Screening Time: Friday, May 2, 8:00 PM, Charles
Theatre 4
Director: Cynthia Wade
Cast: Sue Sternberg
Country: U.S.
Year: 2002
Running Time: 74 mins
Format: Beta SP
 Shelter
Dogs tackles the growing problem of homeless animals by examining
Rondout Valley Kennels, a model animal shelter in upstate New
York created by Sue Sternberg. In this shelter, dogs live in suites
decorated with old rugs and chairs and receive individualized
attention and evaluation in efforts to find them a new home. The
film also touches on the debate between the “no-kill”
and euthanasia approach to shelters as Sternberg believes that
it is more humane to euthanize a dog than to allow it to mentally
deteriorate in small cage.
We meet several dogs, who provide a glimpse into the variety
of difficulties that can confront a shelter. There are aggressive
dogs that may not be safe pets for families, older dogs that are
often less desirable for adoption than puppies, dogs that may
not do well in small confined spaces, etc. Sue handles each of
these on a case by case basis, and effort is taken to match a
dog with a suitable owner. She also must agonize over the ethical
decision of when it becomes the right thing to to do to euthanize
the dog.
Sometimes there is a happy ending, sometimes there is not, but
what Shelter Dogs does is provide a candid view into
the real dilemma facing animal welfare workers. It also serves
as a portrait of one woman’s lifelong dedication as a caretaker
to these homeless dogs.
--Dan Krovich
Presented By: Cynthia Wade
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