Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week

Pet adoptions may happen quickly for many of our furry friends. Regrettably, there are a number of homeless animals who are not adopted within a few days, or even a couple of weeks. Some of them, in fact, may languish in their kennels for months. Why is it they cannot get that loving family they deserve? Are they just unlucky or is there some commonality between them that brands them less than desirable?

“Less Adoptable” is the common thread all of them share and all it means is that these pets are harder to place. We all know that pets come in varied sizes and shapes, and each one has its own unique personality. Unfortunately, according to Petfinder.com, senior pets, adult cats, pit bull-type dogs, special needs pets (those with some sort of disability), and black pets take quite a bit longer for adoption because of their distinctiveness. In 2009, Petfinder established “Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week” to raise awareness of the need to recognize and adopt pets that seem to be frequently overlooked. That week occurs next week.

All of us at the Tehama County Animal Care Center, here in Red Bluff, believe all animals are loveable and adoptable, but in this article let us look at why some pets are considered ‘less adoptable’ by society. As of this writing, 37 pets are available for adoption. Of those, 27 could, according to the parameters listed above, be considered “less adoptable”. I have met all of them, and there is not one I would consider as being unworthy of getting a forever home.

A more mature adult animal can be the perfect pet in many homes. They may be a little slower in some areas, but they definitely have a lot to offer, among which are experience and maturity. With older pets, what you see is what you get. Not only have they have reached their full-grown size, but their personality has already developed. Despite some special considerations that an older pet might require, if you were willing to adopt one you might find that they will not need the constant monitoring and reinforcement that puppies and kittens require, plus they are already most likely house trained.

Special needs animals may be missing an eye or limb, or they could be partially or fully deaf or blind. They can also include those with health conditions, such as cats with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and heartworm-positive dogs. Whatever the disability or condition, most will enjoy a full and active life, and be as delightful and affectionate as any other pet. All they require is some extra help by a caring human. This I say from personal experience, since I have had several ‘special needs’ animals. In addition, many of these animals are very resilient, often being an inspiration to their owners.

Personally, I do not understand the vagaries of why one finds a black pet less appealing than another color. The theory is that superstition and certain beliefs, even in this century, play an integral part in selection. Additionally, the thought is that black pets are less photogenic than their counterparts, thus resulting in them being unnoticed by possible adopters. Lastly, according to research done by the University of California, black cats were perceived as being more antisocial than other-colored cats. Other than color, the truth is that these pets are absolutely no different in any way from equivalents of a different color.

A great number of shelter pets are adopted within a couple of days or weeks, but bully breeds can take much longer to find a home. These underdogs are often prejudiced against due to the misconception that they are aggressive, just as large black dogs may be considered unfriendly, or how little dogs are thought to be nippy. But these bully breeds can be the most loving and caring pets if, like other dogs, they are appropriately trained and cared for. Again, I note this from personal experience.

Adopting a pet with special needs, or one considered being ‘less likely to be adopted’, might seem onerous to some, but to those that do, adoption will provide its own rewards. One is the warm, fuzzy feeling you get by doing a good deed. The other is realizing how positively your life is affected by the extra affection and kisses you receive, and the additional smiles and laughter experienced.

All of us involved with animal welfare would love to see every hard-to-place animal leave the shelter, and we want nothing more than for these homeless pets to find a loving permanence that was not there before. However, we also realize that adopting any animal should never be done impulsively. These animals have already been through hell and back, so please be sure that you are willing and able to give them the resources, commitment and, most of all, love necessary.

As a final note, circumstances, breed, color, or age do not define these animals. They are not aware of how they may be different from others of their species. No matter how they became a special needs or “less-than-adoptable” pet, by either birth, illness, accident, aging or at the hands of an errant human, they can still teach us a great deal about the resilience of spirit and how to love without judgment. That in itself, in this day and age, is pretty wonderful.

Ronnie Casey has been volunteering with the Tehama County Animal Care Center since relocating in 2011. A retired R.N., she strives to help animals in need within Tehama county. She can be reached at rmcredbluff@gmail.com.