Black dogs often overlooked at shelters

I have two black dogs. They are real beauties with their shiny black fur and brown eyes. Both are rescue pets. I am lucky to have them, but black dogs are not adopted as often as lighter colored dogs from shelters.

Many factors enter into what dog a person chooses to adopt when going to a shelter to rescue a pet. Eye contact, visibility, and interaction are things that lead to this choice.

Often, the lighting is poor in a shelter and black dogs are more difficult to see by people browsing by the kennels. Darker eyes are not as easy to catch and make contact with. This makes eye contact less frequent between the dog and prospective owners. Also, the interaction is less frequent if people are not actively engaging the dog because they are not as visible.

When two dogs of equal temperment, one light colored and one black, were up for adoption, the lighter one was almost always adopted first. Many great pets are being passed up because they are unnoticed at the shelter.

Give each kennel a long look to get to know the dog that is inside. Those black beauties waiting for adoption make wonderful pets.

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