A local animal shelter is offering an alternative for Black Friday shoppers and bargain hunters.

"Don't shop -- Adopt!" is the motto of the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township, which is advertising a "100 percent off" sale on black cats and black rabbits today.

The shelter is offering 28 black cats and 11 black rabbits that are ready to be adopted. Twelve of the cats are kittens, 3 to 7 months old.

"A kind underwriter" is covering the adoption fees for the black cats and rabbits, according to Animal Friends. The usual adoption fees are $60 for rabbits, $75 for adult dogs and cats, and $100 for kittens and puppies 20 weeks or younger. All animals leaving the shelter have been neutered, microchipped and are up to date on inoculations.

Cats and kittens will go to their new homes with free bags of food. Adopters of black rabbits will get T-shirts and starter supplies of timothy hay, one of the staples of a domestic rabbit's diet.

"We're flexible and open to price haggling on Black Friday," said Jolene Miklas, senior marketing coordinator. "If you fall in love with a cat, dog or rabbit that is one-fourth black, for instance, we'll give you a 25 percent discount" on the adoption fee.

The discount for black animals is more than just a Black Friday gimmick. Many shelters and rescue groups report that black animals -- especially large black dogs -- often languish longer in cages and kennels than animals of other colors.

"I guess some people are superstitious, especially about black cats," Ms. Miklas said. "Maybe big black dogs look intimidating. Maybe some people don't even realize they're overlooking black animals. Maybe you just can't see their faces as well, when they have dark eyes and black fur."

Animal Friends is a no-kill shelter that is always filled to capacity, and new animals cannot come in until others are adopted out. A total of 120 cats are currently housed in the shelter, with an additional 35 in foster homes. The rabbit population totals 60, though many of those are in temporary foster homes.

All area shelters and rescue groups are reporting a glut of cats and kittens this year because the fall's warm weather extended the kitten-birthing season.

The Animal Friends shelter, officially called the Caryl Gates Gluck Resource Center, is at 562 Camp Horne Road, Ohio Township. The Black Friday adoption sale will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For further information, call 412-847-7002.