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Black cats more likely to enter RSPCA care
Black and black and white cats are nearly three times more likely to enter RSPCA care than tabby cats.
Black cats also take longer to be rehomed, charity reveals.

As National Black Cat Day (27 October) approaches, the RSPCA has revealed that black and black and white cats are more likely to enter its care than other cats.

Data released by the RSPCA shows that they are 2.7 times more likely to come into the charity's care than tabby cats. There are also 626 per cent more black cats than ginger cats in the RSPCA's care and 25 times more black than white cats.

In total, there are 676 black and black and white cats being cared for at the RSPCA's national centres.

The charity also recently revealed that black cats take three times longer to rehome than other cats.

Alice Potter, RSPCA cat welfare expert, said: “There are overwhelmingly more black and black and white cats in our care than any other coat colour - and they also take much longer to rehome, which sadly means they are staying in rescue centres for much longer periods.

“Not only is this sad for the cats who are patiently waiting for their second chance at happiness but it also means that there are limited spaces to help new cats because our centres are full of black cats which sadly no one wants to adopt.”

The RSPCA is currently experiencing what it calls a ‘rehoming crisis’. Last year, the charity took in 42 per cent more animals than were rehomed.

In response, it has relaunched its Adoptober campaign to encourage people to adopt a pet from a rescue centre rather than buying one from a breeder.

Ms Potter added: “We don’t know for sure why black cats are more likely to end up in rescue centres and are then overlooked by prospective adopters. It could be because there are more black cats than any other colour in the cat population so cats with different colours and patterns tend to stand out to adopters - but we hope many of them find their loving new forever homes this Adoptober.  

“We know some people also consider them unlucky or associate them with superstition, or even think they don’t look good in Instagram photos, but, in reality, they are just like any other cat who needs a loving home.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.