Keep it Humane

What happens when you hit rock bottom and find a reason to fight your way back? In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Zach Skow, founder of Marley’s Mutts, for a powerful conversation about addiction, recovery, resilience, and the life-changing bond between humans and animals.

Zach’s journey is anything but ordinary. From battling addiction and facing end-stage liver disease to rebuilding his life through sobriety and animal rescue, he’s turned personal struggles into a mission that changes lives. Through Marley’s Mutts, Zach has helped create meaningful connections between people and dogs through rescue, rehabilitation, and programs that demonstrate just how much animals can transform our lives.

We talk about the moments that changed everything, the challenges behind the work, and why helping animals can sometimes mean helping people heal, too.

This is a conversation about second chances, finding purpose in unexpected places, and discovering that even at your lowest point, your story isn’t over.

🐾 Learn more about Marley’s Mutts and the incredible work they do to help people and animals: https://www.marleysmutts.org/

🎧 Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about recovery, redemption, and the power of the human-animal bond.

What happens when the job you dreamed of becomes something you can no longer reconcile with your values?

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Madeline Krasno, co-founder and Executive Director of Justify, to discuss her journey from working as a primate caretaker at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to becoming an advocate for animals used in research.

Madeline shares her experiences working inside a primate laboratory, the animals who left a lasting impact on her, and what ultimately led her to speak out. We explore the realities of animal experimentation, the emotional toll on people who care for laboratory animals, and the importance of supporting those who want to create change from within the system.

We also discuss transparency, free speech, and the challenges of challenging powerful institutions.

This is a conversation about animals, accountability, and what happens when personal experience changes the way you see the world.

Because helping animals sometimes means listening to the people who have seen things the public rarely gets to see.

🎧 Tune in to Keep It Humane: The Podcast for another conversation about the complexities of animal welfare and the people working to make a difference.

In this episode, we sit down with Friends of Animals to explore the wide-ranging work they’re doing to advocate for animals around the world.

From their roots in low-cost spay and neuter to wildlife protection, animal law, habitat conservation, vegan advocacy, and sanctuary work, Friends of Animals has taken a unique approach to animal advocacy for more than 65 years.

We talk about their work protecting wild horses and burros, fighting for threatened and endangered species, supporting chimpanzee sanctuaries, challenging policies through the courts, and finding new ways to create a better future for animals.

It’s a fascinating conversation about animal advocacy that goes far beyond the traditional shelter and rescue model—and the many different ways people can make a difference for animals.

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].