Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week - Sept. 19 - 25

[PitBullHappenings]

Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week - Sept. 19 - 25
Special attention for special adoptable pets
Petfinder.com • Reader Submitted • September 16, 2010

Big black dogs. FIV+ cats. Senior pets. Special needs animals.

Many factors can make a pet seem "less adoptable." To promote these
unusual (or, in some cases, too common) animals, Petfinder has designated September 19 - 25 as "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week."
We asked Petfinder-member shelters and rescue groups to nominate a very special pet in their care who is waiting for a home.

Survey Results: Which Pets are Hardest to Place?
Did you know that 96% of our shelter and rescue group members currently have adoptable pets for whom they are having extreme difficulty finding a home?

In fact, in a recent survey, 33% of our adoption groups said they've had pets who were posted on Petfinder for 1-2 years without being adopted, and 27% have had pets who've waited more than two years for a forever home.

Which pets do our shelter and rescue group members have the hardest time finding homes for? Here's what they said:

30% - senior/older pets
15% - pets with medical problems
13% - victims of breed prejudice
10% - shy pets
10% - those who need to be the only pet

"Pit Bulls are the No. 1 dog put down in our local shelters. There are too many of them, and there is never enough time to get them all adopted."

"There's also a 'big black cat syndrome'! Hard to believe, but many people are still biased against black cats, especially if they're big."

"Once a dog is past 1-2 years old, people flat-out expect it to be housetrained. They consider the dog too old to be trained if they're not housetrained by 2."

Why 'Less Adoptable' Pets Rule:
Here are just a few reasons we love "special" pets:

* Older pets are mellower - you don't have to worry about your lamp getting knocked over!
* Physically challenged pets are often unaffected by their handicap - but you still look like a hero!
* With "bad reputation" breeds, you get the chance to prove people wrong with your great dog!
* Dark-furred pets make it easy to accessorize - black goes with everything!
* Pets with behavioral issues allow you to form a tight bond as you overcome obstacles together!
* Big dogs are easier to find when it's time to go to the vet!
Less Adoptable - But Adopted!
Here are some of our favorite Happy Tails featuring less-adoptable pets.

Lili

"Having a dog that is blind really isn't much more difficult than a sighted dog. Being blind is just another thing that makes Lily who she is. ..."
"Little Bit"

I had been looking for a companion for months on Petfinder, and this little cutie named Little Bit looked perfect. With the help of a very kind shelter volunteer, I drove five hours and met this pretty little girl and fell in love instantly. Little Bit loves to sleep by my side as I work on research and she, in spite of being blind and deaf, is a lively and happy addition. She may be 11, but age doesn't stop her from loving life. Little Bit loves to have her ears scratched and walk around her yard. Finding her was truly a wonderful blessing!

If you are interested in adopting a "less adoptable pet", go to: http://petfinder.com/lessadoptablepetweek2010/gallery or http://www.mycentraljersey.com/rescueme

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/2...Sept-19-25