8-0 American Humane’s Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media apply to anyone bringing an animal to the set, including members of the cast or crew. When applicable, producers shall distribute in advance the Advisory on “Special Requirements for Extras/Others Who Supply Animals.”
ADVISORY: Per federal requirements, to exhibit a dog in filmed media, the owner or exhibitor may be required to have a USDA Exhibitor’s Permit from the USDA prior to filming.
ADVISORY: To protect the health and safety of puppies, American Humane recommends the use of puppies that are at least 16 weeks of age at the start of filming process. Should younger puppies be requested, please CONTACT American Humane EARLY IN PRE-PRODUCTION. All veterinary records indicating their age and vaccination history may be requested.
8-0.2 For safety and efficiency, American Humane recommends that producers hire animal handlers experienced in motion picture production to supply all dogs for production. However, if production chooses to obtain dogs from private owners – including cast and crew – all requirements of the Guidelines must be implemented.
ADVISORY: The less experienced the animals and the owner/handlers are with working on productions, the more important it is to have American Humane’s oversight. American Humane does not condone the use of private pets for production work, whether it is an extra’s pet or a reality show contestant’s pet. ALL animals deserve humane treatment and a high standard of care, whether or not they are professionally trained. American Humane recognizes that productions may use private pets that are not trained for production work, but encourages producers to choose these animals with consideration for the animals’ temperament, health, and condition.
- Animals should be chosen for calm, socialized temperaments.
- The owner’s stress compounds the animal’s stress. An unqualified animal trainer/owner can have a negative effect on an animal.
- Animals need prior conditioning to perform in the environment of a production.
- Do not expect untrained animals to perform tricks or stunts that are unnatural behaviors for the average pet.
8-1* For all dogs (pets, dogs brought by extras or crew, and dog actors) on set, except for puppies under the age of 4 months, the following requirements apply: (See below for requirements for puppies)
a. The dogs must have been vaccinated for rabies, parvo, distemper, and Bordetella at least two weeks prior to coming onto set. Proof of vaccination, including the name and phone number of the veterinarian who vaccinated the dogs, must be provided to the American Humane Certified Animal Safety Representative™ upon request.
b. American Humane may request health certificates, where applicable.
c. Animal handlers (including cast, crew and extras) must bring the necessary documentation to the set.
ADVISORY: Animal handlers (including cast, crew and extras) should be aware of locations where ticks, fleas and mosquitoes are found and take appropriate measures, such as tick, flea and heartworm prevention, to prevent disease and intestinal parasites.
8-2* When filming scenes involving the birth of puppies, or the use of puppies under the age of 8 weeks, prior written approval from the USDA and American Humane is required. Per the USDA, puppies may not be transported for commerce under the age of 8 weeks. (Also see Guideline 2-8.) This means that if you plan to use puppies in a film production (for commerce), you cannot relocate them earlier than 8 weeks of age. The law limiting the transport of the under 8 weeks includes moving the animals within the state as well as transporting them across state lines. Puppies may not be transported or sold in commerce until they are 2 months old and fully weaned.
8-2.1 To protect the health and safety of puppies, American Humane recommends use of puppies that are at least 16 weeks of age at the start of the filming process. Should younger puppies be requested, please contact American Humane for prior approval.
8-2.2 No puppy under 12 weeks will be allowed on a set. Any puppies under 16 weeks of age need prior approval from the American Humane. All veterinary records indicating their age and vaccination history may be requested.
8-2.3 All puppies (brought by extras or crew, and dog actors) should have the appropriate number of vaccinations based on age. Please consult a veterinarian. Proof of vaccinations may be requested by American Humane. Please ensure that these records are available for inspection.
8-2.4 American Humane requests breeder/animal supplier information and all health certificates before filming. Health certificates must indicate that the puppies are free from infectious diseases and current on all vaccinations. They will need to indicate that the puppies are in good health for required animal action. American Humane strongly recommends that an actual physical examination be conducted by a qualified veterinarian. The health certificates must:
a. Be an official interstate health certificate
b. Be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian
c. Include each puppy’s actual date of birth
d. Include clear identification of each individual puppy
e. Include the actual date of vaccinations and deworming
f. Be issued and dated not more than 10 days prior to transport date
g. State that the animal is free from infectious disease or physical abnormalities that would endanger the animal, other animals, or the general public
h. Include record of a current rabies vaccination if the dog is of legal age
8-2.5 Only healthy puppies shall be used. When necessary, the filming location should be controlled by the following measures to prevent the spread of disease:
a. No other animals should be present when filming with puppies.
b. American Humane discourages the mixing of litters or puppies from different households. Puppies should not mix with other dogs/puppies until at least two weeks after their second vaccination.
c. Hard, non-porous surfaces that can be adequately sanitized should be used for puppies, and, the surfaces should be sanitized prior to each such use.
d. Areas where puppies (especially under 16 weeks old) will be housed or perform should have disinfectant foot baths at the entrances and exits for all cast and crew entering the area to prevent the introduction of infectious bacteria.
e. Production shall limit cast and crew in areas where puppies are being used.
f. Production and the animal handler shall limit the handling, petting and touching of puppies to only necessary individuals.
8-2.6 When using puppies for more than one day and/or multiple litters of puppies:
a. A schedule should be developed that allows ample rest for puppies. Please be aware that scheduling puppies to work every day could lead to sick puppies.
b. For the first two weeks the puppies are there, puppies should not be housed with adults or other litters of puppies unless they come from the same kennel.
c. The housing facilities should be on a strict cleaning and disinfecting regimen to lessen the potential for bacterial and viral infection and/or spread.
d. Puppies should have their own quarantine facility. If you will have multiple litters from different breeders/animal suppliers, only pups from the same breeder/animal supplier should be in the facility at the same time.
8-2.7 Environmental conditions can affect puppies, whether too hot or too cold. Puppies under 16 weeks old cannot work in snow and subfreezing temperatures, extreme heat, or inclement weather. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs. If puppies are under 16 weeks, there is the potential that vaccinations have not taken the full effect. Sick puppies are much more sensitive to the cold weather as well as extreme high temperatures. If the puppies wear protective clothing, this may help resistance to the cold. Any puppy that shivers needs to be warmed immediately.
ADVISORY: Puppies being brought to the set should be examined by veterinarian, be free of parasites, and have received core vaccines at 8 weeks of age, then once every three to four weeks until the puppies reach 4 months of age. After 4 months, dogs should be vaccinated once each year. The rabies vaccination is due at 4 months, then again within 12 months.
Although vaccinations help reduce the risk of parvo and other communicable diseases, parvo and others can still occur in vaccinated dogs. Puppies are more likely to develop severe disease and die as a result of parvo. Any puppies that show signs of illness shall be removed from the set and examined by a veterinarian.
8-2.8 Care must be taken to ensure that animals do not escape the set or location. Production and the animal handler must also have a safety plan in place that will prevent the escape of an animal from the set or location and provide for an animal’s safe recapture should an accident or escape occur. (Also see Guideline 1-36.)
8-3* Pursuant to USDA regulations, anyone who sells or acquires a dead dog or cat from a private, unlicensed source is required to obtain a USDA license (see Chapter 1) and provide that documentation to American Humane.
8-4 When dogs are working with cats or other species of animals, in addition to production and the animal handler ensuring the safety of the animals, the dogs must be trained and prepped to work with the animals so that the work is not stressful. (Also see Guideline 1-28.2.)
8-4.1 When predator/prey relationships are to be depicted, animals must be trained or conditioned to accomplish the action, or the action must be simulated. Predator/prey situations can be a threat to one or more of the animals, as well as to the cast and crew.
8-5 Dogs that are underweight, overweight or otherwise not in appropriate physical or behavioral condition to perform the required work shall not be used. All animals must be of good working weight to accomplish the action required.
8-6 Care must be taken to protect an animal’s foot pads, as determined by the species of animal, to ensure that:
a. Foot pads are not in direct contact with hot surfaces such as pavement, sand, concrete, etc.
b. Foot pads are not in direct contact with extremely cold surfaces such as ice and snow.
c. Foot pads are protected from abrasive surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, stone, etc., which could cause injury.
8-9.1 When applicable, producers shall distribute in advance the instruction sheet on “Special Requirements for Extras/Others Who Supply Animals.” Although the special requirements apply to extras and owners, production is always ultimately responsible for the safety of the animals and people on the set. The needed precautions to ensure human and animal safety include:
a. Water: Extras/owners shall bring a water bowl that is heavy enough to prevent overturning and large enough to satiate a dog’s thirst. Water should be available to the dog as needed.
b. Control: Dogs must wear collars and be kept on a leash at all times, except when being held in a secure pen, fenced area or crate. Dogs shall not be left unattended at any time. If a dog charges, threatens or bites any person or animal, it shall be removed immediately from the set and location.
c. Proof of Vaccination: All dogs shall be licensed, and the owner must provide proof of licensing. Extras/owners must provide proof of the dog’s vaccinations against rabies, parvo, distemper, and bordetella. Dogs must have received vaccinations at least two weeks prior to coming onto the set. Proof of vaccination, including the name and phone number of the veterinarian who vaccinated the dogs, must be provided to the American Humane Certified Animal Safety Representative™ upon request.
d. Dogs in Heat: Dogs should not be on set if they are in their heat cycle.
e. Housing/Comfort: Extras/owners shall coordinate with production as to who will provide shade, crates and/or fencing for the dog. This should happen prior to the dog’s arrival on set. Improper chains and tethers are prohibited.
f. Oversight: Animals shall never be left unattended, attended by a person who is inexperienced in handling those types of animals, or unsecured in a manner that would be unsafe or uncomfortable for the animals.
8-10.1* Dog bites and dog attacks are becoming more common and are often severe. If a dog bite incident occurs on your set, production should take the following steps:
a. A doctor should examine any dog bite to a person.
b. A veterinarian should examine any dog bite to another animal.
c. Any dog bite that requires medical or veterinary attention shall be reported to the local animal control agency or public health agency (as appropriate in the jurisdiction) and to American Humane*.
d. Production shall provide in writing the biting dog’s licensing and vaccination information, and its owner’s name and address, to the person bitten, the involved health agency and American Humane.
* Notes a federal, state or local animal welfare statue, code or permit consideration.