Black Cat Has Spent 7 Months at Shelter Because ‘Nobody Wants to Meet Him'
An 8-year-old Black cat struggled to get adopted from a shelter, and it's absolutely heartbreaking.
In a video posted to TikTok, the sweet cat named Falcon played with his caretaker at the shelter as she shared his story with the internet. In the video, the caretaker at the shelter confirmed that he arrived at the shelter "seven months ago" and that "nobody has ever wanted to meet him."
@franflight Our sweet guy Falcon is still waiting for his forever home. He's such a chill cat who would do great in almost any home. He loves companionship, sitting near you, and just being your buddy. He's been so overlooked and deserves to finally find his home. If you are serious about adopting Falcon please submit a cat adoption application at nawsus.org, and if you have any other questions feel free to message or e-mail me! I'm sending you guys all of my love #adopt#adoptdontshop#cat#catsoftiktok#catlover
Sand Drawing - Judah Earl
She noted that most people who came through would tell her, "We aren't looking to adopt a black cat," which meant Falcon had been overlooked all this time. She also revealed that Falcon's age, his Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) diagnosis, and his color "make him invisible" to potential pet parents.
"Falcon deserves to be seen," She continued in the video. "He deserves to be loved again. Falcon is shy sometimes, but still loves to be silly." She also noted that he "gets along great with other cats" and would be perfect for a multicat household. She also urged people to "not overlook black cats when looking for your next family member."
"Our sweet guy Falcon is still waiting for his forever home," his caretaker wrote in the caption. "He's such a chill cat who would do great in almost any home. He loves companionship, sitting near you, and just being your buddy. He's been so overlooked and deserves to finally find his home."
SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends
Users flooded the comments with lots of love and positive vibes for Falcon and his search for a forever home. They loved how "chonky" he looked and his "sweet" personality while he played with his caretaker.
"House panthers are the absolute sweetest. They don't know what they're missing," one user wrote.
"He is sooo cute," another person wrote while another added, "Good luck finding your forever family Falcon !!!"
Why Black Cats Are Often Overlooked
Biases against black cats are very real. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, "black cats face two less desirable outcomes at shelters: lower adoption rates and higher euthanasia rates."
In a study conducted by the University of Louisville, the "black cat bias" (BCB) was confirmed as a "phenomenon where cats with black coats are viewed more negatively, adopted less often, and euthanized more often than lighter colored cats."
The study revealed that a big part of the stigma stems from cultural stereotypes about black cats that cemented public opinion over the years.
"In many cultures, black cats have been associated historically with the supernatural or powerful malevolent entities, or perceived to be omens of bad luck, so there is likely carryover of that into some people's preferences when choosing a companion cat," Robert Carini, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Louisville, said. "Many of the stereotypes surrounding black cats continue to be reproduced in social institutions that undergird popular culture, such as the media and entertainment industries."
Some of the ways Carini suggests to push back against these negative stereotypes are "through tailored educational efforts and more effective marketing, perhaps through messaging on social media using influencers or celebrities who share their lives with these cats, and via more positive depictions in popular culture such as film, books, or product advertising that help counter more traditional narratives."
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 10:50 AM.