Adopting Black Dogs: A Hidden Gem
[Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun]
The conversation around adopting pets instead of buying them is no longer unfamiliar. In an era where the pet population exceeds 10 million, we hope you are not making the mistake of acquiring a dog as if it were a mere object. If you are considering adopting a puppy, what image comes to mind? Perhaps a small, cute dog or one with fluffy fur. Most of us have a few specific images in our minds. However, did you know that some dogs find it relatively difficult to meet new families due to first impressions, particularly those with black fur?
To meet the light hidden behind black fur, we visit Banryeomaru in Yeoju.
Banryeomaru Yeoju, the largest pet-themed park in Korea ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
The phenomenon where black dogs are relatively overlooked during the adoption process is referred to as 'Black Dog Syndrome.' It is disheartening to realize that despite personality and behavior not being determined by fur color, the likelihood of adoption can vary based on this factor alone.
In an effort to reduce this public bias and promote the adoption of black rescue dogs, Gyeonggi Province held a special adoption event called 'Black Dog Day' at Banryeomaru Yeoju on August 17. I attended the event and experienced the charm of black dogs firsthand.
Rescue dogs at Banryeomaru Yeoju meet the volunteer group Blue Angel ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
The event started with an impressive slogan: 'The Light Hidden Behind Black Fur - Waiting for Your Heart.' This was not just a campaign asking people to like black dogs but aimed at reducing biases based on fur color or appearance and encouraging a more open-minded view of rescue animals. The event featured 18 black rescue dogs and members of the volunteer group Blue Angel.
Pairs walked around the healing park at Banryeomaru Yeoju, connecting with the dogs. ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
After an overview of the event, volunteers and rescue dogs formed groups to embark on the program. The Blue Angel volunteers paired up in twos or threes with black puppies and headed to the spacious grounds of Banryeomaru Yeoju.
From the first encounter, some puppies approached warmly, while others appeared a bit timid. The black dogs, ranging from mixed breeds to retrievers, began to explore the healing park, each with unique personalities and behaviors.
The maze garden added fun to the walk for the dogs and their companions. ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
When I visited in April for a tree-planting event, the area felt empty, but it has since been transformed into a well-maintained healing park with various features, including a sensory exploration area for rescue animals, a water play area, and playgrounds for small, medium, and large dogs. I felt proud to see the trees planted during the event thriving next to the fence.
From the sensory exploration area to the water play area, the healing park was a joy for both dogs and their companions.
Dogs enjoyed playing in the playground and drinking fresh water. ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
During the interaction program in the healing park, volunteers and rescue dogs spent time together, taking photos and enjoying the maze garden. The water play area was designed with a suitable water level for the rescue dogs to swim.
Banryeomaru Yeoju also features a water play area. Rescue dogs splash around happily. ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
When it comes to dogs and water, one might assume they love to swim, but that isn't always the case. Many rescue dogs were hesitant to enter the water, which made for an adorable sight as they took their time getting acquainted with it.
The time spent in the healing park allowed for a closer look at the different personalities and traits of the rescue dogs. Banryeomaru Yeoju offers consultation and interaction opportunities through walks with the dogs before adoption. It's crucial to assess their behavior and personality to ensure a long-term companionship, rather than making judgments based on breed or fur color.
What I appreciated about the Black Dog Day event was that it wasn't just a brief encounter with the dogs for adoption promotion. It allowed for natural observation of their behaviors and personalities while walking and playing together. Just as we can't fully understand a person's character after a short meeting, we can't grasp a rescue dog's true nature by merely observing them in a cage or shelter.
Black dogs are hard to photograph? The Black Dog Photo Project.
Volunteers put their hearts into capturing promotional photos that highlight the dogs' charm beyond their fur color. ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
In the afternoon, we had a photo session with the black dogs. I learned that people often say black dogs don't photograph well because their facial contours and expressions can be hard to capture. We aimed to showcase the charm of these waiting rescue dogs through our photos.
Everyone was eager to make the indifferent dogs look good for the camera during the photo shoot at the studio in Banryeomaru Yeoju. The effort to direct the dogs' gaze towards the camera paid off, revealing their expressions and personalities hidden behind their black fur.
The adoption promotional cards featured the unique traits of each rescue dog. ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
Each photo taken will be shared on the Banryeomaru Yeoju website and social media, with the hope that it leads to new families for these dogs, regardless of fur color. The cards displayed the names and stories of the rescue dogs, along with QR codes for adoption information. I left hoping that the connections made during the event would lead to actual adoptions.
Discover the bright energy hidden behind black fur and consider adopting a lovely rescue dog from Banryeomaru Yeoju. ⓒ Reporter Kim Jeong-kyun
Over the past three years, more than 1,110 rescue dogs have found new families through Banryeomaru Yeoju. However, many dogs are still waiting for their forever homes. I hope you can set aside any biases regarding fur color and appreciate the charming personalities of these black-coated dogs, each with unique stories and traits, eagerly waiting for new families.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/224383363782
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