Ban on black cat adoptions in this city during Halloween: “too many are used for rituals”

The City of Terrassa, near Barcelona, blocks black cat adoptions from October 1st to November 10th to prevent rituals and abuse linked to superstition during the Halloween period

In Terrassa, a Catalan city near Barcelona, the City Council has issued an ordinance that temporarily bans the adoption of black cats during the Halloween period. The measure, announced by animal welfare councilor Noel Duque Alarcón in an Instagram post, came into effect on October 1st and will remain active until November 10th, and the reason is truly chilling. The goal is to protect these animals from potential abuse, as some people allegedly request them with ritual or superstitious intentions.

Suspicions following reports from previous years

According to Alarcón, the decision stems from a series of reports collected over the years by pet care centers and animal protection associations. In the past, during the Halloween period, there has been a suspicious increase in adoption requests for black-coated cats. A phenomenon that raised fears of improper use of these animals as props or, in the worst cases, for pseudo-magical rituals.

A symbolic but necessary measure

The ordinance is not just a precautionary act, but also a gesture of awareness-raising. The City Council wants to remind citizens that an adoption is a conscious and lasting commitment, not a gesture tied to fashion or folklore. Although there is no official data on verified cases of mistreatment in Terrassa, the institutions prefer to adopt a prudential approach, following the example of other Spanish entities that have chosen similar measures over the years.

The superstition that persists

The black cat, a victim of prejudice for centuries, unfortunately continues to be associated with bad luck or black magic. In many European cultures, especially during periods like Halloween, the belief persists that these animals bring misfortune or are instruments of esoteric rites. The Terrassa ordinance, therefore, aims not only to protect cats but also to dispel ancient stereotypes, promoting a more ethical and respectful idea of coexistence with all animals rather than an archaic one based on unfounded beliefs.

Source: Noel Duque Alarcón/Instagram