Protecting Animals in Film Production

Since it's hard for me to get out of the house, I have not recently been to a movie theater. Instead, I often spend a lot of time watching films on our big screen television. And since my husband and I subscribe to one of the most popular DVD rental services, we get to view and enjoy lots of both first run movies and old classics. Just the other day I had the chance to watch "Born Free", a movie that, no matter how many times I see it, deeply moves me. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing the new film about Secretariat, one of the most famous racehorses in history. Obviously movies about animals are among my favorites, but I sometimes wonder about the veracity of the disclaimer about no animals being harmed during a film's production that scrolls down during the credits of all motion pictures involving animals. While most movie-goers intellectually grasp that film directors and producers use a lot of "movie magic" in creating scenes in which animals are injured or even killed, they can seem so realistic that we may believe them to be true. So the other day I was greatly relieved to learn that American Humane Association Animal Safety Representatives are hard at work making sure that the disclaimer about no animals being harmed is really true. The American Humane Association has been working behind the scenes, providing a voice for animal actors, since 1940. Each year the association monitors 2,000 productions around the world. With guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media - which are the strongest standards of animal care in the world - their certification continues to be one of the honors for a film that is most highly desired. The Association is extremely proud of their Certified Animal Safety Representatives for the tireless work they are doing in educating film crews, monitoring productions and protecting all animals that appear in films, commercials and TV shows. Almost 50 Animal Safety Representatives work on several productions year-round. Their relatively small staff is constantly flying across the globe to monitor productions. At the end of filming, they are off again to the next project. For example, thanks to Animal Safety Representatives, "Harry Potter" fans can be assured that the eight films - which featured thousands of animals throughout 10 years of filming including dogs, owls, oxen, bears, foxes, horses, snakes and even insects - provided fierce protection to their animal actors. At this time the Animal Safety Association needs donations to help continue the valuable work they are doing to monitor and protect these animals. For those interested in helping, visit their secure donation page on their website. Did you know that the Animal Safety Association is the only organization that monitors animals featured in these productions? Share your thoughts about the work they are doing in a comment. Image Source: Flickr user assortedstuff