For more than 20 years, Sally Andersen-Bruce’s images have appeared in magazines, books, packages and annual reports. One of the greatest honors of her career has been working with the United States Postal Service on stamp projects.

Halo: Can you tell us about your experience photographing the 5 dogs and 5 cats on these stamps?

Andersen-Bruce: Well, number one, I have a lot of patience. I have been photographing dogs and cats in our local shelter and many rescue groups since 2002 when I photographed Neuter/Spay stamps for the United States Postal Service. Derry Noyes was the art director and she directed all the photography and created the final designs.

At each photo session (over 500) I learned more about photographing cats and dogs. If the animal was under stress I simply stopped the photo session and selected a different animal. The selection unfortunately, was almost endless; there are too many pets in shelters.

All of the photos on the stamps were shot in my studio. I had the following people at the photo shoots: Renee Gardner, manager of the Animal Welfare Society of New Milford, Audrey McKay and/or Peter Crockett, Animal Control Officers as well as a representative from the rescue group or the pet owner. The animals must have thought we were nuts, there were three adults making noises, squeaking toys, dangling bird feathers and tempting the animals with healthy treats. All this to try to get the cat or dog to look into the lens with a wonderful expression. In a few minutes the animals would get bored and simply walk away. I always treat the shelter animals with the same respect that I would treat one of my clients. I photograph CEOs and they too, stay in front of my lens for about five minutes and then simply walk away. And that ends that photo session.

Six of the animals on the stamps I had photographed 4 years previously for the books I’m now completing, so I knew their temperaments and what expressions might be possible.

Halo: What are your hopes for the impact of your work?

Andersen-Bruce: I’m hopeful that many shelter and rescue pets will find loving homes. People will realize they can get a great animal at the shelter. For each one that is adopted there’s an empty crate for another one who’s waiting to get into the shelter. These animals are not rejects or bad animals. They are there by no fault of their own; home foreclosure, family had to move and the new landlord won’t allow pets, kids left for school, not enough time to properly exercise and care for the pet.

Over half of the animals in shelters are euthanized. There are affluent shelters with generous donors and there are very poor shelters that are struggling to give the animals food and medical care. The dogs and cats can’t chose which shelter they will go to. I’m also hopeful that people will donate their time at the shelter to help walk dogs, socialize and play with cats. There are fun volunteer jobs at shelters it’s not just cleaning their crates.

Halo:  We were of course thrilled to learn that you’ve been feeding your shelter pets Halo Spot’s Stew for years. How did you discover Halo?  And why do you feed Spot’s Stew to your rescue dog?

Andersen-Bruce: My husband Gordon and I adopted our 4th rescue dog, Brenna, she’s a ten-year-old Irish Setter. I want her to have a long healthy life; I researched and compared the “natural” pet foods. Halo pet food has high quality wholesome ingredients and no fillers so I bought two flavors of Spot’s Stew to see if Brenna would like it. I opened the bag and she sat down and held up one paw, as if to say, ‘I’m getting a treat, I’ll do a trick”. When I walk Brenna I am frequently stopped and asked what food I’m feeding her because her coat is so shiny and beautiful.

I carry Spot’s Stew in my jacket pocket as training treats for her and all the dogs we meet on our walks. I’m so happy to know that she’s getting proper nutrition and wholesome food PS: Each time I reach to get the bag of Spot’s Stew she still runs to the kitchen, sits on a rug and holds up one paw-who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Halo: How did you feel when you found out about Ellen DeGeneres and Halo feeding 1 million meals to shelter pets (all inspired by your stamps!)?

Andersen-Bruce: I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of Ellen DeGeneres and Halo Pet Food donating 1 million meals to shelter pets. Thanks a million; it makes me feel terrific to know that pets in shelters all over America are being fed wholesome healthy meals. What a great way to give the pets a healthy, happy start on their journeys to find new homes.

The United States Postal Service issues only one special commemorative stamp a year to raise awareness to a Serious social issue, this year it was Animal Rescue adopt a shelter pet. I’m sure they must be very pleased with your very generous contribution to this campaign.