Terminally Ill Filmmaker JD DiSalvatore Dedicates Life to Saving Dogs

Award-winning�filmmaker�JD Disalvatore�was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer four years ago, but that hasn't slowed down her activism or filmmaking. �Now combining both endeavors, she is dedicating her time and talents to the movement to make Los Angeles a no-kill city, and is making a documentary about the fight called "How To Save a Dog." ��

We save their lives, but these (rescued) dogs or cats change ours! The indiegogo campaign was launched to raise money for the production of the documentary and can be viewed here.�

"How to Save A Dog"�is a feature documentary project that provides a compelling inside look at what it takes to rescue animals in America.�Cats and dogs are considered family members in America, yet millions are killed every year just because they are unwanted.

In Los Angeles, the rescue community has been working on a movement to make the city "no kill," which means that no animals would be euthanized for space. This seems like a monumental goal for any city, yet currently we're close to the tipping point where this actually could be attainable.
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In addition to the feature documentary, 20-30 educational internet videos will be made for social media to educate and engage anyone interested in helping make our nation "no-kill." These videos will be directed by an award winning documentary filmmakers and will cover various subject matters from "How To Become at Dog/Cat Foster" to "How to Introduce Your new Cat or Dog to your other Pets."

Now is the time for everyone who cares to get involved. This documentary will take you on that journey. And the short videos will engage more to join in the fight.

"When I started volunteering at my local animal shelter, I didn't know the first thing about animal rescue," said�Disalvatore, who has won over fifty awards from film festivals around the world with her work. "As in any revolution or triage situation, you have �hundreds of people in so many different capacities working together (and sometimes at odds) to rescue, foster, transport, groom, train, rehabilitate and find homes for the millions of unwanted dogs and cats in America.�I was not only captivated by the ingenuity, bravery and gumption of the rescuers, but also completely sucked into the world of the animals themselves.�I feel compelled to share that with everyone. Especially people that are interested in helping."�

"How to Save a Dog" will paint an intimate portrait of one city shelter and chronicle their efforts to save animals, along with the large rescue organizations and the small rescue people that fight for dogs and cats everyday. There is a lot of overlap between the LGBT community and the rescue world.

"I think it's not hard for us to imagine what it's like to be lonely or unwanted," adds Disalvatore.

With that in mind, the documentary will also feature two lesbian dog rescuers who run their own 503/c rescues out of their homes: Natalie Garcia of MaeDay Rescue and Kristen Rosiar from Pardon the Pups. There are things everyone can do, from as simple as donating old blankets to local shelters, to sharing a dog's shelter photo, or not letting their cat have kittens! People connect with what they see and what touches them emotionally, and a well produced video is a touchstone for getting new people in the community involved in the no-kill movement.

Having been diagnosed with terminal Stage IV cancer four years ago, Disalvatore never slowed down and even amped up her volunteer time at her local LA City Animal Shelter. Disalvatore is determined to see this done before she dies of cancer.

Disalvatore has been very active in LGBT film and advocacy. She has been a mentor for Point Foundation, and co-chaired the major donor lesbian committee for Outfest, as well as serving as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Frontiers Foundation.

In 2014, Disalvatore co-hosted the local NBC coverage of the West Hollywood CSW Gay Pride Parade, and has been a frequent co-host on "The Frank DeCaro Show" on Sirius/XM. She has moderated panels on queer film for the Writers Guild of America, Power-Up, Outfest and The Butch Conference. She has written on LGBT issues for Curve, Frontiers, Clout, Planet Out and Gay Wired. Disalvatore received the LACE Award from the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, as well as the Tom Thom Award at Outfest in addition to a GLAAD Award for "Shelter."