Spanish town bans black cat adoptions during Halloween over fears of “ritual” abuse

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I was shocked to hear that the town of Terrassa in Spain has actually stopped people from adopting black cats for a while around Halloween! Apparently, local officials are worried that people might mistreat them or, believe it or not, use them in some kind of spooky rituals. It’s a pretty drastic step, but they’re trying to protect the kitties, which I guess is a good thing.

From October 6th to November 10th, the city’s animal shelter won’t be processing applications to adopt or foster black cats. This is to keep them safe during Halloween, as unfortunately, interest in adopting black cats tends to increase around that time, and there’s concern they could be harmed or used as decorations.

Terrassa’s Deputy Mayor Noel Duque explained to RTVE that, although the city hasn’t had any reported cases of animal abuse, concerns about incidents elsewhere led them to take preventative measures. He stated they aim to discourage people from adopting pets on a whim or as a fleeting trend, and to stop any potential cruel or disturbing practices.

A Facebook post from an animal shelter in Indiana announcing the pause of black cat adoptions

Evidence supporting black cat bans is limited

While Terrassa’s recent decision is limited to that city and is only temporary, worries about similar issues have come up elsewhere. In the past, some animal shelters in the United States temporarily stopped or limited the adoption of black cats around Halloween, because of concerns they might be harmed. However, it appears these kinds of restrictions aren’t very common now.

Groups dedicated to animal welfare, like Alley Cat Allies and Shelter Animals Count, state that there’s no proof black cats are at greater risk around Halloween. They consider the idea a false belief and point out that pausing adoptions could actually make it *more* difficult for black cats – who are already harder to place – to find loving homes.

According to a 2024 report by Shelter Animals Count, the idea that black cats are specifically targeted for rituals is a myth – there’s no evidence to support it. Operation Kindness, a North Texas shelter, also confirmed in 2024 that black cats aren’t at greater risk around Halloween than at any other time of the year.

Terrassa, a city in Spain, has temporarily stopped allowing people to adopt black cats until after Halloween. This decision comes after animal rights groups asked the city council to protect the cats, as black cats are sometimes targeted due to superstitions around Halloween. While no instances of harm to black cats have been reported in Terrassa, officials hope this measure will prevent any potential ritualistic abuse.

— Catalan News (@catalannews) October 16, 2025

Terrassa calls its measure “temporary and exceptional”

Terrassa, a city in Catalonia, is home to around 9,800 cats, and currently has 12 black cats available for adoption at its main center. The city recently put a temporary hold on adoptions, calling it an unusual measure that might be repeated if needed. Any exceptions to the pause will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and regular adoptions are expected to resume after November 10th.

The city of Terrassa’s rule is notable because it’s an official law, but most animal shelters today focus on teaching potential owners and carefully screening them, instead of simply banning certain breeds. This change shows a move towards using facts and data to improve animal welfare, rather than relying on old beliefs and fears.

So, I heard from the BBC that the city council in Terrassa decided to ban costumes for pets around Halloween. They worked with local animal shelters to do it, saying it’s just to give the animals some extra protection during all the craziness. Seems like a good idea, honestly – don’t want any stressed-out furry friends!

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2025-10-19 18:49