Cynthia Wade's sensitive and moving documentary Shelter Dogs is a compelling look at how one shelter responds to the seemingly endless stream of homeless animals. Each year five million dogs are brought to animal shelters in the U.S. The majority - nearly four million in all - will never be adopted. Some of these unwanted dogs will spend the rest of their lives in cages; others face euthanasia. Filmed over two years, Shelter Dogs follows Sue Sternberg, founder of Rondout Valley Shelter in upstate New York. Armed with wit, courage, and a profound sense of calling, Sternberg and her staff struggle daily to give the dogs dignity and love - even, at times, in death. By offering an insider's view of our animal welfare system, Shelter Dogs poignantly illuminates the ethical challenges faced by those charged with caring for society's unwanted animals. The film is a provocative exploration of an ongoing controversy and a moving portrait of extraordinary dedication. Producer: Heidi Reinberg. Director: Cynthia Wade (US, 2003) 73 min.
