Black cats are amazing.

Throughout my life, I’ve lived with two wonderful (and totally dorky) black cats who were just as awesome as their white, and white and orange brothers. So, why don’t more people adopt black cats?

Well, the answer is 1/2 sad and 1/2 stupid: some people are superstitious about black cats, and dogs, too. (We should also note, though, that black is a dominant genetic trait in cats. So, there may just be more black cats in general. Still — black cat superstitions are dumb.)

Thankfully, there are people who are dedicated to helping black pets find amazing homes. Once such person is Casey Christopher, a Los Angeles video editor and photographer. Christopher also thought it was bonkers that fewer black cats get adopted. So, she decided to make many of LA’s little black balls of fluff look absolutely irresistible.

While Christopher had already been volunteering her creative talents at the West Los Angeles animal shelter (she takes photos of the shelter’s pets), she recently started featuring the shelter’s black cats. She told Today.com that as of October 20, “there were 36 cats available for adoption at the West L.A Animal Shelter and 10 of them were black.” She also added that “at the West Valley branch, of 71 adoptable cats, 35 were black.”

Christopher thinks that with some TLC, skillfully taken photographs of black shelter cats can help make them look just as fluffy and cute as other more “photogenic” cats.

“Petfinder reports that the reluctance to adopt black pets is known as ‘Black Dog Syndrome,’ which can often be caused by the animals’ ‘size, unclear facial features, dimly lit kennels, the ‘genericness’ of black pets,’ as well as negative stereotypes associated with witches, superstition, and bad luck,” Ecorazzi reports.

To help black cats’ facial features shine, Christopher lightens the black cats’ faces during editing, and uses an external flash.

As a black cat owner, I can attest to just how tricky it is to photograph these dark bundles of fur. If there’s no sunbeam in sight, good luck capturing your kit-kat’s cute face.

There’s no word yet if Christopher’s photography is helping black cats get adopted.

If you’re considering adding a cuddly kitty to your family, consider adopting a black cat this weekend. It’s the perfect Halloween present to give yourself.

Related on EcoSalon

13 Super Cute Halloween Ideas for Creative Cat People

Why Buying a Pet from a Pet Store Isn’t a Good Choice

This Subscription Box is Every Cat Lady’s Dream Come True

Image of a black cat from Shutterstock

The post Black Cats Are In the Spotlight at This Animal Shelter appeared first on EcoSalon.

Dogo!, a new “dating” site has one goal — to connect “dog-lovers with rescue dogs who are need of some lovin’.”

If you’ve ever adopted a rescue dog, you know what it feels like to be totally and unconditionally loved. I have two rescued dogs and they are incredibly cool.

Over the years, I’ve also volunteered at many rescue shelters. All the rescue dogs I cared for, walked, and fed were gigantic sweethearts, too. The thing is, though, that many of these dogs get overlooked when they are in the shelter.

If you’ve ever been to a shelter, you know how hard it is to “pick” a pup. They are all sweet! Well, a new site just launched and it has a goal that all dog lovers can get behind.

Danielle Bowers, a self-proclaimed dog lover, created Dogo! after years of volunteering at local shelters. Bowers’ years of volunteer work allowed her to witness how stressed full-time workers at local shelters were. Most shelter workers were pressed for time and in need of help. So, she created a solution.

Bowers’ site allows people who like hangin’ with dogs get connected to pups at local shelters. A person can take a dog on a pup date, and then, at the end of the date, return the dog to the shelter. The dog benefits from all the human love and activity, and the human (who can’t adopt for any number of reasons — or maybe is just trying to meet different dogs before he picks “the one”) gets to interact with a great pup.

Here are the ins and outs of the site:

“Once you get through the simple two-hour orientation on the site and a following procedural session, you’re able to log into the site’s Google calendar and sign up for a pup date whenever your schedule permits.”

While Dogo! is only available in San Francisco, California, right now, it may (hopefully!) be available in other cities in the future.

Related on EcoSalon

Rescue Dogs Get New Leash on Life

Animal Rescues Get Celebrity Love: 7 Musicians Who Really Love Animals

9 Reasons You Should Never Buy an Animal from a Pet Store

Image: bark

The post Love Rescue Dogs but Can’t Adopt? Dogo! May be For You appeared first on EcoSalon.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately five to seven million companion animals enter U.S. shelters each year. Of those, between three and four million are euthanized. Instead of purchasing a dog or cat from a breeder or pet store, consider recycling a pet by adopting a shelter animal!

Visiting an overcrowded shelter can be incredibly overwhelming. So when you visit a shelter, how do you decide which pooch is right for you? First, before you adopt, you should assess your lifestyle. If you travel, do you have someone to watch the dog? If you love after-work happy hours and spontaneous weekend getaways, are you willing to build in contingencies for your pup? Once you’re ready to bring home that barking bundle of joy, here are five things to consider:

Take Rover for a Test Drive

Before making a visit to the animal shelter, borrow a friend’s pooch for a spin around the block. Spend an afternoon on a romp with Rover, meeting other dogs, and of course, scooping some poop. Better yet, invite a friendly pup for a sleepover. Run through the dog’s full routine from breakfast to bed to get a feel for having a dog around your house and as part of your routine.

It’s Kinda Like Dating

The cutest one may not be your best match. When you visit the shelter seeking your slobbery soul-mate, spend one-on-one time with the potential pup to determine if personalities mesh.

Think Fitness

All dogs need exercise, but the amount and intensity varies. If your Saturdays are spent outdoors, opt for an energetic breed like a Weimaraner or a Labrador. If your ideal weekend involves flipping between Lifetime and TLC, a toy breed is a better bet because their tiny bodies can’t handle much exercise.

Check Your Bottom Line

According to the ASPCA, it costs about $620 per year to care for a medium-sized dog. And that’s without any unforeseen emergencies. Ensure you have a little wiggle room in your budget to accommodate a pup’s needs.

Do Your Homework

A shelter provides an array of breeds, ages and personality types. It’s all about selecting the right animal for you. The key: Research! Attack this like you would a work assignment. Check references. Ask questions. Make sure you feel comfortable with the facility and the dogs.

Images: jeffreyw

The post Recycle a Pet: Adopt a Shelter Animal appeared first on EcoSalon.