Pet of the Week

 If you are feeling a little “down” today, you might want to skip this week’s column. This little black yearling is “Lulu”, and she has not received any adoption applications in spite of being very sweet and playful. We are concerned she may be a victim of a phenomenon known in shelters as “Black Pet Syndrome” where pets with black coat color stay in shelters longer, and are adopted less frequently. SPCHS is a no-kill shelter, but in shelters that do practice  euthenasia, black cats had the highest rate of euthenasia (74.6 %) and the lowest rate of adoption (10%) of any color. Depressing.  In our shelter, black kitties just tend to linger longer, despite being very adoptable. It makes us sad!

 

Black cats often have genetics traceable to the Siamese or other Oriental breeds, and are intelligent and affectionate, as well as athletic and playful. We see these personalities and  qualities  in a lot of our black kitty residents, including Lulu. If you want to get Lulu’ attention, just rattle a toy! Lulu is small and sleek and beautiful, and oh so, quick! She loves attention and getting pets. It would be so wonderful if her special person would come and meet her, and better yet, take her to her forever home. Long term community veterinarian Catherine Ketel had a deep appreciation for black cats. She was fond of saying: “that black color is only the outer wrapper. Inside is a wonderful cat”. She knew what she was talking about! Come meet Lulu or one of our other black youngsters!