I adopted a black Lab mix, Katy (aka Maddie) from Alaqua Animal Refuge yesterday and I am posting this information b/c it appears she has been the victim of what is known as BLACK DOG SYNDROME. Across the nation black dogs and cats, especially big black dogs are euthanized at alarmingly higher rates than other animals because no one wants to adopt them. It's not really clear WHY this is happening but none the less it is. Some reports suggest black dogs do not photograph and show well on petfinder type listings or you cannot see them well in dimly lit shelter cages. That certainly wasn't the case with Katy because her pics on Petfinder/Alaqua were great and the dog pens at Alaqua are really visually accessibly. What is so sad is that Katy was rescued by Alaqua when she was 6 or 7 months old, she is now 1 1/2 yr old. Almost no one ever looked at her and she was routinely passed over for other lighter colored dogs. I don’t understand why b/c she is an absolute delight. She's probably never lived inside a house so she was/is not housebroken but in the 24 hrs I have had her she is making remarkable progress. She is getting along so well with my other two dogs as well.
So the other reason I am sharing this info is....
Laurie Hood founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge created the Black Dog Society to aid in the black dogs/cats plight. what is desperately needed now is someone with a brilliant idea of how to execute or create a presentation of some kind to help enlighten the general public to the sad unfair realities that so many black furred animals are facing. Sowal has such a diverse readership that I thought it worth sharing this story to ask if those who LOVE animals would think about this and who knows,,,maybe that brilliant idea about how to help is floating around out there....
thanks,,,if you come up with a brilliant idea...actually ANY IDEA is a good idea, email me at tcline@teresaclinegallery.com or contact Laurie Hood at Alaqua Animal Refuge...we are all ears!
Also I am currently working on a web page to FEATURE the BLACK DOGS AND CATS available from Alaqua Animal Refuge on the www.goingtothedogsfl.com web site where we will be able to showcase them along with little personality profiles ....check it out.
Thanks all!
Replies
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Beach Lover
awww thats so cool...which girl? I am going up tomorrow morning to start photographing the "less adoptable" dogs for my profiling, I will be sure to get her photo.
Katy spent the day revealing her true nature and she is more than wonderful, loving and smart. When she comes up for some Labby Love you can tell she is soooo grateful to be home.
Today she had her first marrow bone,,,didnt seem to know what it was till her sibs showed her the way...LOL! and she also got to play in the street (dead end-no traffic) with the neighbor Labby and her sibs like a real homey..a north grayton dog. She also had her first swim in the bay...she was in heaven!
good luck with your new foster furkid!
Ahhh what great pictures!!!
picky
That is just the silliest thing that people don't want black haired animals as much as others! Merman and I adopted our black cat Sammy from the local shelter and he's been the best cat we've ever been lucky enough to live with, hands down. Look how my boys are relaxing on a Sunday morning.
Is that not the picture of love?
beats on hood
I didn't notice the cat. That is a picture of a sexy man.
That is just the silliest thing that people don't want black haired animals as much as others! Merman and I adopted our black cat Sammy from the local shelter and he's been the best cat we've ever been lucky enough to live with, hands down. Look how my boys are relaxing on a Sunday morning.
Daughter adopted a black cat from the Atlanta Humane Society. They interview potential owners of black cats very carefully to avoid any ritualistic activities. And they don't allow black cats to be adopted in October.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I didn't notice the cat. That is a picture of a sexy man.
Daughter adopted a black cat from the Atlanta Humane Society. They interview potential owners of black cats very carefully to avoid any ritualistic activities. And they don't allow black cats to be adopted in October.
thats wild,,,to think of someone using a black animal for ritual or worse..
I was on one of the many Atlanta area rescue sites a few days ago...and I literally got ill from the reality of so many Labradors and Lab mixes on there, I had to just turn away from this site. It should be made mandatory to stay/neuter to get dog tags in Atlanta area. Why so many Labs in Atlanta? I dont get that?
Beach FanaticAuthor
She came from Wife #5...it's a long and different kind of story.
Wife #5!! whoa...I bet thats a duzzy of a story!
SoWal Guide
That is just the silliest thing that people don't want black haired animals as much as others! Merman and I adopted our black cat Sammy from the local shelter and he's been the best cat we've ever been lucky enough to live with, hands down. Look how my boys are relaxing on a Sunday morning.
what a great pic of merman and cat!
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