Spanish City Halts Black Cat Adoptions Before Halloween

As Halloween draws near, officials in a Spanish town have decided to temporarily halt black cat adoptions. This precautionary measure aims to prevent potential abuse or exploitation of these animals during the festive season.

A Timely Ban to Protect Black Cats in Terrassa

As autumn casts its shadow over Terrassa, a city just outside Barcelona, local authorities have enacted an unusual measure: a temporary prohibition on the adoption of black cats, effective until November 10. This move, prompted by longstanding anxieties surrounding the fate of these animals during the Halloween season, seeks to prevent them from falling victim to harmful rituals or acts motivated by superstition.

Rising Adoption Requests and Lingering Superstitions

Year after year, city officials notice a surge in adoption requests for black cats as Halloween approaches. According to Noel Duque, who oversees animal welfare for the municipality, this spike is rarely driven by genuine compassion. Instead, some adopters appear drawn by the symbolism or trendiness of owning a black cat at this time of year—sometimes as mere decoration or even for darker purposes. Local animal protection associations have confirmed that these felines occasionally end up as props or worse, suffering abuse during esoteric ceremonies rooted in persistent superstitions.

A Measured Approach: Exceptions and Precedents

Not all adoptions are off-limits. The municipality has clarified that cases which can be thoroughly justified and assessed—ensuring the safety and well-being of the cat—may be considered exceptions. This cautious stance mirrors protocols adopted by various animal welfare organizations across Spain, which also suspend or monitor black cat placements each fall. Normal adoption procedures are expected to resume shortly after Halloween.

Several factors explain this decision:

• Superstitions about black cats remain deeply entrenched.
• Anxiety peaks around Halloween due to ritual-related risks.
• The city hosts an estimated 10,000 felines, making their protection a notable concern.

The Enduring Myth of the Black Cat

The uneasy reputation of black cats is anything but new. Once revered in ancient Egypt, these animals saw their image darken through centuries of myth and fear. As early as the eighth century, certain papal texts began linking them to evil forces—a stigma that led to widespread persecution. Today, black cats remain entangled with Halloween iconography alongside witches and jack-o’-lanterns, struggling to shake off centuries-old prejudice.

In sum, while tradition often frames Halloween festivities, in Terrassa, safeguarding vulnerable animals takes precedence over seasonal customs—a choice underscoring both caution and compassion in equal measure.