Talking Animals

Ed Stewart—co-founder and president of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)—recalls what prompted he and his late partner, the indefatigable Pat Derby, to launch PAWS, now marking its 30th anniversary. In answer to a question about what ways the PAWS mission has changed over the years, Stewart explains they never expected to be running a sanctuary—all the more startling, given that organization operates three sanctuaries in California, including the 2300-acre ARK 2000 facility, which houses 21 tigers, 10 elephants, as well as bears, lions and other animals. He also describes the Tiger Rescue situation—involving a horrible facility in Colton, CA where there were dozens of neglected (and dozens of dead) tigers spread across a decrepit, dreadful money-making operation—from which PAWS took in and relocated 39 tigers to ARK 2000, an undertaking Stewart called “the hardest thing we’ve ever done.” He addresses the emotionally-charged saga of the Toronto Zoo Elephants, three African elephants that the Zoo had decided should no longer live in Toronto, but erupted into an international story, as there was protracted debate among various factions over where those pachyderms should go, and even how they should get there. (Eventually, they ended up at ARK 2000.) Stewart also comments on some aspects of the 2014 International Captive Wildlife Conference, a three-day summit PAWS had organized in Burbank a few days before this interview. (www.pawsweb.org)

ALSO: We had a brief conversation with RaeAnna Saks, founder of The Little Cats Rescue, who explained that a confluence of factors had caused the organization’s unintentional transition, at least temporarily, from rescue to sanctuary. Saks also describes the then-forthcoming fundraiser: Drag Queen Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s in Clearwater. (http://thelittlecatsrescue.blogspot.com, www.facebook.com/TheLittleCatsRescue)

COMEDY CORNER: Matt Braunger’s “Owls” (part one) and “Dalmatians” (www.mattbraunger.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Buck Owens’ “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today.

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/TANov19-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Myriam Parham—the co-founder and president of Florida Voices For Animals (FVA)—traces the history of the organization, which she formally launched with her mother, Elena Flanagan, in 1989, but was functioning informally some years before that. Parham recounts the early days of FVA—a Tampa-based animal advocacy organization–and the earliest campaigns and educational efforts, and how, over time, they realized their impact was wider than they initially imagined: originally called Tampa Bay Voices For Animals, they decided to swap out “Tampa Bay” for “Florida.” She also discusses the circumstances behind FVA creating the annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest—largely the doing of board member Isabelle Tassi, who served as chief organizer the first few years–the fifth edition of which was slated to take place the Saturday after this interview aired. Parham describes some of the food vendors, activities, rescue groups , speakers, and other features of the then-forthcoming event. This discussion touches on Gretchen Primack, an animal advocate and acclaimed poet who was set to read at Veg Fest from “Kind,” her collection of poetry that reflects her ardent passion and compassion for animals. (Primack was a guest on “Talking Animals” in February of 2015, a wonderful conversation you can hear here.)   (www.FloridaVoicesForAnimals.org, (www.TampaBayVegFest.org)

ALSO: We had a conversation with Chef AJ, the chef, culinary teacher, and author who was booked to be Veg Fest speaker, and was also presenting a cooking demonstration there. She explains that she has followed a plant-based diet for 36 years, but acknowledges that in those initial years, she made major mistakes in her food choices—noting her talks often include cautionary tales based on those early experiences. Chef AJ also mentions how and why she tends to sing as part of her cooking demos! (www.EatUnprocessed.com)

 

COMEDY CORNER: Nick DiPaolo “Animal Activists” (portion) (www.nickdipaolo.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Lake Street Dive’s “Rabid Animal,” Sean Frew’s “Wild Dog,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Los Lobos’ “Will The Wolf Survive?”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/TANov5.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Kate Benjamin—the cat style expert extraordinaire, founder of the cat design website Hauspanther.com and frequent collaborator with Jackson Galaxy on his show “My Cat From Hell,” helping him create cat-friendly environments for his clients—explains her lifelong love of cats, yet her relatively recent step toward sharing her life with them. 13 of them! Using the new book she co-authored with Galaxy, “Catification: Designing A Happy And Stylish Home For Your Cat (And You!),” as a jumping off point, she describes the Catification set-up in her office and in the “catio” of her condo. Benjamin also notes how her career traveled a circuitous path before arriving at the world of HausPanther and Catification, yet taps the academic training she received before starting down that path: she studied Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell. She discusses the importance of identifying what type(s) of cat(s) live with you, and how that dictates the sort of Catification gambit to employ, addressing the universal significance of including a Cat Superhighway. She also responds to observations about the array of design ideas presented in the book, including those submitted from proud Catification achievers across the world, underscoring that some designs are simple and do-able by virtually anyone, while others seem far more ambitious and daunting. Photos by John Burcham Photography (Kate in office), Rebecca Brittain (living room) (www.hauspanther.com)

ALSO: We had a brief conversation with Cory Cooper, of TampaPets.org, a coalition of Tampa rescues and other animal welfare organizations holding the then-impending major event, Woofstock (www.tampapets.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Joe Zimmerman’s “Pet Snakes” (portion) (www.zimmermancomedy.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Mindy Smith’s “Shelter Me,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Elton John’s “Honky Cat”

AUDIO ARCHIVE

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/TAOct29-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Frank Hamilton and Ken Donofrio—co-founder and president of Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT) and ACT’s marketing and events coordinator, respectively–discuss ACT’s history and evolution, the multiple challenges posed by its building being set on fire by an arsonist, as well as various aspects of its then-forthcoming major fundraiser, Stride For Strays. Hamilton recounts how he and wife—and ACT co-founder Linda Hamilton—were working with a rescue group in the mid-90s and while proud of the group’s results, reached an unpleasant epiphany that the number of animals rescued by that group in a year was roughly equal to the number of animals euthanized in four days. Seeking to make a greater impact in saving the lives of animals, Hamilton recalls, they conducted research and otherwise plotted a course, and in May of 2001, launched ACT, with the primary purpose of providing low-cost spay/neuter procedures. He explains that in 2010, ACT reached its peak of performing such surgeries—12,219—and that number never drops below 10,000 operations annually. Hamilton describes the specifics of how, in April of 2014, a disgruntled would-be ACT client returned and set the facility ablaze, seriously damaging the building and claiming the lives of three cats who lived there. He notes they relocated to their previous, smaller digs, reopening the clinic (albeit in limited capacity) just three weeks after the fire. Acknowledging there are fire-spurred losses and damaged equipment that heighten the need for ACT monies, Donofrio outlines details of Stride For Strays, the organization’s annual fundraiser, which involves a 3K walk and multifaceted festival, taking place this year on Oct. 19 at Raymond James Stadium, and featuring upwards of 100 vendors, a slew of adoptable animals, contests, live music, and more. (http://animalcoalitionoftampa.org, www.strideforstrays.org)

 

 

 

ALSO: We had a brief conversation with Patricia Massari, one of the coordinators of the Tampa Bay Walk For FarmAnimals, explaining the key details of the Walk, a fundraising event for the Farm Sanctuary slated for Nov. 1 at Spa Beach Park in St. Petersburg. (http://walkforfarmanimals.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Drew Hastings’ “Farming 101” (portion) (http://drewhastings.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Good Graeff’s “White Horses,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Robert Plant’s version of “Black Dog”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TAOct15.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Glenda Smith—founder and president of Equestrian Inc. Horse Rescue—discusses becoming besotted with horses as a little girl, starting to ride at age five. She recalls how, as an adult, she underwrote her horse habit—which soon became her horse rescue habit—by working as tennis professional. (She had attended USF on a tennis scholarship.) Smith explains how an early experience buying Arabian horses led to discovering that there was a glut of Arabians around, to the extent there were being abandoned in all sorts of locations; this is where she turned her attention to rescuing horses, some 35 years ago. These efforts, she notes, eventually spawned the birth of Equestrian Inc. Horse Rescue, a 15-acre property in Tampa, with 32 stalls. At this very moment, Smith says, Horse Inc. houses 25 horses, though that population fluctuates, both because she routinely takes in as many as she can accommodate (retired race horse and others who might otherwise be on a path to the slaughterhouse), and that she periodically adopts out some of the residents through a careful, meticulous process—the adoption agreement runs 22 pages. Smith also addresses her reputation as the go-to resource in the area for horse owners who find themselves in a predicament where they become unable to feed their animals, sending them food and hay, and in some cases send them money. Of course, as a 501 (c) (3) organization, Equestrian Inc. itself needs money—its feed bill alone is $5000 per month, not counting veterinary expenses, farrier fees and more—which can be donated via its website: www.equestrianinc.org/

ALSO: We had a brief conversation with Sharon Joller, of The Franciscan Center, about the facility and about the Blessing Of The Animals event they’re hosting on Oct. 2. (www.franciscancentertampa.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Louis C.K.’s “Sharks” (www.louisck.net)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Rickie Lee Jones’ version of “Bye Bye Blackbird,” Wicked Saints’ “Don’t Kill The Blackbird,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Bruce Springsteen’s “Jungleland”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TASept24-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Shari Duval—founder and president of K9s for Warriors, which pairs veterans who suffer from PTSD and other wounds of war with rescue dogs who’ve been specially trained as service dogs to help these veterans function more effectively in civilian life—recounts how concern over profound changes in her son, Brett Simon, after he returned from two tours of duty in Iraq spurred her to launch the organization. She recalls how at the culmination of her research, she felt the best way to help her son, and other veterans plagued by PTSD—in no small measure because of Simon’s background as a K9 police handler—was for them to train rescue dogs to help these warriors. Duval describes how K9s for Warriors functions, both in terms of the training of the dogs and the veterans (chiefly during a three-week stint at the organization’s Ponte Vedra, FL facility), and that in only three years of existence, they’ve forged 147 dog/veteran teams. She shares some specific warrior success stories, enthuses about the new 17,000 square-feet facility under construction in Nocatee, FL, and notes that the operation is funded strictly by private donations. (www.k9sforwarriors.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Matt Braunger’s “Panda Butler”   (www.mattbraunger.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” They Might Be Giants’ “Mammal,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Josh Turner’s “Alligator Stroll”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TASept17-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Kip Andersen & Keegan Kuhn—filmmakers behind the documentary “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret,” which examines how the animal agriculture industry dwarfs all other causes of global climate change (and other ills), and how the most prominent environmental nonprofit organizations look the other way, and worse—discuss their respective backgrounds and how they teamed up for this project. The pair recounts how they decided Andersen would appear onscreen, essentially serving as “Cowspiracy”’s Michael Moore, and when they experienced the “a-ha” moment common to any investigative enterprise, where an important discovery is made or crucial dots are connected. Andersen and Kuhn also address one recurring element of the film whereby Greenpeace repeatedly declines their interview requests, and how this connects to a later scene where Andersen is interviewing a spokeswoman from the Animal Agricultural Alliance (a pro-livestock lobbying group) and asks if the meat and dairy industry ever donates to Greenpeace…and she says she doesn’t“know that I’m comfortable”answering that question. The duo also speaks to how their interviews began ruffling enough feathers that all the entities who had agreed to help underwrite “Cowspiracy” eventually pulled their funding. Andersen and Kuhn explain the outcomes they were seeking with “Cowspiracy,” why the film’s latter section is more upbeat, and how they themselves are optimistic about the future. “Cowspiracy” is slated to screen at 7pm on Sept. 25 at the Brandon AMC in Brandon. Information and tickets: www.tugg.com/events/10953 (http://cowspiracy.com)

ALSO: We had a brief conversation with Kristy Williamson, of Vida de Café–the restaurant in St. Pete Beach, about to celebrate its fifth anniversary–about their monthly raw vegan classes, what folks enrolling in the classes could expect to learn, and more. (www.vidadecafe.com)

COMEDY CORNER: Maria Bamford’s “Vegetarian Oscar Schindler”   (www.mariabamford.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard’s “Good Old Pig, Gone To Avalon,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: King Crimson’s “Elephant Talk”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TAsept10-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Leo Grillo—founder of D.E.L.T.A. (Dedication & Everlasting Love To Animals) Rescue—recalls the circumstances that prompted him to start the 115-acre Acton, CA sanctuary, which this year marks its 35th anniversary. He discusses the guiding principle that led him to help those initial three dozen abandoned dogs he discovered in the mountains, and that drives his days and decisions 35 years later. Grillo explains that D.E.L.T.A. is a “care for life” facility, meaning that none of the animals is available for adoption. He explains both the statistical (on average, people who adopt animals only keep them for 2.5 years, before returning them to the shelters) and anecdotal (assorted deeply disappointing experiences during the time that D.E.L.T.A. did adopt out animals) reasons for this policy, and recounts the final adoption—a dog, Bonnie–that led to the change. Grillo addresses why he located the sanctuary in the desert of Acton, CA, and describes the facility, including the experimentation in housing the animals there that resulted in his innovation of the straw bale doghouse. He fields some listener calls and emails, including one who took great exception to Grillo’s stance on “shaming” those who who’ve adopted pets but find they need to give up those animals for one reason or another. (http://deltarescue.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Kevin Nealon’s “Chimp Fear”   (http://kevinnealon.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” The Replacements’ “Cruella DeVille,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Jethro Tull’s “Mother Goose” (R.I.P. Glenn Cornick)

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TAsept3.mp3

Matthew Gilbert—longtime television critic at The Boston Globe and author of “Off The Leash: A Year at the Dog Park–explains how he grew up uncomfortable around dogs and continued disliking them well into adulthood, until his husband Tom (a lifelong dog lover) turned him around…and the yellow Lab, Toby, joined their family. In response to a mild scolding, Gilbert also explains his reasoning behind buying Toby from a breeder. He addresses the way that Toby and, especially, their daily visits to Armory Dog Park became such a profoundly transformative experience for him, agreeing that when he entered the dog—and dog park—world, he was seeking a transformative experience, even if he wasn’t fully aware of it at the time. Gilbert also reviews some of the unspoken rules of the dog park subculture, codes of conduct governing everything from sharing dog toys to how human relationships forged at the park may–and may not–translate to life outside. As part of that discussion, he details how dog park denizens often employ “dog ventriloquism” to communicate with each other. And in a nod to his main gig, Gilbert briefly talks about his favorite TV shows at the moment, including some new programs (www.matthewgilbert.com)

COMEDY CORNER: Steve Martin’s “Cat Handcuffs”   (www.stevemartin.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers’ “Rare Bird Alert,” “Let The Girl Go Free (Free Lolita),” Featuring Robbyne Kaamil, instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Happy Monster & Lizard’s version of “Old MacDonald Had A Farm”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/TAaug27-.mp3

Dr. Vint Virga—veterinarian, animal behaviorist and author of “The Soul of All Living Creatures: What Animals Can Teach Us About Being Human”—explains how the anti-zoo view he held earlier in his career evolved into seeing zoos in a more positive light. He also assesses whether there’s been a parallel shift in the public perception of zoos, believing that it’s become a polarizing topic, with people either hating or loving them, and no one really holding a middle ground position. Virga discusses his consulting work at zoos helping animals overcome behavioral problems, feeling that all animals—regardless of the caliber of the facility or exhibit—deserve whatever help he can offer, in something of a veterinary equivalent to the Hippocratic oath. Harking back to his days when he was a veterinarian at an emergency clinic, he recounts the story of treating Pongo, a flat-coated retriever hit by a truck and seemingly unlikely to survive, but through Virga’s touch and companionship, the dog rallied. This was a revelatory moment in Virga’s career path, spinning him toward transforming into an animal behaviorist. On a not unrelated note, he acknowledges that he’s a seeker, and that he has been since childhood. (www.vintvirga.com)

ALSO: We had a brief conversation with Marilyn Weaver, executive director of The League of Humane Voters, Florida chapter (LOHV-FL), with an eye toward Florida’s then-pending primary election day, Aug. 26. We discussed the mission of the LOHV-FL, the importance of voting for animal-friendly legislators in any election and at the at least equal importance of doing so in primaries, and examine the animal welfare voting records of a few politicians, including those endorsed—and not endorsed—by the LOHV-FL. (http://lohv-fl.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Ron White’s “Killer Whale”   (http://tatersalad.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Lake Street Dive’s “Rabid Animal,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Genesis’ “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/TAaug20-.mp3