CHENNAI: Black cats are believed to be a bad omen; it is a superstition widely believed. However, surprisingly, the origin of this particular myth is from the European countries. While witchcraft has been practised in India for ages, its association with black cats is speculated to have taken root in our country through our British and Portuguese colonisers. Of course, there’s absolutely no logic in it. As Groucho Marx had famously once said “A black cat crossing your path signifies, that the animal is going somewhere“. Nothing more, nothing less.
Cat enthusiast and rescuer Kausar Parveen and family to gorgeous Sanji opines that they have to be extra cautious when someone says they want only a black cat. The usual screening just gets more rigorous. The fear is that people might use them as live voodoo dolls or for sacrificing for black magic. Brutal killing of black stray cats are not something uncommon even today.
However, blind faith works both ways. There are people wanting only black cats as they are supposed to be harbinger of prosperity and wealth. Experienced animal rescuer and cat-rehabilitation specialist Vijaya Sitaram says that if any Swamiji proclaims that black cats have such powers, there will be a huge demand for them. But these would mean adoption purely for selfish reasons and not out of love for the animal. “Sooner or later these cats get dumped and abandoned once the families realise that it was all a hoax,” she says. Vijaya says that it’s not just black cats which live under the shadow of superstition. “It can happen with any cat which comes in shades of black, black and white, and grey,” she says.
Change of mindset has to come about slowly. It’s not easy to let go of all beliefs instilled in us from childhood. Anusha Karnad, coming from a staunchly conservative family, had to fight hard against this rigid mentality about black cats with her parents. They believed black cats are always followed by bad luck and disaster. But Anusha did not give up easily. She knew she had tough fight ahead but with a quiet determination she brought home Shadow, a tiny black kitten.
In the beginning her parents refused to do anything with the kitten or even touch it, but slowly and surely Shadow crept into the hearts of her parents with his charm and absolute adorableness. So much so that Anusha says, today Shadow is totally her parents pet, pampered and continuously being fussed over by them.
Similarly Vidhu Goyal, proud mom to Teddy says that is amusing to see how people passing by her house to drop their kids at a neighbourhood school actually stop in their tracks for a few seconds if a cat passes by. If only they knew the amount of unadulterated love and care these animals are capable of. Teddy, who has been with her from when he was 10-days-old, when he was left an orphan after the death of his mom and siblings, has turned out to be the most gentlest and sweet-natured of all the 40 odd cats that have crossed her way. Teddy gets along famously with all his dog and cat siblings and is extremely affectionate and protective of the younger ones and his human parent’s.
Vidhu has this to say to all the superstitious folks out there: “Nothing brings more positivity, luck and goodness than rescuing, adopting, and caring for an animal, black cats included”.
Trivia for the younger ones: The character of Toothless or Night fury in the movie How to Train Your Dragon has been inspired by a black cat. From being a feared illusive monster by reputation to being the most loyal and loving companion to a young boy, the movie subtly shows how untrue some beliefs can be. Or who can forget the cartoon characters of Sylvester the famous black cat from Looney Tunes and Snowball II, constant companion of Lisa Simpson from the TV show Simpsons.
(To adopt cats contact Vijaya Sitaram at 9845553850 or Kausar at 73536 96985)