You might think that discrimination based on skin color is a distinctly human problem, but the truth is that there’s ample evidence animals too can be shunned for that same reason.
Guilford County Animal Services is hoping a little elegance – and a little ice cream – will help some often-overlooked shelter pets find permanent homes.
The county will host a black-tie-themed adoption event called the “Black Tail Adoption Event” on Thursday, June 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Guilford County Animal Resource Center, located at 980 Guilford College Road in Greensboro.
The event is designed to highlight adoptable black cats and dogs, which animal shelters around the country have long said can face greater challenges finding homes than pets with lighter-colored coats.
The dog Banker, seen above, is just one of the adoptable dogs that is looking for a happy home.
Animal welfare groups often refer to the phenomenon as “black dog syndrome” or “black cat syndrome.”
While researchers and shelter officials continue to debate exactly how significant the effect is, many shelters report that black-colored pets tend to spend longer periods waiting for adoption than animals with lighter or more distinctive markings.
Some animal advocates believe that black pets are overlooked because they can be harder to photograph – making them less likely to stand out in online adoption listings and social media posts.
Others suggest that outdated superstitions surrounding black cats still influence some people’s perceptions. Shelter workers also note that when several animals are housed together, black pets can sometimes appear less distinctive than animals with unusual colors or markings.
Of course, none of that has anything to do with the animals’ personalities: Shelter officials routinely point out that coat color has no connection to whether a pet will be friendly, affectionate, playful or a good fit for a family.
The June 4 event is intended to give those animals a little extra attention and encourage potential adopters to take a closer look.
County officials are encouraging community members to dress up for the occasion and spend some time meeting the shelter’s available pets.
As an added incentive, attendees can enjoy ice cream from Alsies of the Triad while they browse the animals that are available for adoption.
The Guilford County Animal Resource Center is open for adoptions daily from noon to 4 p.m., except Tuesdays.
No appointment is required.
Residents interested in adopting can view available animals online at GuilfordCountyNC.gov/AdoptAPet.
Additional information about the event and Animal Services programs is available at GuilfordCountyNC.gov/AnimalServices or by calling Guilford County Animal Services at 336-641-3400.
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Brits are dog lovers. As an expat Brit I have noticed that the primary areas in which I find other Brits are walking dogs in Oak Ridge Park or at the Total Wine booze stores.
I’ll let you form your own conclusions…
The reason I mention our love of dogs is because I was watching a Daily Telegraph video of the Unite the Kingdom march last week when I noticed a fellow who had his canine companion with him – a big black goofy Labrador who was clearly having a great time.
He (the human) was wearing a T-Shirt that made me laugh out loud. It was a black shirt with bold upper case white writing on it.
It said “BLACK LABS MATTER.”.
Indeed they do.
Wow!!! I starting to wonder if brain rot is hereditary.
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Yew mite know.
i like unhealthy hot dogs & think of domestic animals as emergency meat on hoof sans refrigeration
PS
If you listened to the BBC or watched CNN, these marchers were horrible bigoted racists full of hatred for others.
What I saw was a collection of ordinary decent British people, moms & grannies pushing pushchairs, old soldiers, young patriotic lads & lasses, and of course, the chap who just knew that his dog would have the best time at the march, with all the people, so brought him along.
They actually sparked a little hope in me for my dear, beloved old country.
Scott,
SERIOUSLY?
.
How far The Rhino has fallen….
Yes, Al and Patrick, it is terrible to take moment to try and help get some hard to adopt animals out of the shelter. Now that I have read your comments I feel awful for trying to help out the shelter.
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You’re right, Scott. You should continue making The Rhino Times into an anodyne community bulletin board.
Next week you could teach us how to make cupcakes!
thats what the letters to the editor are for. you could also start a column for that but i cant guarantee youll be on the payroll. i doubt this paper has much income… it’s practically scotts blog at this point
Don’t overlook the black dogs and cats, beautiful animals with their black coats shining in sunlight. I once had a black cat that was not only beautiful but smart. He was in command and ruled the house, demanding a lot of respect, which he received.
spray paint’m green – see wut happens ?
I have a good one for this…….but, perhaps not.
Hey TL. Take away the smart part and I’m guessing his name was skip
Rebel, try again….
My husband’s introduction to cats was a black Manx named Zuzu. I’d always had cats. He was a dog person. When a friend of his at work told him he had some Manx kittens that needed homes, we offered to take one. I knew that having a Manx for his first experience was the perfect choice, and she was. Zuzu was a daddy’s girl who loved to follow him everywhere he went. She loved doing yard work with him, climbing trees, watching him mow, working with him in the basement, keeping our yard free of critters, sleeping on the bed, and snoozing on his lap. We’re on our third Manx, Arya Underfoot, a country girl who loves her dad, too. (And our fifth dog.)
Beautiful story!
Must have been a slow news day! I love black cats.
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No kidding. SMH…
animal farm !
I have a black cat. It keeps the verdelacs away.