Meet The Animal People with Chris Whatling

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, Chris sits down with Tara Tanjga, founder of Only Rescues, the app helping rescue dogs and cats find their perfect forever homes.

Tara shares her journey from growing up in Dorset and working in the charity sector, to the life-changing loss of her beloved rescue dog, Max, which inspired the creation of Only Rescues. Described as "Tinder for rescue pets," the platform is making pet adoption more accessible while supporting rescue shelters across the UK.

They discuss the realities of animal rescue, the challenges shelters face, misconceptions about rescue pets, and how the pet industry can do more to support animal welfare. Plus, Tara shares practical advice for anyone considering adopting a rescue dog or cat.

A heartfelt conversation about grief, purpose, resilience, and the incredible impact rescue animals have on our lives. 🐾

This week Chris is joined by Clara Hewson, founder of The Muzzle Movement, to talk about the dogs, the decisions and the determination behind the brand.

Clara takes us from her childhood in Cheshire, when every birthday wish was for a dog, through her years at Dogs Trust and a master's in clinical animal behaviour. We hear about Pig, her constant through her twenties, and Tolly, the rescue pointer whose story inspired the business. Clara opens up about launching her Kickstarter on the day of Tolly's diagnosis, shipping 900 muzzles over Christmas ahead of the XL bully ban, and why every muzzle they design is named after a dog in rescue.

Along the way she shares what makes a good muzzle, why introducing one properly matters, and how to approach a muzzled dog on a walk. Because dogs are so much more than their muzzle. 🐾

Find The Muzzle Movement at www.themuzzlemovement.com and @themuzzlemovement on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn.

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, Chris sits down with Gerard O'Mahony, Director & Founder of The Pet Fellas, for a look back at a career that's taken him from a supermarket graduate scheme in Ireland, through marketing roles at GSK and Bernard Matthews, to running a fine art paper business in the US, seven years at Pedigree, and now building The Pet Fellas - helping international pet brands land in the UK. They talk clarity, listening, what actually makes a brand-retailer relationship work, and why launching in a new market means starting from scratch, no matter how big you already are.

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, Chris Whatling is joined by Sarah Schofield - veterinary surgeon, ICF certified coach, and founder of Positivity in Practice, for a conversation that's been a long time coming.

Sarah's vision is for veterinary medicine to become the dream career so many of us imagined it would be. Through Positivity in Practice, she helps veterinary professionals rebuild their confidence, quiet their self-doubt, and rediscover what they loved about working in practice in the first place.

As recruiters, we sometimes get painted as the people trying to lure vets out of clinical practice. The truth is, if everyone left, we wouldn't have the profession that animals and their owners need. So this episode digs into something we care about deeply: how do you tell the difference between someone who genuinely needs a new career, and someone who just needs a better version of the one they've got?

Chris and Sarah talk about:

- Sarah's own journey from Cambridge vet school into six years of clinical practice, and the moment she realised something had to change the "vet voice" mask so many professionals put on for clients - and what it really costs.

- Why poor management, burnout and low confidence push good people towards the exit, and what can be done before it gets that far.

- How to spot whether it's the practice, the profession, or something internal that needs to change

- Why leaving clinical work doesn't have to be a one-way door.

- What burnout actually looks like, and small, realistic steps that help.

- How Sarah built an AI coach into Positivity in Practice, and where she thinks AI helps (and where it doesn't).

Whether you're a vet, a nurse, or anyone else in the profession quietly wondering "is this it?", this one's worth your time.

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, Chris is joined by Will Bisset, Founder of Scamp & Paw and one of the pet industry’s most original and forward-thinking innovators.

Will shares his fascinating journey from growing up surrounded by wildlife in Africa to finding his way into the pet industry through Pets Corner. He talks about his early experience in pet retail and nutrition, before going on to help develop the UK’s first insect-based cat and dog food and building an incredibly varied career within alternative proteins and sustainable pet food.

Chris and Will also explore the story behind Scamp & Paw a pioneering new pet food made using traceable Norway lobster that would otherwise go to waste. Will explains where the idea came from, why pet health and enjoyment must always come first, and how customers can trace the lobster in each bag back to the fishing boat that caught it.

The episode also dives into whether the UK pet industry is truly innovative, the challenges facing new brands trying to break into retail, and why sustainability needs to feel accessible rather than judgemental. Will shares brilliant insight into building diverse teams, bringing talent into the pet industry from other sectors, and why the best founders surround themselves with people who are better than them.

It’s a funny, refreshingly honest and thought-provoking conversation about pet food, innovation, sustainability, career happiness and the unconventional paths that can lead us to exactly where we’re meant to be.

If you love hearing from the people challenging convention and creating something genuinely different in the pet world, this episode is well worth a listen.

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, Chris is joined by Heidi Luedecke, Marketing Director at LickiMat — one of the most recognisable and trusted brands in the pet industry.

Heidi shares her journey from growing up in Australia and studying art history and marketing, to building a career in the London art world, including time at Tate, before making the leap into the pet industry and joining her family’s business. Chris and Heidi talk about creativity, career pivots, transferable skills, and what it’s really like marketing a global pet brand in a fast-moving industry.

The episode also dives into the LickiMat story, how the brand began, what makes its products so effective, and why quality and pet safety matter so much in a market full of brands trying to emulate their success. Heidi gives brilliant insight into the global success of the business, the realities of trade shows, launching new products, and why she’s so excited about the growth of the cat category.

It’s a warm, honest and insightful conversation about marketing, innovation, pets, and finding your place in an industry that people rarely want to leave.

If you love hearing the stories behind the people and brands shaping the pet world, this episode is well worth a listen.

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, host Chris Whatling speaks with Jade Statt, a veterinary surgeon and founder of Street Vet, a charity providing veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness. Jade shares her journey from a childhood obsession with animals to becoming a vet and eventually starting Street Vet. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by homeless individuals with pets, the misconceptions surrounding homelessness, and the emotional toll of working in this field. Jade emphasises the importance of compassion, community support, and mental health in her work, and encourages listeners to get involved with Street Vet and help make a difference.

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, Chris Whatling sits down with Jo Boughton-White CEO of Dorwest Herbs, a proudly family-run business and one of the longest-standing names in natural pet supplements.

Jo shares her journey from a childhood spent surrounded by animals to forging her own academic and professional path, before ultimately returning to the family business with a renewed sense of purpose. She opens up about the realities of running a multi-generational brand in today’s competitive pet industry, the pressure of staying authentic in a fast-paced market, and what it really takes to maintain a strong company culture.

Together, Chris and Jo explore everything from the evolution of herbal supplements, to the importance of quality ingredients, customer trust, and the increasing commercialisation of the pet market. Jo also discusses Dorwest’s commitment to social responsibility including the Dorwest Foundation and the company’s work supporting rehabilitation and employment opportunities for ex-offenders.

This conversation is full of honesty, heart, and practical takeaways for anyone in the pet industry: from leadership lessons and workplace wellbeing, to product development, marketing, and looking after the animals at the centre of it all.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, family business dynamics, pet health, or simply want to understand what keeps a legacy brand thriving this is an episode you’ll love.

Episode 15: From The Veterinary Profession to Reality TV – Miles Astaire’s Story

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, host Chris Whatling sits down with Miles Astaire — a passionate veterinary professional, advocate for diversity, and star of BBC’s The Traitors.

From growing up in Birmingham to building a career in veterinary nursing, Miles shares his inspiring journey through the highs and challenges of working in animal care. Together, Chris and Miles explore the realities of representation, identity, and inclusion in the veterinary industry — discussing how personal experiences of racism, stereotypes, and being part of the LGBTQ+ community have shaped Miles’ outlook and emotional intelligence.

The conversation dives into the power of mentorship, career progression, and networking, while also touching on what life is really like behind the scenes of reality TV and how visibility in media can spark change in professional spaces.

It’s a powerful, honest, and uplifting discussion that celebrates individuality, courage, and the love of animals — with a few laughs (and a bit of Mariah Carey!) along the way.

Tune in to hear how Miles is breaking stereotypes and inspiring the next generation of veterinary professionals.

In this episode, Chris Whatling interviews someone he truly admires – Dr Marc Abraham OBE. Marc is not only a highly respected veterinarian but also a passionate animal welfare campaigner, author, and media personality. From his early days dreaming of helping animals to leading the campaign for Lucy’s Law, Marc’s journey is both inspiring and deeply impactful.

Chris and Marc explore why communication and empathy are at the heart of great veterinary practice, and how media and social platforms can become powerful tools for advocacy. Marc also opens up about his brand-new film, Dogspiracy, a hard-hitting documentary exposing the dark realities of puppy farming and the fight for better welfare standards.

Throughout the conversation, Chris reflects on his admiration for Markcs persistence, creativity, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of pets. Together, they discuss the importance of community, campaigning, and collaboration – from the vibrant energy of Brighton to the broader responsibility we all share in protecting animals.

Listeners will come away inspired to take action, no matter how small, and to see how one person’s determination can spark real, lasting change.