In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop explore the challenges and responsibilities of leadership in animal welfare. From managing tough decisions to balancing compassion with community safety, they share lessons learned from the field. Along the way, they discuss Tallulah McGee’s thought-provoking article, “No Kill Isn’t So Simple — And It Is Costing Lives,” as one example of how leadership choices ripple through shelters, rescues, and the public.

In this episode, we sit down with John Peaveler, the founder and principal consultant of Humane Innovations LLC, a company driven by real-world experience in animal control, shelter systems, wildlife management, and disaster response. John brings over 20 years of global expertise to the table, having launched the first animal shelter and control program in Kuwait in 2004 and serving in leadership roles across NGOs and response teams worldwide (Humane Innovations, Humane Innovations).

We dig into:

• How John’s work in Kuwait shaped his vision for humane, effective animal capture and control methods. (Humane Innovations, Humane Innovations)

• The founding of Humane Innovations as a solution-driven platform offering professional-grade equipment, field training, capture methods, and consulting. (Humane Innovations)

• His experiences responding to major disaster situations internationally—including in the Philippines, Japan, Haiti, Turkey, Ukraine, and the U.S.—and lessons learned from coordinating animal care during crises. (Humane Innovations)

• The intersection of product design, training, and operational support in safer and more efficient animal rescue, shelter, and field programs. (Humane Innovations)

• John’s role as an instructor and speaker for major animal care organizations such as NACA and the World Organization for Animal Health, and what drives his passion for helping professionals and communities prepare for and manage animal-related emergencies (Humane Innovations).

Listeners will walk away with:

• Real-world stories from disaster zones and shelter programs.

• Insights into what it takes to develop field‑tested equipment that saves countless animal lives.

• Advice for trainers, responders, and agencies looking to build or scale humane animal-care capacity.

• Why preparation and proper tools can make all the difference when disaster strikes—both for animals and humans.

Tune in for a deep conversation that blends innovation, compassion, leadership, and frontline ingenuity.

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel and Ashley sit down with Adam Blankenship, an Animal Control Officer in Virginia Beach, to talk about one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of the job: community engagement and education.

Adam shares his passion for proactive outreach, building trust with the public, and empowering residents with the knowledge they need to better care for their animals. From classroom visits and neighborhood pop-ups to creative social media strategies, Adam highlights how ACOs can move beyond enforcement and become trusted allies in the community.

If you're looking for practical tips, success stories, and inspiration to bring more education and engagement into your role as an ACO, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with the passionate leaders of The Animal Alliance, an organization committed to advancing the welfare of animals through advocacy, education, and community action.

We explore:

• How The Animal Alliance got started and what drives their mission today

• Their work in pushing for smarter legislation and policies that protect animals

• Strategies for building strong partnerships with shelters, rescues, and local governments

• The role of public education in creating lasting change

• How individuals can get involved and make a meaningful impact in their own communities

From grassroots efforts to statewide campaigns, The Animal Alliance is reshaping the way we think about animal advocacy. This episode is a powerful look at how organized, compassionate action can lead to systemic progress for animals across the country.

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we’re joined by the inspiring Dr. Alba Michelle Gonzalez—veterinarian, forensic expert, and founder of the Animal Welfare Junction podcast. Dr. G shares her journey from veterinary medicine to launching the Rascal Unit, a mobile clinic providing high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter and essential veterinary care in underserved Ohio communities.

We dig into the realities of veterinary deserts, how the Rascal team pulls off over 13,000 surgeries a year, and why training the next generation of veterinarians in high-volume techniques matters now more than ever. Dr. G opens up about her hands-on mentorship program, her team’s efforts to integrate social work into mobile clinics, and the broader vision of access-to-care as a “One Health” solution that uplifts both animals and communities.

From quality-of-care debates to the future of shelter medicine education, this episode dives deep into how mobile vet clinics can be a game changer—and why Rascal might just be more beloved than the Cleveland Browns.

🎧 Plus, don’t miss the music from Mike Sullivan and check out resources at rascalunit.com and keepithumane.com.

Whether you’re a vet, ACO, student, or advocate, this conversation will remind you: the road to better animal welfare is paved with passion, persistence, and a whole lot of heart on wheels.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Daphna Nachminovitch, Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations at PETA, to unpack the growing controversy surrounding the “no-kill” movement—specifically the bold promises made by Best Friends Animal Society. With a reported annual revenue of $173 million, Best Friends has pledged a "no-kill nation by 2025," a goal PETA says is not only unrealistic, but deeply harmful to animals and the people trying to help them.

Daphna shares PETA’s concerns about how this rhetoric has shaped sheltering policy across the U.S., encouraging shelters to prioritize optics over outcomes. We explore how the use of emotionally charged language like "killing" instead of "euthanasia" and aggressive advocacy tactics have created a culture of fear, burnout, and resentment among animal welfare professionals.

This is a critical, no-holds-barred conversation about what true compassion in animal sheltering looks like—and the cost of chasing promises that sound good but ignore the complex realities on the ground.

In this classic Animal Control Report episode, we tackled the annual chaos that hits shelters and animal control agencies around the Fourth of July. With fireworks booming, pets go missing in record numbers, kennels fill up overnight, and officers work overtime to reunite families.

We break down why this holiday is one of the most intense for the field, what agencies do to prepare, and how the public can actually help prevent the crisis.

It's a reminder of how we’ve always tried to keep it humane—even before the podcast had its new name.

In this episode, we sit down with Audra Michael, the current Secretary of NACA and Director of Pinal County Animal Control in Arizona. With a career in animal welfare that began in 2007, Audra has served in nearly every field role imaginable—from training new officers to supervising field operations. Audra is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University, and holds an Executive Leadership certification from Southern Utah University. She also serves on both the Arizona Companion Animal Committee and the Arizona Animal Cruelty Taskforce. Join us as Audra shares insights into her journey, her expertise in state laws and ordinances, and her unwavering dedication to protecting animals and supporting communities across the nation.

In this classic episode from our Humane Roundup days, we tackled a life-saving topic that never goes out of season: the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars. With temperatures rising and summer in full swing, we revisited the heartbreaking realities and legal consequences of heatstroke in pets. You'll hear real-life stories, expert advice, and practical tips on what to do if you see an animal in distress. This is one of those conversations that could literally save a life—so whether you’re a seasoned advocate or new to animal welfare, this episode is worth the rewind.

Stay cool, stay alert, and never leave your pet behind.

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, we sit down with Clay Foley, the stand-up comedian and animal advocate behind Comedy to the Rescue, a unique organization that uses comedy shows to support animal shelters and rescue groups. Clay shares how he combined his passion for stand-up with a mission to make a difference—one laugh (and one adoption) at a time.

We talk about the highs and lows of rescue work, the healing power of laughter, and the unexpected ways comedy can bring communities together for a greater cause. If you've ever loved an animal or needed a good laugh, this episode is for you.

🔗 Learn more or support the cause at comedytotherescue.org