A Spanish City Banned Black Cat Adoptions Because of a Super Dark Reason
In the Catalan city of Terrassa, Spain, local shelters are hitting pause on black cat adoptions every October, and the reason is straight out of a horror movie. From early October until after Halloween, shelters stop letting people take home black cats. The decision might sound strange, but it’s all about protecting these animals from being mistreated during one of the spookiest times of the year.
Shelter staff began to see a pattern each October: more people asking specifically for black cats. At first, it seemed like a coincidence, but some requests came with odd explanations, like wanting a “Halloween decoration” or a cat for photos. Others hinted at stranger motives tied to superstition. No cruelty cases were ever confirmed, yet the trend was unsettling enough for shelters to take precautions.
Superstition Meets Reality
Image via Canva/pixabay
Black cats have always carried heavy baggage in Western culture. They’ve been blamed for bringing bad luck, linked to witches, and even seen as symbols of evil. It’s an old superstition that refuses to fade, especially during Halloween. Terrassa’s animal welfare department didn’t want to take chances, so they decided to ban adoptions from October 6 to November 10 as a safety measure.
Deputy Mayor Noel Duque explained that black cat adoptions tend to spike during Halloween. Sometimes, it’s because people think they’re trendy or mysterious. But shelters worry that after the decorations come down, the same cats might be abandoned once the novelty wears off. The temporary ban is designed to make sure people adopt responsibly and not just because they want a living Halloween decoration. The city houses around 9,800 cats, and only a small portion, about a dozen, in the main shelter, are black. Still, those are the ones most at risk when superstitions flare up.
A Preventive Step, Not a Punishment
Terrassa’s city council has been clear: this isn’t discrimination against black cats. It’s a temporary, preventive rule meant to keep them safe. Anyone who shows up at a shelter during the ban and asks for a black cat will be informed about the policy and the importance of responsible pet ownership. The city is also using the ban to raise awareness about how adopting any pet is a long-term commitment.
During the ban, shelters continue to accept adoption applications for black cats but hold them until after November 10. Then, they review each case to make sure the potential owners genuinely want to care for the animal. Authorities see this year’s restriction as a pilot program. Depending on its success, Terrassa may continue this policy every Halloween season.
Cultural Contradictions
Image via Getty Images/mictian
While Western folklore paints black cats as symbols of misfortune, other cultures have a more positive view. In Japan, they’re thought to bring love and good luck. In ancient Egypt, black cats were seen as protectors and symbols of prosperity. Terrassa’s decision mirrors how old beliefs can clash with modern compassion.
In the end, the ban might sound extreme, but it’s really a story about empathy. It’s about a city taking a stand to make sure animals aren’t turned into Halloween accessories. And maybe, as people learn to see past the old myths, black cats will finally get the good reputation they deserve.