 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Animal Cops
- Animal Planet
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Animal rescue reality show is OK for older kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series -- which focuses on the efforts of animal welfare units to investigate and rescue neglected, abused, and/or abandoned animals -- includes graphic images of animal cruelty (including some dead animals). The opening credits feature a "parental discretion" advisory. Some animals have to be euthanized, though the procedure itself isn't shown. Episodes always include positive examples of abused animals being cared for by agents, veterinarians, and compassionate citizens. Sensitive kids and adults may find some images disturbing.
What's the story?
ANIMAL COPS works to raise awareness about the mistreatment of animals by profiling the people and agencies that are committed to saving them. Past seasons have followed the Michigan Humane Society (MHS) in Detroit, the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HSPCA), and San Francisco's Animal Care and Control unit (ACC), with each episode (which typically includes several different cases) following investigators and rescue teams as they set out to find and save animals. Some of the animals have accidentally wandered into precarious situations; others have been neglected, abandoned, and/or physically abused. While some cases are heartwarming efforts to reunite lost pets with their owners, most of them, sadly, center on animals rescued from people and organizations that have failed to care for them -- or, worse, that have subjected them to vicious cruelty; for this reason the show includes many graphic incidents of abuse and neglect (up to and including images of dead animals). Episodes jump back and forth between the different cases to add suspense, but by the end of the hour, each is solved.
Is it any good?
Viewers who stick with the program are rewarded by seeing many of the animals on the road to recovery (many are even placed in happier homes) and justice served to their abusers. Plus, viewers learn about the rescued animals' medical conditions and possible treatments -- which will fascinate critter-minded kids (and adults!). Of course, viewers are also reminded that owning any animal is an immense responsibility -- pets and service animals need to be well cared for and shown a lot of compassion -- and that failing to meet that responsibility can lead to hefty fines and even jail time. Despite mostly positive outcomes, parents should watch the show with their kids, as children who are especially sensitive toward animals might find the series disturbing.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the responsibilities of caring for animals and the consequences of neglecting them. Why would people let their animals suffer? What does it mean to put an animal "to sleep"? Have you ever witnessed a case of animal abuse? Who would you call in your community to report it? Who looks out for the animals in your area? Is there a shelter nearby where you might be able to volunteer? What kind of education does it take to become a veterinarian? In your house, is your pet considered a member of the family? How much responsibility is it to keep your pet healthy and happy?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Perfect for teens, not suitable for children
This is one of my favorite animal shows of all time. This is about a group of people from an animal rescue group called the ASPCA that helps poor, abused animals. There are some positive role models, the people in the ASPCA save the animals from their homes and give them treatment for any diseases and treat their wounds from tightened collars and wounds from their owners abuse. There is some content that is unsuitable for younger children because of the abuse of the animals and language.
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AGE
Great messages, but too violent/disturbing for younger kids
This show is a truly moving picture of how people treat animals and how we can help. The investigators are clearly very passionate about what they do, and the success stories are very optimistic and touching. However, the violence and disturbing images in the show are too much for young children; I am 18 and still very disturbed by some episodes, such as one where a horse was slaughtered with a chainsaw after breaking his legs in an illegal race. These images and themes are not appropriate for 10-year-olds. Though they should know that animal cruelty exists and must be stopped, the program is too graphic for such young children. I recommend the show very strongly - for older teens and adults.
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AGE
Pets are Cool, Hoarding is Not. Little Kids Shouldn't Watch.
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AGE
The show is very clearly against animal abuse, and for saving animals whenever it is possible. Oftentimes the animals are euthanized, bloody wounds or surgeries are shown, and the animal abusers get away. It is a good show for those who are aware of the issues surrounding pet overpopulation and abuse and aren't to easily upset. IT is not for young children and squeamish people.
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AGE
Must read for everyone who wants 2 stop animal crulity
Okay well my name is Lucy Siemann I just guraduated from 8th grade and I'm an incoming freshmen at Willow Canyon Az. As you know at the end of my 4th year there when I guaduate I will have to be decided what kind of classes I will need to take for my future job. I always watch animal cops when ever I get the chance I love that show and the more I watch it the more I want to do something for the abused and negleted animals that are everywhere in the world at this very minute. Since I have been very young I have been planing on being a zoo keeper or something it that area but latly I have been thinking that I would rather think about going into the ASPCA team to work with the fight to save animals that need help from abusing and negleting owners. I would be able to do great wonders for the hopful animals in the world. I could be there vocie to the world and help them restart a fresh life with a new begining a new home with a loving family and a warm place to sleep at night. It is so sad for the animlals that have this problem and it needs to be stopped. I have heard some pretty bad stories and then witnesses some from the episodes on the animal cops one was a poor dog that was supposed to be watched while his owner was out of town but he hook him up on a high fence with a metal cain color and leash, the dog was not given water food shelter or attention. When they found him he was nearly dead very thin, dehidrated and the metal chain color that had been around his neck was now embeded in his neck pretty deep and they had to cut it out with wire cutters piece by piece very carfully. I can't believe that a human being would and could be that cural to animals. I want to work as a ASPCA animal cop fighter when I get older I know that I can make a difference in life and that is what I entend to do when I get older I would go to the end of the world if thst id what it took just to make and turn around one animals devestating begining life I would always be there and I would sucseed and try to bring the people to justice and make them pay for whatever they did to the animals because someone has got to be the vocie for the animals who can not speck for them selves someone has to be there to make a difference and that someone is going to be me someday
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AGE
Love This show
I love this show, but it can be very sad!
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AGE
It's OK
I love animals, and it breaks my heart to see how cruel people are to innocent animals! I also though like seeing that most of the time things turn out right in the end. There is a little too much violence in it sometimes though.
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AGE
Graphic, but Very Important.
The point is to prevent cruelty to animals. Graphic images of dead, dying, neglected, bloody, emaciated, flea/tick infested animals are common, but what do you expect. There is occasional language from the abusive owners, but it is a great show and teaches kids the responsibility of animal caretaking is not to be taken lightly.
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AGE
Not for younger kids.
On for 10+? No offense, but that's ridiculous. I've seen this show a couple of times, and it definitly contains content that would probably disturb younger audience members.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Animal Planet |
| Cast: | Debby MacDonald, Jim Boller, Vicky Guldbech |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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