Love For Animals

Have you ever heard of a term called Black Dog Syndrome? Until recently, I didn’t either. Black Dog Syndrome refers to any black dog that doesn’t get adopted out of an animal shelter primarily due to the color of their fur. The term revolves around the observation that many black dogs stay in shelters for long periods of time (years, even). Also, in kill shelters, it has been noticed that black dogs–as compared to lighter dogs–are more vulnerable to being put down. Black Dog Syndrome sounds a bit unbelievable at first, claiming that fur color can actually influence whether the dog gets adopted. Yet, as the idea is thought upon more, it becomes apparent that Black Dog Syndrome isn’t all that hard to believe. The majority of black dogs brought to shelters are simply not favored for adoption.

No one, however, is saying that people consciously make the decision to choose a non-black dog over a black dog. Sometimes, people’s eyes are just attracted to brighter colors, and black may appear dull or plain to some people. Of course, there are probably other reasons why some people prefer lighter dogs. For example, my dad doesn’t like black dogs because he says that they scare him. I’m assuming this goes back to old ideas of how the color, black, has always held negative connotations in old superstition. Rottweilers and Dobermans have been known to get a reputation as great watch dogs, so maybe some people subconsciously make the connection of black dogs being mean dogs. Whatever the reason, the appearance of a dog does not determine a dog’s personality.

There aren’t extensive reports or accurate records of how many black dogs get put down or exactly how many black dogs remain in shelters, but the situation is very real. Black Dog Syndrome has gained a name through a noticeable pattern among many shelters. Now that you are aware of Black Dog Syndrome, try to keep it in mind if you’re looking to adopt an animal. Help these dogs by making a conscious effort to look past their appearance and by paying attention to other great qualities they have.

Suggested Related Links:

Associated Press - Large, Black Dogs Go Unwanted

Black Pearl Dogs: Making a difference one black dog at a time through education, awareness, and action

Black Dog Syndrome: Dark Color Hinders Adoption

Black Dogs Often Overlooked

Why do some pet owners say they saved their pet’s life by taking it in, when in fact their pet was never in real danger of dying or being put down at a shelter in the first place? There is just much difference in actually adopting a shelter animal, rather than just providing a home for a non-shelter puppy who, at that point, had no real threat to its life anyway. By no means am I saying that providing a home is any less helpful to an animal because it is still an admirable thing to do for one. To take an animal under your wing and give it a good home is a great commitment.

However, the act of merely providing a home for your pet (whose life was never in danger) does not exactly translate into literally saving its life, which some pet owners like to stress of their “deed.” There are a lot of animals in shelters that need to be adopted for the sake of their lives. To go into a shelter that uses euthanasia on their animals is a heart-breaking experience. To really see a date set for their euthanasia appointment (or rather their “time of death”) is never something that you can get used to in a normal day-to-day sense. The whole euthanasia issue almost doesn’t seem real in our lives as humans—it’s either that, or we’ve just become desensitized toward our ability to play with life—but for these animals, this is their reality.

By adopting a pet from a shelter and giving him a good home with love and care, you really are saving his life. And that date—that says he’s due for euthanasia tomorrow morning or in two days or in three days, or whenever—is void the day you go in there and make a promise to this animal that you’ll do your best to love and care for him forever.

We don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on pure bred dogs, or even more money on exotic mixes such as the Ashera, a hybrid between the African serval and the Asian leopard cat (see YouTube video below). It’s crazy to think we created this exotic breed to be bought and sold while we have animals put to death everyday, which is being done for a seemingly shallow reason of not having enough room in our society… As if this world isn’t their world too.

YouTube - SEE ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE PET CATS IN THE WORLD

If you’ve ever wanted to get a pet, please consider adopting one from a shelter, preferrably a high-kill shelter. All shelters, spanning from no-kill to high-kill, are the best places to look for animals urgently in need of a good home. If you’re not ready to take an animal into your life, or you simply do not have the resources or the time, please help to support no-kill shelters and their cause by donating (remember to make sure that your donations are going to sincere and humane no-kill shelters as not all of them are true to the cause). And if your heart can bear it, try volunteering for a kill shelter or even a no-kill shelter, and do what you can to get these animals adopted or well taken care of. Every little bit counts. Help save a life.

Suggested related links:

No-Kill Shelters Spotlighted on National Stage: SFSPCA Shows It Can Be Done

Animal Liberation Front: List of No-Kill Shelters in the US, Canada, Scotland, Mexico, & Columbia

Humane Societies and Shelters

Animal Euthanasia - A Call to Ban the Gas Chamber

Tales of Rescued Dogs: Luna’s Story

Kill vs. No-Kill Shelters (A Comprehensive Outlook on the Issue)

Wikipedia - Animal Euthanasia Methods