In a TikTok video posted by an animal volunteer, a black labrador mix is said to have been at a Washington state shelter in the US for over 500 days.
Julie Saraceno shows 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 comment 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 dog syndrome?
Black dog syndrome or big black dog syndrome is a phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favour of lighter-coloured animals.
Saraceno suggested that Butter could be having a hard time finding an owner because he’s a black dog, and that black dogs tend to take longer to find a home.
In one of her TikTok videos, 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 study by the ASPCA, appearance was the most frequently given reason for deciding which dog to adopt. A study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science in 2002 found that black coat colours negatively influenced adoption rates for both dogs and cats. Researchers said adoption rates were much lower in pure-black animals.
