Shelter Discrimination

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

25 Mar 2008 04:17 PM

A blog I wrote about adopting black cats (and dogs) has gotten some attention from shelters. I've had several people contact me, looking for permission to adapt the list for their black shelter residents.

You might be surprised to learn that black dogs and cats tend to linger the longest in shelters -- longer than older animals, abused animals, or even injured animals. The problem is common enough (especially in large black dogs) that it has a name: black dog syndrome.

What makes animals with black coats harder to adopt out?

• Perhaps the dark color of their coat makes them hard to see in the kennel. A visitor's eye is more easily attracted to lighter colors.
• Perhaps the dark color of their coat makes them hard to photograph -- and hard to see in pictures. Lots of people use sites like Petfinder to search for a new pet online. A black dog or cat can be hard to capture!
• Black dogs and cats (especially dogs) can appear older than they actually are. The odd grey or white hair sure stands out in all that black fur!
• Superstition -- black cats are supposed to be bad luck, right? Black dogs aren't usually a good omen, either. Winston Churchill referred to his bouts of depression as "the black dog".
• The problem of shedding -- some people think black fur will be more noticeable on upholstery and carpet. (Let's be honest though -- dogs and cats shed, and no hair is invisible.)

Some shelters are fighting black dog syndrome (for both dogs and cats) with color. They make sure that black animals have brightly colored blankets and toys in their kennels. Some animals are decked out with colorful ribbons or bandannas.

If you work (or worked) in a shelter, speak up! I'd love to hear your experiences with black dog syndrome, and what you did to help these pets find loving homes. The next time I'm looking for a new family member, I'm going to make an effort to pay attention to the black dogs.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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