Black cats and dogs are overlooked at shelters because some people believe they are bad luck or dangerous. Nothing could be further from the truth. In Japan and the UK, a black cat crossing your path is good luck.

The color of an animal's fur does not define their personality or demeanor. Sadly, black cats and dogs spend more time at the shelter due to this misconceptions. Shelters and people who have adopted black pets do their best to educate the public and some take it one step further.

Arizona Humane Society shared on Facebook that all adoption fees for black cats and dogs over the age of 1 are waived for the month of September thanks to an anonymous donor. What they did share about this generous person is that they previously adopted a black cat from the shelter named Jean Valjean.

"Jean was an AHS adoptee who spent his golden years of life with his family in Phoenix before sadly losing his battle with cancer. Now, his family is generously pawing it forward for pets like him to 'help other cats and dogs get adopted who are sometimes overlooked.'"

There are dozens of black dogs and cats at the shelter waiting for someone to give them a chance. Dogs like Ruby, a 7-year-old German shepherd mix, that loves people and making new friends. She does suffer from arthritis and is afraid of thunderstorms, but who isn't?! She would love to spend her golden years in a loving home. Her adoption fee is waived this month.

Photo: Arizona Humane Society

Oswald, a 6-year-old black feline, has the look of a grumpy old man but is a total sweetheart. He loves to make biscuits and curl up in your lap where he will softly purr your worries away. Are you his person? Learn more about him here.

Photo: Arizona Humane Society

Please consider adopting the long-stay shelter pets that are usually overlooked because of their fur color, breed, or age. Check out all the adoptable animals at Arizona Humane Society by clicking here.