I Photograph Black Shelter Cats Because They’re The Last To Get Adopted And Are Often Euthanized
I photograph black cats at the West Los Angeles animal shelter. Black cats have the lowest adoption rates and the highest euthanasia rates. With this photo series, I tried to showcase their personalities to counter the belief that black cats are bad luck.
Black cats are awesome and the Los Angeles shelters have plenty available for adoption this Halloween season.
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Many shelters refuse to adopt out black cats at this time of the year due to fear that they could be used for ritual sacrifice by Satanic or Wiccan or Pagan groups. I frankly think this is a lot of hooey but I have lived in communities where adoptions of black cats are suspended over Hallowe'en/Samhain. These are cute cats in West L.A. -- maybe wait until All Saints' Day?
Actually the bigger problem is people who adopt as a "prop" for Halloween and then returning it back to the shelter or worse (death or ditch)... Yes there is a problem, though it isn't actual groups who are the ones who harm the kitties, but people who believe the hooey and think it makes them cool or something... It's a reason to keep an eye on your black darlings.
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i love black cats, i had two, one passed away when i was little, and I rescued the other four years ago and now he's my feline baby
I can't imagine this. I love black cats. I have a black cat, Joey, that was a stray. Now he is my fur-ever friend.
LOVE you for this and you'll be pleased to know I specifically went into my local shelter looking for a black kitty and I was happy to give Seamus a 2 month old Tuxedo a forever home!!!!
nothing's wrong with the black cat.. they are beautiful.. screw the myth
Of course. Now if we could only get rid of those kids who think animal abuse is cool...
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I adopted two black kittens from WLAS a few months ago and they're the best things in my life. Love my kitty girls <3
In fact, when did you take some of these pictures? I think the bright yellow eyes with the pink collar (A158) could be my Raven. Looks just like her, and she was wearing pink when we got her. I'm now determined to find the number I wrote down when I adopted her.
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Not only did we adopt a black cat, he was already an adult and he is the one the kids picked out themselves. He's got his quirks, but he's family now!
what? whyy? what's wrong with black cats? they're the coolest. I always wanted a black cat.
As maggiemoonbeam said, this season the rates of black animals adoption increase because many people use them as sacriface for rituals. So in some shelters they refuse to give them out. Love the pics BTW :)
I love black cats. I have two. BTW: cats don't know what color they are! There is no color for a cat that is either lucky or unlucky. Cats are a gift and are remarkable in any color.
I specifically went to my local shelter looking for a black cat and was so happy to bring home a 2 month old tuxedo kitty I named Seamus to his Forever Home!!!!
This is such an awesome idea!! The shelter in my hometown did a promotion this year where all black cats were ten dollars for the month of October and I didn't know until I had already picked out a black cat, so I ended up leaving with two!!! Now I want to adopt all the black cats! :)
Beautiful photos. Clearly all those little souls are full of personality. I truly hope the photos brings adopters for them.
I love Black Cats! I have always had 1 or 2 in my family since I was 5 years old, (I'm 50 now) and have 2 feral adoptees sleeping next to me right now. BUT......they should NOT BE ADVERTISED FOR HALLOWEEN for reasons we all know, LUCKILY many shelters close adoptions during this time......thank goodness. Meee00ow
Thank you for showing me how to take a decent picture of my black critter! A dark back ground... Doh! Little bugger is always under or over exposed which is a shame because he's handsome fella <3 Now, how do you get them to stay on that dark background :?
HAHA! they don't stay still for very long. it requires a lot of patience :)
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I own 3 fully black cats and 1 black and white cat. Along with 3 grey and white cats. Crazy cat lady I know but they all have such different personalities and are all so lovable.
In August, we adopted two black and white motherless kitten from a litter of fives, Naomi and Mojo, they are now 4 1/2 months old. Since 11 years we have Maja, a red adopted cat. We always loved black or black/white cats, but also tabby and red. The color isn't important.
Beautifully done! I'm not a cat lover - but these shots would make me thing twice about adopting! The last face is just a heart-tugger!
most of them so far! But I'm gonna keep adding to this project because there are so many cats that need homes :)
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Black cats are adorable, I have one, adopted from the forest near my home. The photos are amazing.
LOVE my black cat! In England, black cats are lucky!!! I even carried a velvet black cat with my wedding flowers.
Actually, most of my friends who are cat owners have black cats, they're quite popular :)
I am not a crazy cat person, but I would adopt all of these! These pictures are amazing.
Don't understand the prejudices against these beautiful black beauties. You are doing them a great justice in promoting them. Thank you.
I've had three black cats, and only just adopted my first orange (and white) one this past July. Black is least adopted, but orange is most adopted. They are all sweet regardless of color, tho.
These are freaking adorable! Mine is 9 y.o., feisty, and a sweetheart (when she wants to be).
I adopted an all black cat from my local shelter almost 3 years ago.( he is now over 4 years old) he came with health problems ( only one working Kidney) and has to eat special food (KD) He is my best friend and I truly love him. When the time comes that he is gone I will adopt another Black cat. 10259101_9...dacd3c.jpg 
I adopted a black cat from my local shelter almost 3 years ago Midnight is my best friend. He came with kidney problems ( only one is working) and has to eat a special food but I wouldn't trade him for anything. When the time comes I will adopt another.
In the 1900s was when stupid ignorant superstitious people decided that black cats were bad luck or evil.
Love my Smokey bear. He is a long haired black kitty we got from the shelter about a year ago. :-)
I ADORE BLACK CATS AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD 1,2 or 3 in my home since I was 5 years old! MeeOOw
I wish we had cats like the above at our shelter. Nope we have wild ferral cats
I want every single one of them the kittens, the adults, all of them.
I didn't believe there was a difference in cats based on color until I got a male black cat. Sweetest guy in the world. He had been abused and then surrendered twice. He was pretty much deemed unadoptable and I pleaded to take him. (I'm a sucker for sob stories) He was 5/6 when I adopted him and hid under my bed for a solid 4 months. Within a year he was a permanent fixture on my lap or perched on my side to the day he passed (a long, loving 14 years later)
Never suggest people adopt a black cat during Halloween, because once the fancy passes, they have a life to care for (just like Christmas pets). Most shelters don't adopt them out then anyway, for fear of idiots who will adopt them for nefarious reasons related to Halloween myths. I have a black kitty that I adopted, and it turns out I got a low cost Burmese. I see full bred black Labrador Retrievers in the shelter too often, because people don't recognize them as anything but scary black dogs. Insane.
It blows my mind that superstition plays that big a role in people's lives still my old room are got a black kitten technically a tuxedo I think cuz she has a small white patch on her chest but otherwise mostly black and she's the biggest wuss In the world and other then the constant attention craving she is a fantastic sweet lil cat
I rescued a stray black cat that kept hanging around my apartment shortly after I moved in in September. As Halloween was drawing near, I decided to take her into my home. "Isabelle" ended up being one of the best cats ever! She became my cuddling, lap sitting, affectionate fur baby. She was my funny, purring, talkative sweet girl for over 14 years before she died.
I adopted my BLACK cat for just that reason. And it was the best decision of my life. Her name is Magic but I call her Sweetums because she's as sweet as can be. And funny too. I love her so much. She just celebrated her 3rd birthday last week and on our one year anniversary I plan on giving her another party. She's the best.
How do you get good photos? I foster many black cats and am having trouble getting good photos. I have a good quality Canon camera and just bought an LED light. I'll buy whatever equipment is needed. I don't have much natural light in my house. Too many trees outside and my walls are painted yellow so that throws off the color in photographs. I have someone who color adjusts my photos for me, but I'm still needing to get better lighting so the camera's autofocus can "see" the black cat.
I would love to adopt all of them, i can't believe black cats are the last ones to get picked and therefore euthanized as a result! That makes me so sad, thank you for taking these pics, you probably saved the lives of many !
black cats bring good luck. All cats bring good luck, but, ESPECIALLY black cats. In fact, since a black cat entered in my life, things have gone incredibly well.
I foster black cats for Black Cat Rescue here in MA and have 3 sweet loving little black cats of my own. So tragic that Black Cats are so mistreated because of the ignorance and stupidity of humans.
Love them all. Had a black boy, loved him.. but he was ill and died a few years ago. .
Omg! The last one is such a cutie! , great job, here in Canada the shelters even waive or lower the adoption fees on black cats ( you know, vaccines, neutered fee etc) , after my cat died ( she was 17) we adopted a crazy tuxedo cat, she was mistreated and wasn't friendly at all, but now she's much better :)
It's just awful that people knowingly kill animals or babies just because they don't want them
I think , people are idiots thinking black cats can cause harm to them. They are themselves who cause them harm !These cats are adorable !
avere ancora paura dei gatti neri dimostra come si sia ancora immersi in una pappa di superstizione religiosa. vogliamo capire che dai gatti neri non si riceve altro che amore come da qualsiasi altro gatto? anzi, siccome di solito sono evitati, sono capaci di enormi slanci d'amore. io ho avuto tre gatti neri, ed ora purtroppo ne sono rimasti solo due. ma sono i più dolci tra i gatti che ho avuto. li adoro, e loro adorano me, vivono in simbiosi con me e mio marito, e soprattutto non hanno mai portato sfortuna ne a noi ne ai nostri amici. amate questi splendidi animali, che oltre tutto con il loro manto nero sono stupendi.
I love black cats and my husband has a Big Fluffy black cat and his name is Lucifer
Since this got 355 likes I'm guessing I should high expectations for most people to get a black cat instead of a white one or a tabby.....
Who could harm an animal with a face like that? I am a complete cat person. Keep posting these articles. These cats need love and will return it ten fold unconditionally.
How could anyone harm an animal with a face like that? I am a complete cat person. Keep spreading the word. These creatures need love and will return it ten fold unconditionally.
Black cats are great! They are really smart, and generally have the cutest mannerisms when they know they are love!
The whole thing with it being bad luck for a black cat to cross your path is c**p. It's actually if a all white cat crosses your path that is bad luck. But thanks to the witch hunts and closed minded Christians thinking "oh they keep black cats they must be evil." When it was more like oh black cats are good luck we'll keep these great guys around.
Never have I ever seen such delightful, clear shots of adorable b/w or black kittens. The expressions alone, melt my heart.
My black cat Harry(named after my grandpa) was my favorite of all. He was sleek and elegant, and the ringleader of the other two! He would always get them into trouble! lol Sometimes he would follow me as I left to go do errands. Even though it's been over ten years since he passed, I still miss him horribly.
I love black cats got one now and had 2 growing up. Being bad luck is stupidstisious nonsense.
So beautiful! I have a black cat and this one is the most brave of my kitten. My guardian and friend. Beautiful pictures, I hope they help people to see how awesome these animals are.
Black cats are my favourite cats... :( (I know I shouldn't pick favourites though :P)
My black cat Raven found me on 12/13/14 and it was the luckiest day of my life. When I bought a house in August I made her a big sister to Willow, Shadow and Black Betty. All black cats.
Can't believe black cats are the least popular. I had two. My best ever feline friend Simi, who was a street cat that moved in with me & used to bring other strays home for me to look after, and come hang out at the beach with me. And my little Spot (not my naming, uninspired neighbours who didn't notice he moved next door when they got a puppy). Gorgeous, loved & loving fur friends. Still miss them
I had a black cat, he picked me and was just the best. I still miss him 3 years later. Best $50 I ever spent.
People need to grow up and get rid of this dumb superstition! Black cats are gorgeous!
Are these kittens up for adoption now?? I can't seem to find one in particular.
I am so sorry to hear this, I actually have a lovely black cat and there are 2 more in the compound and yes some people seem to be afraid of these little panters......
Really good pix!! Black cats should be taken OFF the adoption lists in October - too many of them are 'adopted' by ill intentioned people who torture and/or kill them at Halloween. Many many shelters in this country do not allow black cat adoptions in October. There are always horrible people out there faking adoptions for bad purposes.
I think it is extremely stupid how people perceive these beautiful cats. I had a black cat and he was the most loving kitty ever.
These are awesome. I love cats, work with a cat rescue group, and you are so correct about the fate of black cats. I would love to know your set-up for these photos. I am also a photographer (enthusiast level) and would love to take photos for my group's cats. I know I could do a better job than the current photographer.
HAHA! I have a nikon d800 with a 35mm lens and a speed light attached. good luck!
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I have a black kitty. He is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I don't understand why black cats are the last to get adopted.
Many shelters refuse to adopt out black cats at this time of the year due to fear that they could be used for ritual sacrifice by Satanic or Wiccan or Pagan groups. I frankly think this is a lot of hooey but I have lived in communities where adoptions of black cats are suspended over Hallowe'en/Samhain. These are cute cats in West L.A. -- maybe wait until All Saints' Day?
Actually the bigger problem is people who adopt as a "prop" for Halloween and then returning it back to the shelter or worse (death or ditch)... Yes there is a problem, though it isn't actual groups who are the ones who harm the kitties, but people who believe the hooey and think it makes them cool or something... It's a reason to keep an eye on your black darlings.
Load More Replies... i love black cats, i had two, one passed away when i was little, and I rescued the other four years ago and now he's my feline baby
I can't imagine this. I love black cats. I have a black cat, Joey, that was a stray. Now he is my fur-ever friend.
LOVE you for this and you'll be pleased to know I specifically went into my local shelter looking for a black kitty and I was happy to give Seamus a 2 month old Tuxedo a forever home!!!!
nothing's wrong with the black cat.. they are beautiful.. screw the myth
Of course. Now if we could only get rid of those kids who think animal abuse is cool...
Load More Replies... I adopted two black kittens from WLAS a few months ago and they're the best things in my life. Love my kitty girls <3
In fact, when did you take some of these pictures? I think the bright yellow eyes with the pink collar (A158) could be my Raven. Looks just like her, and she was wearing pink when we got her. I'm now determined to find the number I wrote down when I adopted her.
Load More Replies... Not only did we adopt a black cat, he was already an adult and he is the one the kids picked out themselves. He's got his quirks, but he's family now!
what? whyy? what's wrong with black cats? they're the coolest. I always wanted a black cat.
As maggiemoonbeam said, this season the rates of black animals adoption increase because many people use them as sacriface for rituals. So in some shelters they refuse to give them out. Love the pics BTW :)
I love black cats. I have two. BTW: cats don't know what color they are! There is no color for a cat that is either lucky or unlucky. Cats are a gift and are remarkable in any color.
I specifically went to my local shelter looking for a black cat and was so happy to bring home a 2 month old tuxedo kitty I named Seamus to his Forever Home!!!!
This is such an awesome idea!! The shelter in my hometown did a promotion this year where all black cats were ten dollars for the month of October and I didn't know until I had already picked out a black cat, so I ended up leaving with two!!! Now I want to adopt all the black cats! :)
Beautiful photos. Clearly all those little souls are full of personality. I truly hope the photos brings adopters for them.
I love Black Cats! I have always had 1 or 2 in my family since I was 5 years old, (I'm 50 now) and have 2 feral adoptees sleeping next to me right now. BUT......they should NOT BE ADVERTISED FOR HALLOWEEN for reasons we all know, LUCKILY many shelters close adoptions during this time......thank goodness. Meee00ow
Thank you for showing me how to take a decent picture of my black critter! A dark back ground... Doh! Little bugger is always under or over exposed which is a shame because he's handsome fella <3 Now, how do you get them to stay on that dark background :?
HAHA! they don't stay still for very long. it requires a lot of patience :)
Load More Replies... I own 3 fully black cats and 1 black and white cat. Along with 3 grey and white cats. Crazy cat lady I know but they all have such different personalities and are all so lovable.
In August, we adopted two black and white motherless kitten from a litter of fives, Naomi and Mojo, they are now 4 1/2 months old. Since 11 years we have Maja, a red adopted cat. We always loved black or black/white cats, but also tabby and red. The color isn't important.
Beautifully done! I'm not a cat lover - but these shots would make me thing twice about adopting! The last face is just a heart-tugger!
most of them so far! But I'm gonna keep adding to this project because there are so many cats that need homes :)
Load More Replies... Black cats are adorable, I have one, adopted from the forest near my home. The photos are amazing.
LOVE my black cat! In England, black cats are lucky!!! I even carried a velvet black cat with my wedding flowers.
Actually, most of my friends who are cat owners have black cats, they're quite popular :)
I am not a crazy cat person, but I would adopt all of these! These pictures are amazing.
Don't understand the prejudices against these beautiful black beauties. You are doing them a great justice in promoting them. Thank you.
I've had three black cats, and only just adopted my first orange (and white) one this past July. Black is least adopted, but orange is most adopted. They are all sweet regardless of color, tho.
These are freaking adorable! Mine is 9 y.o., feisty, and a sweetheart (when she wants to be).
I adopted an all black cat from my local shelter almost 3 years ago.( he is now over 4 years old) he came with health problems ( only one working Kidney) and has to eat special food (KD) He is my best friend and I truly love him. When the time comes that he is gone I will adopt another Black cat. 10259101_9...dacd3c.jpg
I adopted a black cat from my local shelter almost 3 years ago Midnight is my best friend. He came with kidney problems ( only one is working) and has to eat a special food but I wouldn't trade him for anything. When the time comes I will adopt another.
In the 1900s was when stupid ignorant superstitious people decided that black cats were bad luck or evil.
Love my Smokey bear. He is a long haired black kitty we got from the shelter about a year ago. :-)
I ADORE BLACK CATS AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD 1,2 or 3 in my home since I was 5 years old! MeeOOw
I wish we had cats like the above at our shelter. Nope we have wild ferral cats
I want every single one of them the kittens, the adults, all of them.
I didn't believe there was a difference in cats based on color until I got a male black cat. Sweetest guy in the world. He had been abused and then surrendered twice. He was pretty much deemed unadoptable and I pleaded to take him. (I'm a sucker for sob stories) He was 5/6 when I adopted him and hid under my bed for a solid 4 months. Within a year he was a permanent fixture on my lap or perched on my side to the day he passed (a long, loving 14 years later)
Never suggest people adopt a black cat during Halloween, because once the fancy passes, they have a life to care for (just like Christmas pets). Most shelters don't adopt them out then anyway, for fear of idiots who will adopt them for nefarious reasons related to Halloween myths. I have a black kitty that I adopted, and it turns out I got a low cost Burmese. I see full bred black Labrador Retrievers in the shelter too often, because people don't recognize them as anything but scary black dogs. Insane.
It blows my mind that superstition plays that big a role in people's lives still my old room are got a black kitten technically a tuxedo I think cuz she has a small white patch on her chest but otherwise mostly black and she's the biggest wuss In the world and other then the constant attention craving she is a fantastic sweet lil cat
I rescued a stray black cat that kept hanging around my apartment shortly after I moved in in September. As Halloween was drawing near, I decided to take her into my home. "Isabelle" ended up being one of the best cats ever! She became my cuddling, lap sitting, affectionate fur baby. She was my funny, purring, talkative sweet girl for over 14 years before she died.
I adopted my BLACK cat for just that reason. And it was the best decision of my life. Her name is Magic but I call her Sweetums because she's as sweet as can be. And funny too. I love her so much. She just celebrated her 3rd birthday last week and on our one year anniversary I plan on giving her another party. She's the best.
How do you get good photos? I foster many black cats and am having trouble getting good photos. I have a good quality Canon camera and just bought an LED light. I'll buy whatever equipment is needed. I don't have much natural light in my house. Too many trees outside and my walls are painted yellow so that throws off the color in photographs. I have someone who color adjusts my photos for me, but I'm still needing to get better lighting so the camera's autofocus can "see" the black cat.
I would love to adopt all of them, i can't believe black cats are the last ones to get picked and therefore euthanized as a result! That makes me so sad, thank you for taking these pics, you probably saved the lives of many !
black cats bring good luck. All cats bring good luck, but, ESPECIALLY black cats. In fact, since a black cat entered in my life, things have gone incredibly well.
I foster black cats for Black Cat Rescue here in MA and have 3 sweet loving little black cats of my own. So tragic that Black Cats are so mistreated because of the ignorance and stupidity of humans.
Love them all. Had a black boy, loved him.. but he was ill and died a few years ago. .
Omg! The last one is such a cutie! , great job, here in Canada the shelters even waive or lower the adoption fees on black cats ( you know, vaccines, neutered fee etc) , after my cat died ( she was 17) we adopted a crazy tuxedo cat, she was mistreated and wasn't friendly at all, but now she's much better :)
It's just awful that people knowingly kill animals or babies just because they don't want them
I think , people are idiots thinking black cats can cause harm to them. They are themselves who cause them harm !These cats are adorable !
avere ancora paura dei gatti neri dimostra come si sia ancora immersi in una pappa di superstizione religiosa. vogliamo capire che dai gatti neri non si riceve altro che amore come da qualsiasi altro gatto? anzi, siccome di solito sono evitati, sono capaci di enormi slanci d'amore. io ho avuto tre gatti neri, ed ora purtroppo ne sono rimasti solo due. ma sono i più dolci tra i gatti che ho avuto. li adoro, e loro adorano me, vivono in simbiosi con me e mio marito, e soprattutto non hanno mai portato sfortuna ne a noi ne ai nostri amici. amate questi splendidi animali, che oltre tutto con il loro manto nero sono stupendi.
I love black cats and my husband has a Big Fluffy black cat and his name is Lucifer
Since this got 355 likes I'm guessing I should high expectations for most people to get a black cat instead of a white one or a tabby.....
Who could harm an animal with a face like that? I am a complete cat person. Keep posting these articles. These cats need love and will return it ten fold unconditionally.
How could anyone harm an animal with a face like that? I am a complete cat person. Keep spreading the word. These creatures need love and will return it ten fold unconditionally.
Black cats are great! They are really smart, and generally have the cutest mannerisms when they know they are love!
The whole thing with it being bad luck for a black cat to cross your path is c**p. It's actually if a all white cat crosses your path that is bad luck. But thanks to the witch hunts and closed minded Christians thinking "oh they keep black cats they must be evil." When it was more like oh black cats are good luck we'll keep these great guys around.
Never have I ever seen such delightful, clear shots of adorable b/w or black kittens. The expressions alone, melt my heart.
My black cat Harry(named after my grandpa) was my favorite of all. He was sleek and elegant, and the ringleader of the other two! He would always get them into trouble! lol Sometimes he would follow me as I left to go do errands. Even though it's been over ten years since he passed, I still miss him horribly.
I love black cats got one now and had 2 growing up. Being bad luck is stupidstisious nonsense.
So beautiful! I have a black cat and this one is the most brave of my kitten. My guardian and friend. Beautiful pictures, I hope they help people to see how awesome these animals are.
Black cats are my favourite cats... :( (I know I shouldn't pick favourites though :P)
My black cat Raven found me on 12/13/14 and it was the luckiest day of my life. When I bought a house in August I made her a big sister to Willow, Shadow and Black Betty. All black cats.
Can't believe black cats are the least popular. I had two. My best ever feline friend Simi, who was a street cat that moved in with me & used to bring other strays home for me to look after, and come hang out at the beach with me. And my little Spot (not my naming, uninspired neighbours who didn't notice he moved next door when they got a puppy). Gorgeous, loved & loving fur friends. Still miss them
I had a black cat, he picked me and was just the best. I still miss him 3 years later. Best $50 I ever spent.
People need to grow up and get rid of this dumb superstition! Black cats are gorgeous!
Are these kittens up for adoption now?? I can't seem to find one in particular.
I am so sorry to hear this, I actually have a lovely black cat and there are 2 more in the compound and yes some people seem to be afraid of these little panters......
Really good pix!! Black cats should be taken OFF the adoption lists in October - too many of them are 'adopted' by ill intentioned people who torture and/or kill them at Halloween. Many many shelters in this country do not allow black cat adoptions in October. There are always horrible people out there faking adoptions for bad purposes.
I think it is extremely stupid how people perceive these beautiful cats. I had a black cat and he was the most loving kitty ever.
These are awesome. I love cats, work with a cat rescue group, and you are so correct about the fate of black cats. I would love to know your set-up for these photos. I am also a photographer (enthusiast level) and would love to take photos for my group's cats. I know I could do a better job than the current photographer.
HAHA! I have a nikon d800 with a 35mm lens and a speed light attached. good luck!
Load More Replies... I have a black kitty. He is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I don't understand why black cats are the last to get adopted.
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