Have you heard of 'Black Dog Syndrome?'

Rescue organizations across America claim that black dogs and cats are last to be adopted and are more likely to be euthanized. Contrary to Ordinary–an organization devoted to rescuing black dogs–has dubbed this phenomenon "black dog syndrome."

Reasons Black Animals are Left Behind

No scientific studies have been done to determine the cause of this phenomenon. It is likely that many factors are at work. Perhaps one of the key reasons is that photographs of black dogs and cats do not show up as well online. As more and more potential pet owners search for their pets on the Internet rather than face-to-face, black animals, which don't have features that stand out and are not as visible, are quickly passed by on an Internet search.

Even face-to-face in a shelter, people are drawn to the animals that stand out to them right away. Black animals tend to fade into the background with the poor lighting and crowded conditions found in many animal shelters.

Superstition may be another factor. Although people may not claim to be superstitious about black animals, they still may be influenced by movies, TV shows, and books that portray black cats and dogs as villainous or cruel. Large, black dogs can also seem more threatening than other dogs.

Are Black Animals Actually Less Likely to be Adopted?

There is no proof that black cats and dogs suffer because of their coloration. No scientific study has been done to determine the legitimacy of the phenomenon. Shelter employees across the country, however, have noticed that their black animals stay longer than others.

It is possible that shelters are seeing more black animals for longer because there simply are more black animals around. Siamese cats, a very common breed, tend to produce black kittens when mixed with other breeds. Black Labrador retrievers and black pit bulls are common breeds that often end up in shelters.

Anecdotal evidence from shelters does seem to indicate that people overlook black dogs, however. There is no way of knowing if this is truly the case unless a controlled study is done, but the available evidence does seem to support the theory.

Solutions for "Black Dog Syndrome"

Whether black cats and dogs have a harder time getting adopted or not, many shelters have special programs for their black animals to find them homes. Some shelters offer discounts on adoption fees for their black animals. Others photograph them with costumes on to make them stand out online.

The best way to ensure that black dogs and cats get good homes is to encourage anyone searching for a pet to look carefully at the black animals and to pay attention to personality rather than looks. Potential pet owners should also visit animals in person and be careful not to ignore the black cats and dogs available for adoption.

Read more at Suite101: Are Black Dogs and Cats Less Likely to Be Adopted? http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-plight-of-black-animals-in-shelters#ixzz0u4lOMw2l