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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Just a friendly reminder...

145 replies

SpareChangeDownTheSofa · 27/10/2017 22:47

Anyone who owns black cats please remember to keep them in over Halloween. A lot of people on Halloween night and Mischief Night (the night before) think its fun to harm or even kill black cats for superstitious reasons.

So just a friendly reminder to keep all of your kitties safe! Halloween Smile

OP posts:
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lackingimagination · 27/10/2017 23:19

condepetie can you show us a source saying this absolutely has never, ever happened? Or perhaps just read the previous posts where people have had it happen to their own pets.

reetgood · 27/10/2017 23:19

The first article notes the cats went missing in August and September. The second article notes that the Cat wasn’t black.

I’m not sure a see a pattern here, although sad to read.

Insomnibrat · 27/10/2017 23:19

I have 2 black cats. One is a homebody and will stay in, the other I probably won't see until Wednesday.

Thanks for the worry.

Sara107 · 27/10/2017 23:19

Mischief night is definitely a Yorkshire thing, dh had it in S Yorks. Best keep cats in if you can at night generally, as that is when they are most likely to have an accident or get in a fight. Especially round Halloween, Bonfire night etc as they might be scared by fireworks or unexpected groups of people and stray away from their familiar territory. I think the risk of malicious hurt to pets cats is probably real but very small.

snorkmaiden68 · 27/10/2017 23:21

I ve heard of this too and don't understand it. I was always taught black cats are good luck. I have tabbies but they are staying in at night anyway, I live in Hertfordshire and am very distressed about the M25 cat killer. I hope this sick twisted individual is caught soon, my beloved tabby Ruby was knocked over and killed in September and that broke my heart. Thankfully the other two don't like to leave the garden

ilovesooty · 27/10/2017 23:24

Well mischief night certainly has been a thing here in Yorkshire. Cats are at risk at this time of the year and I've heard it suggested that black cats might be more at risk. I don't give a fuck if that can be proved. I just think the sneering at the OP is unnecessary.

DavetheCat2001 · 27/10/2017 23:30

Thanks for the warning, OP.

I din't know much about 'mischief night' but nothing surprises me.

My cat is black and white, but I will definitely be keeping her in at night (she prefers to be inside anyway)

LoniceraJaponica · 27/10/2017 23:35

"Mischief Night (the night before)"

Mischief night is 4th November in Yorkshire, not 30th October.

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 27/10/2017 23:37

I’m also from Yorkshire and has mischief night!

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 27/10/2017 23:39

*had

And YY to people being cockwombles to the OP. Stop it! Fancy flaming someone for warning you the importance of taking care of your pussy Wink

SpareChangeDownTheSofa · 27/10/2017 23:42

CherryChasingDotMuncher Amazing Grin

OP posts:
lokijet · 27/10/2017 23:48

today was national black cat day

www.cats.org.uk/black-cats

ZuzuMyLittleGingersnap · 27/10/2017 23:57

Babababababybel23,
"My cat had a firework shoved down it's throat and lit a few Halloween ago."

Oh that's beyond horrific. Utter bastard(s) who inflicted such a cruel thing. Angry Sad

Am guessing your poor cat didn't survive the attack?

GlitterGlassEye · 27/10/2017 23:57

Black cats are seen as sign of bad luck in some parts and good luck in others. I always see it as good luck and tell my dc this ( I know, it’s a lot of shite.) Rehoming centres don’t do well with black cats from what I’ve read on the internet .

JonSnowsWhore · 27/10/2017 23:59

Idiots round here turned the place into something that resembled a war zone last Halloween, throwing fireworks at the public, Police, at peoples cars, in peoples cars, through peoples letter boxes with children inside, and people are really questioning whether people would consider hurting a cat? Of course they would, they’re absolutely sick! Whether it’s down to Halloween, the colour of the cat, or the fireworks, I don’t think a reminder to keep cats safe at night this time of year is unreasonable at all

Birdsgottafly · 27/10/2017 23:59

"I don't think "Mischief Night" is a thing in the UK is it? Never heard of it."

Where do you live.

I'm in Liverpool, we've always had "Mizzy night", as a pp mentioned, it isn't harmless fun. Real damage is done and many people make sure that they are in before it's late.

It goes as far as fireworks being thrown into shops, up streets etc.

In my area, we have to have a Matrix patrol to try to keep a lid on things. The Police and Fire Service are on alert and make sure that they are fully Staffed.

I've read a few reports from Cat charities that say black cats are targeted (i've always got a Black cat), but most BC are roamers and vocal when you keep them in against their will, I have catnip to counteract that, though.

Birdsgottafly · 28/10/2017 00:02

Black and white cats are used as dog bait, here, apparently, the dogs see them better.

Teddy1970 · 28/10/2017 00:14

I don't know why some people are getting funny, I remember reading on the CPL website a few years ago that Black cats can have a hard time at Halloween...I've always remembered it, but if my memory serves me correct they were concerned that Black cats were targeted as a Halloween accessory rather than coming to actual harm, not sure how a cat can be used as an accessory though...

SparklyUnicornPoo · 28/10/2017 00:15

The second article notes that the Cat wasn’t black. looking at the photo though it may have appeared black in the dark graveyard.

Some teenagers tried chasing my neighbours cat one Halloween, she came pelting up the road and through the alley between our houses howling, I've no idea what they were planning to do had they caught her.

SparklyUnicornPoo · 28/10/2017 00:17

In my area, we have to have a Matrix patrol to try to keep a lid on things. What is a Matrix patrol?

crispandcheesesandwichplease · 28/10/2017 00:31

Mischief Night on 4th Nov definitely a thing in Yorkshire. We used to go out doing minor pranks as kids and stealing other people's bonfire wood. But since fireworks have become more easily available they are used here to frighten and harm animals and people during this time of year. It's sick and sadistic but it does happen. Also animals get disorientated and scared by the noise of fireworks and sometimes run off and get lost so always best to keep them indoors.

Garlicansapphire · 28/10/2017 00:35

Virgins are also in mortal danger. Watch out! (not that i know any)

Dustbunny1900 · 28/10/2017 00:47

Thanks for the reminder, I need to keep my prince of darkness inside for the night. He will hate me but better safe than sorry. I don't think any of my neighbors are so cruel but you never know

Babababababybel23 · 28/10/2017 00:48

She did survive but sorry for the graphic detail her eye had exploded when she got home the next day and she had lost half of both her ears and nearly all of her fur.
She actually managed to walk back home herself from wherever it happened and I still remember screaming when I saw her. I was only a teen then and it was a he'll of a lot to deal with after seeing that

WitchBitchHarpyTerfThatsMe · 28/10/2017 00:49

I don't know why some people feel the need to jump in and pour scorn and disbelief when posters start a thread about something they are concerned about.

If you don't believe it or think it's nonsense why can't you just move on without having to stop and put a sneery or sarcastic post up?

Last year I started a thread about something I was really concerned about relating to my child. Although literally dozens of posters came along to say they had had almost identical experiences and concerns some posters insisted I was either lying, being totally neurotic, or attention seeking. Or, laughingly, that I was a young and immature parent, I'm 50 ffs!

It's not necessary, not nice and pretty childish.