Photo Exhibition Garners International Support to End Suffering of Homeless Companion Animals

A new photography exhibition Exposé of Street Dogs in Houston, Texas recently debuted in London and will be introduced to animal welfare advocates in major cities across the United States later this year. The faces of homeless companion animals fending for themselves and roaming the streets and vacant lots of Houston – the fourth largest city in the United States – serve as focal points of this powerful exhibit.

The exhibit showcases the heartbreaking realities of the catastrophic number of strays on the streets in the greater Houston area. The exact number of homeless companion animals is difficult to calculate, although estimates range from 300,000 to well over 1 million. Donations from exhibit patrons benefit Houston PetSet, a nonprofit organization working to end Houston’s homeless animal crisis.

Exposé of Street Dogs in Houston, Texas debuted on April 30 at Home House, a private club in London, and was hosted by Tama Lundquist, Tena Lundquist Faust, and Rachelle Rowe. Rowe is a Houston-based entrepreneur helping British companies establish footholds in the Texas marketplace as well as the Greater US. The exhibition was produced and directed by Brian Jarrett, London-based CPAA who was equally moved to help raise awareness of the crisis by organizing the London exhibition.

Lundquist and Lundquist Faust curated the exhibit and worked closely with Jarrett and Rowe to plan the London event. Lundquist and Lundquist Faust are identical twin sisters who are passionate animal welfare advocates, philanthropists, and co-presidents of Houston PetSet. They are also co-founders of the non-profit film company RouTTe One Productions.

Lundquist and Lundquist Faust arrived in London to explain the severity of the problem in the greater Houston area, and to share ways that animal lovers can help companion animals in need. Not only in Houston, but everywhere.

“London is the first city outside of the U.S. that is helping bring international awareness of the plight of strays on the streets struggling to survive in Houston. Tena and I are eternally grateful to Brian, Rachelle, and their London guests for their tremendous support. We are also thankful to Houston PetSet donors, RouTTe One supporters, our friends and family members, and the many volunteers and rescue partners who demonstrate their passion and commitment to this difficult but necessary work for the animals who do not have a voice of their own,” Lundquist said.

Exposé of Street Dogs in Houston, Texas, features the work of award-winning photographer Jack Opatrny and scenes from RouTTe One’s For the Animals documentary. This powerful film, which screened in the United States and in London in 2023, garnered extensive news coverage and an Oscar nomination.

“We were honored to host this one-day-only show during a magnificent evening reception at Home House. I consider the exhibit’s debut a great success that benefitted a special cause. I am thankful that we have been able to expose Houston’s ‘hidden problem’ and to elevate the mission of Houston PetSet on an international level,” Jarrett commented.

“The dark reality of animal homelessness in the largest city in my home state is shocking to my British friends, clients and associates. This problem is truly embarrassing – but most importantly, we can solve it,” Rowe added.

“I am committed to serving as a bridge between animal advocates and corporations of all types and sizes in Texas and the UK. Texas has the second largest economy of any state in the U.S. In fact, Texas leaders just a few months ago signed a trade pact with the United Kingdom, making it the UK’s most economically significant trade agreement with a U.S. state to date. We can help our companion animals prosper as well by getting them off the streets,” Rowe explained.

Lundquist and Lundquist Faust are planning to host this photo exhibition in Houston and other cities in summer 2024 and early 2025.

More About the Photo Exhibit

What many people around the world are shocked to learn is that Houston, Texas, has one of the highest populations of homeless, discarded, and neglected animals in the world. Hundreds of thousands of homeless dogs and cats are wandering the Houston streets – fending for themselves and, if they are lucky, benefitting from the benevolence of kind “street feeders” and private animal rescue organizations.

According to statistics provided by Houston PetSet, Houston area non-profits spent more than $121 million in 2023 to address the animal welfare crisis whereas the City of Houston only budgeted $13 million for animal control and care. Houston PetSet, which was founded 20 years ago, has raised millions of dollars which awards in the form of grants to approved animal welfare organizations.

Most of the photos in the exhibition have been captured by Opatrny, who is a Houston photographer. Opatrny’s heartfelt love for dogs is also reflected in his photography project, Street Dogs of Mexico.

“Tena and I know that our film and this companion photo exhibit are igniting compassion in the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. We know that the images that we are spotlighting in both the film and the photo exhibit are urging supporters worldwide to act, both as individuals and entire communities, to work together toward meaningful change. Any positive thing that anyone does to help makes a meaningful difference for the animals,” Lundquist commented.

Patrons of the exhibit also see hope for the animals. The exhibit includes “before-and-after” images of street dogs who have been successfully rehabilitated and rehomed. One is a pit bull named Sonny, who was adopted by Lundquist, and the other is a “Heinz 57” mix breed named Benjamin, who was adopted by Lundquist Faust.

“Animal shelters in Houston and other U.S. cities are struggling to keep up with a daunting numbers of unwanted animals, which unfortunately is necessitating humane euthanasia for many healthy dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. News reports of stray dogs mauling adults and children are being reported frequently. In some areas, children are afraid to go outside to play or walk to school because they might be attacked by a stray dog. Elderly people are often afraid of opening their front door because of packs of aggressive stray street dogs lurking outside,” Lundquist Faust commented.

Exhibition Complements Documentary Film Released in July 2023

For the Animals is a 73-minute film produced by RouTTe One Productions that tells the story of Tama and Tena, identical twin sisters who bravely combat the abuse and neglect of companion animals discarded in the streets of Houston. The animal overpopulation crisis is referred to by these crusaders as “Houston’s dirty little secret.”