COEUR d'ALENE - If you own a black cat, better beware.

Watch it closely. Guard it. Keep it indoors.

At least until Halloween has passed us by.

"Folks should keep black cats in this time of the year," said Dori Peck, executive director of the Kootenai Humane Society.

That's because the feline is particularly popular in October, perhaps wanted by both those in need of a sacrificial cat, and those seeking a Halloween companion or decoration.

KHS, as is tradition, doesn't adopt out black cats for the entire month of October. If you want one - and it has about 10 at its shelter at the north end of Ramsey Road - you can request they put it on hold for you.

"It's for the safety of the animals," Peck said Thursday. "It's pretty much nationwide shelters just choose not to endanger them."

What's the danger?

Peck hesitated as she sought the right words.

"There are people that do things that are just unacceptable," she said.

Blacks cats have long been lumped with witches.

According to aboutcats.com, Greek mythology taught that a woman named Galenthias was turned into a cat and became a priestess at the temple of Hecate, the "Dark Mother," and sometimes known as the Mother of Witchcraft.

During the 12th and 13th century, witches in Europe were said to turn themselves into cats. During the witch-burning era of the 17th century, cats were put into baskets and burned alongside the witches, the website said.

In some ways today, black cats are still spooky. Cross a black cat, and it's considered bad luck.

But it's black cats that are at risk during this season of ghouls and ghosts, of tricks and treats. Some fear they'll be used as part of a satanic ritual, sacrificed to appease a god. Others believe they might be wanted as a decoration for a Halloween party.

Either way, according to aboutcats.com, "it is best to keep all cats indoors during the month of October, regardless of their color, but especially if they happen to be black.

"Even though there may be no cultists in your neighborhood or community, the sheer numbers of people out and about on Halloween, along with increased vehicular traffic make the outdoors a frightening and unsafe place for small furry creatures."

Peck said black animals are always the hardest to adopt, but if anyone really wants a black cat, they should visit the shelter and put one on hold.

Come Nov. 1, it's theirs to take home - where they should be safe, until next year.