Archive for the 'call to action' Category

21st Paradigm / Lost Dogs – Year End Update

Published by admin on December 29, 2010 in call to action and news. 0 Comments

As 2010 comes to a close, I reflect on a year of triumphs and setbacks to imagine the best way forward.

Success was the strengthening of the 21st Paradigm production team. I especially thank Anthony Tanaka for his loyalty, persistence and dedication to the project. For Tonito, Felipa, Lilly and Emilia, the mutts who escaped life on the streets in Chile and are now blissfully happy in California and Oregon, for them the year could not have been better! Thank you to Gabriela Jarpa for staying true to the dogs of Rinconada.

Two massive earthquakes devastated parts of Chile, causing canine distemper outbreaks and worsening the already existing calamities of starvation and homelessness. Within days, television media was drugging the global public with other mundane news, while the struggle between life and death continued on the ground, unabated. So too, the struggle for life in US shelters. Another 3 million or more dogs were killed unnecessarily in “shelters,” including the 2-year old war hero who survived the war in Afghanistan and saved fifty soldiers’ lives, only to be killed by mistake within two days of entering the shelter system in Arizona.

As I look back on the year’s progress in terms of finishing the film, I am dismayed at how much time was taken up in the effort to generate funds for production costs. Grant writing, personal appeals, public fundraisers, gallery exhibits, online outreach… The efforts of this small band of volunteers was enormous, and still we operate on a shoe-string budget. It might be character-building, but the time lost is heartbreaking. Meanwhile the southern-most animal shelter in Chile closed it’s doors for lack of adequate funds; poisoning, shooting, stabbing and clubbing of street dogs increased dramatically in major cities, while animal activists continue their struggle to deter the Chilean government from enacting laws that would cause similar deaths for some 2.5 million stray dogs. This, when the feasible solution is at our fingertips – Spay and Neuter. All it takes is education and the will to foster a humane society.

As I mourn the recent loss of my beloved companion of ten years, Digby, I am struck by the immense honor of having a dog as teacher. It makes me that much more grateful for Fumarola, my Chilean rescue who brings me endless amounts of joy.

I take this opportunity to thank all our supporters and volunteers, and ensure that we will strive for a 2011 completion date for the film.

ANYONE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE, FRIDAY DECEMBER 31 IS THE LAST DAY TO DONATE AND RECEIVE A 2010 TAX DEDUCTION. Click here to donate: http://www.21paradigm.com/donate

I wish for better times for the animals of our world, for they too deserve a peaceful place.

Vanessa Schulz
Director

Protest Cruelty with one Click, and help save lives!

Published by admin on November 22, 2010 in call to action and press. 1 Comment

45 dogs were brutally poisoned last night in response to the tragic deaths of two women who were attacked by seven owned dogs in Peñaflor, Chile on November 8.

Meat laced with Strychnine is the cheapest and most common method used. It is also the cruelest, leaving animals to die slow, painful deaths from organ failure and ultimate asphyxiation. Their grimaced expressions upon death are testament to the agony that lasts for hours and even days.

This heartless action and the destruction of the dogs’ rudimentary shelters are thought to be the covert work of the local municipality. The mayor of Peñaflor, Manuel Fuentes, denied any knowledge of the poisonings, then had his communications manager falsely report that only seven dogs were dead and that legal action would be brought against those responsible. Read More here…

WHAT YOU CAN DO!!!

SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST DOG POISONING AT CHANGE.ORG!

Some Bad News… for now.

Published by admin on November 17, 2010 in call to action, event and press. 1 Comment

UPDATE!!!! WE HAVE A Venue, and the event is back on!! Click here for more details!

or you can RSVP here on the Lost Dogs Site, or on Facebook!

We thank you all for your participation, and spreading the word for our LA Event that was planned for December 5th. Unfortunately, it is with a heavy heart that we must cancel this planned event at this time. Unfortunately, we could not get a reasonable answer, and service from The Westin in Long Beach, as they have refused to document to us their reason for canceling, although it has been relayed to us that the AKC (American Kennel Club) has intervened.

We are still looking forward to holding another event in the Los Angeles area after the New Year, and will be looking for more opportunities to create a great experience for you all to see, and ultimately help everyone become more aware of the lives we are trying to save.

Thank you and please keep up to date with us with the links below.

For the Dogs,
The 21st Paradigm Team

21st Paradigm in the throes of a set-back, thanks to the AKC

Published by admin on November 8, 2010 in call to action, event and press. 0 Comments

21st Paradigm in the throes of a set-back:

On December 5, 21st Paradigm was scheduled to hold a benefit in Los Angeles to raise production funds for the documentary, Lost Dogs, the purpose of which is to raise awareness of the plight of millions of homeless dogs. The film focuses specifically on the street dogs of Chile and strays in the US shelter system.

The benefit was to be held at the Westin Long Beach Hotel and with over one hundred guests already confirmed, the Westin is canceling our reservation because of the American Kennel Club’s National Championships held over the same weekend.

AKC has the clout to shut us down. When breeding purebred dogs drives profit motive, an alternative message about rescuing homeless dogs is to be censored, and that is exactly what the AKC is doing.

21st Paradigm is asking for someone in the LA or Long Beach area to offer a space for a fundraiser for Lost Dogs (all additional arrangements will be handled by the 21st Paradigm staff). The filmmaker, Vanessa Schulz, will be in attendance to give a presentation and show a preview of the film in production.

To partner with 21st Paradigm, please contact Anthony at anthony@lostdogsfilm.org.

From Vanessa Schulz: LOST DOGS October Update

Published by admin on October 22, 2010 in call to action and press. 1 Comment

Dear Lost Dogs supporters,
Our October update begins with great news…

“Saving one animal may not change the world, but surely, for that one animal, the world will change forever.”
In that spirit, another dog has been saved, thanks to Anthony Tanaka, our web manager and graphic designer, who together with his family, adopted Emilia. Read more… http://www.lostdogsfilm.org/blog/. Thank you to all who donated the time and funds that made this adoption possible, in particular Gabriela Jarpa in Santiago, and Lost Dogs volunteers Reese Mercer and Carol Linacre who coordinated the logistics.


UPCOMING EVENTS
Anthony Tanaka, in addition to hands-on rescue, is organizing a benefit event for Lost Dogs in Long Beach, California.
December 5 (5-9pm) at the Westin Long Beach Hotel

If you are able to attend, please let us know through our RSVP page online, and consider spreading the word to friends in the LA region -
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162573190438238
Lost Dogs RSVP and invitation: http://www.lostdogsfilm.org/rsvp
We are inviting artists to donate a creation inspired by the Lost Dogs theme to the silent auction. For more information, please contact Amy Tanaka at amy@lostdogsfilm.org

GALLERY UPDATE
 Our web site is constantly evolving and the gallery has been substantially expanded! Take a look at http://www.lostdogsfilm.org/gallery/

DOG IN NEED
Five dogs have already been adopted via our ADOPT page on the Lost Dogs web site - http://www.lostdogsfilm.org/adoption/

The latest soul posted to this page is called Cholita. In the photo below, you can see her left leg was cruelly hacked off, the scar on the right leg shows an attempt was made to amputate that leg also. The scar around her waist shows how she was inhumanely tied. This all occurred in an agricultural region of Chile, where compassion is often sorely lacking and traps (mostly wire snares) are set to kill dogs that pose a threat to livestock.

The first time Cholita was found by her rescuers, she was just four months old and pregnant, her leg already amputated. When they returned for her, she had already given birth but the puppies were never found. We are helping Carla Cuevas find a home for Cholita but the situation is urgent, as Carla cannot keep her in foster care any longer. If you are in Chile and can help foster or find a home, please contact Carla urgently at <krlita_itta@hotmail.com>. To adopt Cholita in the US, please contact me directly at <vschulz@gmail.com>.

Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to help us educate and save - http://www.lostdogsfilm.org/donate/

Thank you for your continued support and care for animals.

For the dogs,

Vanessa Schulz
Producer/Director

Vanessa Schulz is heading to the Galapagos!

Published by admin on July 26, 2010 in call to action and press. 0 Comments

Galapagos Preservation Society (GPS) and Animal Balance have asked that Vanessa Schulz document their upcoming campaign to minimize the impact of stray dogs on the native wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. The shoot begins July 31, to August 10.

Read more here!