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A Red Hen Production, 72 minutes
Directed by Cynthia Wade and Produced by Heidi Reinberg Reviewed by Kaylie Bozell Shelter Dogs is a documentary about dogs who have been found, surrendered by their caretakers, or dropped off and are now living in a shelter. The documentary takes the viewer into the life of a shelter dog as they are fighting to stay alive and not be euthanized. The first 10 minutes of this movie the owner, Sue Sternberg, of the Roundout Valley Kennels makes it very clear that dogs with aggression should not be adopted out and should instead be euthanized. However, Sue takes in account the dogs best interest and puts the dogs first before anything else or any rash decisions are made. The director Cynthia Wade does a great job of making this a tear-jerking film. Going behind the scenes as dogs are euthanized and others are adopted out helps the viewer get an insight on what it is like to be a shelter dog. Producer/Director – Linda Hoaglund, 80 min
Reviewed by Margaret Waters The Wound and the Gift is about the many ways nonhuman animals are rescued, highlighting different sanctuaries around the world where they are brought to live in peace. In today's society, nonhuman animals are often treated as tools, entertainment, and not as living beings with their own feelings, wants and needs. This documentary highlights five different places, five sanctuaries around the world that work to end these injustices by taking in nonhuman animals and giving them the life that they deserve. The producer and director Linda Hoaglund, along with many other writers, illustrators, editors, and even two feline advisors use beautiful illustrations to show viewers the intense beauty and intrinsic value present in the nonhuman animals that we take for granted every day. Rescuing them and giving them sanctuary not only helps them, it helps the people who care for them as well. The documentary is still in production, but ran a successful Kickstarter in 2014, and has been shown at several film festivals. A.U.M Films and Media, 90 minutes
Reviewed by Megan Serratore Cowspiracy is a political, social, and cultural documentary about the environmental toll of the agribusiness on planet Earth. The film opens with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that states the following: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends”. This quote preludes the overall theme and message of the film—if people do not talk about the negative effects of the livestock industry now, we will regret it when it is already too late to save the planet. The documentary is produced by Kip Anderson and Keegan Kuhn. However, Anderson is the sole narrator of the film and takes the viewer with him on his educational journey about the agriculture industry, the environment, and nonhuman animals. Fireflyfilmworks, 90 min
Reviewed by Amanda Glowa In 2007 NFL quarterback Michael Vick was found guilty of federal felony charges related to his “Bad Newz” dog fighting ring. This was a multi-state network of dog fighting and animal cruelty that involved unthinkable torture, abuse, and executions of dogs. Over half a dozen carcasses were found on Vick’s property. Surviving the torture were over fifty pit bulls found in disgusting, unlivable conditions. These dogs would have all been euthanized due to pressure from organizations such as PETA and the Humane Society of the U.S., but because this was covered by national news, outrage from the American people gave these dogs a second chance. While the national news covered Vick’s story and his rise back to fortune and fame after minimal jail time, Darcy Dennet tells the tale of the victims- the 53 pit bulls fighting for a second chance at life. The Champions focuses on the rehabilitation of the abused canines, particularly following the story of Mel, Cherry, Little Red, Handsome Dan, Johnny, and Slater. A Netflix original film
Terra Matter Film Studios and Vulcan Productions, 1h 52m Reviewed by Emily A. Baker The Ivory Game is a documentary about the mass slaughter of African elephants and the subsequent legal trade of ivory in China. The film is a Netflix original, produced by Kief Davidson, Walter Kohler and Wolfgang Knöpfler, directed by Kief Davidson, Richard Ladkani with executive producers Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul Allen and more. With African elephants’ numbers steadily declining over the past 30 years, The Ivory Game highlights an issue that is long overdue for public attention. Documentaries as well made as this one are what helps push issues like ivory trafficking to the forefront of peoples minds. The film is beautiful, heartbreaking, action packed and holds your attention from beginning to end. While the audience does get some resolution at the end, the film closes with a very powerful message; “an elephant is killed approximately every 15 minutes. The fight continues.” By Dr. G (Carol Glasser) Students in the Spring 2017 section of Society and Animals (SOC 285W: Special Topics) took a survey measuring their attitudes toward nonhuman animals in the first day of class and again 14 weeks later, toward the end of the semester.
By Sam Orinstien When most people seek out a companion animal such as a cat or dog, the first thought in their mind isn’t based on rescuing a nonhuman animal; but maybe it should be taken into consideration. Animal shelters in the United States take in an average of 324,000 animals a year from previous owners for a variety of reasons. The reasons for giving up an animal to a shelter can range from financial/housing issues or death of an owner to behavioral issues. There are many people who don’t have the patience or the means to take care of a pet and the result is millions of animals in our shelters. It seems wrong to buy animals from a breeder trying to make a business off of these living beings instead of saving one of the many who desperately need a human companion.
By Anonymous To all of those who have ever been to a pet store and stopped to notice the vibrant Betta fish in their tiny jars: Have you ever wondered why they are packed in there like that? Do you ever consider what these small, beautiful creatures go through to get there? Betta fish usually start their journey from breeding stations in Asia and are then shipped to the United States to be sold in pet stores across the nation. The unfortunate history of the Betta fish affects how they are viewed as companion animals, and many people are unaware of how this history effects how Betta fish are cared for today. When considering bringing a Betta fish into one’s life, it is important to educate oneself about the proper care that the Betta fish needs.
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This is a website about nonhuman animals, written by human animals taking a Society and Animals class at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Archives
April 2024
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