Sunday, August 18, 2013

Great Pictures Boost Shelter Dogs Chances

No matter how broad minded and informed we might think we are, the picture of a shelter dog in a beautiful setting will elicit an awwww and draw our interest. Take that same dog and tie him to a door, taking his picture while he stands there nervously and that awww will turn to a pitiful one, probably with the thought that we hope someone overlooks his surroundings and gives him a second chance at a good home anyway. The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is especially true when applied to shelter dogs. Shelters know that they just often are too busy tending to each new dog that arrives at the shelter often at a frantic pace. Often shelter workers are over worked, under paid (if at all) and emotionally drained from the sight of one beautiful animal after another that has been thrown away at a human's whim and ending up at their shelter.

Pet Finder, along with the Center For Shelter Dogs are teaming up and are currently taking a survey on Pet Finder's website to see what makes a picture most appealing. We are really looking forward to how they are going to use this information to better the chances of finding a forever home for shelter dogs. Until their new information is available, Astrid (alumnus of Santa Cruz Humane Society) and I hope that everyone, whether you are considering adopting or going to share a photo of an animal in need, will look past the background of a picture and look to the soul....and all the other things...size, temperament, age (Senior Dog Rocks!), etc., etc., that will help you make the decision of whether that dog in the picture might be right for your family.