The adoption of black cats, forbidden in a city in Spain. The reason behind the prohibition
Black cat, photo: Dreamstime
A city in Catalonia, Terrassa, has announced a temporary prohibition on the adoption of black cats before Halloween, in an attempt to prevent potential Sordid rituals during this holiday, marked on October 31, AFP reports on Wednesday.
All requests for adoption of black cats, considered bad luck in popular culture, will be rejected until November 10 to avoid “potential risks (…) related to superstitions, rituals” or other “irresponsible” actions, according to a statement for the protection of animals in Terrassa.
Authorities in this city with over 200,000 inhabitants, located northwest of Barcelona, explained on October 6 that they made this decision “in the context of the Halloween period and in accordance with the precautionary principles applied by various associations for animal protection”.
According to Noel Duque, the municipal counselor responsible for the welfare of animals, quoted by the local media, the number of demands for adoption of black cats increases, generally, every year in Terrassa, as Halloween approaches, “as part of the rituals” or to serve as “decor” during the holidays.
The local authorities “cannot close the eyes” at this serious problem, argued Duque, who appears with a red cat in his Facebook profile photo.
In Spain, animal protection organizations regularly warn that cats can be injured, killed or used as accessories during the Halloween holiday.
Some exceptions can be made from this temporary rule, according to the Terrassa animal protection service, after the requests are “justified and evaluated properly”, especially if “the cat safety is fully guaranteed”.
The normal adoption and placement process of black cats is to be resumed in November after Halloween, the source said, without excluding a similar prohibition in the future. Nearly 10,000 cats live in the city, according to the municipal authorities.
