Photographing Homeless Pets: Chipping in to Save Animal Lives

I’m a sucker for those captioned photos on Facebook, especially when they have something to say about homeless animals and rescue. I received one recently that says the following:

If you can’t adopt – Foster

If you can’t foster – Sponsor

If you can’t sponsor – Volunteer

If you can’t volunteer – Donate

If you can’t donate:

-Educate

-Network

-Cross-post

Everyone can do Something to help save a life.

About the same time, a writer friend of mine asked me to “like” a photographer’s page, Sylvia Elzafon.

Elzafon shoots animals in shelters in the Dallas, Texas area. Dogs such as Xena, a small, spunky pit bull mix that was brought to Dallas Animal Services as part of a cruelty case, spent over two months awaiting her forever home before she finally found it thanks to Elzafon’s photos.

“Combining my love of photography and animals is truly the ultimate path for me,” says Elzafon. “I started working on my original shelter series in 2005 because I saw the need for a message, which was ‘why are you breeding animals or buying animals when so many of these wonderful beautiful dogs and cats are dying in shelters every day?”

Elzafon’s first images were dark and meant to evoke emotion in people. “They did, they were meant to address a huge problem while showing the audience that these shelters really are sad places for companion animals,” says Elzafon.

She then realized that she could help these very same animals by showing them in a positive light. “They’re seeing the huge personality of these shelter dogs through the images,” says Elzafon of the fun, lighter photos. “I’ve had a couple of friends tell me that although they’re not ‘dog people,’ the photos make them consider adopting one.”

Elzafon says she hopes her images inspire people to adopt. “I feel it’s extremely important to show these beautiful animals in the best possible light,” says Elzafon. “My hope is that the images are and will be a way for people who are considering adoption to see the animals as more than damaged, abused or troubled souls languishing in a shelter.”

Elzafon is a prime example of someone who is doing something, using her talent to help save lives.

How can you help save a life today?Share in a comment.