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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBlack cats are overlooked in UK rehoming more often than other colours, and the RSPCA’s most recent published figures show it. In its 2025 release, black and black-and-white cats were nearly three times more likely to come into RSPCA care than tabby cats, and they took three times longer to find homes. The reasons are not established. What is established is that a black cat’s coat tells you nothing about its temperament, so the sensible way to adopt one is to contact a local rescue, read each cat’s profile and assess the individual animal.
Are black cats really overlooked?
Two UK charities have published figures on this, and they measure different things at different times. Both describe their own care populations, so neither is a national count of black cats or a measure of how all UK rescues operate.
| Figure | Source and date | What it measures | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearly three times more likely to come into care than tabby cats | RSPCA, 2025 release (RSPCA news release) | Intake into RSPCA care | RSPCA’s own centres only; not a UK-wide figure |
| Three times longer to find homes | RSPCA, 2025 release | Time to rehome in RSPCA care | Charity-specific; should not be generalised to all rescues |
| 676 black and black-and-white cats in national centres | RSPCA, 2025 release | A count at the time of the release | Not a live count |
| Typically 22% longer wait for a new owner | Cats Protection, 2016 survey (Cats Protection, black cats survey) | Waiting time for black or black-and-white cats in Cats Protection’s care | Historical and charity-specific; not a current national estimate |
| Nearly half of cats entering care were black or black-and-white | Cats Protection, 2016 survey | Share of intake in Cats Protection’s care at that time | Historical; 2016 data |
| 22% of owners acquired their cat from a UK rehoming charity | Cats Protection, CATS Report 2026 summary | How cat owners got their cats | Not the share of black cats adopted |
The 2025 RSPCA figures are the most current of these. The 2016 Cats Protection survey is older and should be read as a historical snapshot, though it points in the same direction. The CATS Report 2026 figure is broader context about how owners acquire cats, and it does not measure colour at all.
What is not known
The RSPCA says it does not know for sure why black cats are more likely to enter care and be overlooked. Alice Potter, RSPCA cat welfare expert, put it this way: “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.” The charity suggests two possibilities: that black cats are simply more common, and that their colour makes them visually less distinctive in listing photos. It also notes that some people cite superstition. These are possible explanations, not proven causes.
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What coat colour does and does not tell you
Coat colour does not establish temperament. Cats Protection says temperament cannot be predicted from fur colour, and the RSPCA’s profiles focus on each cat’s personality, needs and suitability for particular households. A black cat may be confident and social, shy and slow to settle, or anything between. Judging on colour alone means you are choosing on the one feature that says least about the cat you will live with.
How to find a black cat near you
- Search listings on the RSPCA website. Go to the RSPCA’s adoption pages and filter by location, age and temperament. Filter by the cat’s characteristics, not by colour alone, and then check each profile.
- Read the profile in full. Look for known personality, history, health notes and what the cat is recommended for, such as whether it suits an indoor-only home or a home with children or other animals.
- Contact local reputable rescues. Other UK rescues, including Cats Protection branches, may have black cats on their books. Ask about each cat’s background and whether the rescue has a waiting list for particular profiles.
- Ask direct questions before applying. Ask what the rescue knows about the cat’s temperament with strangers, how it behaves at vet visits, and what support it offers after rehoming.
How the RSPCA adoption process works
The RSPCA’s process is individual, and timelines depend on the animal and the adopter’s circumstances. Confirm each step with the centre you are dealing with, because procedures and response times are set locally.
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- Find a cat. Search listings and choose one you want to apply for.
- Apply for that particular cat.
- Discuss suitability with staff. The centre assesses whether the cat and your household are a match.
- Meet the cat. If your application is suitable, you will meet the cat. Some cats need more than one visit before the match is confirmed.
- If it is not a match, ask for help finding another. The RSPCA says it may help identify a different cat that suits you.
Who can adopt and what the rescue expects
The RSPCA’s published expectations are a useful baseline, though not every UK rescue applies an identical checklist.
- Applicants should be 18 or older.
- Renters need their landlord’s permission.
- You should be able to provide a safe home, companionship, care, enrichment and ongoing veterinary support.
- You should be ready for a long commitment. The RSPCA says cats can live 15 years or more.
Post-adoption support can include follow-up calls or home visits, so ask the specific rescue what it offers.
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Costs of adopting
There is no single UK-wide adoption fee. Fees vary by centre and by the cat’s age. The RSPCA says its fee contributes to microchipping, vaccinations, neutering where possible (or a voucher for a kitten too young to be neutered), flea and worm treatment, veterinary checks and pre-rehoming care. Check the fee for the specific cat, and budget for ongoing costs such as food, insurance if you choose it, routine vet care and any treatment the cat needs over its lifetime.
Preparing your home before the cat arrives
The RSPCA’s pre-adoption booklet lists preparation considerations, and the rescue’s own advice for the individual cat should take priority. Ask the centre what the cat already uses and what it recommends.
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- Food and water: Separate food and water bowls, with clean water available at all times. The booklet notes that cats may feel more comfortable with wide, shallow bowls.
- Diet: Continue the cat’s existing food at first, because sudden dietary changes can upset the stomach. If you need to change food, introduce it gradually over five to seven days.
- Litter tray, carrier, bedding and toys.
- Scratching facilities. Provide them from the start.
The booklet summarises the Animal Welfare Act 2006’s five welfare needs as a suitable place to live, a healthy diet and clean water, the ability to behave normally, appropriate company, and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease. These are useful criteria for judging whether your home is ready.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Questions to ask about a particular cat
- Is the cat suited to an indoor-only home, or does it need outdoor access? Some cats suit indoor-only homes while others may not.
- Can it live with children, dogs or other cats?
- How does it behave with strangers and in new environments?
- Does it have health needs, and what is its history?
- What support does the rescue give after rehoming?
Black cats are waiting longer in some rescues, and that is a reason to look at them with care, not a reason to pick one by default. Start with the listings and the profiles, then contact the rescue about the cat you find.
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