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February 2001 The Animal Underground Railroad

Something is happening in Brooklyn. We’ve read about the failure of the City-run animal shelter system, how they exterminate pretty much any animal who comes through their door and is unfortunate enough to stay longer than 48 hours. But if homeless animals aren’t brought to a shelter, what happens to them? Those shivering junkyard dogs hovering behind fences, those hissing and spitting feral cats running through the garden, the babies abandoned in boxes, and the orphaned and handicapped creatures. What happens to the animals who aren’t “adoptable”: those who may seem mean and untrusting of humans (rightly so), those who are wild, those with broken legs and broken spirits? Since the Center for Animal Care and Control won’t take care of them, individuals have stepped forward to open their hearts and their homes to the unwanted.

Meet Emma DeRosa, Tami Friedman, Regina Massaro and Matt Mitler: four people who live in Brooklyn and turned their compassion into action to help those who fall through the cracks. Each shared a part of their story with Satya in the following interviews. They are part of a film project entitled, “Dogs, Cats and Videotape,” which is a collaboration between local filmmakers and animal rescuers. Ten short documentary films featuring the stories of individual rescuers are being compiled into one film. This film is expected to be complete and available by spring. Visit www.beagletiles.com to learn more.

Our deepest gratitude goes to Marcy Pesner, who is coordinating this documentary and introduced us to these extraordinary individuals. —C.C.

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