Black Panther Film A Leg Up For Black Cat Adoption?

Black Panther Film A Leg Up For Black Cat Adoption? by Layla Morgan Wilde

The Black Panther block-buster film is reaping box office gold and perhaps a purrfectly unexpected bonus for black cats. We hope our nonprofit book Black Cats Tell All to raise awareness and shelter adoption rates for black cats will benefit. All post images via Instagram.

The Daily Dot reports that one blogger on Tumblr (which has gone viral) recently posted about

“Unexpected Benefit of Black Panther: my local pet shelters went from having something like 50-60 black cats between them to having NONE, becuase they’ve all been adopted out and named after the characters. “T’challa” is the most popular, but there are a fair number of “Okoye”s and “Shuri”s as well.

…and one very confused Elderly Humane Society Volunteer wondering why someone would name such a sweet cat “Killmonger”.

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Traditionally considered unlucky, black cats (Friday the 13th, anyone?) black cats have needed good PR — and, loving forever homes since forever. Whether from superstition or simply the fact there are more black cats in shelters, they can use a leg up getting adopted. We’ve shared positive black cat messaging for years through regular features of black cat art, lucky black cat vintage cards and celebrity black cat profiles. Our own panther Clyde has his own column posting black cat positivity every Monday.

But our #1 black cat advocacy involved creating Black Cat Awareness Month and publishing BLACK CATS TELL ALL: TRUE TALES AND INSPIRING IMAGES featuring over 100 amazing black cats from around the world including many Instagram influencers and celebricat Cole of Cole and Marmalade, feline YouTube stars

Our black cat Instagram community celebrate #blackpantherpawty #pantherthursday #blackpanthercat and many other hashtags. We got this in the bag.

Comments to the original Tumblr post voice concern over the sudden interest as a fad. Most shelters strive to vet potential adopters with questions about their reason for adopting and ability to provide proper care. Adopting any cat is a long-term commitment. As the longevity of cats increases, that means a commitment of 20+ years.

Although the evidence appears to be anecdotal thus far, cat lovers seem to be encouraged. Visit Petfinder now to find your mini-panther or pantherette. What you name him or her is up to you but I’d think twice about Killmonger.

Support black cat love by joining our black cat community on Instagram @BlackcatsofIG on Facebook @blackcatstellall and buying a copy of Black Cat Tell All on Amazon (affiliate link) or directly from our Black Cats Tell All shop (autographed with free shipping) or e-book on Gumroad on sale for 99 cents!