As Albuquerque faces what some are calling a “kitten takeover,” shelters across New Mexico are stretched to capacity. In this episode, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Val Wilson, Executive Director of Animal Humane New Mexico, to discuss what’s behind the surge in kitten intakes and how shelters can adapt to the changing landscape of animal welfare.

Val shares insights from her leadership journey and the innovative strategies her team is using to balance lifesaving outcomes with sustainable operations. From expanding foster networks to improving access to spay and neuter, she explains how collaboration—not competition—is the key to weathering the storm of kitten season.

We also explore the human side of shelter work: how to maintain staff morale, prevent burnout, and lead with compassion during times of crisis.

Whether you’re an animal control officer, shelter professional, or advocate for community cats, this episode sheds light on what it takes to keep it humane when the kittens take over.

In this episode, Daniel and OG Bishop dive into an inspiring story out of Eastpointe, Michigan, where Animal Control Officer Ashley Sanchez is making a real difference for pets and their owners. They explore how strict city ordinances (Eastpointe spans just five square miles) have been paired with a compassionate outreach program: a pet-food pantry, low-cost vaccination and micro-chip clinics, and a full-service shelter transformation under Sanchez’s leadership. CBS News
Daniel asks: what does this approach tell us about community responsibility and the bond between humans and their animals? OG Bishop brings in a personal angle—how reform and empathy co-exist in unexpected places, and how giving even one creature a better chance changes a bigger story. They’ll unpack the article’s key moves (grant funding for free microchips, the “Four-Legged Friends Pantry,” a microchip-scanning station) and reflect on how similar models might work elsewhere. CBS News
Listeners will hear about the challenges of animal welfare, the creative pivot from a three-kennel garage to a full shelter under Sanchez’s drive, and leave with practical ideas: how to support local pet-owners in financial stress, how to volunteer or set up a micro-chip clinic, and why enforcement plus empathy is a powerful combo for community change. CBS News

Tune in for an uplifting conversation that shows animals’ wellbeing and human community health are more connected than we often think.

In this unfiltered episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, Daniel and Ashley drop the script, silence the filters, and just talk. No guests. No agenda. No BS.
They open up about the highs and lows of working in animal welfare — the burnout, the wins that keep them going, the moments they’ve doubted themselves, and the people who’ve helped them grow along the way. This is an honest, vulnerable conversation between two friends who’ve seen it all in the world of animal control and sheltering.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of the work or questioned whether you’re making a difference, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Steve Kaufman, former leader at PetSmart Charities and now a respected consultant in the animal welfare space. Steve shares his unique perspective on how access to veterinary care is evolving and why it’s one of the most pressing issues facing shelters, rescues, and communities today.

We explore his views on the future of animal welfare, the balance between data-driven strategies and compassion-driven care, and how his consulting work helps organizations build stronger, more sustainable programs. Whether you’re an animal control officer, shelter professional, or advocate for pets and people, this conversation offers valuable insight from one of the field’s most experienced voices.

Join us for a captivating conversation with Arthur von Wiesenberger, the visionary host and executive producer behind AnimalZone. In this special episode, Arthur takes us behind the scenes of the series and shares how his lifelong passion for animals shaped his mission to uplift their stories through media.

We dive into:

• Arthur’s early life, education, and the formative moments that ignited his love for animals

• The evolution of AnimalZone: its purpose, challenges, and key milestones over more than 130 episodes Telvue Video Player+3Animal Zone+3Animal Zone+3

• His journey in motion picture production, and how it intersects with animal advocacy Animal Zone

• The role of rescue and sanctuary in his personal life — from cats and donkeys to a rescued pit bull named Mikey Animal Zone

• Highlights from memorable episodes and international shoots — including work in Japan with ARK and projects with regional shelters LinkedIn+1

• His vision for the future of AnimalZone: how he hopes it will grow, influence, and continue inspiring audiences worldwide

Whether you’re a fan of the show or simply love stories of compassion and creativity, this episode offers an intimate look at how one person’s dedication can bridge entertainment and advocacy. Tune in as Arthur reflects on the power of storytelling to give animals a voice, and encourages all of us to take action in whatever ways we can.

In this episode, we welcome Rachel Bellis from PETA to discuss the organization’s provocative new commercial challenging the “No-Kill” shelter movement and why they believe the approach is failing animals. Based on PETA’s recent feature “What Does Best Friends Animal Society’s ‘No-Kill’ Push Mean for Animals?”, we dig into the realities behind the rhetoric. PETA

Rachel walks us through PETA’s critiques:

• How “no-kill” policies can lead to shelters refusing to accept animals in need and pushing them back into harm’s way. PETA

• Why simply increasing “live release rates” can mislead the public and mask animal suffering. PETA

• The consequences of “return to field” programs for cats, and other practices PETA considers misleading euphemisms. PETA

• Cases and data PETA cites, including shelters that are reportedly warehousing animals, turning away strays, or overextending adoption criteria in ways that may put animals at risk. PETA

We also explore potential alternatives: what models might actually address animal homelessness, suffering, and overpopulation—without empty promises. Rachel shares what PETA proposes instead: stronger preventative measures (spay/neuter, banning sales by pet shops), transparency in shelter policies, humane euthanasia when absolutely necessary, and accountability. PETA

Whether you support the no-kill movement, are skeptical, or just care about animal welfare, this episode aims to challenge assumptions, bring new data to light, and spark a deeper conversation about what truly helps animals.

In this episode, we sit down with Trevor from Shelterly, a mission-driven nonprofit using technology to transform how communities respond to animal crises. Trevor walks us through the vision behind Shelterly: how the platform streamlines tracking, coordination, and communication in the chaos of disasters. We discuss real-world impact — from wildfire evacuations and mutual aid between animal shelters, to reunification of pets and owners — and explore how Shelterly equips responders with tools to act quickly and efficiently.We also cover the challenges: scaling in the face of diverse needs across counties, building interoperability among animal response teams, ensuring accurate data in stressful moments, and what training and preparedness look like before disaster strikes. Finally, Trevor shares what’s next for Shelterly, and how listeners — whether working in emergency response, animal welfare, or simply animal lovers — can support or get involved.What You’ll Learn:The core features that make Shelterly effective in real emergency settingsHow technology can reduce friction in animal rescue, sheltering, and owner reunificationThe importance of mutual aid, inter-agency collaboration, and training in disaster scenariosHow ordinary people and organizations can help Shelterly’s mission

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Mary Wakeham, founder of Refuge4Pets.org.uk, an organization dedicated to breaking down barriers for people escaping domestic abuse by providing foster care for their beloved animals. Mary shares the powerful story behind Refuge4Pets, the challenges survivors face when pets are used as tools of coercive control, and how her team offers hope, safety, and new beginnings for both people and animals. Together, we explore the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, the importance of creating safety nets for survivors, and how this model can inspire communities around the world.

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we take a hard look at the viral Beaumont, California video showing an animal control officer roughly handling a dog.

The incident didn’t just spark outrage online—it reinforced the very “dog catcher” stereotype that professionals have worked for decades to move beyond. Daniel, Ashley, and Ashlee unpack why this kind of behavior sets the entire field back, eroding community trust and undermining the compassion that should define animal control.

Together, they discuss:

• What we know about the Beaumont case and the city’s official response.

• How one officer’s actions can fuel damaging stereotypes.

• The ripple effect of viral footage on public trust in animal welfare.

• What true professional, humane handling looks like—and how agencies can hold their teams accountable.

This isn’t just about one dog, one officer, or one city. It’s about what happens when animal control strays from care and compassion—and how the profession must demand better.

Listen in as Daniel, Ashley, and Ashlee confront the behavior that set this controversy in motion and call for a higher standard in animal welfare.

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel and Ashley sit down with Temma Martin, a longtime animal welfare advocate and communications professional. Temma shares her journey from media to animal rescue, her work supporting shelters and communities, and her passion for collaboration across the industry. We talk about the challenges shelters face, the importance of spay/neuter, and how communication can inspire real change for animals and the people who love them.

Learn more about Temma’s work at operationpawpulation.org.