Recently, I read an article about dogs and cats that are considered “less adoptable” due to their age, breed or traits. This item was written in connection with Petfinder's “Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet-Week”, which is celebrated the last week of September. I was surprised to find out that black cats are still considered less adoptable mainly due to superstition; hard to believe considering it’s 2014. My husband and I have shared our home with a black cat for 15 years. Lucky Boy is not only handsome with his dark fur and big green eyes, but he’s funny and playful … a complete joy. So it occurred to me that our readers have had similar positive experiences with their supposed “less adoptable” companion animals. By sharing our stories, together we can help increase the adoption rates of less fortunate animals and encourage more families to experience the delight of sharing their lives with pets that may not be considered perfect but have so much love and appreciation to give.

Below are segments of the pet population considered “less adoptable” and the advantages of sharing your home with one or more of them …

Senior Pets

Kittens and puppies are adorable, but training can be labor intensive and not always ideal for people with busy schedules. When you adopt a senior pet, there are many advantages. There are no surprises with behavior issues or growth spurts … you know what you’re getting. Senior pets generally have a longer attention span so often training is easier. In general, older felines are more patient with other pets and children in the household. And finally, senior companion animals are often a perfect match with senior citizens. The companionship of an older dog or cat can provide much needed friendship and interaction for seniors who live alone.

Black Animals

Dark colored dogs and cats are much harder to place than their lighter colored counterparts. Yes, superstition plays a role when it comes to black cats. Actually, some shelters and rescues will not adopt out black cats during the Halloween season, for fear that some harm might come to them. However, there may be other factors that come into play. I read an article that said lighter colored animals stand out more in a crowd. So when future pet parents go to a shelter to choose a pet, they see the lighter, more brightly colored pets first. The next time you find yourself looking to adopt, don’t forget to look very carefully at all of the animals because choosing the darkest pet could brighten your life for many years to come.

Misunderstood Breeds

American Pitbull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers and similar mixed breeds are often referred to as Pit Bulls. Many disreputable people have exploited Pit Bull types, training them to be aggressive and to fight. As a result, Pit Bulls top the list as the most euthanized dog in the country. Actually, these breeds are loyal and generally good with children. In the UK, they were known as “nanny” dogs in the 19th century. There are other misunderstood dog breeds that are harder to place including larger dogs like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows and others. In my capacity as a board member of our non-profit (The Dr. Jane Foundation), I’ve heard many stories about adoptions and successful relationships pet parents have experienced with these misunderstood dog breeds.

Medical Challenges

Finally, there are the dogs and cats with chronic medical problems, often as a result of abuse or misfortune. Some common disabilities include animals who are blind, deaf or missing limbs. In many cases, pets with disabilities are not harder to care for than those that are completely healthy. However, sometimes pet parents may need to devote more time, patience and veterinary care to these pets. Rest assured, medically-challenged companion animals can enjoy happy and fulfilling lives with the right families and they can give back so much more than they receive.

If you have welcomed a “less adoptable” pet into your home and experienced the love and affection of these special animals, please post your personal success story now and help us spread the word.

On behalf of our Life's Abundance non-profit wing, The Dr. Jane Foundation, we thank you for caring enough to make a difference.

Linda Logue, Board Member
The Dr. Jane Foundation