Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and Black Dog Syndrome
Feeling sad or lonely? Maybe you need a new pet to cheer you up! Studies have shown that pets have the power to improve people’s wellbeing in several ways. And I have a special place in my heart for dogs in particular. October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and that’s something I’m passionate about for sure. I believe that when we show love to animals, not only does it help them, but it also brings us closer to nature and nourishes our souls.
That’s why I care about animal rights, especially when it comes to shelter dog adoption vs. buying dogs. The slogan “Adopt, Don’t Shop” is popular these days, and for good reason. It’s better to adopt a dog from a shelter than to buy one from a breeder. Breeders often treat dogs poorly, forcing them to suffer in filthy environments without adequate nutrition. Buying from these types of companies makes them richer and encourages them to continue mistreating dogs. Adopting from a shelter is the better alternative.
So why should you adopt a dog at all? Dogs are wonderful companions, and they can brighten your life in a lot of ways. There are many dogs waiting in shelters right now for kindhearted people to give them a loving home. These dogs want to find their new best friend, and that could be you! Unfortunately, there are some shelter dogs that tend to be overlooked. The reason? They’re being judged based on their appearance.
There is a phenomenon known as “Black Dog Syndrome,” where black dogs are less likely to be adopted than dogs of other colors. According to The Spruce Pets, there have been some studies that seem to show evidence of Black Dog Syndrome, while other studies have not shown evidence of it. This is a topic that needs to be researched more. But there are a few possible reasons why people are more likely to reject black dogs:
People place high value on their pets’ appearances, and they want their pets to look good in photos. They may think that it’ll be hard to take a good photo of a black dog because of the dark color making lighting trickier.
Black is often associated with negativity or evil in movies and TV shows, which may affect people’s perception of black dogs in real life. But it’s not just dogs. Black cats are associated with bad luck, which means people may be more likely to reject them as well.
The size of a dog matters, too. A large black dog may be seen as intimidating to some people, even if the dog is actually gentle and well-behaved. A smaller black dog will probably have a better chance of getting adopted than a larger one.
It’s not fair that black dogs (and cats) are viewed in a negative way based on things that aren’t their fault. The worst part is that these unfairly rejected animals have a higher chance of being euthanized. It’s such a shame that this is happening.
Black dogs in shelters don’t deserve to be rejected because of their color. They deserve to be taken into nice homes and showered with love and care. If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, keep an open mind -- maybe a black dog will be your next loyal companion! Also, please spread the word about this situation. If more people become aware of Black Dog Syndrome, more black dogs will be adopted instead of overlooked and rejected.
PS: If you adopt a shelter dog, I promise you, it will have a wonderful impact in your life! I can tell you based on my own personal experience, having a dog by your side can give you comfort during the most difficult times. My dog Presley played a major role in helping me heal after my father’s passing. Listen to this episode of Stress Free SOULutions to hear my story.
