“No Animals Were Harmed” Doesn’t Guarantee Animal Safety

Moviegoers may be familiar with the “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer. This phrase often appears in movies and shows where animals are featured. Trademarked by the American Humane Association, the term is supposed to reassure viewers that animals were not abused or exploited during filming. AHA representatives on set watch the animals to ensure that they are not harmed. The representatives then make a report and the AHA issues its “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer.  However, several investigations have revealed that this phrase may not be an accurate indicator of animal welfare. 

Source: Beyond the Frame/YouTube

Only the AHA can issue the “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer. Yet, despite the organization’s oversight, its disclaimer is not a guarantee no animal cruelty occurred. A report released by the Hollywood Reporter in 2013 shows that many times, injury or death of animals during filming goes unreported. Additionally, the AHA only oversees conditions animals endure on set. Animals may still undergo cruelty as trainers prepare them for their roles. Hollywood trainers who have supplied animals for prominent movies have been accused of animal cruelty and abuse. Many of these movies have still received the “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer. 

In recent years, the AHA has created a new set of guidelines to better protect animals on movie and television sets. Young puppies and kittens need medical approval before being brought to the set. Better protection is also given to horses. Alternatives now exist to the AHA as well. Movie Animals Protected is another organization that film crews and studios can choose to work with. This organization fulfills a similar role to the AHA. However, rather than charging a flat rate, MAP charges an hourly rate. 

Many people, including animal advocacy groups, also encourage the movie and television industry to use Computer Generated Imaging. This removes real animals from potentially dangerous situations. Instead, they are replaced with realistic, animated animals. This removes threats to live animals during scenes that are potentially dangerous to film. 

Advocate for animal safety in the film industry by signing this petition to Protect Horses on TV Sets in South Korea.

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