Here are a few selected summaries from organizations addressing the problem of adopting big, brown, nondescript dogs.

Marshall Animal Shelter/Animal Control-Marshall, Texas

Creates special shelter events ("Hotrod Hounds, Dog Days of Summer"); dress shelter pets according to the theme (e.g. swimwear) to generate publicity. Created "BUBBA" dogs (Big, Ugly, Black, Brown, Adoptable) and special "BUBBA" adoption certificates.

PDF Entry »

Pet Matchmaker Rescue, Walpole, Massachusetts

Gave the names of Boston Red Sox stars to non-descript slow movers. Daisuke and Big Papi were photographed with Red Sox bandanas and quickly adopted.

PDF Entry »

Pickens Animal Rescue, Gasper, Georgia

This shelter created a Porch Pet Program "to give the mental image of a happy dog lounging on the front porch and sauntering out to greet you. A dog who dotes on your attention but isn't needy. Someone to take walks with or a new fishing buddy."  Waived the adoption fee and marketed to folks for whom the fee was an obstacle. Created nice graphics and collateral materials to go with the campaign (showing a large brown hound lounging on a bench on the front porch). 

PDF Entry »

Department of Animal Care & Control, Loudoun County, Virginia

Announced the discovery of a new breed of dog the Loudon County Retriever, found only in the Loudon County Shelter, and launched their "Adopt a Loudoun County Retriever Month" campaign. Increased dog adoptions 75% over same month in previous year.

PDF Entry »

Here is the complete list of entries & full submissions:

Big, Brown, Nondescript Dogs PDF Submissions
File Name	File Size
BBN-Marshall_Animal_Shelter.pdf	7.1 MB
BBN-Pet_Matchmaker_Rescue.pdf	2.3 MB
BBN-Pickens_Animal_Rescue.pdf	7.8 MB
BBN- Loudoun_County_Animal_Care_and_Control.pdf	10 MB