Film & TV Unit

Established in 1940, American Humane’s Film & Television Unit is the leading authority on the safe use of animals in film. We are the only animal welfare organization in the world with on-set jurisdiction from the Screen Actors Guild to supervise the use of animals. We are also the only organization with the authority to issue our renowned “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer.

Our highly trained Certified Animal Safety Representatives™ travel from set to set, in the U.S. and around the world, to protect animal actors and ensure that productions meet our strict Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media.

A valuable resource for producers/filmmakers, screen writers, media outlets and other parties, our Los Angeles-based Film & TV Unit has extensive knowledge of the production industry’s standards and limitations. We work with productions to help them safely achieve the desired animal action, or we suggest feasible alternatives when necessary to ensure the safety of the animals.

We also collaborate with producers to include animal welfare messages -- ranging from condemning animal cruelty to encouraging pet adoption from shelters -- in filmed productions. The increased public demand for positive animal messaging has placed even greater importance on the inclusion of our “No Animals Were Harmed” end credit on TV programs and films.

Learn more about the evolution and advancements of American Humane’s Film & TV Unit.

American Humane Remembers Two Beloved Hollywood Horses

You’ve probably seen them – they co-starred with Julia Roberts, Robert Redford and Billy Crystal in movies such as Runaway Bride, The Horse Whisperer and City Slickers. Beloved by their co-stars, trainers and owners, Hightower and Beechnut appeared in several movies, and Beechnut even made an appearance on the Academy Awards. Sadly, these two stars passed on in 2008. American Humane and Petrine Mitchum pay tribute to these special four-legged movie stars in an article about their lives.

Hightower with his trainer Rex Peterson. Photo by Rory Flynn.