ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
A day in the life of Oakland Animal Services, the city’s open admissions shelter where no one is ever turned away. With limited resources, dedicated staff and volunteers are united in their struggle to care for a never-ending stream of abandoned, neglected, mistreated or lost animals.
SYNOPSIS
THE SHELTER features compelling human and animal protagonists, observing their daily routines at Oakland Animal Services in Oakland, California. Their individual story strands are interwoven for an honest look behind the scenes
A vet rushes into the med bay. Her technician is waiting with a list of surgeries to be performed. She fastens her paper gown and gets going. So many kittens. A rabbit. Then small dogs and a few large ones. She cuts and sutures efficiently.
Deafening Noise. Dogs of all sizes are barking. An animal care attendant walks from kennel to kennel, unbothered, with huge headphones on her ears and humming a tune. She hoses down the concrete floors. She feeds and she moves on. So much to do.
A volunteer scans the whiteboard. Who needs play time? He grabs a leash and a treat. So many dogs to walk. This one pulls hard and can’t wait to get outside. Boundless joy with an old tennis ball. Sunlight, one-on-one time and cuddles. Hopefully a new home soon.
An animal control officer hops in her truck. A call has come in. An arrest was made and two skinny shepherds were left behind in the yard. She finds the address and calms the neighbors. She expertly loads the dogs. They will be safe tonight.
Adoption Day. So many are looking for love—humans and animals alike—but mostly the animals. Matches are being made, hopefully to last forever.
This observational film might not answer all practical questions about the inner workings of a shelter but it will certainly raise questions about what we owe animals. Ultimately, how we treat them reflects our own humanity.
PROJECT TYPE Documentary Short
DIRECTOR Ines Hofmann Kanna
PRODUCER Ines Hofmann Kanna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Isaac Hager, Celica Suryabara
Director of Photography Brennan Vance
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ID: 775