Hannah and Piper have been at Cats in Bloom Cat Cafe in Bloomsburg since they were kittens. They are now about a year old, healthy, friendly, and good with dogs, other cats, and kids. And they are still waiting, because they are black, and because they are two.
Who Hannah and Piper Are
The pair were found as kittens in March on the streets of Berwick, Pennsylvania. When they first arrived, they hid under the couch and barely came out. Staff had to push food bowls underneath to feed them.
That changed when they were moved to what Hailee Fosse, a worker at Cats in Bloom, calls “the magic room.”
“We bring cats up here, and their personality totally changes,” Fosse said. “They’re so friendly, they love to play, they love to be out, they love to look out the windows.”
Hannah is the girl; she wears a pink collar. Piper is her brother. They are inseparable.
“We always find them laying with each other, snuggling; they suckle on each other, they kiss each other,” Fosse said. “There’s no separating these two; it would probably be the worst thing for them.”
Why This Matters
Black cats are the hardest to place in shelters. Bonded pairs are the second hardest. Hannah and Piper are both.
Research published by the American Animal Hospital Association found that black cats have lower adoption rates and higher euthanasia rates compared to lighter-colored cats , a pattern researchers call “Dark Cat Syndrome.” The reasons vary, from poor photo visibility to old superstitions, but the result is always the same: more time waiting.
A bonded pair on top of that makes the match even harder to find. Most people come in looking for one cat.
“Black cats are hardest to adopt; pairs are hard to adopt. I think that’s the main reason they’re here,” Fosse said.
Hannah and Piper already did the hard work of coming out of their shell. If you’ve ever wondered how long it actually takes a shy cat to trust you, these two are proof that patience pays off.
What Their Forever Home Looks Like
Hannah and Piper don’t need a perfect home. They need a consistent one.
“Somebody that will kind of just let them be, let them snuggle together,” Fosse said. “They are kind of lap cats, but mostly they just like to be around people; they follow us around here.”
They are food motivated, love toys, and are compatible with dogs, other cats, and children. The one non-negotiable: they go together.
Cats in Bloom will be at the Bloomsburg Fair all week with other adoptable cats, if you want to meet them in person. If adopting isn’t an option right now, fostering is another way to help. Here’s what fostering a cat actually looks like, from setup to saying goodbye.
Have you ever adopted a bonded pair or a black cat that took longer to find a home? Share your story in the comments, it might be what someone else needs to read before making that call.
Conclusion
Hannah and Piper are not difficult cats. They are just two black cats in a world that keeps passing them by. The right home is out there.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only.