Why You Should Consider Adopting Black Cats And Other Overlooked Cats

InnovationScienceWhy You Should Consider Adopting Black Cats And Other Overlooked CatsByJen Reeder,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jen Reeder is an award-winning journalist who specializes in pets.Follow AuthorJun 15, 2026, 10:57am EDTSummaryRena Lafaille, an ASPCA director, champions adopting "harder-to-place" cats during June's Adopt a Shelter Cat Month and beyond. Her black cat, Phoenix, disproved bad luck myths, bringing joy. Lafaille advocates for seniors, bonded pairs and special needs cats, sharing how her three-legged cat Mardi and abuse survivor Kylie brought immense love and taught life lessons. She emphasizes that these cats offer unique rewards. Lafaille advises new adopters to introduce cats slowly and consider fostering to help shelters. She urges people to keep an open mind and heart, as many cats await loving homes, promising unexpected connections.Show More Black cats, bonded pairs, seniors and cats with special needs often linger longer in animal shelters.gettyWhile there’s an old superstition that black cats bring bad luck, adopting a black cat named Phoenix proved lucky for Rena Lafaille and her family. “Phoenix fills my home with so much love and joy,” she said. “Honestly, I cannot imagine my life without my black cat. If anything, she’s proven to me and our family that black cats bring nothing but good luck and a whole lot of affection.”Phoenix showed Rena Lafaille that adopting a black cat can bring good luck. Rena LafailleJune is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and Lafaille — who sees lots of adoptable cats in her job as director of administration at the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City — feels it’s a perfect time to help cats and kittens find homes. She particularly hopes people will consider adopting cats who tend to linger longer in shelters. In addition to black cats, harder-to-place cats include:Bonded pairs. When two cats with a close bond need to be adopted together, it...