There are thousands of dogs in shelters that are waiting for their forever homes. Sadly, statistics show that black dogs are less likely to be adopted than dogs with coats of another color.
When black dogs find themselves in shelters, the odds are already stacked up against them. According to the ASPCA, 20% of the 3.3 million dogs in shelters nationwide are euthanized every year. It’s been shown that dogs with black coats are the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized.
“Overwhelmingly, we hear from the shelter and rescue groups that black dogs, especially the big black dogs, and black cats take longer to get adopted,” said Kim Saunders, vice president of shelter outreach for Petfinder.com, told Time.
Of course, black dogs are just as loving and playful as other dogs, so why are they constantly looked over?
According to Wikipedia, there is such thing as “black dog syndrome.” It says that the “proposed phenomenon may be due to a number of factors. Research has identified geographic location, fear stigma against certain breed types, and the fact that large, black dogs are often portrayed as aggressive in film and on television as possible correlates.” There is also a theory that revolves around the superstition that black animals are “bad luck” or bad omens.
In 2013, a study was published in the journal Anthrozoös. They displayed photographs of dogs with yellow or black coats, and with floppy ears or pointy ears. It found that “participants rated the yellow dog significantly higher than the black dog on the personality dimensions of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability.”
For one puppy, named Gigi, she knows what it’s like to be discriminated against for her dark coat.
Currently, the adorable fox terrier is housed at a high-kill shelter in San Bernadino, California, the San Bernardino Animal Shelter (SBAS). Adorable Gigi has only been given a certain amount of time to find a forever and loving home before she becomes another statistic and is put down.
If you would like to give Gigi the safe, loving home that she truly deserves, contact the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter at (909) 384-1304 and reference the shelter ID #A502791. Don’t forget to pass this post on to help spread the word.
Black dogs are loving, loyal, and silly creatures and they deserve all the love in the world. Remember — adopt, don’t shop.
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