As my friends know, I am a very passionate animal lover. When I heard about the topic of this documentary, I was anxious to see it, but knew I would probably find it upsetting. I will admit I shed quite a few tears (from both sorrow and joy) while watching Mine, but feel it was a worthwhile experience.
When Katrina hit New Orleans, people were forced to flee their homes. Because of the existing law (it has since been changed), pets were not accepted in any of the emergency shelters. This law forced people to leave their companion animals behind. Some residents were irresponsible and left their animals to starve and/or drown in the wake of the storm, while others tried to provide for their animals.
After the storm, people came from all over the country to rescue the animals. It was too late to save many of the abandoned pets, but thousands were pulled from the ruins of New Orleans. Since these animals were overwhelming local shelter systems, animals were sent to shelters across the country. Unfortunately, Rita came on the heels of Katrina and left many people homeless, and unable to retrieve their pets. Some people uncaringly walked away and never looked back. When animals were not claimed in a timely manner, shelters began to place the pets rescued from Katrina into new homes. Mine focuses on several people who try to reunite with their pets.
The documentary is very moving because you can see both sides of the argument. You feel for the people who lost everything in Katrina, but you can also understand being asked to give up a dog you have adopted and brought into your family. There are no easy answers to the questions raised by this documentary, but it is certainly a subject we need to examine.
I gave the film five stars. It was very thought provoking and the cases the filmmaker chose to highlight gave you a good cross section of people. The film is shot beautifully, and poignantly illustrates the devastation (both physical and emotional) of the storm. Anyone who loves animals will be moved by Mine.
Michelle D. Kieffaber
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