Animocracy

Archived episode from Nov 2024.
How are ag-gag laws justified when animal cruelty is systemic in Canada’s food systems? Is the rhetoric used by politicians to pass ag-gag laws a matter of an urban/rural divide? Does seeing more animal suffering in a world full of violent media really change anything for the animals?

On part 2 of this special two-part episode of Animocracy, I continue the deep dive with Dr. Anelyse Weiler and PhD candidate Tayler Zavitz about their recently published article entitled, Nothing to Hide: How Governments Justify the Adoption of Ag-gag Laws. I had so many questions after reading the article and we were having such a fun time exploring this topic that the interview went longer than expected.

Archived episode from November 2024.
Are non-human animals good models for human illnesses? Is animal research holding us back from cures for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease?

On this episode, I speak with Dr. Charu Chandrasekera, who in 2017 started the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods.

This year the Centre was shut down due to lack of funding, despite Canada making new commitments to ending toxicity testing. We discuss the importance of CCAAM’s work for the future of animals and scientific research in Canada, and what the public can do to save it.

Archived episode from November 2024.
Cats, dogs, and housing. Pet-friendly housing is a huge issue in B.C., but is it in the best interests of a furry friends? In this episode, I take an article I wrote prior to the B.C. provincial election and make it more accessible by putting it on the podcast. I might do this from time to time, so let me know if you'd like to hear more thought pieces like this on the show.

Archived episode from November 2024.
Today on Animocracy I interview Paul Lalonde, a resident of Sidney Island where since 2023 Parks Canada has been conducting a fallow deer eradication program with helicopters, sharp-shooters, and some questionable evidence.

Archived podcast episode from November 2024.
Today on Animocracy I speak with Michelle Watt, vice president of the PKOLS-Mount Doug Conservancy about a new federal petition to create a Salish Sea Migratory Bird Sanctuary on critical habitat in Saanich, B.C.

This is the original introduction for the Animocracy when I started it in 2024, but it’s content holds true. I'm reposting all my older content, so this is a good place to start if you’re new to the podcast.

You may have recently heard that the Fairmont chain of 90 luxury hotels around the world announced they were going fur-free in the retail stores in their hotels.  What you may not have known is that one woman was largely responsible for this change, Karin Nelson. 

On this episode of Animocracy, we talk to Karin about what introduced her to animal activism, what happened with the Fairmont, and learn more about what she is doing locally in Victoria, B.C. to make positive change for animals. 

Welcome back to Animocracy with Season 2! To start off the new season, I did a live recording at VegFest Victoria with festival goers to see what was on their minds. I had the delight of interviewing 8 fascinating people with unique stories and experiences, every conversation was engaging in its own way. Thank you to Teesha, Rob, Amy, Isley, Magnus, Darren, Hazel, and Monika for the great conversations. 

A big thank you to Positively Vegan for hosting the event, inviting Animocracy to have a booth and speak at the festival. It just finished, but I'm already looking forward to next year! Please enjoy the first episode of season 2 and thank you for listening. 

Ever want to see a vigorous debate between elected politicians on the most urgent of animal issues while the moderator and other animal-centric politicians hold these elected officials accountable for what they've said and done? Me too. Unfortunately, the "Animal Debate" wasn't that. 

Today on Animocracy, we are going to be analyzing the recent Animal Debate, organized by Animal Justice, World Animal Protection, Vancouver Humane Society, BC SPCA, and the Montreal SPCA. Plus, I'll be talking a little about the state of animal politics at the end.

Thank you for listening. 

Love him or hate him, Justin Trudeau did more for animals under his leadership than any other prime minister in Canadian history. 

Today on Animocracy, we applaud the good, acknowledge the bad, and maybe lament the unfulfilled that happened for animals over the last decade under the Trudeau Liberals. 

Thank you listening.