Every Halloween, black cats are tortured, just because of their fur color.

Black cats are thought of as unlucky and unwelcome demons thanks to incorrect superstitions.

Cats of all shapes, sizes and colors were revered by the Egyptians, but during the Middle Ages, cats became associated with witches. After this, black cats became taboo, and naturally these poor lonely old ladies accused of witchery fed and cared for the lone felines. Naturally, the cats were associated with them as well devil because of the misleading notion that Wicca is associated with devil worship.

However, in other cultures around the world, the black cat is still revered and even a symbol of good luck. In Scotland, they believe that a strange black cat arriving to the home signifies prosperity, and in Japan, they also honor black cats as symbols of good luck. Black cats are particularly important to single women in Japan, since having a black cat is believed to lure in many suitors for love and marriage. In Russia, all cats are viewed as lucky and have been for centuries.

As college students, we crave mental and emotional release because of our stressful school lives. One way to get unconditional love and emotional support is not from the guy who refuses to answer your calls, it’s from your new adopted black cat. Black cats are half as likely to be adopted as gray cats, but they are just as cuddly and cute.

Not to mention, since they can look so dastardly, you can have fun giving them names. Black cats are also always ready for Halloween, and in reality, black cats are just miniature panthers. Who wouldn’t want to own a panther?

Lindsey Blasquez is a Harry Pottter fanatic and owner of two black felines she sardonically named Severus Snape and Sirius Black.

“I decided that I wanted a black cat. I found out that they are not adopted as often and can sometimes be mistreated around Halloween time,” Blasquez said. “This solidified my decision – it was black cat or bust.”

“They were brothers and had already bonded with each other, and the adoption center really wanted them to be adopted together,” she said. “This news made me panic a little, but I drove straight there to meet them. In the end, I adopted them both. I ended up naming them in the car on the way home – the one who scratched and meowed in his little carrier box all the way to my apartment was Sirius Black and the other one who nervously looked at me through the peep holes in his box was Severus Snape.”

Blasquez said her two black cats “have stayed true to these personalities and Harry Potter-themed names as they have grown into big panthers. Sirius is still a loud troublemaker and escape artist, and Snape is still a sweet and shy boy who loves to hide in dark places,” she said. “They greet me with so much love when I come home from work every day, and I can’t imagine my life without them.”

Taylor Ritberger is also a proud owner of a black cat named Mr. Bean. “He is shaped like a little bean, which is why it works. Small head and butt, and a big tummy,” she laughs.

Ritberger originally was not planning on adopting Mr. Bean, but fate intervened.

“I actually wasn’t planning on getting him. When I went to get my little orange cat, Pabu [from a litter of free kittens], I was planning on just leaving with him. Mr. Bean was hanging out in the back of the dryer. It was unplugged, but nobody could get him out.”

Ritberger bravely reached into the dryer tube and grabbed her new furry friend. “He was so adorable I couldn’t leave without him,” Ritberger continued.

Let go of all of the horrible superstitions surrounding black cats, and let one into your life today. This Halloween, go adopt or rescue a black cat and not only save their life, but save yours too.