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Every day thousands of dogs are euthanized in animal shelters across the United States because the shelters do not have adequate facilities and funding to care for them. Meanwhile, hundreds more are purchased from pet stores and backyard breeders by people who are generally unaware of the corrupt breeding system that they are supporting - one that values profits over the physical and emotional welfare of the animals.
Guarding Dogs is an upcoming documentary film that strives to raise awareness of all of the wonderful dogs that are waiting to find their forever homes, and the rescuers who devote their time and energy to reaching that goal. It is the film's mission to not only emphasize the importance of rescue and adoption, but to also influence the way people think about animal companionship; not as an owner/property relationship but rather as a guardian/companion dynamic that encourages respect and reduces abuse and neglect.
We are currently in pre-production stages and looking to start principal photography by June 2011.
Don't miss this!
If you are in San Francisco,
please come to another one
of ours Sneak Peek about the
project progress.
_ Leftovers Store
1414 Van Ness Ave, SF, CA
Thu, Nov 17th at 7pm
The name Guarding Dogs was inspired by In Defense of Animals' Guardian Campaign, a decade-long movement that encourages people to rethink the owner/property relationship between humans and their animal companions. IDA states:
"By saying we 'own' animals, we encourage others to view them as material possessions, while referring to ourselves as 'guardians' communicates the emotional value of animals. In choosing a more accurate term to define your relationship with animals, you are helping to elevate a community’s consciousness and way of thinking about non-human animals. By viewing, treating and speaking of animals from the perspective of a guardian, you demonstrate respect for animals and recognition that they are individuals with needs and interests of their own."
For more information, visit www.guardiancampaign.com.
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. ~ Anatole France
The Guardian Campaign has developed Guardians for Life, an educational program designed to educate students about how they can improve the lives of animals, even at a young age.
Guarding Dogs is currently working with educators to design our own compassion-based curriculum, based on the belief that kindness and empathy that starts with animals will extend to respect for all beings. We hope to help create a future generation that practices responsible animal guardianship. Our intent is for the curriculum to be used not only in schools but also in animal shelters and community centers around the country.
More information on IDA's Guardians for Life program can be found here: www.guardiancampaign.com/educators.html.
More information on Guarding Dogs' educational program
development will be posted here in the near future.
Lesson Plans
Can I Have a Dog, please?
Grades 3-5
Pet Overpopulation
Grades 6-9
courtesy of American Humane Association
We intend for Guarding Dogs to be not only a film, but an interactive, multimedia project. This web site will serve as an informational hub during the production of the film. The production team will use this site as a means for research, as well as a way to share the inspiring stories of people and dogs that we meet along the way.
We're constantly looking for contributions to the project from people who are as passionate about the subject as we are. It could be an account of rescuing a dog in peril, or simply how your companion animal has changed your life. If you have a specific topic you would like to write about, you could be featured as a guest writer on our blog.
If you are handy with the camera and would like to submit photos or footage of your dog to be featured on the website, submissions are welcome!
If you are involved in animal rescue and would like to have your organization featured on our website and blog, please send us your information!
Contact us at info_guardingdogs.com
Flyer_Guarding_Dogs.pdf
We need your help spreading the word about Guarding Dogs! Download this flyer and put it up in your local coffee shop, vet's office, pet supply store, animal shelter, or community center.
Another way to get involved is by making a donation to the film through PayPal.
Guarding Dogs has non-profit 501 (c) (3) status through a fiscal sponsorship agreement with Wonder Dog Rescue ( www.wonderdogrescue.org ), a San Francisco based rescue organization. 10% of all donations will go to support the rescue operations of Wonder Dog.
Donations are tax-deductible and any amount is greatly appreciated!
These contributions will help us get the production of the documentary started and, most importantly, produce a finished product that will educate people about the virtues of rescue dogs and discourage puppy mill practices. Your contributions will help us bring this message home.
If you'd rather mail your donation, please make the check payable to "Wonder Dog Rescue" and mail it to:
Guarding Dogs
c/o J.R. Fleming
1515 Gough St #9
San Francisco, CA 94109
If you are handy with the camera and would like to submit photos or footage of your dog to be featured on the website or blog, submissions are welcome!
These short "webisodes" feature fellow animal rescuers whom we have met during the process of making this film. Their stories are intended to insprire and motivate.
Videos shot and edited by Peter Mignin.
We are offering this special edition print as a donor prize for our Kickstarter fundraising campaign. The image, which will also be made available on t-shirts, is a great way to let people know that you're "Committed to Guarding Dogs" - both the film and the mission!
