Shelter Me Photography:Nanette Martin continuing her mission for shelter pets- slideshow included

Photo: Shelter-Me Photography    Nanette Martin

Since our last article about Shelter-Me Photography, pet photographer Nanette Martin has remained steadily on track.

Mid February Nanette found herself traveling to Southern Colorado Spay and Neuter Association, to photograph a pair of Double Merled Shepherds (term used to describe a color pattern), Willie and Annie. The pair had come to the shelter some 5 years ago, along with their litter mates and have been there ever since. They have been there so long because you cannot adopt just one of them, you must adopt them both.

Why? Because they are a special needs pair. Annie is deaf and blind and extremely dependent on her brother, Willie. And a few years ago Willie was attacked by two other dogs and almost died. While he manage to pull out of it and live his badly injured left leg had to be amputated. They need each other, it's that simple.

And that's the special need that took Shelter-Me Photography so far from their base to photograph these animals. That's just what they do. They go where they are needed and they give these animals another chance to be recognized through the fantastic photographs they produce.

When Nanette had finished photographing the pair, she just couldn't say no to the rest of the animals housed at the same facility. Naturally, she photographed them all. How could she say no?

The Southern Colorado pets appeared up for the task of looking gorgeous for the camera as Nanette snapped away at the "animality" under all that fur. The images came out portrait quality as always, a trait for which Nanette is well known. 

Her job wasn't finished at the Spay and Neuter Clinic. To make the most of her venture Nanette offered to photograph the pets housed at the The Pueblo Animal Shelter (Humane Society), and they gladly accepted Nanette's offer. As always the images of homeless cats and dogs spoke volumes. The need for loving homes is everywhere and Shelter-Me Photography is making a difference, one pet at a time.

Did I mention that all of this happens at no cost to the shelters? That's right, the shelters pay nothing. All expenses come out of the funds for Shelter-Me Photography. Their policy is clear.

SMP will provide free, professional photography services to any animal shelter, rescue or foster organization in the United States. We do not require, request or accept money from the organizations we assist, but instead rely on grants, sponsorships, gifts and private donations to fund our operations. To date, SMP has photographed animals at shelter, rescue and foster facilities in Colorado, Louisiana and Utah.

Many may think that non-profit organizations like Shelter Me-Photography operate on grants and government paid monies, but that is just simply not the case. Non-profits like SMP rely heavily on private donations and fund raisers to pay the expenses required to provide their services. Grants for organizations like Shelter-Me Photography are limited, and few and far between.

February 27th the Villas at the Atrium, a senior living community, sponsored a fund raiser for Shelter-Me Photography. They wanted to do something to help keep the ball rolling.

A variety of entertainment was provided along with Shelter Me Photography to photograph participants and guests with their beloved pets. Fun was had by all.

So fundraisers like that put on by the Villas at the Atrium, along with private donations, is what makes it possible for Shelter-Me Photography to operate. Travel expenses, food, lodging, equipment, crew members, are just a few of the immediate expenses they encounter, not mentioning any of the equipment necessary to get the job done.

A local middle school (Colorado) recently raised $4000 in a penny drive, some of which the children decided to donate to Shelter-Me Photography. Nanette welcomes any donation but was particularly excited about the kids getting involved.

That got me thinking about ways to involve kids and community fundraisers. It would give us an opportunity to educate kids about the animal shelter and rescue worlds.

Nanette jumps at the opportunity to educate the public about the ins and outs of pet rescues and shelters. She would like everyone to understand that once a animal reaches a shelter their days are numbered. Anything that can be done to get them into homes as soon as possible is well worth the effort. And you know what they say. A pictures worth a thousand words and Nanette's work speaks volumes.

Photographs like those from Shelter-Me Photography are sometimes the only hope of these pets getting seen by anyone beyond the shelter walls. Those photos are sometimes the very thing that will draw people in the doors of a shelter to have a look at the animals who so desperately need a home.

If you are interested in donating to Shelter-Me Photography you can do so for as little as $5.00.  It's non profit status allows you a tax deduction for all donations made to the organization.

Your donation will go toward funding future photo sessions such as those conducted at Southern Colorado Spay and Neuter Association, or The Pueblo Animal Shelter (Humane Society) It's donations like these that keep Shelter Me-Photography going. It's what helps pets like these find their way into new homes.

Check out Shelter-Me Photography online at their website or check them out on Facebook!

All photographs contained in this article, including those in the slideshow were shot by Shelter-Me Photographer Nanette Martin.

 Related articles:

• Shelter Me-Photography: Photographer Nanette Martin and her will to place adoptable pets
• Volunteer pet rescue/shelter photography series: Part 1- Getting started
• Pet Photography: Pet shelter and rescue adoption photos
• Pawzitive Prints: Assisting shelter and rescue photographers nation wide
• Pet photography: Calling all volunteer pet photographers and shelter managers
  

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All text in this article is © Gila Todd , unless otherwise indicated. Available for reprint and/or publishing only with written permission from author. Contact Gila  with your comments, suggestions, questions, and ideas.