Local shelter promotes black cat adoptions

WASHINGTON - A local animal shelter wants to make Friday the 13th a lucky day for cat lovers.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is launching a pet adoption program this coming Friday for anyone who is willing to buy a black or partially black cat for $13.

Most black cats are overlooked because many potential owners are superstitious that the animals will bring them bad luck, says AWLA staff. But with the holidays approaching AWLA staff hopes that the animals will find a home. This year with the economic downturn local animal shelters are housing more pets because owners aren't able to afford them.

AWLA says they have experienced an almost 30 percent increase in the number of animals brought to them since January.

"Historically, animal shelters should be entering a slower period this time of year because kitten season would be over, but not here. Half of the cats in our adoption room are kittens and more adult cats and kittens are brought here every day," said Martha C. Armstrong, executive director.

Staff and volunteers hope the new promotions will bring more animal lovers to the shelter for lifetime matches.

AWLA is planning a second promotion on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year), for anyone willing to buy companion animals that are black or partially black. The animals include gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs.

"Of course, we want all our animals to find homes, but our hearts go out to the ones who are overlooked because people think they are ‘just another' black dog or cat," says Sara Glennon, manager of adoptions.

Staff says all pets adopted through the shelter are current on vaccinations, have been microchipped and altered.

For more information, visit, AWLA's website.

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