Five black kittens struggle to be adopted - is superstition or social media to blame?

Five kittens are being snubbed when it comes to adoption as 'younger, prettier-coloured' cats are being chosen ahead of them. The moggies are in a 'heart-breaking' situation after being born at the Wales Freshfields centre in Caernarfon on April 14.

There are fears they are being overlooked because of their black colour. On average, it takes 10 days longer to re-home a black cat or black and white cat than a ginger one, according to data from the RSPCA in 2018, according to NorthWalesLive.

The kittens are known as The C Litter due to their names Chad, Chelsea, Carla, Cammie and Clay. They went to a foster home with their mum Crystal for the first few weeks of their life before returing to the centre aged seven weeks and put up for adoption the following week.

 Their mum has been adopted, but none of the black kittens have found a new home.

Jacqueline Leggatt, Operations Manager for Freshfields Wales said: "They are watching the younger, prettier coloured kittens being chosen and it's heart-breaking that they are still here and struggling for a home. We can't understand it.

"It's so sad as they have the nicest personalities. They are so beautiful, friendly and confident.

"Chad, Chelsea, Carla, Cammie and Clay have had their first vaccinations and health checks. They are extremely playful and love their food and they use their litter trays well and will need access to the outdoors once neutered.

"Black cats always seem to struggle. We wonder if it's their colour that is putting people off adopting them."

Five black kittens at the Wales Freshfields centre are looking for a home but keep being overlooked because of their colour (Freshfields)

There is no specific reason why black or black and white cats may take longer to be adopted than cats of other colours – although superstition and their association with witches has previously been cited as a cause. Another, more timely factor is the advent of social media – how cats might look when their photo appears online.

If you think you can give any of The C Litter a forever home, you can fill out an adoption form by clicking here. You can also contact Freshfields Wales on 01286 880808 or e-mail them at wales@freshfields.org.uk