Myth: Black dogs are less adoptable from shelters

Myth: Black dogs are less adoptable from shelters - Veterinary Economics

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Myth: Black dogs are less adoptable from shelters

New data suggest it's just an extra day's wait for cats and dogs who sometimes blend into the background.

Dec 29, 2008
VETERINARY ECONOMICS

According to accepted wisdom, black animals sit longer in shelters waiting for adoption than brighter-colored cats and dogs. But new data from Web-based animal management program PetPoint say otherwise, according to a recent San Francisco Chronicle story.

PetPoint collected numbers from more than 700 adoption agencies covering roughly 380,000 adoptions and found that black dogs usually stay just one extra day. And all of the black dogs in the study eventually found homes.

The San Francisco SPCA uses creative methods to market their black animals. In October, “black cats are lucky” campaign challenged superstitions about black cats crossing your path. The SPCA staff also takes pictures of black animals in well-lit places, puts brightly colored collars and bandanas around their necks for contrast, and places brightly colored blankets in their kennels.