Black Dog Syndrome-Cats Too!

by Dr. Chris

Black Dog Syndrome is a condition where dogs and cats that have black coats are less likely to be adopted. This has forced many animal shelters to look for ways to get people to start adopting more black pets.

Although there is no scientific evidence that Black Dog Syndrome, or even Black Cat Syndrome exists, many shelter workers feel that black pets have a much higher risk of not being adopted and as a result are euthanized.

So why are black pets not adopted at the same rate as other pets? While no one knows for sure some of the reasons could be that they look meaner, superstitions, or the fact that they don?t photograph well.

Strategies to Reduce Black Dog Syndrome

Many pet shelters are getting creative and are coming up with different ideas to get black pets adopted.

One strategy includes reduced adoption fees and 2 or 1 adoption fees for black pets.

Another strategy involves taking better pictures of black pets.

In fact one person, photographer Seth Casteel, has launched a nonprofit program called Second Chance Photos.

Second Chance Photos teaches volunteers to more professional photos of shelter pets, especially black pets to encourage adoptions.

For tips on photographing black pets check out this USA Today article on Black Dog Syndrome.

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