating National Black Cat Appreciation Day: A Tribute to Elegance, Mystery, and Misunderstood Beauty

 

Our beloved Bobolink; his days were far too short.

Every August 17, cat lovers across the country pause to honor one of the most enigmatic and underappreciated members of the feline family: the black cat. Today is National Black Cat Appreciation Day, a moment to celebrate their sleek charm, challenge old superstitions, and advocate for their rightful place in our homes and hearts.

🌑 A Day Born of Memory

This holiday was founded in 2011 by Wayne H. Morris in memory of his sister and her beloved black cat, Sinbad. It began as a personal tribute and grew into a national movement—one that invites us to reconsider the myths that have long shadowed these beautiful creatures. In shelters, black cats are often overlooked, their adoption rates lagging behind their more brightly colored peers. But today, we shine a light on their quiet dignity and magnetic presence.

🐾 Why Black Cats Matter

Black cats have been symbols of mystery, magic, and mischief for centuries. In some cultures, they’re considered omens of good luck; in others, they’ve been unfairly cast as harbingers of misfortune. But anyone who’s lived with a black cat knows the truth: they are affectionate, intelligent, and often deeply bonded to their humans. Their glossy coats shimmer in sunlight, their eyes gleam with curiosity, and their personalities—like all cats—are richly varied.

📸 Honoring Our Own

Whether you’re cuddling a black cat today or remembering one from years past, this is a perfect time to share a photo, a story, or a small act of kindness. Consider donating to a shelter, adopting a black cat, or simply posting a tribute online. If you’re curating a gallery or writing a memoir, this day offers a poignant frame for honoring feline companions who’ve walked beside us in shadow and light.

At MSI Press, we know that memory lives in the details—in the curve of a tail, the flicker of a gaze, the quiet companionship of a cat who never asked for attention but always gave it. Today, we honor those stories.

See our stories on our black cats:

Bobolink
Jack

Learn more about cats. See our many Caturday posts.

Be entertained. See all our posts about cats.

Be inspired. See posts by and about Sula, parish cat, and her books.

Have a chuckle. Read posts by and about Jeremy Feig's award-winning book (book of the year finalist, Kops-Fetherling Lagacy Award for Humor), How My Cat Made Me a Better Man.

For more posts by and about Luna Norwood and her books, click HERE.

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