Black cats are symbolic of Halloween, appearing in decorations as well as subjects for spook night folklore. Sadly, our dark, furry friends often get a bad rap, due to superstitions which abound during trick-or-treat time.

Many cultures harbor superstitions about black cats, feeling they represent either good or bad luck. Black cats have been connected to witches, with various tales indicating that black cats are witches’ familiars.

While black cats unnecessarily have been given a bad reputation, they’re no different from other types of cats. They in fact make many families wonderful pets, such like gray and white ones.

The Cat Fanciers’ Association recognizes 22 different cat breeds that are capable of producing solid black coats. These domestic cats can be mixed or specific breeds. Black is one of the three basic colors of cats that can be called “pure,” while the other two are red and white.

All other colors and patterns of cats are a combination of black, white and red. While such breeds as The Bombay were selectively bred to be pure black, most other black colors occur through random genetics.

Black cats have appeared throughout history. Ancient Egyptians once worshiped black cats, and owning a black cat was thought to bring good luck.

Those who live in England and Japan also felt black cats were harbingers of good luck. In Japan, some believe that a single woman who owns a black cat has a better chance of attracting suitors.

Due to their high melanin content, a condition called melanism, black cats commonly have bright, yellow eyes. Because black cats can blend into the shadows easily, sometimes all a person may see are a black cat’s glowing eyes.

Dark coated cats once became so highly valued that some people could not afford to have them. That’s because fishermen and their wives saw black cats as good luck. Cats were even allowed to ride aboard ships. Not only could they catch errant rodents, but also they may have been charms for safe travels.

Much as human hair color can change as a person ages, so, too can a black cat’s fur. Black cats may start to develop gray or white fur as they age, according to the cat information resource Catster. Spending too much time in the sun also may cause the fur to “rust.” This means the pigments lighten, leading to the cat’s fur developing a rusty, red hue.

The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says black cats are usually half as likely to be adopted as other cats. People still seem to associate bad behavior with their appearance.

What’s more unfortunate is that black cats are also the target of malicious behavior around Halloween, according to animal organizations, so keep kitty close by on Oct. 31.