Protect Black Cats & Dogs This Halloween

Trigger Warning: animal cruelty, graphic descriptions

That black cats are taken and used for rituals during certain groups’ annual gatherings is largely talked about as a myth by conventional media outlets. Less talked about and known is the risk for black dogs. Because of my and my neighbors’ experiences described below, I am now skeptical that this isn’t happening. Even in “good” neighborhoods. Like yours.

CATS ARE GOING MISSING

Just in the last month, eight cats owned by three neighbors have suddenly gone missing. Most of them are black or mostly black. None of these cats have ever voluntarily left their yards.

And last year, after one of the holidays of a group who performs rituals on animals, I found the body of our neighborhood’s community cat on the side of the road. Eviscerated from throat to anus. Skinned. Head slumping to one side.

This happened about a week after the cat showed up at my neighbor’s house disoriented, terrified and covered with what looked to smell like and be feces. She cleaned him up and managed to get him in a crate until he, several days later, pawed to get out.

We never saw him alive again.

“Our” sweet friend was a gentle, slow-moving, black cat who freely roamed a four-block area. Obviously, he didn’t die from being hit by a car or attacked by another animal. A human did this to him. What we think probably happened is that someone captured him earlier but he somehow got away the first time.

Also, some time before, the beloved black kitten of another neighbor disappeared and was found beheaded soon after.

The police, animal control weren’t notified because, to my knowledge, investigating the suspicious death of a non-human (especially an un-owned one) isn’t one of their too many organizational mandates within their extremely limited resource parameters. Neither, as far as I know, are they trained in animal forensics.

Of course, I can’t say with 100% certainty that either or both of these cats were the victims of a group’s activities. I can say though that there’s a strong correlation with the timing and the circumstances of the disappearances as well as the conditions of the bodies.

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Easy Actions You Can Take

Below are a few preventative measures we can take to keep our black cats and dogs safe this Halloween. Each of these suggestions are based on my experiences.

Keeping Your Cat Inside, Especially At Night

Your mostly inside cat who is not an escape artist is probably okay. But if your cat is an inside-outside cat, maybe keep your cat mostly inside if you’re not home for an extended period, especially at night when someone could more easily snatch your cat.

Multiple Eyes Watching Our For Community Cats

They’re so vulnerable without a human daily knowing (or caring) if they’re dead or alive. But multiple neighbors’ eyes on the street can help. Is the cat showing up as usual? Acting normally? Is there a sudden stranger or weird disturbance in the area where the cat hangs out? Talk with your neighbors.

Postpone Re-Homing Until After Nov. 1st

An adoption fee is nothing to someone with the purpose of ritual in mind. Postpone unless you absolutely know and trust the adopter-- or have totally vetted a potential adopter with an application process (to include a home visit).

Lee Karlovic

https://www.letsgohomekitty.com