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Health & Fitness

Boo! Adopt a Black Cat or a Black Dog and Save a Life

Boo to you, too! CSU Study Says Black Cats Get Short End of the Adoption Stick

Like everything, it depends to whom you talk, but there is recent research to support the idea that black animals (specifically cats) get adopted less from shelters than animals of other colors. As someone who is owned by a black rescue cat (you can see Merlin the Magician's photo with this article), it pains me to think that black pups and kitties might be put down at a higher rate than others simply because they have a gorgeous black coat. After all, wasn't it Armani who said everyone looks better in black? Yeah, well, not so much if you are a cat.

Black Cat Research 

Colorado State University Clinical Sciences professor Lori Kogan and her colleagues recently examined color-coded adoption data and verified a long-held belief that cats with black coats stay longer in shelters. That’s worrisome for black cats because of high rates of euthanasia and feline disease among shelter cats, Kogan said. The research did not focus on dogs.

Her findings showed that it takes 4-6 additional days for black cats to be adopted when compared to cats of other colors.  She went on to note that this seems to hold true whether kitten, juvenile or adult. That might not seem like a long time, but in a shelter environment, stress and disease take a toll. Cats who stay longer are at a higher risk of contracting an infection. Every day counts to a shelter animal.

Why Don't People Adopt Black Cats and Dogs?

So, why don't people adopt black cats and dogs? I'd like to say that the whole black cat/bad luck superstition is hooey, but who knows? It is my personal opinion that some still harbor the crazy notion that black animals are bad luck. 

But, the more likely cause of black animals getting less adoption love is simply that they don't stand out. Think about your last visit to the shelter (please, tell me that you go to the shelter to adopt or volunteer). As you walk through the cat room and look into the cages, what stands out most? Probably not the black cats. Maybe the black dog doesn't catch your attention as much as the brindle or spotted dog.

People Equate Cat Color with Personality

A study at the University of California found that black cats were seen as having a neutral personality, white cats aloof and orange or bi-colored cats high in friendliness. What? Because the cat is orange it's friendlier than my Merlin? Um, I don't think so.

In summary, like everything else in society, it comes down to looks, doesn't it? I guess black animals just aren't rated as attractive, friendly or loving as their striped, tabbied and spotted friends. 

Well, it's not boo to you, it's really BOO to them, isn't it. I encourage you to adopt from the Douglas County Animal Shelter, whether you adopt a black animal or not.

But, please don't walk past a black cat or dog just because they are black, ok? They all deserve a chance.
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