Question:
For anyone who's interested (we don't get HBO in Canada unless you have or know someone who has a *cough* satellite system from the U.S.):
Hello,
Thank you for e-mailing us. We've received your message and will make every effort to respond as soon as possible; this is a busy time for us as we prepare for the HBO television premiere, so please accept our apologies for not being able to respond to your email individually at this time.
If you have requested an HBO Broadcast reminder or have requested screenings updates, you will be notified when SHELTER DOGS airs on HBO and/or screens in your area.
In the meantime, here are some answers to common questions people have posed to us in recent weeks:
Q: When exactly will SHELTER DOGS air on HBO?
A: SHELTER DOGS will have its national television premiere on HBO on Tuesday January 27, 2004 at 7:30pm EST and 7:30pm PST. Please check your local listings for confirmation. The film will be repeated on HBO periodically in the weeks following the premiere.
Q: Will I be able to watch SHELTER DOGS on any other channels?
A: Not at this time. HBO has exclusive broadcast rights to the film, though the film may periodically screen at local festivals around the country. DVD/VHS copies of the film will be available for purchase beginning approximately March 1, 2004.
Q: How can I purchase a copy of the film?
A: DVD and VHS copies of the film will be available for purchase from the www.shelterdogs.org website beginning approximately March 1, 2004. We are working on the details for this now. If you have already e-mailed us expressing interest in purchasing a copy of the film, we will e-mail you back with exact ordering and cost information as soon as all of the details have been confirmed.
Q: Is it possible to use SHELTER DOGS as a fundraiser for my non-profit group?
A: Yes. There are two ways to do this. First, some groups are organizing "house parties" during the night of the HBO broadcast, where people are gathering at a house that receives HBO, having a pot-luck dinner, and watching the film together. Second, on approximately March 1, 2004, DVD / VHS copies of the film will be available for purchase. Groups interested in organizing a public screening will be able to license public performance rights and use the film as a fundraiser.
Q: How long is SHELTER DOGS?
A: SHELTER DOGS is 72 minutes in length.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Wade
Director, SHELTER DOGS
If you are no longer interested in receiving SHELTER DOGS updates, please send a blank email to info@shelterdogs.org with "remove" in the subject header.


Answer:
I read about this documentary, I don't have HBO though I guess I will have to wait until the VHS or DVD comes out in March. Isn't Sue Sternberg in this documentary? From reading Petfinder forums (www.petfinder.com), she seems to be quite the controversial figure in rescue and shelter work in terms of the temperament test she developed.


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I recall seeing a preview for it not to long ago. I really would like to see it. I think its on while I'm at work though...So I may have to work.


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Yes, Sue Sternberg pretty much IS the documentary.
http://www.suesternberg.com/ - hasn't been updated in awhile.


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I made this an announcement, it looks like a great documentary to watch given how controversial Sue Sternberg seems to be.


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So did anyone get to watch it? Does anyone here have HBO?


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I caught the last hour of it. I have to say, I had tears streaming down my face throughout the show. I did see the temperament test she gave to an 8 year old cocker spaniel that had been shuffled from home to home because of his aggressive behaviour. Sue used a fake hand to test his aggression when he was eating and to take away a rawhide he was chewing on. The dog did not attack the hand when she interrupted his eating but the dog attacked the hand numerous times when she interfered with the dog chewing on his rawhide. One of the other women in the shelter was not convinced the dog had aggressive behaviour until she saw the video tape Sue made while she was testing the dog. After the rescue worker saw the video, she realized the dog would not be fit to go to another home and they all agreed on euthanizing the dog.
There was another story about Agnes, a 12 year old sweet, shepard mix who was dropped off at the shelter because her elderly owner passed away. The rescue workers tried effortlessly to find a good home for Agnes but had no success because of her age. Instead of putting Agnes to sleep, Agnes spent her time at the shelter and led a dignified life. As a little time went on, the women noticed Agnes was very lethargic, and wasn't eating much. Sue brought her in for a checkup and the vet discovered Agnes had a heart murmur and an enlarged spleen. The vet said Agnes did not have long to live and the rescue workers decided to put Agnes to sleep. The workers wrapped her body in a blanket and laid her body to rest in a grave they dug behind the shelter.
There were a couple success stories. Fred, a Dobie who I think had some type of accident, because his neck was in a brace for quite some time and his back legs seemed to have a mind of their own. The vet said he had "all four left legs". Fred ended up finding a loving home with a family. An older couple came in and the husband was looking for a hound and ended up falling in love with Ginger, a mixed breed. There was an instant connection between Ginger and the guy. Towards the end of the show, they showed Ginger sleeping by the fire and her owner was sitting in a chair.
I hope they show it again so I can see the show in its entirety. Running a non-profit shelter such as the one that was featured is truely a labour of love. I commend the women that work there .


Answer:
I borrowed a copy of this documentary from work and watched it tonight...
I haven't read anything about the 'contraversy' surrounding Sue Sternberg so if anyone has the scoop can you share?
I think she is wonderful... unless you have worked in a shelter environment and seen & worked with these 'nasty' dogs then people should not judge her...
Any shelter that doesn't temperment test dogs are doing a disservice to their Community by letting these 'ticking timebombs' get adopted to an unsuspecting family...
There is also much more to the Test then is shown in the Documentary...
Keeping a nasty dog (therefore unadoptable) alive for years in a No-kill shelter is Inhumane... now, if that dog is a 'special-needs' or older dog, than as long as he/she is given the interaction/ stimulation everyday and doesn't go 'cage-crazy' as you see with dogs that jump or circle constantly (doggie OCD)... than I agree the dog deserves as long as it takes to find a new home...
I can't believe it when I here about shelters that have 'time-limits' on healthy, friendly dogs... I couldn't & wouldn't work in a place like that..


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The website says the VHS/DVD will be out in April! I want to get a copy and watch it.
Sue, go to www.petfinder.com forums and do a search for Sue Sternberg, the post might have been deleted since it is pretty old news. There's also some posts about her in the NoPuppyMills forums, I can't remember the website URL but you should be able to Google it up. Let me see if I can find the gist of the controversy surrounding her.


Answer:
Here is a website about her, I don't know how valid it is but there are people you can contact thru the website about her.
http://hometown.aol.com/chicaanaranjada/