Film & TV Unit

Earning Our Disclaimer

American Humane’s Certified Animal Safety Representatives™ oversee animal action on the set, enforcing our Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media and intervening on behalf of animal actors when necessary. All domestically filmed Screen Actors Guild (SAG) productions are required to provide our Safety Representatives unlimited on-set access whenever animals are used. During pre-production, we review the script to determine the intensity of the planned animal action. Safety Representatives then monitor the animals during principal photography to ensure their safety and well-being. If a production meets or exceeds our rigorous standards, the film earns a Monitored: Outstanding rating and the “No Animals Were Harmed”® disclaimer, which appears in the end credits of the film.

Monitored: Outstanding

Safety Representatives were on the set to ensure the safety of the animals throughout production. After screening the finished product and cross-checking all animal action seen on screen, we have determined that this film met the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media established by American Humane. Therefore, the film was awarded the end credit disclaimer of "No Animals Were Harmed”®.

Monitored: Acceptable

Safety Representatives were not able to monitor every scene in which animals appeared. However, American Humane did oversee significant animal action filmed in compliance with our Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media. After screening the finished product and cross-checking the animal action supervised during production, we acknowledge that the filmmakers have cooperated fully with our process. Therefore, the film has received a modified end credit disclaimer which states, “American Humane monitored some of the animal action. No animals were harmed in those scenes."

Monitored: Special Circumstances

Although the production followed American Humane’s Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media and cooperated with the protective measures enforced by our Certified Animal Safety Representatives™, an accident, injury or death involving an animal occurred during the course of filming. A full investigation revealed that the incident was not a result of negligence or malice on the part of the production or animal suppliers. After reviewing all veterinary documents, screening the finished product, and cross-checking the animal action seen on screen, we acknowledge that the filmmakers have cooperated fully with our process. Therefore, the film has received a modified end credit disclaimer which states, “American Humane monitored the animal action.”

Monitored: Unacceptable

The production’s disregard for animal safety, whether by filming an at-risk segment unauthorized by American Humane or failing to adhere to our Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media, directly caused the injury or death of an animal.

Not Monitored: Production Compliant

Safety Representatives were unable to directly supervise the animal action due to limited resources and/or scheduling conflicts. However, the production complied with all registration requirements, submitted a shooting script and relevant animal scheduling information, and provided a pre-release screening of the film, as requested by American Humane.

Not Monitored

The production did not seek monitoring oversight from American Humane's Safety Representatives during filming. Therefore, we cannot attest to the treatment of the animal actors nor know whether our Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media were followed.

As of August 25, 2006, all films earning the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end credit disclaimer will receive an enhanced rating of Monitored: Outstanding. Ratings prior to August 25, 2006 are listed here.

Search the archives to check the ratings of your favorite films.
"Disclaimer does not endorse content"