The London-based animal welfare charity, Mayhew, is on a mission to find adopters for an influx of black cats and kittens this Black Cat Awareness month.
Of the 117 cats currently at Mayhew, of all different colours, 56% are black cats and kittens. The charity is urgently appealing for adopters to give these charming felines their forever homes. Over the past year, Mayhew has witnessed a significant rise in the number of dogs and cats being given up for adoption or abandoned. As a result, many have spent extended periods awaiting a second chance at happiness.
Despite their delightful personalities, unique beauty, and boundless love, these solid-coloured felines are often overlooked in adoption centres. Black cats and kittens can take longer to rehome than other cat types, with data from a 2018 RSPCA study showing that on average it takes 10 days longer to re-home a black cat or black and white cat than a ginger one. And with more than 66 of them currently in the historic shelter in West London, that's more black cats and kittens in Mayhew's care than there are the number of days in October, Black Cat Awareness Month.
Could you give a forever home to 11-month-old siblings, Magic and Sabrina?
Sabrina. left, and Magic, right.
Magic and Sabrina are a very sweet sibling pair who are looking to be re-homed together. They were both found in a carrier left on the street in late May but have definitely had a home of their own at some point as they are too friendly not to have had some home comforts in the past. Sabrina is big sister to Magic and is something of a surrogate mum in his life. She is about three months older than him, but needless to say, they get on well and enjoy playtime together. Magic is a bit more adventurous and likes to explore. He is a curious boy and whilst Sabrina is a little more reserved, once she feels settled, enjoys cuddles and is a sweet gentle girl who loves her dreamies!
Sadly, theirs is one of many stories of vulnerable black kittens and cats in desperate need of loving homes that Mayhew has seen this month.
As Georgina Costi, Mayhew's Head of Cattery explains, "Magic and Sabrina are just two more examples of a growing number of black cats we are seeing this month that will need forever homes. We're not sure why it takes longer for these lovely animals to find their forever homes, but they have historically been associated with superstition and myth, which may have some bearing. What we do know is that people connect with the character of each cat and colour isn't an indicator of personality. "
She adds, "What is concerning is that there is no knowing how many more we are yet to see, which is why we are urgently appealing to potential adopters to take another look at these amazing animals and get in touch with Mayhew."
If you are interested in adopting any of the black cats at Mayhew that are looking for their loving home, please visit https://themayhew.org/cats/ for more information or click here to receive email alerts straight to your inbox when we add new black cats and kittens to our website.
Established in 1886, Mayhew is an animal welfare and veterinary charity working in London and overseas. We help thousands of dogs and cats in need by delivering a broad range of animal welfare and veterinary care services.
In 2022 alone, the team at Mayhew: -
- Carried out 6,831 veterinary interventions
- Administered 3,095 vaccinations in its London vet clinic
- Neutered 1,078 dogs and cats in its London vet clinic
- Delivered 553 TheraPaws therapeutic dog engagements
- Cared for 13 dogs and 9 cats through Pet Refuge
- Reunited 73 missing or lost pets with their owners
- Rehomed 34 dogs and 325 cats
- Neutered 12,965 dogs overseas
To find out more about Mayhew's work, visit www.themayhew.org
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