The official WA2S Films YouTube channel crossed 100,000 subscribers yesterday!  We are averaging well over 2 million views monthly and climbing.

For perspective:
The Esquire Network ceased over cable operations last week and are committing to a digital platform. Their nightly audience numbers were comparable to the WA2S Films audience daily. And they have NBC Universal behind them!

Thank you all for watching and sharing our videos!
​

The World Animal Awareness Society is once again proud to announce our membership in the United States of America's Combined Federal Campaign and Animal Charities of America representing more than 12 million federal workers including: military, postal, and all other federal agencies.

Our international volunteer work with stray dogs was the key to participation for the coming year.  Below is a small sample of our work in the Veron District, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - a working town struggling with the overwhelming number of homeless dogs living on the street.

​Andrea from Duo Duo Animal Welfare Project updates on Yulin Dog Meat Festival and beyond.

Dear friends:
We have more positive news to share in the aftermath of the Yulin Dog Meat Festival. Our efforts that targeted the heinous event and industry had some good results. The Yulin government announced that this year's dog meat consumption was reduced by 30% and an insider in the trade said that many dog meat merchants lost money. (loss of money is key to ending this atrocity.)

​Based on several sources, the drop in sales was attributed to four reasons: 1) Private Companies did not hold company parties like they did in the past few years at restaurants that sold dog meat because they were concerned about the negative publicity. 2) The Yulin government requested government workers not to eat dog meat during the month of the festival for the same reasons. 3) The Yulin government prohibited the large trucks that are loaded with dogs from entering the city during the festival. 4) Because of the widespread media coverage and the many events created by animal activists, many people became aware that some people's pets were stolen, beaten, and poisoned for the festival and that there were many concerns about food safety.

​Although the dog meat festival is over, our work is not done. Our activists have been busy taking part in TV interviews and and public debates with dog meat merchants. Many discussions about dog and cat meat in China are spreading on Chinese social media.

​The DuoDuo Animal Welfare Project will make sure that we keep up the pressure and momentum. Our next campaign will be to push an animal protection law in China that prohibits dog and cat meat trade. . As I mentioned to you in a previous post, I tearfully apologized to the dogs in the cages that I could not save. I promised them that their deaths will not be in vain. They are martyrs and will be forever watching over all of us.
Please stay in touch and support our campaign. -Andrea, Duo Duo Animal Welfare Project

​Yulin Dog Meat Eating Festival goes on as scheduled.   
Despite the efforts of animal advocates worldwide, and the government taking the Yulin (China) Summer Solstice Dog Meat Festival off its official calendar, the Festival of dog meat, lychee and strong liquor is well underway.  As of Saturday over 2,000 dogs had already been slaughtered and consumed.  Also, in an effort to avoid the scrutiny of animal advocates and other opposition the carnage was moved up from the scheduled June 21, 2014.  Although 17 restaurants reportedly removed dog meat from their menus, 48 restaurants are reported to be serving dishes with dog meat. 

Where culture is said to be the heart of this event, it comes under fire for the inhumane treatment of the animals.  This year's event has received more outrage that previous years, particularly due to information sharing through social media.  The cruelty inflicted on the dogs prior to their deaths has been as much of a source of contention as the deaths themselves. Cruelty that involves the dogs loaded onto trucks, traveling for long distances, crammed in together so tightly that bones are broken, many die before reaching their destination.   The dogs that do make it are bludgeoned to death, electrocuted or boiled alive. 

A number of reports also point to rabies and distemper being present in the dogs served up at the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.  It has also been confirmed that dogs have been poisoned prior to being killed.

​Extortion and taunting animal activists into paying for the release of dogs has been heavily reported this year.  Advocates have risked their own safety to rescue dogs.    1700 dogs, reported to be mostly stolen,  in three different carriers were turned away for insufficient paperwork thanks to animal advocates and are now safe (Duo Duo Animal Welfare Project states 2000 dogs - update June 21, 2014). 

​Other reports have surfaced of those that would not have normally participated in the dog eating festival doing so because they resent the animal advocates and their presence. 

China does not have any animal cruelty laws at this time.

​With Memorial weekend - the unofficial start of Summer, warm weather is upon us.  Finally!

 "Never leave your pets in a parked car.  Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. - Humane Society of the United States

In 14 states it is illegal to leave a pet in a locked car.  By leaving your pet in a car with the window cracked you also risk the possibility of the theft of the vehicle or animal.  If you encounter pets in an unattended car where they are at risk in a hot weather situation, you may try to locate the owner of the vehicle or call 9-1-1.  If you call 9-1-1, wait until help arrives before leaving the scene. ​

​Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has employed a very clever and eye catching campaign to warn pet owners about hot car dangers.  Two police vehicles have rotated in 11 different locations along the Grand Strand with a sign mounted and a stuffed dog inside.

​Terri Sumpter of Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue received a call about a wounded emaciated pitbull mama in heat that was hanging around an abandoned house near Gratiot in Detroit.  Terri called WA2S Films to document the rescue.  This is the story of Willa.  Every share of this video helps more homeless dogs like Willa.  Send us on our next mission: http://www.WA2S.org/donate

This Dog rescue is part of the Rescuing Rogue series - Episode # 21 with Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue featuring Terri Sumpter and Produced by WA2S Films: http://www.wa2s.org/film--tv   HIRE WA2S FILMS FOR YOUR NEXT BRANDED SHOOT AND HELP US HELP MORE DOGS!

Check out the new blog dedicated to the YouTube series Rescuing Rogue featuring Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue here!

Subscribe to the official WA2S Films YouTube Channel for updates and new rescue videos: http://www.youtube.com/WA2Sorg

For more about Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue:
https://detroitpitcrew.com

WA2S Films is:
Deanna Vollano & Tom McPhee

c. 2017 All Rights Reserved
Hiring WA2S Films for Your Next Branded Shoot
Supports the World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.WA2S.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 Los Angeles

"Urban Gauntlet" "Undaunted" "Zombie Chase" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

​This Pit Bull just experienced a Christmas miracle getting rescued within minutes of being euthanized at Michigan Anti Cruelty Society - from sub freezing Detroit.  Help us save more lives: http://www.WA2S.org/donate

WA2S Films is:
Deanna Vollano & Tom McPhee

c. 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.WA2S.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109  Los Angeles

​WA2S spent time with Kelle Davis, Yvette Holzbach and Holly Kelch, volunteers withForgotten Dogs of the 5th Ward Project in Houston, TX and filmed them rescuing dogs while we tested out using drones to assist in what is all just a day's work for them.

*** Make a donation to the operation Houston Fund *** http://www.WA2S.org/donate

A few streets into their work and they came across a puppy running loose in the street. We pulled over so that Kelle could leave some food for it. Though skittish, the puppy was interested in the food and succumbed to temptation. Kelle was able to secure the puppy, which was a sweet girl. She joined us in the car for her freedom ride! Watch and see Pumpkin Pie's entire story.......

More Operation Houston #StrayDogCity:
http://www.WA2S.org/operation-houston

More Forgotten Dogs of the Fifth Ward Project:  www.forgottendogs.org

Camera:
Deanna Vollano, John Robinson

EP, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2015 - 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 LA

​This disturbing video is part of the Howl of a Dog Hope For Paws series by WA2S Films: http://www.WA2S.org 

The WA2S Film Crew went on an exploration of Detroit using the new game, Pokemon GO.  We wanted to see if we could use it in our efforts to locate strays dogs and turn the American Strays Canine Survey into a game... 

We spent some time driving through areas that are known for having dog activity but it appeared to be a quiet morning until we made our way to the Northeast and had a few more interesting interactions.

The first was with a young man who I would guess was about 15 years old; he was walking with an unleashed dog on the sidewalk of a neighborhood that had seen better days.  We stopped to say hello to find that this was his new puppy – a beautiful gray dog likely a Pit Bull Terrier.

We inquired as to whether he was aware of any stray dogs in the area and he directed us to the park a few blocks away.  There was something about this young man that touched me and I truly hope that his future is bright.

We drove around the park that our young friend directed us to but didn’t come across any loose dogs.  So we continued.

A few blocks from that park we slowed to ask a group of guys if they knew of dogs in the area but they were less than interested in helping us and almost immediately waved us by; we moved right along and didn’t look back.

During this time it was apparent that we were outsiders in a neighborhood that being carefully watched by its inhabitants.  A red truck that was ahead of us turned around and came back likely to determine if we were friend or foe.  We decided it would be best to move out of that neighborhood.

Across a major road and in yet another neighborhood we spotted a dog tethered to a chain link fence at a house that appeared to be abandoned.

I took some video and we kept moving, knowing that this neighborhood’s watchful eyes were likely on us.  The dog, a tan Pit Bull, was showing his ribs but was not emaciated; however he needed food, water and shelter.  He needed help but was not on death’s door; at least not from starvation.

We sent out a message to our rescue friends for help and Terri Sumpter of Detroit Pit Crew Rescue came to help.

Terri spoke with a neighbor who told her that someone lives in the house and the dog is owned.  This meant that it is illegal for Detroit Pit Crew Rescue to pull the dog, no matter the condition of the dog.  This neighbor apparently called the owner of the dog, who allegedly lives in the house, but he was not at home, nor could we find out when he would return.

We proceeded to film as Terri checked on the dog’s state while additional neighbors emerged from their homes to see what was going on.  Terri spoke with a man and asked if the owner of the dog was feeding him and he said no, so Terri offered to bring food.

This man said the dog had only been there a couple of days.  In the meantime, more men came from the home across the street….to play basketball.

As I was filming Terri with the dog a car drove by yelling something and lofting a full plastic bottle of juice out of the car and at us.  It landed on the ground with a thud about 2 feet behind me.  It was clear that we were not wanted in their neighborhood.

Terri made it clear that her mission is to be sure that the dog is taken care of with food and water and that she would help in that regard.  This was not the time or the place to make these people suspicious of what we were doing there.  It was time to make our exit.

Detroit Pit Crew Rescue left the scene and we made our way back to our car for a swift departure.

This scenario shows a slice of what is going on in some Detroit neighborhoods.  Was the dog owned by someone who lives in the house?

Was the dog owned by someone down the street and tethered at an abandoned house?

What would this dog’s purpose be for the owner?

Will this dog be there tomorrow if Terri goes back to give them dog food?

These are questions that we may never have the answers to.  With all that is going on in the United States right now, rescues must be very careful in their earnestness to help dogs; they must be vigilant while doing their good work; they must keep themselves safe while trying to keep the dogs safe as well.

Deanna Vollano, 7-17-16

Camera:
Deanna Vollano

Camera Drone, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 LA

​Erika & Sandro of Houston's South Side Street Dogs rescue a mangy mama dog they were called about that had been hanging out by the Beauty Emporium for nearly a month.

They named her Lula Bella - the sweetest girl ever.

More South Side Street Dogs here:
https://www.facebook.com/SouthSideStreetDogs

To make a donation to the Operation Houston Fund:
http://www.WA2S.org/donate

Camera:
Deanna Vollano

Camera, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 LA

​While scanning the Clark Park area of Houston for stray dogs, WA2S spotted these 2 roaming the neighborhood.  We circled back to track them and found that they were following a homeless man.

** to help this gentleman get a bite for his dogs and himself, make a donation to the Operation Houston Fund: **
http://www.WA2S.org/donate

We introduced ourselves to the man and asked about the 2 strays that were following him.  While he doesn't own them, he follows his heart and finds any way he can to feed them.  In deadly heat he pulls a shopping cart full of items that he picks up off the streets to sell in order to buy food for the dogs.  

He was a lovely man, feeling blessed to be alive and felt purpose in his quest to feed these two street dogs.

Camera / Sound:
Deanna Vollano

Camera, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 LA

Erika Emal Gamez & Sandro Gamez are South Side Street Dogs!

Meet Rick, their neighbor from down the street in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Houston they share.  Rick is a squatter and has been adopted by a mangy mama dog.
Rick found Zula (pronounced like Zsa Zsa, as in Gabor) in a ditch unable to move, with a leg injury, starving, with no fur.

Erika writes: "She couldn't even walk. He nursed her back to health with what little he had (with the help of some neighbors) and did what he could with what he had the only way he knew how. By the time we were made aware of the situation, her alopecia was not too terrible, she was walking and decent body condition. We helped with medicated shampoo, antibiotics, etc. She ended up looking fine."

As a functioning part of the South Side Street Dog mission, Erika and Sandro provide all sorts of outreach including bathing and spa services free - and even pick up the dogs to take them back to their apartment for some TLC

This is a typical early summer evening for SSSD in Sunnyside.  see pics below
We think your audience will love this video!  More about south side Street Dogs here: www.facebook.com/SouthSideStreetDogs

WA2S Films is currently casting a NETWORK TV dog rescue series and we are looking for dog rescues located anywhere in the United States. The rescues do not need to be a registered non profit. They do need to know what they are doing. The only way to be considered for casting in this new NETWORK TV series - you must apply here:  http://www.WA2S.org/WA2S-Films-Casting

World Animal Awareness Society
501c3 non profit media company - EIN 27-1918794
Website = www.WA2S.org
Facebook = www.facebook.com/WA2S.org
Youtube = www.youtube.com/user/WA2Sorg
A 2015 certified "Best In America" Charity
A 2015 certified "Top Rated" Non Profit

​WA2S Films was invited to ride along with Austin Animal Services as Officers provided outreach to the community following recent flooding in Austin, Texas.

Outreach is one of the prime components supporting America's largest "No Kill" city.

Subscribe to WA2S Films to learn more: http://www.WA2S.org

Camera:
Deanna Vollano

Camera, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/film--tv
818.561.5109 LA

This video is part of the Howl of a Dog Hope for Paws dog rescue series from WA2S Films.

​Howl of a dog puppy rescue with broken leg is part of the Hope for Paws homeless dog and puppy rescue series from WA2S Films.http://www.WA2S.org

Erika and Sandro live in the Houston neighborhood of Sunnyside - America's second most dangerous, where stray dog issues abound. There are multitudes of dogs roaming the streets, and we also learned a few disturbing things that go on in this area.

Our first stop at 8:45am was at the site of a deceased dog. For Sandro it was difficult to tell what had happened merely by looking at the dog, though due to some markings on a nearby sign there was reason to believe that the dog’s death may have been gang related.

Right around the corner we came across a very active medium sized tan dog. It became clear that this dog had an injured back left leg to go with some mange on his face. He was very friendly and happily accepted a treat that he enjoyed before Brittany skillfully got a leash around him for the rescue. A.D.O.R.E. would have him vetted and start looking for a family for him.

By late morning we had seen a multitude of stray dogs, but there were more. 3 larger breed dogs frequent a field right next to where a semi-truck cab parks. For the most part these dogs were in good shape but were happy to take part in the food that Sandro brought for them.

As residents of Sunnyside, Erika and Sandro are ambassadors of education in their community and are working toward solutions.

Please SHARE to make this video go viral and give every dog a fighting chance at a new life!

Camera:
Deanna Vollano

Camera, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2014 - 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 LA

​If you are shocked by the images in this video, we are sorry. It is graphic, and we think everyone should see what's going on right now at Detroit Animal Control under the guidance of new Director Melissa Miller!

This video is also part of the Howl of a Dog Hope for Paws series by WA2S Films. More: http://www.WA2S.org

Look for an extended presence by Director Melissa Miller in the upcoming feature documentary: American Strays - A Tale of Animal Warfare - Make your contribution count here: https://www.generosity.com/animal-pet...

Camera, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 LA

Did you know large heavy chains are used to tether and walk dogs? This video is part of the Howl of a Dog, Hope for Paws video series by WA2S Films: http://www.WA2S.org

Support the American Strays Project http://www.WA2S.org/donate

WA2S Films supports people and groups that are creating impact within the animal rescue / welfare world. Please, share this video, subscribe to this WA2S Films YouTube channel and you will be helping hundreds of non profits at once. Thank you for sharing, thank you for caring.

Details about the American Strays 2030 Project: http://www.WA2S.org/american-strays


Specialty Cameras, Director, Editor: Tom McPhee

c. 2013 - 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.WA2S.org
​

This video is part of the Hope For Paws series by WA2S Films: http://www.WA2S.org

Blue Guardian Rescue was called specifically by other rescues to catch the sickly matted poodle they named Tootsie they'd been trying to catch for nearly 6 months.

WA2S Films supports people and groups that are creating impact within the animal rescue / welfare world. Please, share this video, subscribe to this WA2S Films YouTube channel and you will be helping hundreds of non profits at once. Thank you for sharing, thank you for caring.

Follow Melanie & Eliot Smith as they take Tootsie through the beginning stages of rehabilitation. You will be able to find Tootsie's rehab video as part of the Operation Houston #StrayDogCity outreach campaign here: http://www.WA2S.org/operation-houston

Details about the American Strays 2030 Project: http://www.WA2S.org/american-strays

Make a donation to the Operation Houston Fund here: http://www.WA2S.org/donate

Details about Blue Guardian Rescue: http://www.facebook.com/BlueGuardianR...

Huge thanks to the WA2S Films crew:
Producer / Camera: Deanna Vollano, John Robinson
Specialty Cameras, Director, Editor: Tom McPhee

c. 2015 - 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.WA2S.org
​

​On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster, and the World Animal Awareness Society documenting animal rescuers saving abandoned dogs and cats and the heroes reaching out to the people of Fukushima.

Our thoughts and are with all those affected by the disaster, both in Tōhoku and around the world, today and every day.

The first week of May 2011, Tom McPhee (Executive Director of World Animal Awareness Society - WA2S.org) and Lisa Lucas (WA2S.org Member) traveled to post-disaster Japan to document the animal rescue efforts.

Currently, donations taken in from this video will go to support our team's return to Japan to capture follow-up animal rescue efforts: http://www.WA2S.org/donate

Camera, Producer, Director, Editor:
Tom McPhee

c. 2011 - 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.wa2s.org/WA2S-Films
818.561.5109 LA

​Share To Adopt! Donate To Rescue More: http://www.WA2S.org/donate

Meet Marcos Polanco and His Team of Rescue Volunteers from SODOPRECA - based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, who rescue dogs after disaster and provide aid and comfort to people in peril

World Animal Awareness Society Executive Director Tom McPhee went to earthquake ravaged Haiti to asses the animal specific rescue operations and lend support to non profits on the ground helping the citizens of Port-au-Prince.

Footage was gathered while embedding with the non profit Sodoprec@ from the Dominican Republic while they helped the ARCH coalition build relationships with the local government and other support groups.

c. 2010 - 2016 All Rights Reserved
World Animal Awareness Society
http://www.WA2S.org/WA2S-Films

To donate to the WA2S Volunteer Emergency Disaster Response Team: http://www.WA2S.org/donate

​Homeless Dogs that have been rescued celebrate by going to water parks in Chicago and Austin, Texas.   Are You Ready For Summer Dreaming?
http://www.wa2s.org/wa2s-films