| Studies of human and animal behavior have brought | | | | and other cute doggy accessories do not have a |
| to light some interesting theories related to shelters | | | | statistically significant bearing on whether or not a |
| and animal adoption. Here are five facts related to | | | | person would adopt an animal. Several ethological |
| pet adoption in the United States (well, they may be | | | | studies have shown that there was no difference in |
| more like theories supported by research than actual | | | | adoption rates between those animals that were, or |
| facts, but you get the idea)! | | | | were not dressed to impress at adoption events. |
| 1) Black Dogs Don't Get Adopted | | | | This was even true across multiple days using the |
| The average pet owner probably doesn't know how | | | | same dogs while rotating when any specific animal |
| difficult it is for a black dog to get adopted. Being a | | | | was wearing an outfit. The ineffectiveness of doggy |
| black dog at an animal shelter is almost a death | | | | outfits on adoption rates is surprising, but the |
| sentence on its own. Dark colored dogs are euthanize | | | | numbers don't lie! |
| at a rate in extreme excess of other lighter colored | | | | 4) Behavioral Problems Are Common |
| dogs regardless of breed, or temperament. It is | | | | The majority of dogs that are dropped off at |
| difficult to say the exact reason for this phenomena, | | | | shelters are not strays, but dogs that are left by |
| which has been coined as "Black Dog Syndrome". | | | | owners that are not being truthful about why they |
| Studies have speculated that they are the least likely | | | | are giving up their pets for adoption. It is theorized |
| to be adopted based on how we as a society | | | | that the pet owner feels guilty about the real reason |
| perceive them. It could be for a variety of reasons | | | | that they are giving up their dog. |
| including that they don't photograph well, that they | | | | It is oftentimes because they think that it will affect |
| look "scary" in comparison to lighter colored animals, | | | | the chances of the dog being adopted if they admit |
| or that they are simply just "plain" looking and don't | | | | that it had any behavioral problems that led to them |
| catch peoples interest. Whatever the reason, Black | | | | being overwhelmed as caretakers. It would be much |
| Dog Syndrome is a serious problem that shelters | | | | more helpful if the prior owners were honest in their |
| have to deal with. | | | | evaluation of their pets so that any behavioral |
| 2 ) Love At First Sight | | | | "defects" for the lack of a better word could be |
| Research has also shown the validity of love at first | | | | corrected with training. |
| sight as it is related to adopting pets at a shelter. | | | | This would help to prevent the same behavior |
| Dogs that are kenneled in a position that puts them | | | | problem from occurring down the road, and would |
| as the first in the line of sight of a prospective pet | | | | effectively decrease the number of pets that are |
| owner are adopted at significantly higher rates than | | | | returned to the shelter due to incompatibility with |
| those that are kenneled in the back of the facility. As | | | | their new families. |
| human beings, we tend to bond with animals quickly, | | | | 5) October Is "Adopt A Shelter Dog Month" |
| and those dogs that weren't the first ones we saw | | | | This month is the first adopt a dog month. Shelters |
| coming through the door are generally out of luck. | | | | across the country encourage you to adopt a pet if |
| This hopefully will not be too much of a problem in | | | | you are ready for the responsibility of pet ownership; |
| the near future. More shelters are rotating their dogs | | | | however, you can also help by volunteering at a local |
| throughout their kennels on a weekly, if not daily | | | | pet shelter. Most shelters are understaffed, and the |
| basis in order to give every dog a fair shake at being | | | | regular volunteers will appreciate the help. If you are |
| adopted. | | | | a teenager thinking about veterinary school someday, |
| 3) Bandannas and Outfits Don't Help | | | | then I would encourage you to volunteer at a shelter |
| As if to contradict what we had stated about love at | | | | for experience that can be cited on your veterinary |
| first sight, I feel compelled to state that bandannas | | | | school application. |