What is black canine syndrome? Canine spends over 500 days in shelter
I
n a TikTok video posted by an animal volunteer, a black labrador combine is claimed to have been at a Washington state shelter within the US for over 500 days.
Julie Saraceno exhibits Butter, who was taken to the Benton-Franklin Humane Society in Kennewick in November 2021.
The clip reads: “POV you’ve been a shelter dog for over 500 days and nobody wants to take you home.”
“Please save him…black dogs are awesome,” one remark reads.
Another commenter wrote: “My black lab was my best friend. I hope someone is able to adopt him as soon as possible. He deserves a best friend too.”
What is black canine syndrome?
Black canine syndrome or massive black canine syndrome is a phenomenon wherein black canine are handed over for adoption in favour of lighter-coloured animals.
Saraceno recommended that Butter may very well be having a tough time discovering an proprietor as a result of he’s a black canine, and that black canine are inclined to take longer to discover a residence.
In considered one of her TikTok movies, she wrote: “Black dog syndrome or big black dog syndrome is a phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter-colored animals.
“Observed by shelters and rescue groups across the world, BDS is an issue negatively affecting the adoption rates of black dogs.”
In mythology and folklore, black dogs are regularly portrayed as guardians of the underworld. They are also sometimes portrayed as bad omens in general. Those stories date back hundreds of years and it’s thought they may creep into adopters’ minds when they are visiting the shelter.
Other theories say that black or dark coats are less noticeable and that black dogs simply don’t photograph well and therefore they don’t always attract adopters.
Black cats are in a similar situation and are often subject to the same phenomenon, known as black cat syndrome. Some believe black cats are in a tougher position due to superstition and their association with witchcraft, as well as their portrayals as evil in films and TV, which could deter potential owners.
In a 2011 research by the ASPCA, look was essentially the most regularly given motive for deciding which canine to undertake. A research printed within the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science in 2002 discovered that black coat colors negatively influenced adoption charges for each canine and cats. Researchers stated adoption charges have been a lot decrease in pure-black animals.