It started with Trooper, the dog that was rescued from a dumpster.
Apparently Trooper had been used as “bait” to train fighting dogs and, as she was near death, had been tied in a plastic garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster. She managed to free her head and one paw and was fighting for life and freedom when someone saw her and called the Washington Humane Society. The story has a happy ending, and Trooper is well on the road to health and a new home.
Trooper’s story struck a nerve with Woody Hinkle, one of the owners of Nasuti + Hinkle Creative Thinking, and he volunteered the agency’s services to the Humane Society. “I thought we were going to do something to help combat dog fighting,” he said, “but we learned pretty quickly that animal cruelty goes beyond dog fighting. In fact dog fighting is only part of it. It’s a big, complex problem.”
Hinkle spent time riding along with enforcement officers and meeting with staff at the Society, and the agency recently completed a six‐part campaign that will be used as posters and advertising. Photographer Ira Wexler donated his services and worked with Hinkle and Nasuti + Hinkle art director Katherine Sokolosky. While the first executions are print, the campaign will likely also be produced in digital media and freelance writer/producer Annette Wexler is working on a broadcast component for early next year.
The campaign features animals at the Humane Society’s Georgia Avenue Shelter and their stories, ranging from an emaciated dog that belonged to a college student who simply didn’t feed him to a rabbit that someone had left to die in an alley. “It was really hard for all of us to see these animals and hear the stories,” said Hinkle, “The dogs, cats and rabbits in our campaign are the lucky ones. Too many animals aren’t lucky enough to be rescued.”
The agency plans to continue to work with the Humane Society to help with their cause. “It’s one of those things where you wish you could do more,” said Hinkle. “But this is what we do best, and if it helps, we’re happy. I’ll tell you, we have all of us really gained immense respect for the Humane Society and what they do for the animals. Everybody we have met, from senior management to law enforcement officers and shelter staff is passionate about helping animals, and it’s something we’re very happy to be involved in.”