Pet Adoption, Rescue or Shelters

Despite public perception to the contrary (often based on media reports), serious dog bites are relatively rare, and no particular breed is more likely to be responsible for them. A publication issued by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services examined statistics and circumstances related to dog-related incidents, and is formulating more effective strategies to improve public safety.

In this final installment of the Big Black Dog Syndrome blog series, the ASPCA's Meet Your Match program will be discussed as it relates to helping re-home black dogs and cats.The biggest problem thwarting black dog and cat adoptions is a lack of interest in their website photograph (potential adopters are not drawn to the animal), and that potential adopters walk right by black animals in the kennel because they blend into the background. The use of the Meet Your Match program to guide potential adopters toward an animal that suits their lifestyle and personality, also has the ability to get potential adopters to stop and meet the black dogs and cats available for adoption - thereby increasing the chances that those black dogs and cats will be adopted.

Do you know a small organization doing great work for animals? If so, please make sure they hear about HRC's Grassroots Research Fund, the deadline for which is now just one month away (January 1st). The group(s) we select will receive pro bono research projects of up to $5,000 to help them evaluate and improve their work and help more animals. Also, any donations to HRC during the month of December will be earmarked for the Grassroots Research Fund so that we can help even more small groups in 2012. And be sure to check out our two guest blogs from the past month covering the topics of Big Black Dog syndrome and vegetarian/vegan recidivism. Thank you for reading!

Each year, 6-8 million dogs and cats enter shelters and 3-4 million of these animals are killed due primarily to a lack of space. These animals come from a variety of sources; they may be strays, relinquished by their human companions, or simply lost. Unfortunately, only 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters are claimed by their human companion. Returning more lost animals to their families can help reduce shelter populations and make many cats, dogs, and people very happy.

In my last article about Big Black Dog Syndrome, I detailed tactics for re-homing black dogs and cats during Halloween.  The color-based discrimination that black dogs and cats face is so deeply engrained within US culture that it is acted upon unconsciously, and is an unalterable aspect of our culture.  However, through education, potential adopters can be made aware of their unintentional biases, increasing the chances that potential adopters will adopt a black dog or cat.  Because education is the key to thwarting the negative effects of Big Black Dog (BBD) Syndrome, this article will explore how even from early childhood, concepts of color – in this case, the color black – are engrained within our social memory.