Every year no dia 17 de Agosto, we celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day. In Portuguese, we call it O Dia do Gato Preto. I had known of this date before but didn’t know why it existed. The reason was eye-opening for sure. This event has its beginning in the United States but has since spread worldwide. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination black cats face and promoting their adoption.
Why Do Black Cats Need a Special Day?
In certain cultures, black cats have long been associated with superstição (superstition) and azar (bad luck). Portugal is no exception to this. I’ve always heard people here say that if a black cat crosses your path it means bad luck is coming your way. It turns out that this belief leads to other harmful prejudices against them. Black cats are often the least adopted, the most abandoned, and the quickest to be euthanised in shelters. In some countries, like the Estados Unidos (United States), many shelters halt black cat adoptions around Halloween!! This is due to concerns over their safety given the troubling history of brutal sacrifices associated with this time of year. I was shocked to read about this… it’s not an issue here as Portugal doesn’t have a deep connection to Halloween..but where does the superstition come from?
caça às bruxas – witch hunts
They are rooted in ancient myths! In centuries past, it was believed that black cats were linked to the dark arts and that they were bruxas (witches) in animal form. This led to their persecution and mass extermination. Ironically, during the Idade Média (Middle Ages), the extermination of black cats, and cats in general, contributed to the spread of plagues across Europe, as rat populations, and their fleas, the main carriers of these diseases, grew unchecked.
Debunking the Myths
One of the goals of Black Cat Appreciation Day is to combat these misconceptions. Contrary to the mitos (myths), black cats are often considered the most friendly and sociable by those who study feline behaviour. In fact, in ancient Persia, black cats were revered as friendly spirits created to keep humans company, and any harm done to them was seen as an attack on this benevolent spirit.
I can attest to black cats being very amigavéis (friendly). I have three cats, one orange, one grey and one black. Without a doubt, the Black one is the most sociable of the three!
Celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day
If you’re thinking of adding an amigo felpudo (furry friend) to your home, consider adopting a gato preto (black cat) on this day. Not only will you be giving a loving home to a cat in need, but you’ll also be helping to break the cycle of prejudice against these beautiful creatures.
Other ways to celebrate include sharing photos of your black cat on social media, encouraging your children to draw and colour pictures of black cats, or simply giving your black cat some extra special attention today. You can also watch movies and TV shows featuring black cats—it’s a fun way to appreciate these often misunderstood animals. Here is my black Cat, Olívia:
Vocabulary Spotlight
To make your celebration even more educational, here are a few useful words related to today’s topic:
- Superstição (Superstition): A widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural influences.
- Eutanásia (Euthanisia): To humanely put an animal to death.
- Perseguição (Persecution): Hostile and unfair treatment, often due to beliefs or characteristics.
- Adotar (to adopt): To take in and care for an animal as a pet.
Next is a video with Portuguese vocabulary related to cats in general. Try to take a few and write a few sentences. You can share them below if you would like feedback on your spelling.
Try this word search and see how quickly you recognize the words:
Let’s spread the word about how amazing gatos pretos are, and help them find the loving homes they deserve! While you’re celebrating, don’t forget that cats of all colours and breeds deserve love and care every day. You might enjoy reading about International Cat Day as well, which is celebrated earlier in August. And if you’re a dog lover, there’s also World Dog Day at the end of the month, on August 26th—a perfect time to appreciate our canine companions too!
Listening Exercise
Next, is a video with me reading a text about Black Cats: Myths and Thruths.