Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Black cats more likely to enter RSPCA care
Black and black and white cats are nearly three times more likely to enter RSPCA care than tabby cats.
Black cats also take longer to be rehomed, charity reveals.

As National Black Cat Day (27 October) approaches, the RSPCA has revealed that black and black and white cats are more likely to enter its care than other cats.

Data released by the RSPCA shows that they are 2.7 times more likely to come into the charity's care than tabby cats. There are also 626 per cent more black cats than ginger cats in the RSPCA's care and 25 times more black than white cats.

In total, there are 676 black and black and white cats being cared for at the RSPCA's national centres.

The charity also recently revealed that black cats take three times longer to rehome than other cats.

Alice Potter, RSPCA cat welfare expert, said: “There are overwhelmingly more black and black and white cats in our care than any other coat colour - and they also take much longer to rehome, which sadly means they are staying in rescue centres for much longer periods.

“Not only is this sad for the cats who are patiently waiting for their second chance at happiness but it also means that there are limited spaces to help new cats because our centres are full of black cats which sadly no one wants to adopt.”

The RSPCA is currently experiencing what it calls a ‘rehoming crisis’. Last year, the charity took in 42 per cent more animals than were rehomed.

In response, it has relaunched its Adoptober campaign to encourage people to adopt a pet from a rescue centre rather than buying one from a breeder.

Ms Potter added: “We don’t know for sure why black cats are more likely to end up in rescue centres and are then overlooked by prospective adopters. It could be because there are more black cats than any other colour in the cat population so cats with different colours and patterns tend to stand out to adopters - but we hope many of them find their loving new forever homes this Adoptober.  

“We know some people also consider them unlucky or associate them with superstition, or even think they don’t look good in Instagram photos, but, in reality, they are just like any other cat who needs a loving home.”

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.