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This is a fund raiser for Animal Charity of Ohio. Prior to the private premiere of RUFF LIFE, we will be sharing a short Sneak Peek of the new series we are producing called HOMETOWN HEROES starring the people and pets of Animal Charity of Ohio.

On Sunday, November 29 we held a live Q & A right here with the filmmakers and members of the Animal Charity of Ohio team. You can view the Q&A in the Q & A section.

This is a partnership event in cooperation with the World Animal Rescue Network and WA2S Films. 100% of the proceeds of this event will go to save more animal lives in our community.

Our film festival run of RUFF LIFE has only just begun. We've been accepted into 12 festivals with 55 invites pending, a finalist two times, winning 3 awards, following 9 screenings to date.

Winner: Best Director, Feature Documentary, Tom McPhee - Marina del Rey Film Festival, 2020

Winner: Best Texas Documentary - PressPlay Film Festival October, 2020

Winner: Best International Documentary - Cyrus International Film Festival (Toronto, CA) November, 2020

Honorable Mention: Best Documentary Long Form - American Golden Picture IFF, November, 2020

Finalist: Best Documentary - Care Awards November, 2020

Official Selection:

• Tryon International Film Festival 2020
• Marina del Rey Film Festival 2020
• PressPlay International Film Festival 2020
• Louisville's International Film Festival 2020
• 20th Kansas International Film Festival 2020
• Reel East Texas Film Festival 2020
• Miami Independent Film Festival 2020
• Care Awards 2020
• Harrogate Film Society Festival Features (UK) April, 2021
• Chandler International Film Festival - January, 2021
• L'Hospitalet de Llobregat International Film Festival - Nominated For Best International Feature - November, 2021

2,000 healthy dogs are killed every day in American Shelters.

In 2011 activist filmmaker Tom McPhee began a nine year examination of America's homeless dog population that results in a million healthy dogs being killed every year in American shelters.

In Detroit he meets Terri Sumpter, a pissed off dog rescuer who has energized citizens by protesting the treatment of animals at Detroit Animal Control and then is attacked by the old and new animal rescue establishment.

In Houston he meets Tawny Hammond an influential member of the Best Friends Animal Society team as she is having their support and resources refused by Houston SPCA after Hurricane Harvey resulting in a logistical catastrophe.

In Austin, Texas he hears local civic leader, national pet advocate, and Austin Pets Alive!'s Executive Director Dr. Ellen Jefferson explain why Austin is so different than other cities by refusing to kill domestic animals simply because they are homeless.

It is the wild west in the world of domestic animal rescue in the United States, where the rule of law is what you can get away with. Along the way two thousand healthy dogs are killed in shelters every day simply because they are homeless, as the rescue community fights with themselves.

RUFF LIFE Review

November 2, 2020 - If you are a dog lover, RUFF LIFE is a “must see!” Director Tom McPhee weaves his filmmaking magic into an honest, heart wrenching, startling look into animal shelters in Detroit, Michigan and Houston, Texas.

The timing and tenor of this documentary seems to parallel the political divisiveness we are currently experiencing. I was struck by the inability of local animal control organizations and shelters to work with independent dog rescue organizations that merely want to help. If this is happening in two large cities, like Detroit and Houston that are in different parts of the country, I am sure it is happening in other areas and municipalities.

I was surprised by the lack of coordination and cooperation between the cities and local animal rescues. They both claim to want the same outcome, to help homeless animals, and yet, the city shelters seem to rebuke offers of assistance from the rescues. The result is tragic, thousands of needless animal deaths.

The documentary kept me engaged throughout with rich narrative, unique cinematography, and an original, compelling soundtrack. I felt that all sides of the story were represented, allowing the viewer to draw their own conclusions. It became clear that animal welfare is complicated, often devolving into animal warfare.

The personal stories pull at your heart strings. There were several times I was brought to tears, especially during the hurricane Harvey separation of owners and their beloved pets.

My big takeaway from “RUFF LIFE” is that city governments need to find a way to work with and not against independent rescue organizations. Conversations, cooperation and compassion go a long way. Austin, TX seems to have managed a way to begin that process.

The fact that cities with shelters that kill the most dogs also have the most strays on their streets should be a wake up call to come together. I hope RUFF LIFE helps bring positive changes for homeless, neglected and abused dogs and cats.

Reviewer: Beth Johnston, Pinckney, MI

RUFF LIFE is for a PG13 audience. It is not recommended for young children