Houston’s Pet Overpopulation Epidemic Revealed

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MOVIE REVIEW
For the Animals
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 13m
Director(s): Sadhvi Anubhuti, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree
Where To Watch: in select theaters and on VOD July 28, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: Get ready for a journey into Houston, Texas, where a tale of tenacity and tenderness unfolds. An invisible specter haunts the city's bustling streets – a disturbing number of homeless dogs. The philanthropic twin duo, Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist are doing their best to combat this issue. Their relentless commitment to protect these helpless strays forms the core of the heart-stirring documentary, FOR THE ANIMALS. It is a call to action, pushing for change against this rising public health crisis.

Guiding this exploration is Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti, Texas-based Jain monks well-recognized for their adherence to the principles of non-violence and reverence for all life forms. This duo tackled another incredible story in SURVIVING SEX TRAFFICKING, one of the few films I decided not to give a star rating intentionally. Sometimes the topic of a film is more than the film itself. Adding weight to this crusade is the famous actor and activist Alyssa Milano, serving as an executive producer whose powerful voice amplifies this noble cause.

FOR THE ANIMALS tackles the powerful and slightly dramatized, escalating crisis of pet abandonment; the cause is essential, but the presentation is made to be more dramatic than it is. The Lundquist sisters are central to this narrative and do not shy away from tackling this issue head-on. They have initiated positive change, leveraging community engagement, creating essential partnerships with local shelters, and coordinating with volunteers feeding stray dogs. Their relentless efforts extend to advocating community spay and neuter programs and challenging the prevailing conditions of Houston's pet shelters, known for their high euthanasia rates and overcrowded situations.

Although FOR THE ANIMALS is framed in the context of Houston, it reverberates with a national concern. Based on ASPCA's data, which reports about 6.3 million pets winding up in U.S. shelters every year, the film spotlights the ongoing efforts of numerous animal welfare organizations. As mentioned, Alyssa Milano, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree, and Sadhvi Anubhuti collaborated on a powerful documentary dealing with human trafficking in 2022. They've once again joined forces in FOR THE ANIMALS, illuminating the distressing situation of Houston's stray animals. Milano said about her involvement, "Collaborating with Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti has enriched my life. Their work brings my love for activism and the silver screen together. I hope this film will inspire audiences to open their hearts to these stray animals."

Echoing Milano's sentiment, Anubhuti shared, "There's a unique purity in an animal's love. As Jain monks, we strive to promote non-violence and respect for all creatures. We aim to bring this grave issue into focus and demonstrate its potential for resolution."

FOR THE ANIMALS is a film that goes beyond entertainment. It underscores the power of community and compassionate response in addressing a severe crisis. It is a salute to the profound impact individuals can have and serves as a reminder of the inherent value of every life. From a production standpoint, I wasn’t necessarily blown away. Still, as with their previous documentary, the film's message is essential, from the animal welfare standpoint and human welfare in many instances.

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[photo courtesy of SIDDHAYATAN TIRTH]

MY SAG-AFTRA/WGA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals' extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I'm steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

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