American Humane Association
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American Humane Association
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| Type | Non-profit |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1877 |
| Location | Washington, D.C and Los Angeles |
| Focus | Animal welfare, animal rights, child welfare |
| Mission | Ensure the welfare, wellness and well-being of children and animals |
| Website | www.americanhumane.org |
The American Humane Association (AHA) is an organization founded in 1877 dedicated to the welfare of animals and children.[1]
The AHA's Film and Television Unit has monitored the welfare of animals during the production of films and television programs since 1940. They are the source of the familiar disclaimer "No animals were harmed...", which is a registered trademark of the AHA. The Unit's creation was prompted by a scene in the 1939 film Jesse James, in which a blindfolded horse was ridden off a cliff; the animal suffered a broken back and later had to be put down.
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Film and television unit
The American Humane Association asserts that all animals should be treated humanely throughout their lifespans. The Film and Television Unit specifically oversees animals used during media productions.
The American Humane Association is sanctioned by the Screen Actors Guild to oversee a production's humane care of animals. Because of this, the AHA may choose to issue the end credit disclaimer "No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of This Motion Picture." The AHA may be able to report on the animal action during filming when public concerns arise or animal accidents happen on a particular set.
American Humane Association acts as the animals’ safety representative, but it protects both animal actors and cast/crew members interacting with the animals. They ensure that budgets and time constraints do not compromise the safety or care of the animals.
Accidents and deaths due to natural causes can happen. American Humane Association verifies what happened and serves as the professional and objective witness. They also respond to rumors and accusations both on and off set for the distribution life of a production.
Guidelines
The AHA has a standard of animal care as outlined in the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media.[2] On the set, AHA's Certified Animal Safety Representatives attempt to ensure the Guidelines are upheld. AHA's oversight includes film, television, commercials, music videos, and computer images. All production oversight is coordinated by the American Humane Association's Film and Television Unit in Los Angeles, California.
Productions that collaborate with the American Humane Society and meet this standard of care qualify for AHA's "No Animals Were Harmed" end credit disclaimer. Despite animal deaths or injuries on the set, the determination of this can only be made after filming is complete, all documentation submitted, and a screening of the locked picture provided.
Controversy
In the late 1980s, the Association was accused by Bob Barker and the United Activists for Animal Rights of condoning animal cruelty on the set of Project X and in several other media projects. However, critics later argued that the accusations were based on rumors and hearsay, such as having seen a cattle prod and a gun on set and having inferred that these had been used to mistreat animals.[3] The American Humane Association responded to the accusations with a libel lawsuit and noted that there had been a two-year "vendetta" against them.[4] In a series of public ads along with the $10 million libel suit, the Association stated that the allegations were made based on insufficient and misleading information.[5]
A Los Angeles Times article about the AHA Film Unit in 2001 stated that "the group has been slow to criticize cases of animal mistreatment, yet quick to defend the big-budget studios it is supposed to police. It also raises questions about the association's effectiveness." The article cites numerous cases of animals injured during filming which the AHA overlooked or may have even attempted to cover up.[6]
The AHA Film unit has also been criticized because it lacks any meaningful enforcement power under its contract with the Screen Actors Guild. Since major studios pay for its operations, a conflict of interest appears to be inherent in this system of oversight.[citation needed]
Animal welfare and animal rights groups, including PETA and the Performing Animal Welfare Society, have been vocal in their criticism of the AHA Film Unit. They cite several areas where they believe that AHA standards could be improved, including requiring animal trainers to be in compliance with federal animal protection laws, monitoring of pre-production and training of animals, and requiring a permanent care plan for great apes. They also believe that animal trainers who have been convicted of animal cruelty should not be allowed to work on movie sets.[citation needed]
Much debate has centered around the film Flicka, so much so that the AHA has a dedicated page on its Frequently Asked Questions page concerning the film and the deaths of two horses involved in its making.[7] Their website states that the AHA concluded that these deaths were unpreventable accidents.[7] However, the official report from the Los Angeles Animal Services Department states, "Animal Services contends this accident could have been avoided...the death of the horse, number 23, on the 'Flicka Wild Horse' race scene was a preventable accident."[8]
The AHA has also received criticism for lobbying against a proposed California ban on the use of steel bullhooks for elephant control and handling despite video footage of elephants being beaten with these hooks during training.[citation needed]
Red Star Animal Emergency Services
American Humane Association began offering animal relief in August, 1916, by accepting an invitation of the War Department to help animals used by the U.S. Army during WWI. The invitation resulted in the development of the American Red Star Animal Relief Program known today as Animal Emergency Services.
Since its inception, American Humane Association’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services has responded to national and international disasters, rescuing thousands of animals. Today, American Humane Association's Animal Emergency Services includes a fleet of emergency response vehicles customized to help animals in disasters, as well as specialized rescue equipment designed specifically for animal search and rescue.
American Humane Association's Disaster response resources include:
- A roster of more than 100 readily deployable volunteers
- American Humane Association's "Rescue Rig" – 82 ft (25 m) specialized tractor/trailer
- Volunteer living accommodations – self-sustaining for 12 responders, stocked with more than a week's supply of ready-to-eat meals
- Command Center with electrical generator, a VHF base radio and handhelds, satellite dish uplink and downlink capability, computer and planning support capabilities
- Basic veterinary surgery capability
- Heavy gear storage
- Urban search, rescue and assistance equipment
- Flood search, rescue and assistance equipment
- Technical rescue equipment – rope and high-angle rescue systems, swift-water rescue systems
- Fleet of 4WD support vehicles.
See also
References
- ^ White, John H., Jr. (1993). The American Railroad Freight Car. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 257. ISBN 0-8018-5236-6.
- ^ American Humane Association: Guidelines, retrieved February 21, 2012
- ^ Speaking Up for 'Abused' Animals, Bob Barker Is Hit with a Lawsuit, People Magazine, September 18, 1989
- ^ Game Show Host Sued For Libel - The Spokesman-Review, August 31, 1989, Page A7
- ^ Speaking Up for 'Abused' Animals, Bob Barker Is Hit with a Lawsuit, People Magazine, September 18, 1989
- ^ Questions Raised About Group That Watches Out for Animals in Movies, Los Angeles Times, February 9, 2001
- ^ a b American Humane Association FAQs: Flicka, Retrieved February 21, 2012
- ^ LA Animal Services-Flicka incident report, October 2006, retrieved February 21, 2012
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