Two weeks, 11 animal shelters and thousands of pictures: My journey with Shelter Me Photography

The journey ends with a rescued dog named Zoe being flown from Louisiana to Denver to her new home. But, I am getting ahead of the story. 

I recently spent two weeks with Nanette Martin, Executive Director of Shelter Me Photography, taking pictures of animals in 11 shelters in New Orleans and surrounding areas of Louisiana.

Brought in with the help of a grant from the ASPCA, the original plan was to have Martin photograph animals at shelter and private rescues in the parishes of Tangipahoa and Livingston, where my 501(C)(3), Don't Be Cruel Sanctuary, resides.

But, Martin had a much bigger picture in mind.

Considering the oil spill disaster that has drastically effected the economy of New Orleans and parishes to the south, she learned more pets were being surrendered to shelters simply because families could not afford to take care of them any longer. Shelters were becoming overcrowded and time was of the essence.

Martin insisted on visiting as many shelters as possible in the two-week time frame.

Armed with her camera, knee pads and plenty of sunscreen and bottled water, oh and me not knowing exactly what to expect, the journey began.

All dogs must be photographed outside to get the proper lighting.

Dogs must be brought out one at a time with no distractions during the shoot. Volunteers and staff are essential in making this happen. And, we were grateful to have some wonderful people at each shelter to help.

For much of the time, I took on the role of "handler," positioning the dogs for the camera.

Small dogs. Large dogs. Scared dogs. Shy dogs. Rambunctious dogs. Yes, I got to "handle" them all.

Martin has unique ways of gaining the dogs' attention, from the noises she makes to the use of squeaky toys.

The idea is to have the animal concentrate on her and look directly in to the lens of her camera. And, let me tell you, that's where the knee pads are essential in getting down to their level.

With the summer heat of Louisiana reaching triple digits and despite the common tropical rain storms of the season, we forged on from St. Bernard to St. John the Baptist, through Jefferson and Orleans Parishes, and ended in Tangipahoa and Livingston, photographing hundred animals or more at each shelter.

When the rains forced us inside, we photographed cats and kittens. This is a unique experience in itself considering the elusive independence, often cage-enduced fear, or just plain non-chalant attitude of these exquisite creatures.

For Martin, the work doesn't end when the camera is put away. She spends hours editing, cropping and fine-tuning each photograph.

So, has it made a difference in getting the animals out of the shelters and in to homes?

Well, all the figures are not in yet. But, for one little Rat Terrier mix named Zoe it made all the difference in her life.

Leven Moore in Denver, Colorado saw Zoe's picture; one of the first posted up on Shelter Me Photography's Facebook page.

Zoe had been picked up by St. John the Baptist's animal control when they found her running loose. Her former owners refused to pay the fines to get her out of the shelter, saying she was not worth $119. So, they left her there confused and frightened.

Through the generosity of Southwest Airlines, Zoe flew back with Martin to Denver and now resides with Moore, making the transition to her new life with two cat companions.

I will admit it was an exhausting two weeks.

It was also extremely heartbreaking at times.

Would I do it all again?

You betcha!

Writer's note: Here are just a few of the adoptions facilitated as a result of Shelter Me Photography's images: Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control- Buck, a very thin, frightened hound mix was seen on Facebook and was pulled from the shelter and is now in a loving foster home. And, as a result of posting pictures of kittens available for adoption on craigslist, not only was one adopted but also an adult cat went to the same home.

Many more stories just like these are happening every day.

Proof that a picture can save the life of an animal. 

Shelter Me Photography is a 501(C)(3) organization. Please consider donating to this worthy cause.