It is a common
belief that cats have a "sixth sense" and can
sense ghosts, spirits, or evil.
Today some people still believe that black cats
are unlucky or that it is unlucky if a black cat
crosses one's path, while others believe that
black cats are lucky. Black cats in particular are
associated with Halloween festivities. Because of
this, many cat rescue groups will not adopt out
black cats during the month of October because
they are concerned that the prospective owners are
only going along with the season and will not make
a lifelong dedication to the pet. Some animal
shelters will not adopt out cats of any kind (or
sometimes pets in general) around Halloween
because they are afraid, as a result of the moral
panic claims of believers in Satanic ritual abuse,
that the animals will be sacrificed. A far more
plausible fear is that they may be used in
Halloween-oriented pranks which could hurt or kill
them.
