Organization Issues Reminder: There’s Nothing to Fear About Black Cat Adoptions!
BOSTON, Oct. 29, 2025 – The MSPCA-Angell and three other shelters in Massachusetts are waiving adoption fees for some of the cats in their care October 31 and November 1, the organizations announced today.
During the event—called Spirit Cat Halloween—fees will be waived for cats that tend to stay in shelters longer, such as older felines and those with specific medical or behavioral needs. That includes cats who are shy or spicy with humans because they were rescued from overcrowding situations in which they were not properly socialized.
Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition member Berkshire Humane Society and non-coalition partners Lowell Humane Society and Baypath Humane Society are participating, as well as all four MSPCA-Angell Adoption Centers (in Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville on Cape Cod).
“We’ve been taking in more surrenders this year, so our capacity is tight,” explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley, who noted that local cat surrenders at MSPCA-Angell shelters are up more than 20% this year compared to 2024.
“It’s something shelters statewide are experiencing, so we’re banding together and putting out a call to the community: Please come adopt some of these special cats!”
Collectively, the groups hope to rehome 100 cats during the two-day event, including some who have an unfair reputation during this time of year.
MSPCA-Angell Reminds Adopters: There’s Nothing to Fear About Black Cats!
“Black cats are often unfairly maligned—some people think they’re bad luck or harder to adopt in general—but it’s worse around Halloween,” detailed Keiley. “There are even shelters that won’t adopt out black cats in October because of myths, like adopters using them for some kind of sacrifice or satanic ritual.”
“There’s no evidence to support that there’s a spike in animal crimes around Halloween,” he added. “Our Law Enforcement department isn’t seeing an increase in complaints during the month of October, nor have we heard from any other organizations about that happening.”
The MSPCA-Angell has roughly 50 black cats in its care, some of whom will be available to adopt fee-free during the adoptathon.
“These cats are just as loving and deserving of a home as any of the other animals in our care,” he added. “We’re so sure that our adopters have good intentions that fees will be waived for some of our black cats in arguably the most witchy city in the world—Salem.”
“And the event even begins on Halloween!”
Spirit Cat Halloween!
The adoptathon is being held on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1 at all four MSPCA-Angell shelters, plus Berkshire Humane, Lowell Humane, and Baypath Humane.
Hours vary by location. Eligible MSPCA-Angell cats will have stars on their adoption profiles. More information about the adoptathon may be found at mspca.org/feewaived.
