A recent export of six unadoptable black dogs in Saskatchewan to a Vancouver Island animal rescue is being attributed to “black dog syndrome,” a phenomenon that sees darker-coloured dogs linger in shelters while lighter dogs are adopted out to good homes.
Sometimes called black dog bias by animal welfare workers, it is commonplace in shelters and rescues across North America.
Members of the Vancouver Island Dogs Rescue Society recently answered a call on Facebook by the Prince Albert, Sask. SPCA branch to help find homes for six stray black puppies, all under four months old, that had been stagnating at their shelter.
Potential adopters walked right past them, instead opting for the lighter-coloured dogs.
The passed-over pooches were flown from the Prairies to Victoria earlier this week because, apparently, Vancouver Island is more tolerant when it comes to dogs of other colours.
Lorie Chortyk of the B.C. SPCA told CTV News that people seem to be more attracted to dogs with more visual characteristics, so dark brown and black dogs are sometimes ignored in favour of an animal that looks more unique.
The agency urges potential pet parents to look past colour and appearance and focus on what’s really the most important: the actual animal.
“It’s the temperament and the personality of the animal that will make it a good fit with the family, not the colour,” she said.
The bias isn’t limited to just dogs; it’s more acute when it comes to cats.
Of the 6,000 kittens the BC SPCA will rescue this summer, it’s the ginger ones that get adopted first, then the tabby and light-coloured felines, and then the black cats.
Chortyk likens the colour debate to dating, and finding the right partner.
“The appearance might attract you at first but it’s what underneath that’s going to keep you there, and make you have a loving and lasting relationship,” she said.
