Each year at this time, people who own black cats are warned to keep them safe from thieves who might want to use the cats for nefarious purposes. Keep your black cats indoors, owners are told, lest they be stolen and used in dark satanic rituals.

Whether caution is necessary or rooted merely in urban legend, some older news accounts remind us there are individuals who might think Halloween gives them freedom to terrorize or kill an animal for entertainment.

Even using an animal as party decor or for a prank is abuse, plain and simple. Animals don’t appreciate the holiday and don’t understand the symbolism that surrounds it. Like children, they can easily become frightened seeing people in strange costumes and masks on the spookiest night of the year.

No matter how widespread the problem is or is not, the real fear of an animal being mistreated has caused some rescue agencies to refuse to allow anyone to adopt black cats the last few weeks before the holiday.

"Black cats are off the market until Halloween," said Georjette Thomas, director of advancement at One of a Kind Adoption Center. Instead, the West Akron, Ohio, shelter is sponsoring a "Double the Love" program where people can adopt one cat and get a buddy for it at no additional adoption fee.

Summit County, Ohio, Animal Control uses the same philosophy with all of the adoption applications it receives, especially this time of year, said Craig Stanley, director of administrative services for Summit County Executive Russ Pry.

"We pay attention to the conversation — for example, if they are specifically looking for a black cat — and we note the age of the person who wants to adopt. If the radar goes up, it would throw up red flags," said Stanley.

The association between black cats and Halloween dates back centuries to a time when people believed felines were really witches in disguise.

Halloween originated with ancient Celtic feasts of Samhain, or summer’s end, when it was believed that spirits emerged from their resting places to roam the streets and play tricks on the living.

On that night, people would dress in costumes so any evil spirit lurking in the dark would not be able to recognize them. The spirits would be offered food and animal sacrifices.

Black cats were sometimes considered a witch’s familiar — his or her supernatural servant — because they are largely nocturnal, roaming at night when people believed that evil lurked waiting to attack unsuspecting souls. Imaginations ran wild when the lack of knowledge prevented people from logically explaining what they couldn’t understand.

Still, old traditions and superstitions die hard and many rescues warn owners to pay special attention to the safety of their pets during the Halloween season.

It is estimated that Americans will spend $370 million on Halloween costumes for their pets this year. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has provided these common sense tips for animal owners during the Halloween season:

—Keep treats for trick-or-treaters. Chocolate — especially dark or baking chocolate — can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

—Pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce an upset stomach in pets that nibble on them.

—Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

—Exercise caution with candles. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

—Don’t put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it. For pets who don’t like them, wearing a costume might cause undue stress.

—If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, leave the costume and don a festive bandana.

—Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

—All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

—When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

—Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification and wears an up-to-date license. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.