Animal shelter pulls promotion for adopting black animals (PC Hilarity)

Austin American Statesman ^ | June 11, 2008 | David C. Doolittle

[Bobarian]

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has halted a program to promote the adoption of black cats and dogs the week of June 14-20 after criticism that the event would have taken place the week of Juneteenth, Director Cheryl Schneider said today.

“We apologize if our promotion to reduce fees on black dogs and cats offended anyone,” Schneider said in a statement.

The shelter, which is located in Georgetown, had planned to reduce adoption fees for black-coated animals to $25 through its “Black is Beautiful” promotion. The normal fee for adoption is $85, Williamson County spokeswoman Connie Watson said.

“Based on the understanding that it’s offended people, certainly that was not the intent of the promotion, we just won’t do the promotion,” Watson said. “We just wanted to find homes for the number of black-coated dogs and cats that they have.”

Black-coated animals do not get adopted as quickly as other animals, Schneider said.

Nelson Linder, president of the Austin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said that instead of offering a promotion based on a color, the shelter should have done more to address why black animals are adopted less often.

“In society, we live in small worlds, don’t talk to people, assume things and promote things that have no basis in reality,” Linder said. “I would encourage them to do more outreach on those animals. Talk to people, get some feedback so these things don’t happen.”

He said the promotion should be pulled. “I don’t think it was intentional, just not very well planned out or considered.”

[Bobarian]

The article continues with additional PC hilarity.

For the benefit of you unfortunate souls not blessed with living in Texas, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived on Galveston Island to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Oops! I’m a “Typical White Woman” and I have two pitch-black cats and a black dog. My other dog is white, brown & black, so I’m pretty much covered.

Heck, I feel like Angelina Jolie, building my “Rainbow Family!”

*SMIRK*

[tsmith130]

Yellow lab, chocolate lab and black cat. I’m with ya sista!

[faloi]

It’s also worth noting that it’s a state holiday, so we spend some tax dollars to make sure a lot of state employees stay home.

[SampleMan]

Black-coated animals do not get adopted as quickly as other animals, Schneider said.

Furrism is an ugly thing.

[BeAllYouCanBe]

I want to live in a country where dogs and cats are judged by the content of their disposition not the color of their coat. Clearly this is defacto animal racism and until the adoption rates of black and non-black animals is equal I will not rest!

[DieHard the Hunter]

A large percentage of Americans must spend a significant amount of time in Therapy for emotional and mental distress from being constantly bombarded by things that offend them.

Sheesh! Now it’s black animals. Whatever next?

[Abathar]

Ping

[rintense]

Every dog I’ve owned has been black. Had a couple black cats too. Next thing you know, someone will tell me I have Jungle Fever.

[Son House]

Two cats, white with orange high lites, and one gray tiger stripe, and I like all animals, just that I have experience with cats and their pre-litter box orientated.

Here’s a site I visit frequently to help feed the shelter animals;

Your clicks count! Since The Animal Rescue Site began in 2002, together we have funded more than 126,000,000 bowls of food for rescued animals in shelters and sanctuaries. Please see the results page to learn more about how you have helped.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

You’ve given the value of .6 bowls of food to rescued animals.

The ads below make The Animal Rescue Site possible.

How you and others are helping

Today, you and others have generated the value of 34,762 bowls of food. Thank you! (Please note that the click value updates hourly.)

[kalee]

Black-coated animals do not get adopted as quickly as other animals, Schneider said.

My favorite cocker sopaniel color is black and tan or solid black.

I always have a cocker or two or three...or more. I do rescue. ;) My own cockers are a black female and a blonde male. My cats are both calico though (red, white and black mixed), wonder what that means in PC.

[Bobarian]

Perhaps we need some sort of federally mandated “affirmative adoption” program for “animals of color”.

[doberville]

Black is indeed beautiful. Wouldn't have any other color. . .

Dobies RULE!

[WVKayaker]

...the shelter should have done more to address why black animals are adopted less often.

Looks like a Gum't grant opportunity to me...

[Bobarian]

I'll also point out that Williamson County is a rural area full of typical white people who cling to religion and guns.

We're not as evolved as those cosmopolitan Austinites.

(Travis County is an ugly blue stain on our beautiful Red state.)

[thulldud]

It’s also worth noting that it’s a state holiday, so we spend some tax dollars to make sure a lot of state employees stay home.

Best use of tax dollars possible.

[Barb4Bush]

Now if we could just get the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate to stay home permanently we'd be in good shape.

[Williams]

"Based on the understanding that it’s offended people, certainly that was not the intent of the promotion, we just won’t do the promotion,” Watson said. “We just wanted to find homes for the number of black-coated dogs and cats that they have.”

Folks, we need a society where he says instead: "F them! It's for a good cause and if they are sensitive to black issues they should come down here and adopt a black dog or kitten. Why should these poor animals suffer because of some activist idiots with nothing better to do?"

[Slings and Arrows]

"Say it one, say it loud: I'm Black and proud!"

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