Hi Emma,
Thanks for relaying this - I'll try to explain what kind of film we hope to make and hopefully that will make your forum members feel a bit more comfortable.
We'd like the film to be a true reflection of the world of disabled pets. Within that world there are lots of different animals with lots of different disabilities, and owners, vets, therapists, ethicists and rescuers who have very differing opinions on how much a pets life should be prolonged and when its quality of life is no longer good - and we'd like to reflect all of these.
We'd like the film to be educational and informative. By appearing on Ch4 at 9pm the cause of disabled animals and any rescue centres we feature will be publicised, as will the veterinary care and cutting edge technologies that are now available.
We'd also like the film to be passionate and emotional - we want to reflect the close bond that owners have with their animals - often a closer bond if the animal is in some way disabled - and the lengths that some people will go to to ensure their pets are looked after and free from pain. While the thought of sleeping on the kitchen floor for 3 weeks caring for a disabled cat seems mad to some people, to others it seems perfectly natural.
We'd like the film to be light hearted at times too - without undermining the bond between animal and owner. Life with a disabled animal has as many laughs as it does tears and distress and we want to reflect this.
At its heart this film is going to be about the unwaivering love that people have for their animals - we don't intend to make fun of disabled pets, we intend to reflect the lives of owners and pets and the bond between them accurately. The film will be balanced - for every person saying its cruel to put a rabbit in a cart, there will be just as many people saying their rabbit has never been happier or more pain free.
I hope this will set people's mind at ease - if anyone would like to speak to me directly please do pass on my details.
Thanks
Annabel