Though all the animals at the Humane Educational Society want to be adopted, three dogs on the wait list for more than three years are particularly eager to have someone take them home, said Jeanine Cloyd, HES community outreach manager.
Landis, Bonita and Comet have been overlooked for various reasons.
"Landis is black, [and] black dogs are often the last to adopt out, for whatever the reason," Cloyd said. "Whether it's because they don't photograph as well, or people think they look mean, or maybe they are just too ordinary."
According to Landis, the phenomenon is known in the industry as black-dog syndrome because there are more black dogs, especially medium to large animals, in shelters than any other color.
"But they are just as sweet on the inside and are also strikingly beautiful on the outside," Cloyd said.
Both Bonita and Comet are large dogs, which can be a drawback.
"Smaller and medium-size dogs are preferred many times to larger dogs," Cloyd said. "And with so many available dogs at the shelter, they just haven't met a family who has fallen in love with them."
Bonita, she added, also might be best suited in a one-dog family.
The Humane Society has a large play yard for families to spend one-on-one time with their prospective adoptees away from other dogs in the kennel. That helps family members ensure the dog will be a good fit.
"Once a dog is selected by the family, they will fill out an adoption application and speak with an adoption counselor," Cloyd said.
Adoption fee is $85 and includes spay/neuter, annual vaccination, rabies shot, microchip, health check and a starter bag of dog food.
For more information, visit heschatt.com or call 624-5302.