Defender Radio and The Switch

Talking about wildlife and animal welfare isn’t always enough; we have to do it effectively. Whether it’s working with the government, getting through to the media, or helping others get through the media spin, communicating effectively is paramount. In this week’s episode of Defender Radio, we’ve brought together a collection of experts to help us do just that.

Mario Conseco of Insights West research shares the remarkable data from a recent poll of British Columbians that could help turn the tide of the government’s attitude about trapping. Professor Carrie Peckwood Freeman shares the lessons a career in communications has left her about the media, as well as her paper, ‘Giving Voice to the Voiceless.’ And IFAW’s seal hunt expert, Sheryl Fink, gives a brief history of the exploitative hunt, the importance of the recent WTO decision on the EU ban of seal products and how the media is being fed a government and industry spin on the story.

As an organization we seek to promote the protection of fur-bearing animals. But we can’t do it alone. We partner with volunteers, donors, private companies and municipalities regularly to bring forward our vision. This week, we’re taking a look at the partnerships that make all of our work possible. We’ll be hearing from Brad Gates, owner of Gates’ Wildlife Control, who forms a partnership with every community, humane group and client he meets; Tricia Stevens of LUSH Cosmetics, who will share the story of the philanthropic company and highlight the teamwork APFA has accomplished with their assistance; and Fred Pattje, a Councillor in Nanaimo, who has helped to bring an end to trapping in his community.

Misinformation and lobbying has resulted in the return of Ontario’s spring bear hunt. The hunt was originally cancelled in 1999 after science and reports from the Ministry of Natural Resources showed no results in preventing nuisance bear calls and led to the known orphaning of over 270 cubs. But it seems politicians have short memories – or are desperate for votes. APFA, in conjunction with several other animal advocacy groups, are standing strongly against this hunt, noting that it will not solve any nuisance problems, that it will result in the orphaning of cubs, and that the baiting and hunting of bears is an unsafe practice.

In this week’s edition of Defender Radio, we are focused on this subject, bringing you two interviews with Mike McIntosh, President of Bear With Us Rehabilitation and Sanctuary, opinions from host Michael Howie on the media portrayal of the bear hunt, and expert analysis of a recent poll done by Paul Seccaspina of OraclePoll Research.

The written word is powerful. Be it a collection of ideas, a policy or a dire warning, words can change the world. In this week’s episode of Defender Radio, we bring to you interviews with Toronto City Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, who updated city policy to protect coyotes; Dr. Aysha Akthar, a medical doctor who has written a book warning the world of the consequences of continuing to abuse animals; and Dr. Marc Bekoff, who recently released a collection of his popular Psychology Today essays in a new book.

Whether it’s a cull, mistreatment of wildlife or environmentally unsafe decisions, we need to make our voices heard. But sometimes, it’s just as important to offer an alternative solution to address whatever potential problem exists.

On this week’s Defender Radio, we spoke with Rob Laidlaw of Zoocheck, who works with municipalities, zoos and aquariums to benefit the welfare of wild animals in captivity; Brad Gates of Gates’ Wildlife Control, whose business is not only based on humane care for wildlife, but on the health and safety of his employees and homeowners; and APFA’s own Adrian Nelson, who has successfully been providing coexistence solutions for managing beavers for more than four years.

Advocates are exposed to horrendous truths. Injured, abused, neglected and tortured animals become a part of a daily routine for those seeking justice and coexistence. It can wear down even the strongest willed, threaten the spirit of the most determined. But there is always hope.

This week we speak with Tyler Jamieson, who organized a group of advocates in Ottawa to spread the message of going fur free; dog rescuer and counsellor Darlene Grady-Lunn, who explores the emotional risks of advocacy and how hope can be found; Kelli Polsinelli, operator of Wild Earth Refuge, who creates hope for injured animals; and rock star Bif Naked, who despite personal hardships, continues to believe in a better future for humans and non-human animals alike.

Getting through the spin in marketing and media isn’t always easy. But with this week’s group of experts, we’re hoping to give you a helping hand. Talking about the history and realities – not the hunters’ spin – of the spring bear hunt in Ontario and its proposed return is Liz White of Animal Alliance of Canada. Brad Gates, owner of Gates Wildlife Control, shares his personal journey to becoming a world-class humane wildlife removal operator and the disturbing secrets of others in his industry. The University of Calgary’s Dr. Shelley Alexander discusses her media content analysis study and the impact the media has had on coyotes in Canada. And Sylvia Dolson, Executive Director of the Get Bear Smart Society, tells of how communities faced fears and learned to live peacefully with bears.

A funny thread emerged when we compiled this week's episode of Defender Radio: the lines in our lives. While listening to the interviews, we realized that there are so many crossovers when discussing animal welfare, advocacy and activism. Cary Rentola of the WOLF Sanctuary draws a line between wanting to be close to nature and bringing it too close; Dr. Hal Herzog explores the lines we set up between the pets in our lives, the wildlife we protect and the animals many continue to eat; and Dylan Powell discusses the lines we sometimes must draw to protest wrongdoings.

Defender Radio is presented by Gates Wildlife Control and The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals.

It’s finally here! After a great deal of quiet background work, we’re pleased to launch this first official episode of Defender Radio, a new podcast that focuses on the fur industry, wildlife, advocacy and everything animal related. We also must thank Brad Gates of Gates Wildlife Control in Toronto who has been a strong supporter of APFA and has signed on as the title sponsor for Defender Radio.

In this inaugural episode hear interviews from Dr. Marc Bekoff, Brad Gates, Jasmine Polsinelli and Jo-Anne McArthur.

In this special report, Defender Radio brings you the entire presentation of Mike Badry, Wildlife Conflict Prevention Coordinator for the BC Ministry of Environment, as heard at the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference on September 20, 2013.