'Agatha All Along' Star Kathryn Hahn Dislikes 'Ridiculous' Superstitions About Black Cats & Dogs

Given her witchy role as Agatha Harkness in the Marvel mini-series “Agatha All Along,” actress Kathryn Hahn may know a thing or two about black cats and dogs. In September 2024, Hahn partnered up with The Dodo to showcase an adorable puppy called Layla and a kitten named Liam, looking for their forever homes. 

Throughout the video, Hahn enthusiastically played with and fed the animals, who both had black fur. She also noted that cats and dogs with black fur tend to be overlooked in rescues.

“Black cats and dogs have a hard time being adopted because there is such superstition around them. And they’re very overlooked. And I think that’s ridiculous because all cats are gorgeous, all dogs are gorgeous and perfect,” said the actress. 

The stigma against dogs with black fur is known as “black dog syndrome,” as reported by The Spruce Pets. According to the publication, it is theorized that individuals will not adopt black dogs because of the belief that they are “bad omens.” As Hahn mentioned, black cats are also viewed as bad luck. In addition, The Spruce Pets reported that it is believed that dogs and cats with black fur are adopted less from shelters because all of their adorable details cannot always be seen in photographs on adoption websites. 

Photo by Bob van Aubel on Unsplash

This Halloween think about adopting or fostering a black dog or black cat! You won’t regret it!