~Rachael Kimola, OHS

Goblins, ghouls and monsters, oh my! It鈥檚 nearly Halloween and that means kids of all ages are making costumes, decorations are going up and parties are being planned. People are excited to get their freak on. But for the creatures behind one of the season鈥檚 most common icons, this coming month is, at best, a mixed bag.

Ask people what they think of black cats, and you鈥檒l get various answers. They are mischievous and clever. They are bad luck and devious. They are sweet and lovable and make the best fur babies. One thing is for sure - these dark-coated felines are often misunderstood.

As common as reindeer in December, in October black cats are a go-to decorative image. When the Halloween season is in full swing, the image of a black cat can be seen everywhere. From d茅cor, to costumes for every age, black cats capture our imagination, often conjuring up thoughts of witches and magic in the night.

With this prevalence comes an increase in people wanting to adopt a black cat. And this is not always a good thing. While many black cats do find loving homes this month, just as many are adopted only to serve as a living prop.

Once November rolls around and the novelty of having a real black cat as part of the spooky scenery fades, these lovely creatures are often returned to the shelter or abandoned with no more thought than a rotting jack o鈥� lantern once they have served their purpose.

Thus, most animal adoption agencies in Canada - including the OHS - have stringent adoption processes in place, which often include halting all adoptions on black cats until after Halloween.

For those who are on the fence about adopting a black cat, here are some interesting facts that may change how you see them.

How common are black cats?

The fur colour gene in cats is dominantly black. If both parents of a kitten carry this gene, it will most certainly have black fur. If only one parent carries this gene, there is still a great chance of producing a black kitten. It has also been discovered that black fur can occur in 22 different breeds of cats.

Black cats can change colour. Even if the tabby pattern has been repressed by the black colour gene, it may still be there. A cat must have another gene present to completely override the tabby pattern, which means many black cats are undercover tabbies! If you鈥檝e ever seen stripes in your kitty鈥檚 fur while they basked in the sun, that tabby pattern wasn鈥檛 fully repressed. These undercover tabbies can even have a change in colour the longer they are exposed to sunlight, causing the black fur to turn to a rust or brownish-red colour sometimes revealing the colours and patterns hiding underneath.

Black cats were not always considered bad luck. In many places in the world, black cats can herald good luck. In Japan, black cats can bring love or fortune. An English bride receiving a black cat as a gift will have a happy marriage, while having one appear on your doorstep in Scotland signals prosperity is on its way. The French call black cats 鈥淢oney Cats,鈥� and treating them with respect can bring riches. British sailors often brought cats on board to deal with the mice,but having a black cat could also ensure a safe return to shore.

Why should you love black cats?

There are plenty of reasons to adore black cats. From their gorgeous black fur to their descriptive eyes or majestic stance black cats are wonderful. However, the personality of a black cat is just like a cat of any other colour. They can be loving, playful, and tender hearted. Another bonus is that black cat fur will stay hidden on dark clothing or furniture.

Although you may not be able to take them home until next month, check out the pictures of all the adoptable black cats at the OHS website.