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Community Corner

Kent Animal Shelter Helps Fight "Black Dog Syndrome"

The animal shelter is participating in a national event to feature black cats and dogs.

announced this week that the shelter will participate in "Back in Black," a national adoption promotion featuring black cats and dogs.

The promotion, running from August 15 thru September 17, will offer half-price adoptions for all black dogs and cats at Kent. The "Back in Black" event is being headlined by Best Friends Animal Society.

Black animals are often the last to find homes in animal shelters. A 2008 MSNBC article examined the idea of "doggie discrimination" as well as a 2009 New York Times blog.

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Rescue groups like Black Pearl Dogs attribute the less frequent adoption of black animals to a number or causes: harmful superstitions, negative labels, fear, too ordinary or the higher likelihood of the animal overheating. Black Dog Rescue Project attributes the lack of black cat adoptions to superstitions as well. The group's website says, "The common superstition about black cats has a huge impact on the ability of a black cat to get adopted."

Kent Animal Shelter and Best Friends Animal Society are hoping that the "Back to Black" event will raise awareness of this issue and help adopt out some of the animals that might otherwise be left behind.

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“Rescue groups and shelters across the country know black cats and dogs are often incredibly friendly and loving, sometimes really silly, they can be your best hiking buddy or a real lap baby… they each have their own personality," Pam Green, executive director of Kent Animal Shelter said.

"Unfortunately, they get overlooked. By participating in this national promotion and featuring only black animals — and cutting adoption fees in half — we are hoping people will take a second look and get to know these characters for the wonderful four-footed family members they can be," Green continued.

To learn more about the "Back in Black" promotion or to visit with the animals at Kent, visit the shelter in Calverton.

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