Animals And The Film Media.

Ever wonder about that statement - "no animals were harmed in the making of this film?" The American Humane film and TV unit is the organization responsible for that slogan. That is the highest rating that can be given to any film media. By film media, I mean any motion picture or TV show.


Now, they are totally different from the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). For over 65 years, this organization has been monitoring motion pictures and TV shows to ensure that all animal actors are being treated humanely.


Since the introduction of their guidelines, illnesses, animal accidents and deaths have declined dramatically. Prior to 1980, 107 films were listed as "unacceptable" because of deliberate neglect or malice. But, from 1980 to 1988, when the guidelines were debuted, 31 films were found "unacceptable", and since 1988, only 16 films received the ignoble distinction.

Sometimes, an unpreventable illness, injury or fatality can occur to an animal on a monitored movie set. If, after a complete investigation, American Humane determines that the production followed the Guidelines and cooperated fully with their Safety Representatives, they will rate the film Monitored: Special Circumstances. Obviously, such a film could never carry the "No Animals Were Harmed" end credit. Instead, such films have always carried the modified disclaimer of “American Humane monitored the animal action.”

Chance Throws The Ball. His big movie break!