To all of the superstitious humans,

It has come to my attention that some people still believe we present bad luck. This has led to the mistreatment of our kind and has affected our adoption rates. I have written this letter to declare that my kin and I have had enough of this discrimination and would like to put an end to this once and for all.

Many claim people mean no harm by their superstitions, and we have simply become a beloved symbol of Halloween and witchcraft. Still, it greatly offends us that we have such a negative light cast upon us every October. This simple “joke” has lead to a mistrust between cats and trick-or-treaters. In fact, our owners need to keep us inside during this yearly event should a villainous adolescent try to actually harm us “for fun.” Just imagine having to stay inside fearing for life. This “joke” does not seem so funny anymore, does it?

As for those who give in to superstition and try to avoid us, why, may I ask, do people still succumb to the hysteria of a myth created by the Pilgrims and Puritans over four centuries ago? Why would anyone follow the beliefs of the very same people who tried to eliminate some of their own kind under the influence of superstition? Surely the human race has developed a better sense of rationality after hundreds of years of evolution.

I would like to add that we find it rather rude that humans organize our kind under the umbrella term “black cat” when, in actuality, we come in several different breeds. Sadly many humans, save for feline enthusiasts, cannot differentiate between a Bombay, a Burmese and a British Shorthair. Humans should work on educating youth so they can understand the diversity that exists in the “black cat” world.

Plus, how could anybody with a heart regard our silky velveteen fur, our luminous eyes and our gentle nature as evil and unlucky? How could any sane person watch us jump into an owner’s lap or curl up on a newspaper or scamper after a toy mouse and dismiss it as dark magic? I mean, face it – we have the cutest faces around! If only every human could appreciate our striking natural beauty.

In short, we have grown tired of the harmful stigma surrounding our fur color. We would like to nip this hatred in the bud, but that cannot happen without the cooperation of humans. So please – we beg – come to know us as tender and sweet creatures instead of ne’er-do-wells or bad omens. Maybe even consider adopting a black cat from a local shelter. If humans all work together to banish this bias, we will finally get the respect we rightfully deserve.

Regards,

A concerned American Shorthair