We see so many dogs come into shelters, but the ones who really touch our hearts are the owner surrenders; these are the animals that had once known what a home was, and lost it in seconds. Owner surrenders can be some of the most heartbroken dogs we see in the shelters. People don’t seem to understand or accept the reality for the surrendered pet, and what it does to them.
Today we are re-featuring a stunning beauty, Oreo! This very scared but sweet girl is completely unnoticed in a crowded shelter.
Oreo was sadly surrendered to the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter in March of 2021 because her family “no longer had time for her.” This beautiful soul lived her entire life in a home and now finds herself in a strange, noisy, scary place. She is extremely heartbroken, sad and very lost without her family – the shelter environment is literally destroying her.
Why is it that this beautiful girl goes unnoticed? Oreo could be invisible in the shelter because of her coat color, or in other words, “Black Dog Syndrome” – too many people judge dogs by their looks.
“Black Dog Syndrome” is a phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter colored ones. You may be shaking your head reading this, but it’s true! Research has been done in this area and has found that stigma against certain breed types. Oftentimes, black dogs are portrayed as aggressive in film or television, and some people even believe that the color black is associated with evil or misfortune and this bias transfers over to their choice of a dog. This is basically known as a coat color bias.
Oreo is a sweet, loving girl. She is about 5 years old, full of energy, loves to play fetch and cuddle with her people. She just loves people and craves attention. Because the shelter is so scary for her she does need a few minutes to warm up, but just throw a tennis ball and she is your new best friend!
This poor girl is very stressed and unhappy in the shelter, but has bonded closely to her people. She has become protective of her people and her space, but who could blame her. After having already lost the only home and family she has ever known, she’s protecting what she currently does have that is very valuable to her right now. She does not guard her food or toys.
Oreo loves to run and play and is extremely intelligent. She does have a lot of energy and requires lots of exercise, but once she gets that energy out, she calms right down and just enjoys hanging out, being loved and cuddled.
This beautiful angel needs a family that will give her the time and patience she needs to learn to trust and decompress from the trauma and change she has had to endure. A very special home, one with a family that understands her, her needs, and all that she is dealing with emotionally. Oreo needs someone that will give her the time she needs to realize that she is safe, loved, and will never be abandoned again.
The shelter firmly believes that once Oreo is out of the shelter and in a home she will be a different dog, but for now they want to be cautious and are saying adult only household with no other pets.
Won’t you please consider stepping up to help this beautiful girl? At the very least, we ask that you please share to help find that special someone who can make Oreo’s dream come true. Let’s not allow her to wait any longer – the effects of shelter life on this once beloved family dog are just unbearable.
If you’re considering adopting a dog, remember that a dog of any color can fit your lifestyle. Don’t overlook that dark-coated beauty waiting in the shadows. You may be overlooking the love of your life!
PLEASE, go meet Oreo, we promise you will fall in love. She just needs that special someone to give her that chance. She is SUPER stressed at the shelter and desperately needs a family to love!
Babylon Animal Shelter
80 New Highway
Amityville, New York 11701
(631) 643-9270
Be sure to head over to Adoption Central right here on Paws Give Me Purpose, share Oreo and all the other Featured Dog Friday pups still in search of their forever homes.