Rescue Stories: Giving Back Through Photography
For the past 5 years, I've worked alongside the tremendous volunteers of City Dogs Rescue to photograph their adoptable dogs and now, cats. Typically I meet up with them on "intake" day – when dogs and cats arrive in DC from counties all across the southeast.
Photographing intake is always challenging. The animals have been in a van all day long. Then they arrive in a new city and into a chaotic scene with excited fosters, adopters and volunteers. They desperately need a bath and a walk. The last thing they want is a big black camera in their faces. But I'm there anyway because the fact is, photography makes a huge difference in finding them homes. When they arrive in DC, usually the only photo the rescue has is the sad one of them in a cage at the shelter. My job is to capture a glimpse of who they are so a future adopter scrolling through "adopt-a-pet" websites can envision them in their home.
It's exciting to see them begin their journey. While some are scared at the beginning, they all end up in loving homes. I'm grateful to play a small part in their story.
If you have a skill that could help animals in need, I encourage you to reach out to your local rescue groups. Many are volunteer-led and there is always a need.
(Harley meeting his adopters – above; Bingo + Charlie, both recently adopted –below)
