Keep it Humane

What happens when animal rescue becomes about more than just saving an animal?

In this episode, we sit down with The Gentle Barn to talk about the incredible work happening at their sanctuaries in California and Tennessee. From rescuing animals from abuse, neglect, and situations where they might otherwise be euthanized, to creating unique programs that connect people with animals, The Gentle Barn is doing some truly amazing work.

We talk about rescue, rehabilitation, animal sanctuary, education, Cow Hug Therapy®, working with children and vulnerable communities, emergency animal evacuations, and the powerful stories behind the animals who call The Gentle Barn home.

It’s a fascinating conversation about what happens when animals are given a second chance—and how those animals can, in turn, help people heal.

What happens when a professional hockey team uses its platform to make a difference far beyond the ice?

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Courtney Mahoney of the Chicago Wolves to talk about the incredible community work happening through the organization.

Courtney joined us to help promote the Wolves’ upcoming adoption event at their first home game on October 10, 2026, but our conversation quickly became so much more.

We dive into the Wolves’ commitment to animal adoption, their long-running Adopt-A-Dog program, community partnerships, charitable initiatives, and the many ways professional sports can create opportunities to help animals and the people who care about them.

It’s a great conversation about animals, community, sports, and using a platform for something bigger than the game itself.

🏒🐾 Chicago Wolves vs. Animal Homelessness? Now THAT’S a team we can get behind.

Tune in and hear how the Wolves are helping make a difference both on and off the ice.

Animal welfare is rewarding work—but it can also come with an emotional cost that isn't talked about nearly enough.

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Jamie McNally of Fortifyu for an honest conversation about moral injury, compassion fatigue, burnout, trauma, and the psychological challenges faced by people who work with animals.

What happens when you know what you believe is right for an animal, but circumstances, policies, resources, or the system prevent you from doing it? How does repeatedly facing those situations affect the people doing this work?

We explore the difference between burnout and moral injury, why animal welfare professionals can experience unique forms of emotional distress, and what organizations and leaders can do to create healthier, more supportive workplaces.

This isn't just another conversation about "self-care." It's a deeper look at the realities of animal welfare work—and what happens when caring deeply becomes emotionally exhausting.

If you've ever felt frustrated, overwhelmed, powerless, or simply worn down by this work, this episode is for you.

🐾 Keep It Humane: The Podcast
Real conversations about the people, challenges, and issues shaping animal welfare.

What happens when a police K-9 is critically injured in the line of duty? Who is responsible for getting that animal lifesaving emergency care—and what happens when every second counts?

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Lindsay Kendrick of VEG ER for Pets to take a closer look at Nero’s Law in Massachusetts, legislation created to provide emergency veterinary care and transportation for police dogs injured in the line of duty.

We discuss the story behind Nero’s Law, how it works in practice, the role emergency veterinarians play when these calls come in, and the unique challenges of treating working K-9s in critical situations.

But this conversation goes beyond one law. We also explore emergency veterinary medicine, the relationship between animal control, law enforcement, and veterinary professionals, and what it takes to make difficult decisions when an animal's life is on the line.

A fascinating conversation about K-9s, emergency medicine, legislation, public safety, and the people who step up when animals need them most.

🎙️ Keep It Humane: The Podcast
Because every animal matters—and sometimes, saving a life starts with knowing what to do when it matters most.

What happens when a physician, animal welfare advocate, and community educator starts asking some uncomfortable questions about how we approach responsible pet ownership?

In this episode of Keep It Humane, we sit down with Robin Lapre to talk about her journey into animal welfare, the challenges facing animal control and shelters, and why education may be one of the most important tools we have to prevent animals from entering the shelter system in the first place.

We talk about responsible pet ownership, roaming dogs, public safety, community education, and the sometimes difficult conversation about what it really means to be accountable for the animals we choose to bring into our lives.

It’s a conversation about animals, people, and the space in between—and why sometimes helping animals means having conversations that aren't always easy.

Keep It Humane. Help People Help Animals.

What happens to animals used in scientific research? And what does the world of laboratory animal advocacy actually look like?

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Meredith Blanchard of the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) for a conversation that takes us into a part of the animal welfare world many of us rarely encounter.

We talk about laboratory animals, the history of animal research, the push for alternatives, what happens to animals after research, and the complex ethical and policy questions surrounding the use of animals in science.

Whether you already have strong opinions on animal research or have simply never thought much about it, this conversation offers a look behind the curtain and into a world you may not even know exists.

In this episode, Ashley, Ashlee, and Daniel explore the resources available to animal welfare professionals—from training and professional organizations to research, grants, tools, and resources for some of the toughest challenges we face.

We’ve also created a Keep It Humane Resource Page to make it easier to find trusted organizations and resources all in one place.

👉 Visit: keepithumane.com/resources

And there’s a little something extra at the end! 🎉 Listen all the way through for our trivia question. The first person to answer correctly will receive FREE enrollment in a Keep It Humane course!

Think you know the answer? Email your response to [email protected].

Holistic pet health has become one of the most talked-about—and debated—topics in animal welfare. In this episode of Keep It Humane, we sit down with Angela Ardolino, founder of CBD Dog Health and MycoDog, to explore the growing world of natural therapies for pets.

From CBD and medicinal mushrooms to fresh food diets and the endocannabinoid system, Angela shares how she became one of the leading voices in holistic pet wellness and why she believes a more natural approach can help improve the lives of companion animals.

We also discuss the science behind these therapies, where the research stands today, and how pet owners and animal welfare professionals can separate evidence from marketing. Whether you're a skeptic, a supporter, or simply curious about alternative approaches to animal health, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at an evolving area of veterinary care.

Join us for an engaging discussion that challenges conventional thinking while emphasizing the importance of informed, compassionate decision-making for the animals in our care.

Join Daniel Ettinger, Ashley Bishop, and Ashlee Bishop as they welcome Julie Choi, founder of YongsanCats in Seoul, South Korea.

What happens to community cats when an entire neighborhood is demolished? Julie shares the story behind YongsanCats, the challenges of rescuing cats displaced by urban redevelopment, and how her team has helped hundreds of cats find safety through rescue, foster care, and adoption.

The conversation explores community cat management, the innovative Trap-Neuter-Adopt (TNA) model, the impact of large-scale redevelopment on animals, and what other communities can learn from YongsanCats' work.

Whether you're an animal control officer, shelter professional, rescuer, or simply a cat lover, this episode offers a unique look at compassionate, community-based solutions from the heart of Seoul.

Elephants are intelligent, emotional, and deeply social animals—but many have endured years of abuse, neglect, and exploitation before finding safety. In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, hosts Daniel Ettinger, Ashlee Bishop, and Ashley Bishop sit down with Nikki Sharp, Executive Director of Wildlife SOS USA, to explore the incredible work being done to rescue and rehabilitate elephants, sloth bears, leopards, and other wildlife in India.

Nikki shares the remarkable stories behind elephant rescues, the successful campaign to end India's dancing bear trade, and what it takes to care for some of the world's largest and most complex animals. We also discuss the intersection of companion animal welfare and wildlife conservation, why public education matters, and how compassion can create lasting change for animals around the globe.

Whether you work in animal welfare or simply love animals, this episode offers an unforgettable look into one of the world's most inspiring wildlife rescue organizations.