ADOPTION CENTRE - After sifting through the mail I had received in response
to my last article it struck me that I would simply HAVE to do another article.
Whilst I was pondering on what I might do for another piece, coolo_grunda, my
yellow Meerca came up to me.
"fugwoogle_hop," she said inquiringly, "Why did you pick me in the adoption
centre?"
I could have told her it was because I thought she was the only Neopet for
me as soon as I saw her, but that would not have been honest. I put some thought
into answering this.
After a while I replied: "I wanted a yellow Meerca with a reasonable name (I
don't like the ones with numbers in, or that you can't pronounce). You were
perfect."
Coolo_grunda nodded slowly. Then she said: "Isn't that discrimination? About
my name, I mean. You would never had found me had I been called U7776TedR or
something. What about all those poor Neopets in the pound with bad names?"
I sat and thought. I was a little stunned by the fact that coolo_grunda of
all my pets was being philosophical, and also that she was right - it was discriminatory.
I decided to investigate and do an article about it.
I set off accompanied by all four of my pets: coolo_grunda is my source, Crystalisaneo
the Peophin and Bluewingcha the Eyrie are both my bodyguards, and budding journalists,
and Kobbarobba, my Pteri, just tagged along. It had been decided that our first
stop would be the pound - for an interview with Dr_Death the Techo.
Well aware of Dr_Death's grumpiness and temper (as seen in the great comic
series, Poor Dr_Death), I would approach this meeting with care and, if need
be, I'd threaten to take Dr_Death's spotlight over to the pink Uni, Rose - that'd
get an interview if nothing else would.
It turned out to be needless. He readily accepted an interview exclaiming that
the hand of fame quenched even the most extreme aggravation and boredom. I coughed,
not fully understanding, and begun the interview. (From here on, my budding
journalist pets Crystalisaneo and Bluewingcha took over):
Crystalisaneo (Crys): Dr_Death - we were wondering what you see every
day when Neopets are taken to new homes?
Dr_Death (Dr): I see pets carted off, then soon after carted back in
again. I see pets with shining coats given homes whilst the underweight ones
go hungry (we aren't made of money and food you know?). I see all sorts of stuff
- your point being…?
Bluewingcha (Blue): We mean do the adopters discriminate at all?
Dr: As I said, the ones with the better health, the better looks, the
bigger smile are the ones who are taken over the sad, disheartened ones. Also
the ones with the better names and better stats. Your below average, slightly
saddened Neopet with a rubbish name rarely stands a chance of being taken in.
Crys: Do the adopters tend to seek out specific species of Neopets?
Dr: Oh yes - painted ones are snapped up straight away. It's the same
with the Limited Addition and restricted ones. But generally adopters do come
in for a species they want. Recently a lot came looking for Ixi and Draiks.
It can be a bad thing, but it does mean that the Neopets with bad profiles sometimes
get picked up over the better ones.
We decided that the Dr's words had given us all the information we needed and
ended the interview, thanking Dr_Death who simply shrugged and sighed.
Back at our NeoHome I decided that the manual part of the article was complete.
I sat and thought about the subject. An idea came to me. I started checking
the NeoNet for updates on my old pals…
When I had first come onto Neopets I scanned through the adoption centre for
the fun of it - getting Neopets names, and following their movements from the
pound into the wide world. I made a list, which included several Neopets that
had once belonged to me. I had closed an account and had to let a few of the
pets go. I used it as an excuse to experiment - seeing if their descriptions
would ever change, or if I could make contact with their new owners. None turned
out to be exciting sadly.
However thinking back I notice how the pet with an original and sane (no numbers
in it and it was pronounceable) name was snatched up quickly. The pet with a
fun name with a number in it was taken in soon after. My final pet whose name
was completely unpronounceable and silly took a long time to get adopted.
Here is a list of the discriminations that Neopian's seeking pets in the pound
will, accidentally or on purpose, use whilst on the search:
Name discrimination: As covered pretty thoroughly in the article, owners-to-be
tend to take on the simpler and prettier names, and those that are pronounceable.
Species discrimination: Quite natural, and understandable for the most
part (or maybe I'm just saying that because I was subject to it) - this discrimination
is when you seek a particular type of Neopet (e.g. Lupe) in the pound, or choose
an individual of one species over another of a different species.
Colour (yes I'm British!) discrimination: A painted pet will be taken
over a plain one, because the owner will not need to spend any money on a brush
for his/her pet later on. Also it can be paired with species discrimination
when seeking a particular type of pet (e.g. Blue Lupe).
Stats discrimination: This is when an adopter picks up a higher stat
pet rather than the average pet left in the pound. The level two+ pets are magnets
for newer players who have not worked out how to raise levels themselves or
cannot afford to.
Happy with my article I went to go and give coolo_grunda (and the rest of my
pets - why not?!) a big hug for my appreciation of them.
That is my second article - I hoped you liked it. I am not leading a campaign
against people who use these discriminations (as I am one myself) just simply
pointing them out. Sorry if you disliked any of the article but you may Neomail
me with your comments, ideas, suggestions, support or constructive criticism
if you like. Happy Neopetting, readers. | 
