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Black cats not dangerous

As many years as I have worked with animals, I have heard the same thing: Do NOT let your black cats stay outside during Halloween!

We have two black cats who are indoor/outdoor cats. We have had them for as many years as we have been together.

Apparently, there is some superstition that any black cats will be killed and thrown upon your doorstep over the Halloween holidays.

That is not to say that your black cats should not be inside. The more comfortable any cats are, the better they will make you feel! However…

If there is anyone out there considering killing a cat just because it is black and the holiday seems to permit such, I have news for you… It is illegal.

Unless or until an animal poses a threat to you, your household and/or your property, killing it is against the law.

The possibility of a typical house cat being a threat to your household and/or family is less than the possibility of one of your wife’s uncle’s third cousin’s sister-in-law winning the $5 scratch-off of the million dollar lottery for Alabama. IN other words, it ain’t gonna happen anytime soon.

The raccoons you have been feeding have more of a chance of being a threat and spreading rabies than the “wild” dogs and cats in your area.

The foxes feeding on the raccoons and other wildlife feeding and dying in your neighborhood are better vectors for rabies than the stray cats that you hate so much.

Bats that fly over your house (and they are everywhere, every day; not just during Halloween) can carry rabies; never disturb a sleeping bat and never pick up anything that looks like a bat or a mouse with wings.

However, bats are one of the most helpful animals because they eat the insects we do not like.

And if you really feel the need to destroy any animal, please go to an amusement park and ask an attendant where the “Whack-A-Mole” kiosk is. But in as far as black cats go? Love them. If you cannot, leave them alone.

Corey Baginski is a veterinarian technician. You can reach him at coreyb@ymail.com