Black Dog Friday

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User-submitted story by Requi Salter

Friday, November 27, 2009

Big Black Dogs like Harley are often overlooked in shelters. Harley is 2 years old and is already neutered. He is available for adoption at The Humane Society 334-5837.

This weekend The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri will celebrate Black Dog Friday. All adoption fees on black dogs will be half off on Friday, November 27 thru Sunday, November 29.

Black dogs are the most overlooked dogs in animal shelters across the country. There are several ideas as to why this happens. Some people think it is harder to read their dark faces and therefore they sometimes look mean even if they aren't.

Another issue for black dogs is that they are more difficult to photograph. Many adoptions happen because of cute pictures that potential adopters see on Petfinder.com and other websites. Black dogs will often look like a dark blob in photographs.

Simply being ordinary may also be working against black dogs. They just don't stand out the way other colors do. When a litter of Labrador mix puppies arrive at The Humane Society, the yellow and chocolate are always adopted first. The black puppies are chosen last, if at all.

The goal of Black Dog Friday is to draw attention to these often overlooked dogs. Every dog deserves a home.

The Humane Society of SEMO will be open on Friday and Saturday 11am-5pm and on Sunday 1pm-4pm.

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I have a wonderful story about a black dog. I had accepted a black hound who obviously had black lab in his background. He looked pure hound but had webbed feet. I picked him up on a Wednesday. His ACO had held him for 6 months as he was such an outstanding dog. I listed him on my site w/the Petfinder information plus some of my own re: black dogs. He was noticed by a couple in IL on Thursday. They called me Friday. Came to see him Saturday. I took him w/me on the home visit Monday and bam! he was adopted to be the playmate of their 6 month old Puggle. Duke is the size of a black and tan coonhound :). They still have him. What caught their eye was the information about black dog syndrome as Requi as written - they had no clue. Many black diamonds are missed - check them out! Thanks, Requi!

-- Posted by silverwalk on Fri, Nov 27, 2009, at 5:41 PM
I have a wonderful story about a black dog. I had accepted a black hound who obviously had black lab in his background. He looked pure hound but had webbed feet. I picked him up on a Wednesday. His ACO had held him for 6 months as he was such an outstanding dog. I listed him on my site w/the Petfinder information plus some of my own re: black dogs. He was noticed by a couple in IL on Thursday. They called me Friday. Came to see him Saturday. I took him w/me on the home visit Monday and bam! he was adopted to be the playmate of their 6 month old Puggle. Duke is the size of a black and tan coonhound :). They still have him. What caught their eye was the information about black dog syndrome as Requi as written - they had no clue. Many black diamonds are missed - check them out! Thanks, Requi!

-- Posted by silverwalk on Fri, Nov 27, 2009, at 5:44 PM
I LOVE my black dog!

-- Posted by Rocket_Surgeon on Sat, Nov 28, 2009, at 8:22 AM
Our Bailey is a black Beagle with some white on her chest and face. She's always gets compliments on how cute she is. Even the mail lady likes her!

-- Posted by redpen on Mon, Nov 30, 2009, at 7:31 AM
Is it the same way for black cats too?

-- Posted by redpen on Mon, Nov 30, 2009, at 7:32 AM
Black cats don't have the problem to the same degree as black dogs. The issue for black cats is sometimes people are superstitious, but black cats seem to be chosen as often as a common brown tabby. Hopefully people will give these "common" pets a second look. They really all deserve a home!

-- Posted by Requi on Mon, Nov 30, 2009, at 4:10 PM

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