Black Cat Appreciation Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
UPI reports that Wayne H. Morris started Black Cat Appreciation Day in 2011; ASPCA independently documents August 17 recurrence and continued shelter/adoption-awareness use.
About Black Cat Appreciation Day
Black Cat Appreciation Day is observed on August 17 and focuses attention on black cats, including those waiting for homes in animal shelters.
UPI reports that Wayne H. Morris started the observance in 2011, while the ASPCA has independently recognized and participated in the August 17 observance for years.
Why Black Cat Appreciation Day matters
The observance is commonly used to counter negative myths about black cats and to encourage informed appreciation of individual animals rather than judging them by coat color or superstition.
Adoption is a long-term animal-care commitment, so participation can also mean learning, volunteering, fostering through an established organization, or sharing accurate shelter information rather than adopting impulsively.
History of Black Cat Appreciation Day
UPI reports that Wayne H. Morris founded Black Cat Appreciation Day in 2011 in memory of his sister and her black cat, Sinbad.
The report says Morris worked with Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary to make the day an annual fundraiser supporting black cats at the rescue.
The ASPCA documented Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17 in 2014 and has continued to use the date in later adoption-awareness material.
ASPCA material explicitly rejects harmful myths and superstitions about black cats and presents them as individual companion animals.
The observance is an informal animal-appreciation and adoption-awareness day, not a government-created public holiday.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Wayne H. Morris
UPI identifies Wayne H. Morris as the person who started Black Cat Appreciation Day in 2011.
First documented observance
UPI states that Morris started the holiday in 2011 and describes its development into an annual fundraiser.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
7 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Black Cat Appreciation Day, National Black Cat Appreciation Day
How to Observe Black Cat Appreciation Day
Learn about black cats available through a reputable local shelter or rescue and review that organization’s adoption process before making a commitment.
Support a shelter through volunteering, fostering, donations, or sharing verified adoption profiles if those options suit you.
Use calm, humane handling and let an unfamiliar cat set the pace for interaction; ask shelter staff or a veterinarian for animal-specific care guidance.
Avoid repeating superstition-based claims that stigmatize black cats or treating coat color as a reliable guide to temperament.
If adopting, consider household fit, veterinary care, identification, safe transport, and long-term costs rather than acting only because of the date.
Black Cat Appreciation Day Facts
Black Cat Appreciation Day is observed on August 17.
UPI attributes the observance’s 2011 creation to Wayne H. Morris.
ASPCA material independently documents August 17 as Black Cat Appreciation Day.
The day is associated with appreciation and shelter/adoption awareness rather than statutory holiday status.
Responsible participation does not require adoption; education, fostering, volunteering, and shelter support are alternatives.
Black Cat Appreciation Day Messages
Celebrate black cats with patience, responsible care, and respect for each animal’s personality and boundaries.
May August 17 bring more informed attention to black cats without superstition, stigma, or pressure to adopt impulsively.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
ASPCA — Black Cat Appreciation Day (opens in a new tab)
Animal Welfare Nonprofit
ASPCA — National Black Cat Appreciation Day 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Animal Welfare Nonprofit
UPI — Black Cat Appreciation Day origin (opens in a new tab)
Independent News
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Cat Appreciation Day?
17 August The documented recurrence rule is: 17 August each year..
Does Black Cat Appreciation Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Black Cat Appreciation Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / animal-welfare and adoption-awareness observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Black Cat Appreciation Day?
The documented basis is: UPI reports that Wayne H. Morris started Black Cat Appreciation Day in 2011; ASPCA independently documents August 17 recurrence and continued shelter/adoption-awareness use.. Supporting evidence includes UPI — Black Cat Appreciation Day origin. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is Black Cat Appreciation Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / animal-welfare and adoption-awareness observance.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is Black Cat Appreciation Day?
It is observed on August 17.
Who started Black Cat Appreciation Day?
UPI reports that Wayne H. Morris started it in 2011.
Why was the day created?
UPI reports that Morris created it in memory of his sister and her black cat, while also helping draw attention to black cats and shelter support.
Is Black Cat Appreciation Day a public holiday?
No government public-holiday status is established in the reviewed sources; it is an informal animal-appreciation observance.
Do I need to adopt a cat to participate?
No. You can learn about black cats, support a reputable shelter, volunteer, foster if qualified, or share verified adoption information without making an impulsive adoption decision.
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