Black dogs all over the country are struggling to find forever homes, especially in the south. There is no scientific reasoning behind this, but simply peoples’ judgments and presumptions about black dogs. This is called Black Dog Syndrome.
Shelters are always filled and unfortunately, black dogs are the last to get adopted and the first to get euthanized. Being euthanized is a horrible and unfair fate for any dog, especially one who has already lived its entire life homeless or in a shelter, but when this fate is sealed simply because their coat is black, you realize how truly inhumane that is.
(Toby, currently up for adoption)
It is assumed that people are prejudiced against black dogs for a couple of reasons. First, black dogs are constantly portrayed as scary so when people come into a shelter, they avoid the “mean” black dog. Second, black dogs don’t photograph as well and the lighting in shelters is horrible which doesn’t help people see them very well. With their dark coloring, the pictures that are usually put up on flyers and websites don’t show their friendly expressions well, making people less interested in them.
We can’t control what stereotypes arise, but we can help prove them wrong. The Little Black Dog Rescue, located right in Fairfield, CT, specializes in saving the lives of black dogs. Amy Scarella, the founder of LBDR started her rescue by finding her first dog on Facebook and soon adopting him. The rest was history. She has run her own doggy day camp for the past 10 years and now pulls last chance dogs from the south to find them homes in the area.
(Celia, currently up for adoption)
Amy pulls dogs mainly from high kill and gassing shelters where these dogs have usually days or only hours to be saved. In the south, where racial prejudice and superstition is still seen, black dogs don’t stand a chance. “I know of a family who pulled over to pray after a black cat crossed the road,” Amy said. These last chance dogs are the reason Amy does what she does.
There will always be more dogs than available loving homes, but we can all do as much as we can to open our hearts and homes to these dogs that need us now more than ever. If you would like to help, you can apply online to adopt, foster or volunteer. If you live in the area, fostering is a great way to help the dogs temporarily and get them out in town to hopefully find them a forever home! If you aren’t able to take in a dog, LBDR always needs volunteers. Whether it’s picking up and dropping off dogs, helping with supplies or simply walking them, the dogs need your help!
Go to www.littleblackdogrescue.org to help stop Black Dog Syndrome today.
