This week ends on a Friday 13, an unlucky day in Western superstition. 

Black cats have also long been associated with bad luck in myth and legend, meaning they're harder to rehome at rescue centres, and are frequently the last to be given forever homes. 

So if you're a cat person, why not adopt a little witch's familiar this spooky season? 

We're putting a positive spotlight on some of the black cats and kittens awaiting adoption at the RSPCA's cat rehoming hub for the North East. 

The cat hub rehomes cats and kittens in Teesside, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Northallerton, Darlington, Yarm, Redcar, Thirsk, Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Billingham, Sedgefield, and County Durham. 

Melina 

(Image: The RSPCA)

Melina is a 13-week-old female kitten who was picked up when the RSPCA was trapping a feral colony for neutering.

She was around 5 weeks old then and her foster carer has made "brilliant progress" with her taming.  The cat hub said: "She now acts like a normal kitten!"

She must go to a home with other cats, or with her brother Messmer as a pair.

Her adoption fee is £110. 

Messmer 

(Image: The RSPCA)

Messmer was also picked up when the RSPCA were trapping and neutering a feral colony - and is Melina's sister.

Despite starting out feral, caring fosterers have made leaps and bounds, and Messmer is now a "normal kitten". 

He must go to a home with other cats, or with his sister Melina as a pair. 

His adoption fee is £110. 

Majoram 

(Image: The RSPCA)

Little Majoram had a rough start in life after she was picked up on the Whitby road after being involved in an RTA.

The RSPCA said: "She was very lucky to be alive, but did sustain some facial injuries. Her foster carer did an amazing job with her, and she has recovered.

"She does now bear some facial scars of her ordeal, but we just think it gives her character!

"Marjoram is a sensitive soul, who we believe was a feral kitten before coming to us."

She is looking for a home with other cat-friendly cats already present or can go to a home as a pair with one of the rescue's other kittens. She is still shy of new people/situations so an ideal home would be adult-only. 

Her adoption fee is £110. 

Delilah 

(Image: The RSPCA)

Delilah is a sweet girl with a sad tale to tell. The RSPCA were called out to a mother cat and kittens, after they were found on a property by the new tenant.

Rescuers said: "On arrival, it was very apparent that poor Delilah had been left behind in the garden, with her six kittens.

"Despite this, she was happy to see us and welcomed us popping her and her kittens into our carry box, off to start their new lives, without the worry of when they would receive their next meal."

Delilah’s kittens were soon weaned on arrival and she is now on the hunt to find a new home.

She is around 1-2 years old and is looking for a home for her on her own. She could live with teenage children but has yet to experience young children. 

Her adoption fee is £100. 

Radahn 

(Image: The RSPCA)

Little kitten Radahn came into the RSPCA's care as a sign-over, and is approximately 16 weeks old. 

He can live with other cats and children. 

His adoption fee is £110. 

Zebra and Panther

(Image: The RSPCA)

Zebra and Panther are two sisters,  that were born in April of this year, and then hand-reared by one of the RSPCA's amazing foster carers.

The duo are looking for a home together.

Their adoption fees are £110 per kitten. 

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Stewie and Crispy 

(Image: The RSPCA)

These brothers were born in the RSPCA's care in April.

The pair have been well handled in foster care, and are looking for a home together. 

Their adoption fees are £110 each.