WEST MILFORD — Black Friday used to signal the start of the holiday shopping season but with many retailers opening on Thanksgiving, Black Friday is now starting on Thursday. But the West Milford Animal Shelter is sticking to tradition and hosting its 8th annual Black Cat Friday (and weekend) Nov. 25 through Nov. 27. Every black or blackish cat adopted will go home with a special gift bag with a bed, toys, and treats.
All cats adopted will receive a $25 gift certificate for Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital in Hewitt.
Black cat and kittens are almost always the last to be adopted and to gain first-hand knowledge of why, a volunteer recently interviewed an anonymous black cat.
Cat: “My name is…”
Shelter: Wait! Anonymous means you don’t tell anyone your name.
Cat: “Can I describe myself?”
Shelter: Well, I think that would be all right.
Cat: “I’m a cat. And I’m all black. And I’ve been at the shelter for a little while now.”
Shelter: That’s a good start.
Cat: “Thank you. But I think I’m going to be here for a while longer.”
Shelter: Why do you say that?
Cat: “Because I’m all black. Black cats are the least likely to be adopted from shelters.”
Shelter: Really? Why?
Cat: Sigh. “I don’t know. I think it’s because of superstition. And folklore. Haven’t you heard? A black cat crossing your path is bad luck. Do you know what you should do if a black cat crosses your path? You should reach down and pet it! That’s what you should do.”
Shelter: Tell me about your time at the shelter.
Cat: “Well, I’ve been here a little while. Long enough to see kittens come and go during two kitten seasons. That’s a long time.”
Shelter: It sure is!
Cat: “And I’ve watched a lot of adult cats get adopted. New ones - ones that just came to the shelter. But they were orange, and they were grey, and tabby, and calico. But here I sit because I’m a black cat.”
Shelter: If you could tell the readers anything, what would you say?
Cat: “I’d say to come meet me! I’m fabulous! And soft, and sleek, and friendly! I love people! I love to sit on laps. And while the shelter is really nice and the volunteers are very good to all of the cats here, I really want my own human to love me, one that I can love back.”
Black cats availableThe West Milford Animal Shelter has six black adult cats and six black kittens available for adoption, all in varying degrees of blackness: from all black with no white, to white with black markings, and everything in between. There’s a cat sure to be just right for you.
All the cats and kittens are up-to-date with inoculations, have been tested for FIV/Feline Leukemia (negative), have received a medical exam and are spayed or neutered if over the age of six months.
Adoption hours have been extended to accommodate the early morning Black Friday shoppers and their late morning nap! Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The West Milford Animal Shelter is located on Lycosky Drive, behind the recycling center. You can also reach them at 973-728-2859, or www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org.
To meet the cats, kittens and dogs, visit the shelter’s two Facebook pages: West Milford Animal-Shelter or The Real Cats at West Milford Animal Shelter.
Every cat, kitten or dog adopted over Black Cat Friday/Weekend will be “an honorary black cat” and go home with a gift bag.