National Black Dog Day: why black dogs wait longer to be adopted

If a dog is curled up near you as the house goes quiet tonight, today is a good day to appreciate them. October 1 is National Black Dog Day.

The day was founded in 2014 by animal advocate Colleen Paige, who also created National Dog Day and National Cat Day. She started it in memory of her rescued black dog, Sailor, who lived to 14. The goal is to draw attention to what shelters and rescuers often call black dog syndrome, the idea that dogs with dark coats are passed over more often than lighter-colored dogs.

According to Dogster, advocates link the problem to negative cultural associations and old stereotypes about dark-coated dogs, and they say black dogs are among the most overlooked in shelters. Whatever the cause, the message of the day is simple: coat color says nothing about a dog's personality, and many loving black dogs are waiting for homes.

There are several ways to help if adoption is not right for you right now. Shelters welcome volunteers to walk dogs and help with adoption events. Fostering gives a dog a break from the kennel and helps staff learn its personality. Donations of money or supplies go a long way. If you are a good photographer, offering to take bright, well-lit photos of shelter dogs can help them stand out online.

If you already share your home with a black dog, a clear daytime photo shared with #BlackDogDay tomorrow is an easy way to join in and remind friends to look past coat color at the shelter.