Good on you shana for wanting a black cat. Apparently black and tuxedo (black and white) are the hardest to rehome I wonder if people think they are not as individual? We've had 3 black and 3 black and whites over the years and they have all been totally unique x

Louise, I have been a volunteer at our town's animal shelter and involved and interested in animal rescue and welfare.

One of the reasons black cats and dogs are usually harder to adopt out is because their facial expressions are harder to see/read at first glance and also in photographs that are posted on pet adoption web sites. Much like how an all black outfit will lose detail in a photo and always looks better with strong texture.

There are black dog rescue organizations that will take the time to put a colored scarf on a black dog for their adoption pictures and make sure that they are photographed in good lighting with a nice background to give these animals an extra boost. The lighter fur dogs and cats, especially the bi and tri colored ones have that more instant appeal factor to people IRL and especially in photos and in dark kennel cages, because the color contrasts of fur and eyes reads as 'personality.' Ever notice how dogs that have the lighter colored 'eyebrows' against a darker coat seem to have a more expressive face? It's that ever important first impression that helps many animals get new homes.

Claudia, what a good point. Now that I think about it, it's definitely true. I think that people often read this as "less attractive" when it's really just a matter of contrast. My cat and I just moved in with a black kitty named Zoe who is the sweetest thing. Plenty of personality to her!

Scroll back and look at Kari's photography of her two different colored Shelties. Notice how their dark brown eyes look on the two different colored furry faces.

How interesting, Louise. I didn't know that. I have one black cat and three "tuxedo"s I guess. Do you know if mine are technically tuxedo? At home we call them Holsteins like the dairy cows. And funny enough, they do "herd".

Why are tuxedos so unpopular?! They're beautiful puddy tats. My Lucie is a lovely silver tuxedo but black tuxedos are just as fab. Always impeccably turned out and stylish little kittens. Most men WISH they could wear a tuxedo as effortlessly as my kitty.

Lucie had to wait for months to be adopted (which is a long time for the shelter I got her from). It makes me so sad to think about. Maybe I'm just blinded because I am her mother, but I can't understand how so many people could pass by her and not fall in love, or how people can still look at her and not think she is angelic! Well it's their loss. I'm so glad I found her and snapped her up.

It was just meant to be Maya, that's why.
My Kimberly was from a shelter (the rest were strays) and she was very sick when I got her. So I assume that's why nobody adopted her, but a few months of love and care, and she was as good as new.
Somebody dumped my Molly (presumably when they discovered she was pregnant) and I just can't imagine saying no to those marshmallow cheeks and beautiful big eyes.
And now I can't imagine my life without her. Or any of them.

I finally got around to uploading latest pictures of Boi! I intend to change my avatar too.

Vani, what a precious pup!

Vani he's so cute. I'm guessing the flower didn't last long after the last photo!!! x

Sarah I got the 'tuxedo' name from the cats protection league calenders, scroll down to the last but one row. http://www.catsprotectionshop......ies_1.html

I like Maya's description silver tuxedo, black tuxedo etc.

Claudia thanks for the explaination. All of our cats have been strays so it wasn't a case of deciding which colour we wanted just whether we could keep them or not. Marley is the only cat we chose though he came from a rescue centre. My BF got him for me because I had just lost my beloved black and white dog Chance he had several homes on alert for a black and white kitten for me. Ah bless him!!

Louise, he is darling. So sorry to hear about your loss.

Quail he died in 2004 and I still sniffled when posting the piccie x