Holly Williams for Art-Sheep
The term “puppy eyes” is one we hear applied to humans in the majority of situations; in the case, however, of photographer Traer Scott, it is indeed very literally used. In her two series Shelter Dogs and Finding Home: Shelter Dogs and Their Stories, the Rhode Island-based photographer, after working as a volunteer in an animal shelter, decided to capture all those dogs waiting patiently for someone to adopt them. Through her touching photographs Scott strives to warm our hearts and encourage adoption, stressing the fact that the majority of the shelter’s puppies usually end up being put to death, after not finding a new owner.
Tender portraits in black and white, the photographer’s works raise awareness on pet abandonment and appeal to our better nature, through their models’ pain and hope. As the artist has said, What amazed me most when I began to look back at this series, was the intense emotion, dignity and sometimes humor that I saw in each face despite the circumstances in which they were forced to live. Every photograph in this series was taken while the dog was impounded in an animal shelter. Some found good homes, others were euthanized.”
