In many parts of the world, people treasure black cats for the good attributed to them: lots of boyfriends for any young woman living with one, healing sick children, curing sties by rubbing them with a black cat’s tail (ewwww, and don’t try it at home).

LBACS volunteers are formidable in their determination to socialize animals and show people that every one is adoptable in some way, even if they’re missing a limb or an eye or have a quirk or three. Unfortunately, the volunteers are spread awfully thin, and the shelters are filling up.

Because this is The Scratching Post, we’re going to encourage volunteering for animal rescues and shelters. Because we’re at the gateway to Halloween, it’ll be all cats, and they’re every one magickal no matter the color, stripe or pattern.

Getting enough cats fixed to make a difference is like making monthly payments on the national debt—there are too many cats and not enough trappers or support.

The event, which would have been the fifth annual if the pandemic hadn’t shown its ugly face, will feature naughty shows and raffles with glittering prizes such as artwork, pet supplies, Halloween décor and a few pieces of singular jewelry that’s not, shall we say, for the pursed of lips.

Fostering an animal is one more way to help mitigate shelter overcrowding and socialize pets for new homes. It occupies a point somewhere on the shelter-overpopulation continuum, between spay/neuter at one end and adoption one on other.

Cats can be tough audiences, especially if you’re a comedian.

Dogs who’ve had the worst luck in the world will find their fortunes turned around if Live Love gets wind of them.