An animal rights group in Italy have started an initiative “black cat day” this Saturday to try to stop the senseless killing of thousands of the cats by superstitious citizens to ward off bad luck.

Black cats are considered both bad omens and good omens in some countries. In Italy black cats are considered bad luck. A papal edict in the middle ages declared that the black cats were instruments of the devil. So, many Italian throw them on to the fires to join witches burned at the stake as part of a ritual.

The Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment (AIDAA) estimates a minimum of 60,000 cats were killed last year alone, to ward off bad luck as well as use them in satanic rites and in cosmetics laboratories which prefer black fur for testing. So, they have started "Black Cat Day" to educate the Italians against this cat killings and instead wants them to adopt cats.

AIDAA President Lorenzo Croce told Reuters:

We want to halt this massacre, educate people and restore dignity to black cats,"

The group will post 200 information points in towns and cities around Italy, will pass out fliers to passersby and try to educate them against this black cat killings rituals. And also ask them to sign a petition and urge them to adopt one of the 5,000 cats in animal shelters.

Croce said AIDAA has also sent a letter to Pope Benedict, who is a well known cat lover, to speak out against this prejudiced cat killings. If he does, Croce said it will help minimize this brutality.

I am glad this is not in the US or Canada, I hope the Italian government does something about this. Can’t believe that people will still practice this ghastly rituals even now. If one doesn't want bad luck, start doing good things, throwing a cat will create more bad things. Scientifically speaking they are no different than other cats, if not they should prove it. If you have Italian friends please tell them about the "black cat day" and make them aware about the cat killings.