I'm pretty sure you got the alert on your phone this morning but if you didn't, August 17th is Black Cat Appreciation Day.

This is not to be confused with the October 27th holiday of National Black Cat Day. What's the difference? No one knows but these little guys all deserve their day in the sun. But not too much sun. According to this Mental Floss article, when a black cat spends too much time in the sun, it can dye the pigments causing natural striping or spotting to occur. It's pretty complicated and you should check out the article for a complete explanation.

One other fact I learned from the article is that black cats aren't bad luck in every culture. Sometimes they're good luck.

If you're a single woman in Japan, owning a black cat is said to increase you number of suitors: if you're in Germany and one crosses your path from left to right, good things are on the horizon.

Seriously, there are 8 black cat facts on that list and at lest 7 are interesting.

I went to the Winnebago County Animal Services site and found that they had quite a few black cats up for adoption. I counted at least 10 without getting too loose with the definition of a "black" cat.

Here's a list of 10 feline friends you can bring into your house to hopefully change your luck for the better.

Darling

Darling is a 3-year-old spayed Domestic Shorthair. She also has amazing eyes.

Winnebagoanimals.org Darling
Winnebagoanimals.org
Darling
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Sami

Sami is a 2-year-old neutered Domestic Shorthair. He has tufts of white to contrast the deep black. Very cool looking cat.

Sami
Sami
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Zach

Zach is a 1-year-old Domestic Longhair. This isn't the most flattering angle of Zach I'm sure. Perhaps for the cat owner that likes their distance.

Winnebagoanimals.org Zach
Winnebagoanimals.org
Zach
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Whiskers

The website says this is a 1-year-old male Domestic Shorthair, but I'm pretty sure that's a pug. Either way it looks like Whiskers needs some care so he can relax.

Winnebagoanimals.org Whiskers
Winnebagoanimals.org
Whiskers
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Salem

Salem is a 2-Year-Old spayed Domestic Shorthair and if I'm being honest looks magnificent. I don't even really like cats and I'd like this cat. Her "resting queen-face" is amazing. 10/10 as far as cats go.

Winnebagoanimals.org Salem
Winnebagoanimals.org
Salem
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Raspberry

Raspberry is a 4-month-old female Domestic Medium Hair. Raspberry appears to be a kitten. Very cute.

Winnebagoanimals.org Raspberry
Winnebagoanimals.org
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Monty

Monty is a 2-year-old neutered Domestic Shorthair. Did I bend the rules a little by letting this white nosed cat into the mix? Maybe. But I loved this guy's look. He's only 2 years old and he'll be having none of your s^%t today. I respect that.

Winnebagoanimals.org Monty
Winnebagoanimals.org
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Lana

Lana is a 2-year-old spayed Domestic Shorthair. I have no idea what the frame of reference we're looking at Lana in, but she appears to be quite small. Perhaps a runt? Runts are great pets.

Winnebagoanimals.org Lana
Winnebagoanimals.org
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Keke

Keke is a 3-year-old spayed Domestic Shorthair. Is Keke totally black? No but that's another face I felt the need to share.

Winnebagoanimals.org Keke
Winnebagoanimals.org
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You can apply online and they'll get back to you soon. Rescues are literally the best. Max came from a shelter and is everyone's favorite no matter where I take him.

Max
Max
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I know you didn't ask but yes, he IS a very good boy.

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