Gyeonggi Province will hold a special adoption event called "Banryeomaru Black Dog Day" at its Banryeomaru Yeoju facility on Monday to promote the adoption of black-coated shelter dogs.
Held under the slogan "The light hidden behind black fur: waiting for your heart," the event aims to raise awareness of so-called "black dog syndrome" — the tendency for black dogs to be overlooked in the adoption process compared to dogs of other coat colors — and to foster an adoption culture free of bias based on appearance.
Eighteen black dogs currently sheltered at Banryeomaru Yeoju will take part alongside 30 members of the Blue Angel Celebrity Volunteer Corps. Each volunteer will be paired one-on-one with a dog for bonding activities and adoption promotion at the facility's Healing Park.
In the morning, after an introduction to the event's purpose and the participating dogs, volunteers and their paired dogs will head to the Healing Park's scent exploration zone and water play area for walks and activities in a session called "Time to Meet."
In the afternoon, a photography program called the "Black Dog Photo Project" will follow, designed to capture the lively expressions and approachable personalities of the black dogs.
Promotional cards introducing each paired dog's personality, favorite activities and backstory will also be on display. Each card will include a QR code so visitors can access individual adoption information on the spot. After the event, photos and stories of the participating dogs will continue to be shared through the Banryeomaru website and SNS channels in an online exhibition format.
Members of the public visiting Banryeomaru Yeoju on the day of the event may also use the Healing Park with their own pets and view a photo exhibition on the first floor of the cultural center.
"This event is not about making people like black dogs — it is about reducing, even slightly, the general bias toward coat color and appearance," said Lee Gang-yeong, director of Gyeonggi Province's Livestock and Animal Welfare Bureau. "We will pursue a variety of promotional efforts so that black dogs and other animals that have been in our care for a long time can have more opportunities to be adopted."
Banryeomaru Yeoju, the largest companion animal complex in the country, has facilitated the adoption of more than 1,110 stray and rescued animals since opening in November 2023 and draws about 4,000 volunteers each year. Gyeonggi residents wishing to volunteer or participate can apply through the 1365 Volunteer Portal, the Gyeonggi Province Animal Protection and Welfare platform, or the Banryeomaru website. Those interested in group volunteering may inquire by phone.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
