Jene Nelson is a veteran writer and news producer whose work has won multiple Emmy Awards. Her credentials are impressive, so when HWI learned that her newest work was a documentary about the pet breeding industry, we took notice.
The results did not disappoint: Jene’s documentary, I Breathe, is a jaw-dropping look at pet breeding that focuses on the heroes, the villains, and the victims of the industry.
Jene has graciously agreed to give us some of the background on the filming of I Breathe.
HWI: What inspired you to explore and document the world of commercial breeders? Were there any surprises?JN: I have been an animal lover my entire life. The images of substandard kennels and neglected dogs that were rescued stirred compassion in me as well as curiosity.
As a journalist, I realize there are always at least two sides to every story. I truly wanted to see kennels that were well run and profile large scale dog breeders that were proud of their profession. I read an article about a Colorado-based rescue group, National Mill Dog Rescue, and contacted the director. Theresa Strader got back to me immediately and invited me to tour the facility any time. It took one visit for me to decide I had part of the story. I was welcome to visit and shoot video at any time, without notice or restrictions.
It took several road trips and many hours on the telephone to try to get the other side. That was one of the biggest surprises. The reluctance of breeders to talk about the profession they so righteously defend was unlike any other experience in my 27 years as a journalist. I was repeatedly grilled and asked to defend my reasons for doing the documentary. I was suspected of working for HSUS and up to no good prior to ever meeting the people behind the allegations.
Keep in mind I was never contacted by any of those folks about their suspicions. I called Barb York after an email was circulating that was presumably about me and found its way into my inbox.
Frank Losey, lobbyist for Missouri breeders and organizer of the "Spay and Neuter HSUS" write-in campaign to the IRS
Next, I contacted Frank Losey to ask for assistance in finding a kennel owner to be profiled for the documentary. Frank talked to one kennel owner who was considering allowing me to film his operation, but the requirements were so stringent they were ridiculous. For example, I could not videotape any barking dogs, and the owner would get final say on what I was allowed to show. Ultimately, we could not come to an agreement with Missouri breeders. The only kennel owner to allow me access was in Eastern Colorado.
I was unaware of dog auctions, so that experience wasn’t as much of a surprise as it was disturbing. Companion animals being auctioned off to the highest bidder does not make much sense to me. Can you imagine caring for a dog for a few years then hauling it off to the auction block without a second thought as to what happens to it? I had hoped for more of an insight into the business by Bob Hughes, who operates Southwest Kennel Auction. It has a very good reputation and of the auctions I attended, it was far above what I had witnessed prior to visiting Southwest Kennel Auction. Bob Hughes said he would consider doing an interview then would not return my calls or emails.
HWI: What made the biggest impact on you during the making of the documentary?
Theresa Strader, director of National Mill Dog Rescue
JN: The biggest impact has to be the tireless work of rescue volunteers. No dog is too sick or too dirty to get cuddles, kisses and diligent care. They are volunteers, for the most part, and not compensated in the traditional way for their hard work. The rewards are beyond what money can offer a person. Equal in impact is the sheer number of dogs that are involved in commercial breeding. I visited some kennels without a camera and the sights and sounds were just like the numerous videos that are on the internet. The empty look in the dogs’ eyes left a lasting impression. They are not happy campers.
HWI: Most industries are eager to show the public what they do, to educate them about the industry. Barb York, president of the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, recently commented on Prop B by saying, “the voters did not understand what it is and what we do.” However, dog breeders seem unusually reluctant to let the public see their operations. How did that defensiveness interfere with your ability to tell both sides of the story in I Breathe?JN: If you don’t have it on video, you can’t show it in a documentary. The refusal to showcase a top notch kennel in Missouri created suspicion about whether the breeding industry has something to hide, especially when contrasted with the readily available video of kennels that were not well run and the cooperation of rescue groups. I approached one breeder at an auction, told him what I was doing, and asked if I could film his kennel. He told me if I came on his property, he would shoot me. Because I was trying very hard to portray such a large industry, I did not want the only images to be those of the so-called “puppy mills”. I spent more time than I ever imagined trying to get that angle of the story including traveling thousands of miles and spending hours on the phone and exchanged dozens of emails. I was left with the story they allowed me to tell.
Barb York, president of the Missouri Pet Breeders Association
HWI: It’s difficult to mention the word “breeders” without the term “puppy mill” coming up. Do you think that breeders have been unfairly demonized by animal rights activists, as many breeder lobbying groups claim?
JN: I will answer that with a quote I used many times in my career: Silence screams. A refusal to cooperate often adds fuel to the notion that where there is smoke there is fire.
HWI: How would you respond to breeders who feel that I Breathe portrays them negatively?JN: They needed to come forward during the production of I Breathe. Dog breeders were given the opportunity to be profiled.
HWI: In the Denver symposium, all the attendees agreed that substandard kennels should be put out of business. Are the breeders failing to confront the problem entirely, or are they simply using different methods of addressing it?JN: It is tough to answer for an entire industry. From my experience in dealing with the profession, it appears they are very tight knit and reluctant to admit there is a problem or to take action. Lily, the dog profiled in I Breathe, was sold at a Southwest Kennel Auction. The breeder was endorsed by the auction owner and by the veterinarian. The last inspection report prior to that auction in February 2007 does not address the condition of any of the dogs. My little rescue dog came from a licensed facility. She had an inguinal hernia, an umbilical hernia, permanently luxated kneecaps, horrible teeth and was infested with numerous parasites. She is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and her puppies probably sold for plenty of money while she was neglected and sent on her way when her little body was used up.
Copper, the "penny dog" previously owned by Barb York and sold at auction for one penny.
HWI: The story of Copper, the dog sold at auction for a penny, was extremely moving. Did Barb York ever explain the discrepancy between the auction listing stating that Copper was a “proven” sire, and her claim that Copper had never been bred?JN: I never heard back from Barb York. That was extremely disappointing.
HWI: Was there anything that didn’t make it into the film that you would have liked to include?JN: It was touched on in the documentary, but I would like to address owner responsibility. When you take that animal home, you are making a commitment. They are not disposable due to lifestyle changes, or because they make a mess in your house. Don’t make the decision of pet ownership without thinking it through before you bring one home. You don’t have to have a pet. If you are uncertain about your commitment, ask a friend to let you keep their animal for a weekend, volunteer at a shelter, or buy a stuffed toy that will always be cute and fluffy, and require no care.
Along those same lines, I have yet to hear a good argument against spaying or neutering your pet. Unless you are a professional dog breeder who is committed to the betterment of the breed, it is necessary to have your pet “fixed”. Some might say they want their children to experience the miracle of birth, so they want to breed their pet. Rent a video. Or have them experience another part of life: Death. Take them to an animal shelter. Perfectly healthy dogs are put down at shelters across the country each day because of irresponsible pet owners who either don’t want their animals anymore or those who refuse to spay or neuter their pets and contribute to the animal overpopulation.
HWI: What’s next? Can you give us a hint about your next project?JN: I would like to explore the practice of over-vaccinating pets. It is a global problem that too often has tragic consequences.
I also have a screenplay that I would like to get optioned. Keep your fingers (and paws) crossed!
Thank you, Jene, for having the vision and perseverance to create this documentary, and for taking the time to share your insights with HumaneWatch.info.
Everyone who is considering bringing a pet into their home should watch I Breathe first. It is an impressive film, and an important look behind the veil of the pet breeding industry. Buy it through Amazon.com and other video retailers.
Jene Nelson is a veteran writer and news producer whose work has won multiple Emmy Awards. Her credentials are impressive, so when HWI learned that her newest work was a documentary about the pet breeding industry, we took notice.
The results did not disappoint: Jene’s documentary, I Breathe, is a jaw-dropping look at pet breeding that focuses on the heroes, the villains, and the victims of the industry.
Jene has graciously agreed to give us some of the background on the filming of I Breathe.
