Black cat breeds have long been associated with mystery and magic. Some may find it surprising, however, that black cats do not belong to one single breed but instead include several that possess black coats of varying lengths. Unfortunately, their negative connotations stems from tales about witches using familiars as disguised demons.
“Since cats are intelligent animals, it was thought they held secret meetings to decide on the type of magic to use,” according to Martha Bayless, PhD, professor and director of folklore and public culture at the University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences.
As time progressed, cats moved from being associated with evil witches to beloved companions – yet due to their thick coats they are sometimes overlooked in shelters.