The superstitious myth that black cats are plagued by bad luck may be more than just an old wives tale, as many struggle to find loving homes of their own.
Black cats in Liverpool animal shelters can expect to wait up to three times as long for an owner than their ginger, tabby, tortoiseshell and white brothers and sisters - with some unlucky rescue residents going for months without attracting a single glance.
Deb Hughes, who runs Freshfields Animal Rescue on East Lane, said: "We're always hoping people will change their minds about black cats, because they get very little interest.
