Stray dogs barked and wagged their tails as visitors walked through the tent lined with kennels. Others enjoyed ear scratches and belly rubs in the meet and greet area outside.
These animals were part of PetSmart’s last National Adoption Weekend for the year. Stores all over the country successfully adopted both cats and dogs by offering a $10 adoption fee.
The 109 visited the 4800 SW Loop location where, according to PetSmart manager Bryan Stoelker, 107 animals were adopted. This store had the fourth highest number of adoptions for PetSmart stores nationwide and although many did find new homes, not everyone was so lucky.
Big eyes lit with excitement and padded feet pawed at potential new owners kneeling down to greet the animals. Others simply lay in their kennels, their heads low and eyelids drooped in resignation.
For these dogs, chances of adoption has a lot to do with image, according to Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Center (ACCC) Supervisor Alan Davis.
He said big, black and brown dogs are the hardest to get adopted. The ACCC, which supplied many of the animals for the weekend event, has a lot of dogs that fall in this category.
Davis said he wants to the shelter’s dark-colored dogs at the adoption weekend.
“They really have a good personality, they’re good with families,” Davis said. “They’re good with each other. So they’re very fun dogs and they’re great family dogs.”
Hear more from Alan Davis’ below.
The problem is not everyone gives them a chance to demonstrate their personalities and oftentimes simply walk past them to look at light-furred animals instead.
Well, almost all of them.
One pit bull named Jenna, dressed in a bright pink jingle collar and tutu, demanded much-needed attention from visitors. Her loud outfit paired well with her wide smile and amiable personality.
Several onlookers stopped to pet the grey and white pit bull and complement her tasteful fashion sense. Marissa Dominguez, a volunteer who was walking Jenna at the event, jokingly said that Jenna is “a little diva.”
Jenna has been in and out of the shelter since February. She said it’s been difficult to find a permanent home for her.
It is a common myth that these dogs are members of dangerous breed and are aggressive toward humans. However, studies from the American Temperament Test Society found that pit bulls had a positive behavior tests in over 82 percent of cases compared to 77 percent for the general population.
Pit bulls shouldn’t be feared, but pitied as the stereotype about their menace is a product of a long history of abuse. Thousands of these dogs, according to Animal Rescue Corps, have been forced to kill each other in illegal dog fights all over the U.S. since the early 1800s.
Dominguez said her look is part of making her seem more attractive to people who might view pit bulls negatively.
“Whenever you have cuter things on her it makes her a bit more adoptable and people don’t see the whole big scary pit, they see the cute loving pit,” she said.
Unfortunately, Jenna was not adopted over the weekend and is waiting for the right match at PetSmart.
Dozens of animals like Jenna are also waiting to be adopted at PetSmart stores and the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Center.
Below are some posts of owners with newly adopted pets as well as some animals still looking for a home.
