LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — The baseless superstition that black cats bring bad luck and death was widely accepted in the early centuries. Due to mindless religious and spiritual beliefs, cats were often associated with satanic behavior, witches or even death. 

“The fear of black cats appears to stem from medieval times, when an animal with dark feathers or fur, including crows and ravens, signaled death. In 16th-century Italy, it was believed that death was imminent if a black cat would lay on someone’s sickbed,” said Franny Syufy of the Spruce Pets. 

Furthermore, black cats could symbolize an imminent death in early Europe. Seeing a black cat with glowing and soulless yellow eyes under the cover of night can be spooky and ominous to a typical person. During ancient times, it could even be fatal. According to Class Act Cats, a black cat appearing at a funeral, lying on you while someone is sick or walking away from you could indicate a sudden approaching death. 

However, in this modern era, perspectives have changed. In European and Asian-centric cultures, cats are considered good luck and are even worshipped. This is a product of changing times, shifting from Judeo-Christian beliefs and superstitions to a more inclusive worldview. 

In Asian, specifically Japanese and Chinese, cultures, cats are related to fortune, money, marriage, success and love. The Lucky Cat, or Maneki Neko, is a common symbol prevalent in Chinese culture that often brings different kinds of luck in places of business. 

Contrasting the common perspective that cats are considered evil, in Chinese culture, cats are considered protectors against evil. This is likely why Chinese homes, restaurants, stores and temples hold this feng shui decoration: to ward off wicked spirits. 

Perspectives on these elusive creatures have shifted dramatically over the recent centuries in European-centric cultures. In the 18th century, Europeans began to recognize the importance of cats in religious culture as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, a good marriage, or, spiritually, a message from dead loved ones. 

But unjustified fear, hatred and violence toward these magnificent creatures are growing in changing times. 

“If you have a cat on Halloween (or in October), make sure they do NOT go outside (especially if they’re a black cat). People are deciding to not be nice to them,” warned @d3dbr3d on Tiktok. 

This “trend” of killing black cats during fall has created an increase in backlash on social media, mainly TikTok. According to social media, people have been murdering and torturing people’s pet cats due to a superstition that cats turn into evil spirits or witches around All Hallow’s Eve. This is likely based on the ritual in which cats, signifying evil spirits, are sacrificed into fires during the celebration of the Lord of the Dead on All Hallow’s Eve. 

Various short videos shame these so-called “cat killers” and warn cat owners, creating delusional, confused and fearful comment sections. 

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wrote an article responding to this tragedy, verifying these unfounded rumors through examples of cats who were murdered. 

“Let these gruesome, heartbreaking horror stories serve as a vital reminder to keep your cats indoors this Halloween and every day afterwards,” PETA stated in the article. 

As a result of the cat killers, some animal shelters do not permit black cat adoption during October. It has also stirred up anxiety for young black cat owners afraid to leave their cats at home around Halloween.

During autumn months, a concerning surge of TikTok videos with captions warning people of the gruesome murder of black cats trend. Without double-checking what they see on TikTok, young children repost or create videos of their own to raise awareness about this tragedy, leading to a spiraling trend of paranoia among teenagers. 

However, it is important to consider if these “black cat killers” are true or just myths designed to terrify naive teenagers. 

Newspapers have now begun to call out this idea of “cat killers” as a delusion. While it is true that some black cats are harmed, this is not due to serial cat murderers but rather thoughtless cat owners using their pets for pranks or party props. 

“Black cats don’t actually face increased danger because of Halloween, and there is no data to prove black cats are being harmed during this season. It’s just an urban legend,” said Jordan Mendoza of USA Today. 

Reputable sources support this claim, stating that this is a superstitious urban legend created to stir up fear during fall while also making sure black cats go to the right owners.  

During the fall, young, impressionable teenagers still make videos about these cat killers, either for views or belief in this fake tragedy, furthering the conspiracy theory.