In this engaging episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we’re joined by Christine Mott, a powerhouse attorney, dedicated animal advocate, award-winning author, and strategic advisor. Christine brings a wealth of expertise from her work advising businesses and nonprofits on commercial contracts, governance, and corporate strategy. Her impressive client roster includes BlueNalu, Kadem Sustainable Impact Corporation, Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Lantern Publishing and Media, NADAP, and more.

We dive into Christine’s remarkable career journey, from her time as General Counsel at ICSC — where she oversaw all legal and governance issues for a 70,000-member trade association — to her earlier work at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, where she represented global corporations and nonprofits in high-stakes litigation and investigations.

Christine shares insights into the intersections of law, business, and animal welfare — from legislative advocacy for animal protection to her leadership as former Chair of the NYC Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at her debut children’s book, Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight, inspired by the true story of Flaco the owl’s flight to freedom.

Whether you’re interested in animal law, corporate governance, or creative storytelling, you’ll find Christine’s journey inspiring and thought-provoking. Tune in to hear how she’s using her legal and creative talents to make the world a better place for both people and animals.

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we’re exploring how smart, evidence-based giving can bridge the gap between farmed animals and the animals we see every day in our shelters. We sit down with the team from Farmkind.Giving, an organization that uses rigorous research to recommend top animal charities—ensuring that every donation goes to the most effective organizations.

We’ll learn how Farmkind.Giving’s meticulous approach to charity evaluation mirrors the life-saving work animal shelters do every day—stretching limited resources, saving lives, and making every dollar count. From using Animal Charity Evaluators’ in-depth research to collaborating with expert grantmakers, Farmkind.Giving helps donors maximize their impact, just like shelters aim to do for every animal in their care.

Plus, we’ll discuss their innovative Compassion Calculator—a unique tool that empowers anyone to “offset” the harm caused by factory farming, no diet change required. Just like animal shelters provide resources and support for our communities, Farmkind.Giving’s approach to giving helps farmed animals and creates a kinder world for all.

Tune in to discover how these lessons in smart giving can inspire animal shelter professionals, volunteers, and advocates to rethink how we can all do more good—together.

*Bonus Episode from the Muddy Paws and Hairballs podcast

The no-kill movement promised to revolutionize animal sheltering by saving lives and ending unnecessary euthanasia. But behind the catchy slogans and glowing statistics, a different reality lurks – one that’s rarely discussed. In this eye-opening conversation with animal welfare expert Daniel Ettinger, we dig deep into the issues plaguing some shelters striving for that elusive 90% live release rate.

As a rescuer myself, I'm experiencing a system overwhelmed by its own ambitions. Shelters don't have a clear understanding of what it means to be no-kill, and communities are not set up to provide all the realities needed to make no-kill work. Instead, shelters are closing their doors when full to avoid euthanasia and maintain high live-release rates, finders are stuck with animals they can’t keep, and rescues are buckling under overflow. Even worse, some animals are warehoused for years, leading to questionable quality of life. Daniel shares a more balanced alternative – SMART (Saving More Animals Responsibly Together), an approach that addresses the root causes and focuses on community resources, transparency, and responsible care.

We discuss how the relentless pursuit of arbitrary statistics, like the 90% live release rate, has led to dangerous consequences, including the adoption of unsafe animals and public safety issues. We also explore why adopting more pets isn’t the solution and how real change starts with accessible veterinary care, housing policy reform, and community education.

This episode challenges the black-and-white thinking surrounding animal rescue and offers a fresh perspective on how we can all contribute to more sustainable, humane solutions. Tune in for an honest look at the no-kill movement and discover why we need a smarter approach to animal welfare.

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In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, hosts Daniel Ettinger, Ashlee Bishop and Ashley Bishop take to the skies with Michael Schneider, founder of Pilots to the Rescue—a nonprofit organization that unites aviation and animal welfare in an extraordinary way. Michael shares his journey from tech entrepreneur to pilot on a mission, flying at-risk animals from overcrowded shelters and disaster zones to safety and second chances.

We discuss the logistics behind lifesaving flights, the emotional impact of rescue missions, and how everyday people can get involved—whether they're pilots, animal lovers, or both. This inspiring conversation highlights the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and compassion in animal welfare.

Strap in for a high-flying episode that proves when people work together, even the sky isn't the limit.

In this thought-provoking episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Harvard-educated attorney and author Elizabeth MeLampy for a deep dive into the world of animal law, environmental justice, and the quirky cultural traditions that shape our relationships with animals. Elizabeth shares her journey from clerking for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to litigating high-impact environmental cases, and how her academic work with Harvard’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic and the Brooks Institute helped shape her interdisciplinary perspective.

We also explore her debut book, FORGET THE CAMEL: The Madcap World of Animal Festivals and What They Say About Being Human—a captivating blend of legal insight, cultural anthropology, and personal narrative that examines how animal-related celebrations reflect our human values, contradictions, and capacity for empathy. Tune in for an engaging conversation that challenges assumptions, celebrates curiosity, and redefines what it means to advocate for animals.

In this episode, we sit down with the Humane Educators of Texas to dive into their incredible work across the country. From their innovative training programs to their community outreach efforts, they’re helping reshape the future of animal welfare through education and advocacy. We explore Humane H.E.L.P. and how it is making an impact on compassion fatigue. Tune in to learn how Humane Educators of Texas are making a real impact and how their approach to humane education is creating stronger, more compassionate communities.

In Part Two of our conversation about KC Pet Project, we discuss the unexpected loss of their animal control services contract and what it means for their organization, their staff, and the community they serve.

In this gripping episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we recount a disturbing case that unfolded on January 27, 2022, when a concerned citizen called Denver Animal Protection to report the sounds of a dog being beaten inside an apartment at 5190 Broadway Street.

Officer Daniel Ettinger responded to the call and was met with silence, resistance, and ultimately a scene that revealed shocking conditions. Inside the apartment, four dogs were found confined to a small closet covered in urine and feces, with no access to water and visible signs of injury and neglect. One dog had fresh wounds, and three were underweight and crammed into a wire crate without a bottom tray, lying in their own waste.

This episode takes you through the officer’s experience as he obtained a warrant, entered the residence, and discovered the heartbreaking living conditions. We discuss the process of identifying the individuals involved, the legal actions taken, and the steps that led to the dogs’ impoundment and potential new path to recovery.

We highlight not only the resilience of the animals but the importance of vigilance from the community and swift action from animal control professionals. It’s a powerful reminder of why our work matters and how we can be a voice for the voiceless.

In this episode, we’re joined by representatives from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to dive into their highly anticipated State Rankings Report, a comprehensive annual review of how each U.S. state protects—or fails to protect—animals through its laws. We break down the top-performing states, the ones falling behind, and what these rankings really mean for the animals, the public, and the professionals enforcing the laws.

From felony penalties and mandatory reporting to courtroom victories and legislative gaps, ALDF walks us through the trends, wins, and challenges they’re seeing across the country. Whether you're an animal control officer, shelter leader, advocate, or policymaker, this conversation sheds light on where progress is being made—and where urgent change is still needed.

🐾 Learn how your state ranks, what’s working, and how you can be part of the push for stronger animal protection laws.

In this powerful episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Rock, Georgia’s state animal crimes resource prosecutor, to discuss the staggering 475-year prison sentence handed down to Vincent Lemark Burrell for his role in a massive dogfighting operation.

Jessica walks us through the details of this groundbreaking case—how an Amazon driver’s report led to the discovery of 107 dogs in horrific conditions, the intensive legal battle that followed, and why this historic sentence is a major turning point in the fight against dogfighting.

We also dive into the realities of dogfighting in the U.S., the challenges in prosecuting these cases, and what this unprecedented sentence means for the future of animal cruelty enforcement. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation about justice, accountability, and the ongoing battle to protect animals from violence.