Keep it Humane

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

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.