Hello October! It means Black Cat Awareness Month is here and we’re ready to celebrate. It’s Clyde and as a 19-year-old black cat, it’s fitting that I be your guide.

It’s also International Black Cat Awareness Month and we are global, baby! Scroll down for an update with my fur bros. Comments are wonky and may or may not post. If so, post a comment on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram and please share the black cat love across social!

Did you know we created the holiday and it’s taken on a life of its own? We’re most delighted with the attention on Instagram and the huge uptick in black cat awareness. Black cat lovers adore photographing their house panthers indoors and outdoors. We’re disproving the myth that black cats don’t photograph well. Balderdash I say. After all, I contributed to a book filled with fab black cat photos.

Some humans think all black cats look the same. Me thinks that smacks of racism and I aim to prove ’em wrong. Well darlings, to kick off the month long festivities, I’d like to share some of my favorite faces from our amazing Instagram community Black Cats of IG

Dare I say that I think our furry tribe is exceptionally beautiful? What do you think?

Its was so difficult to choose so we narrowed it down to those who post photos and tagging us with our #blackcatstellall hashtag. I suggest you do the same if you’d like to be featured.

In no particular order, we begin with a natty member of the Black Cat Mafia. Shhhh, they are also featured in our book Black Cats Tell All: True Tales and Inspiring Images. If you’d like to be as dapper, check out their purrfect bowties at their Etsy shop @versuspetproducts

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Black Cat Mafia (@black.cat.mafia) on Sep 23, 2019 at 4:29pm PDT

The alluring window-loving Gigsy Kit.@gigsykit

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @gigsykit on Sep 18, 2019 at 12:12pm PDT

Pretty in purple. One of my favorite pantherettes is Elvira from @blackcats_of_the_summit

Some black cats look gender neutral but others are distinctly feminine while other are so mancatish.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elvira, Poe, & Beric 🖤 (@blackcats_of_the_summit) on Sep 20, 2019 at 6:34pm PDT

The dashing Ronan @living.with.ronan is still a kitten but so boyish.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ronan (@living.with.ronan) on Sep 22, 2019 at 3:13pm PDT

Just because a cat is male doesn’t mean they have to be macho. Our friend, the fruit-loving Horst (also in our book) is a good example of not being afraid to express his feminine side or sense of humor.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Horst – The special guy 🇩🇪 (@horst_the_hero) on Sep 21, 2018 at 6:03am PDT

The always elegant Leopold always strikes a purrfect pose in Budapest. A fave feline in our book @kata.ivan

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kata & Leopold (@kata.ivan) on Sep 26, 2019 at 9:39am PDT

What we love about all the cats in our book and community is the global diversity. Kinnie, a distinguished mancat rocks Amsterdam. Those cheeks!@instavankinnie

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝓚𝓲𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓮 🐾 (@instavankinnie) on Sep 22, 2019 at 5:11am PDT

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think being different is beautiful like Doby who is a wobbly cat (Cerebellar Hypoplasia) and a cleft nose @dobythehousecat

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Doby (@dobythehousecat) on Jan 13, 2019 at 7:08am PST

Canadian brothers Oscar and Felix @oscar_x_felix are a delightful duo, handsome too.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oscar and Felix 🇨🇦 (@oscar_x_felix) on Aug 17, 2019 at 12:05pm PDT

The”black dude” named Smokey Robinson hails from Finland is what I call a pretty boy. Oh those whiskers! @tuipe65102

View this post on Instagram A post shared by BlackDude (@tuipe65102) on Jul 13, 2019 at 12:33am PDT

Our delightful dozen this week ends with the extra dishy Duffy from @squishdelish in Seattle.

Would you like us to share another panther purrfect bunch next week?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Duffy & Fergie (@squishdelish) on May 16, 2019 at 9:28pm PDT

Meanwhile at our house I’ve been hanging out with Odin and Domino. We’re chummy but not exactly cuddle buddies.

I was surprised when Domino started napping near my bed recently.

We even like having dinner together. He’s very polite and never eats from my dining area but I have barged into his area.

Listen to my brother Odin. He’s a pretty smart dude even if he’s not black. See you soon!

Love and black cat kisses,

Clyde