Superstition, magic, and ancient fears continue to surround the figure of the black cat, still a symbol of misfortune for many—and for this very reason, often in danger. To protect them, the Spanish municipality of Terrassa has issued an ordinance , effective from October 1st to November 1st, prohibiting citizens from adopting black cats from animal shelters .
The decision was made despite no formal reports of abuse or rituals , but stems from the sharp increase in adoption requests recorded in the weeks leading up to Halloween . This phenomenon has raised concerns among local administrators, prompting them to take preventative action.
As the City Council explained, the goal is "to protect black cats from superstitions, rituals, or irresponsible behavior that may occur during this time of year." However, the ordinance provides for some exceptions, reserved for justified cases and evaluated by a team of experts, to ensure maximum animal protection. Once the Halloween season is over, the centers will resume regular adoptions and foster care.
(Unioneonline/vf)
