Traer Scott is a successful American photographer. She has most notably worked for Vogue and National Geographic. She loves all animals, but her heart belongs to man’s best friend, the dog. And particularly, the most unfortunate of them all: abandoned dogs in shelters.
Her book “Shelter Dogs” is a series of 50 black and white portraits that tell the story of these damaged souls. It has turned out as a deeply touching tribute.
In 2005, while volunteering at Rhode Island shelter, USA, Traer Scott was moved by the amount of dogs who were brought in every day.
Some had simply got lost but ended up finding their homes. Others were abandoned and had the chance to be adopted by a loving family after some time.
But for many, life was less rosy. Old and in bad health, no longer “cute” or fashionable, nobody wants them. After many months in the shelter, they are most likely to be put to sleep in order to make space and free up supplies for welcoming new arrivals.
Traer Scott was shocked by the fate of these poor souls. Stranded and abused by life, they became “useless” and were left at the side of the road by a family that used to love them. To make sure these solitary animals are more than just a statistic, the photographer wanted to put a face to their names, eternalise their presence and tell us their stories. And to draw attention to their suffering.
Each summer, in France alone, 60 000 dogs and cats are abandoned. For a number of years in France, the SPA and the Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis (Foundation 30 Million Friends) have been leading a campaign against the epidemic of abandoned animals. The dream is that one day there will no longer be a need for animal shelters. If you find a stray dog, here’s what you must do to help them find their home as quickly as possible.
Note : Traer Scott shares her life with a Pitbull and a six-month old Basset Hound. A percentage of the money she makes from her book will be donated to the ASPCA, the equivalent of the RSPCA in the USA.
.png)
