TERMINALLY ILL
AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER JD DISALVATORE
DEDICATES THE REST
OF HER LIFE TO SAVING DOGS
Los
Angeles, CA -
Award winning filmmaker JD Disalvatore was diagnosed
with stage iv cancer four years ago, but that hasn't slowed down her activism
or filmmaking. Now combining both endeavors, she is dedicating her time
and talents to the movement to make Los Angeles a no-kill city, and is making a
documentary about the fight called “How To Save a Dog”.
We save their lives, but these (rescued) dogs or cats change ours!
The indiegogo campaign was launched to raise money for the production of the documentary and can be viewed at:https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/how-to-save-a-dog#/
How to
Save A Dog is
a feature documentary project that provides a compelling inside look at what it
takes to rescue animals in America.
Cats and
dogs are considered family members in America, yet millions are killed every
year just because they are unwanted.
In Los
Angeles, the rescue community has been working on a movement to make the city
"no kill" - which means that no animals would be euthanized for
space. This seems like a monumental goal for any city, yet currently
we're close to the tipping point where this actually could be attainable.
In
addition to the feature documentary, 20-30 educational internet videos will be
made for social media to educate and engage anyone interested in helping make
our nation "no-kill". These videos will be directed by an award
winning documentary filmmakers and will cover various subject matters from
"How To Become at Dog/Cat Foster" to "How to Introduce Your new
Cat or Dog to your other Pets."
Now is
the time for everyone who cares to get involved. This documentary will take you
on that journey.
And the
short videos will engage more to join in the fight.
"When
I started volunteering at my local animal shelter, I didn't know the first
thing about animal rescue," says Disalvatore, who has won over
fifty awards from film festivals around the world with her work, "
As in any revolution or triage situation, you have hundreds of people in
so many different capacities working together (and sometimes at odds) to rescue,
foster, transport, groom, train, rehabilitate and find homes for the millions
of unwanted dogs & cats in America. I was not only captivated by the
ingenuity, bravery and gumption of the rescuers, but also completely sucked
into the world of the animals themselves. I feel compelled to share that
with everyone. Especially people that are interested in
helping."
How to
Save a Dog will
paint an intimate portrait of one city shelter and chronicle their efforts to
save animals, along with the large rescue organizations and the small rescue
people that fight for dogs and cats everyday.
There is
a lot of overlap between the LGBT community and the rescue world.
“I think
it’s not hard for us to imagine what it’s like to be lonely or unwanted,” adds Disalvatore.
With that
in mind, the documentary will also feature two lesbian dog rescuers who run
their own 503/c rescues out of their homes: Natalie Garcia of MaeDay Rescue and
Kristen Rosiar from Pardon the Pups.
There are
things everyone can do... from as simple as donating old blankets to local
shelters, to sharing a dog’s shelter photo, or not letting their cat have
kittens!”. People connect with what they see and what touches them
emotionally, and a well produced video is a touchstone for getting new people
in the community involved in the no-kill movement.
Having been diagnosed with terminal Stage IV cancer four years ago,
Disalvatore never slowed down and even amped up her volunteer time at her local
LA City Animal Shelter.
Disalvatore is determined to see this done before she dies of cancer.
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| Squee... |
MORE ABOUT JD DISALVATORE:
Disalvatore has been very active in LGBT film and advocacy. She has been
a mentor for Point Foundation, and co-chaired the major donor lesbian committee
for Outfest, as well as serving as the Vice President of the Board of Directors
of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and President of the
Frontiers Foundation. In 2014, Disalvatore co-hosted the local NBC
coverage of the West Hollywood CSW Gay Pride Parade, and has been a frequent
co-host on The Frank DeCaro Show on Sirius/XM. She has
moderated panels on queer film for the Writers Guild of America, Power-Up,
Outfest and The Butch Conference. She has written on LGBT issues for
Curve, Frontiers, Clout, Planet Out and Gay Wired. Disalvatore received
the LACE Award from the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, as well as the
Tom Thom Award at Outfest in addition to a GLAAD Award for Shelter.
More Photos Available at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fyb3kjkj7mvk71x/AAD5d5I92mlaGJ5oAz1O-4Ila?dl=0
