Sweet Delta, Sweet Freedom
Memphis Pets Alive! is fortunate enough to have some of the most hard working, compassionate volunteers in Memphis. Below is a short freedom story written by volunteer Jane Finneran about her recent experience in helping unite #A271962, now known as Delta, with her new forever family.
“Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel as she picked up #A271962, now known as Delta.
Delta was a loved pet at some point, but managed to get lost and was very skinny and Heartworm Positive.
I watched Rachel adjust her collar so it was comfortable, and Delta just leaned in and closed her eyes. They walked out to the parking lot and loaded up – and then this sweet girl looked back at the building with a look that broke my heart. She looks so grateful to be someone’s pet again and like she knows how close she came to not being on the other side of those doors.
These animals know where they are, and they know just how lucky they are to leave. I would imagine it’s like winning the lottery after dodging bullets. Anyway, I was able to get in touch with Rachel via the Memphis Pets Alive! Wag Along Tuesday album and help her get her girl. Turns out she didn’t need much help, just someone to navigate the paperwork and some leads on heartworm treatment. Another save via Wag Along Tuesday pictures.
Sweet Delta – Sweet Freedom.”
True or False: Black Dogs and Cats are Less Likely to be Adopted
Groups across the country dispute the idea that black pets are adopted less frequently than their other colored peers. Is the phenomenon (in dogs known as “Big Black Dog Syndrome”) a threat shelters and rescues should be concerned with? Or is the thought that black animals are less desirable fueled by the fact that black animals are simply more populous than other colors?
Kim Saunders, head of shelter outreach for Petfinder.com told ABC News that black dogs and cats tend to be the last ones adopted by shelters, resulting in higher euthanasia rates for black pets. Whether it’s their “normal” appearance, the superstitions surrounding them, or simply their high numbers, if true, the plight of black animals is gaining recognition in both the media, and in shelters. There is little hard research that has been conducted on this phenomenon as far as dog adoptions are concerned. Most research focuses on breed and age in accordance with adoption rates – leaving color completely out of the equation. Black cats have a more poplar stigma to overcome and have had more research devoted to their struggle. According to a UC Berkeley study, black cats are unfairly stereotyped and far less likely than the tabbies, calicos, and lighter cats to be adopted at shelters. UC Berkeley found that orange or Siamese cats are usually adopted within their first day at a shelter. In comparison, black cats can wait for months to find adopters – or be euthanized in the meantime.
The ASPCA takes a different stance on this topic. Vice President of Shelter Research Dr. Emily Weiss told “Today” that “BBDS” is nothing but a myth. She states that shelter workers providing anecdotal evidence for “BBDS” are used to seeing more black dogs – leading them to believe they are less likely to be adopted. A study conducted by the ASPCA observed traits adopters focused on and found that color did not play a role. Weiss claims that this busts the myth completely. Another study conducted by Dr. Patricia McConnell observed data collected from Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wisconsin. Her research found that size had an impact on which dogs were adopted, but color did not have an impact.
Many shelters and rescues are taking steps to highlight black animals in their care in hopes that they will be chosen to join families around the country. Many shelters host events such as “Black Friday,” lowering adoption fees of black animals for a period of time. The program director of the SPCA of Triad conducted an “Adopt Your Own Mini Panther” Campaign – taking the public’s passion for the Carolina Panthers and spotlighting the black cats at the SPCA. Instead of the usual one or two black cat adoptions that month, all eighteen were adopted and none of them were returned. Other shelters incorporate more everyday solutions such as highlighting a pet’s personality on their kennel card or bio – causing adopters to look beyond the initial appearance. Getting black dogs out of the kennels and into a vibrant atmosphere to take their photos also draws attention to otherwise overlooked pets.
So are black pets in more danger than their colorful counterparts? While disputed among many groups, the ideas of “Big Black Dog Syndrome” and the black cat’s plight are present concerns in the eyes of many shelters around the country.
#A271652
“CATE”
Female, 9 mo
Located at Memphis Animal Services 901-636-1416
*Owner Surrender 9-30-14*Euthanized 10-2-14*
Sources:
“Adopt Your Own Mini Panther: A Campaign Targeting the Adoption of Black Cats – Petfinder.” Petfinder Adopt Your Own Mini Panther A Campaign Targeting the Adoption of Black Cats Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Fears, Danika. ” Puppy prejudice: Are black animals less likely to be adopted?.” TODAY. N.p., 21 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Jones, Carolyn. “Black Cats Have Bad Luck Getting Adopted.” SFGate. N.p., 31 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Have a Heart and Share
written by Beth Spencer
Deciding which dog to take outside to play at Memphis Animal Services can be daunting. When I noticed an awkward-looking terrier type dog with a heart shape in his fur, I thought to myself, “this is my kind of dog.”
He was quiet in his kennel. He had the token sad-shelter-dog face down to a science. His time was up, but like all the others, he transformed into a jovial and active dog as soon as his feet hit the grass.
I went home, uploaded all the dogs I’d photographed, and hoped for the best. I emailed to request his heart worm status, and learned he had no notes of interest placed on him. It seemed like all hope was lost.
Two days later, I received a message from a young lady in Virginia, who wanted to adopt the dog with the heart in his fur. I’d never met her, nor had any mutual friends with her. The photo of my Memphis mutt had made its way to her through people sharing him on Facebook. She was ready to pay to have him transported to her, and wanted me to help her do it.
I was more than happy to help, and with the assistance of rescue, we changed this little dog’s destiny. He was flown to Virginia a week and a half later, and is living like a king.
This is just one of the happy endings achieved by sharing the furry faces of the Memphis pound on Facebook. I feel like we have yet to harness the full power of sharing and saving lives on Facebook, but it truly does save the lives of so many awesome animals located at Memphis Animal Services.
“Heart Dog” – the photo that saved his life
“Heart Dog” now Brody with his forever family
Memphis Pets Alive! 