While Daniel was somewhere over the Rockies on a flight, Ashlee and Ashley held down the fort and sat down with one of animal welfare’s most respected leaders: Kenny Lamberti.In this episode, Kenny shares insights from his decades of experience in community engagement, shelter operations, and national-level advocacy. Together, they dig into the evolving landscape of animal welfare, the importance of building trust with communities, and how we can better support the people doing the work on the ground. Kenny also talks about leadership, equity in access to care, and what the next generation of animal welfare professionals needs from us.This conversation is packed with honesty, heart, and practical wisdom—perfect for anyone striving to “keep it humane” in their daily work.

In this special throwback episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we revisit one of our most powerful interviews featuring David Hunt from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. David was an avid and skilled investigator of animal fighting cases, dedicating his career to uncovering and dismantling some of the most complex operations in the field.This episode is packed with insight, strategy, and practical tips for animal welfare professionals, law enforcement, and anyone passionate about ending cruelty. David’s deep experience and calm, methodical approach to investigations make this a must-listen for those who want to understand how to identify, investigate, and build solid cases against animal fighters.💡 Tune in to learn from one of the best — a true professional who helped set the standard for humane investigations and collaboration between agencies.

In this episode of Keep it Humane, Daniel and Ashley explore an inspiring initiative where teens aren’t just learning about animal welfare—they’re actively shaping it. We dig into the story of the Snake River Animal Shelter’s “Paws for a Cause” program, which brought local teenagers into direct service with shelter animals and their community. East Idaho News
You’ll hear how the five-week program immerses teens in the world of animal care, advocacy and emotional growth—starting with tours and instruction on humane treatment, engaging presentations from animal control officers and vet techs, and then reaching a hands-on high point: creating enrichment activities for shelter pets and a visit to a nearby assisted-living facility with a shelter dog in tow. East Idaho News
We’ll discuss how this kind of humane education benefits everyone involved:

• For teens: building life skills, emotional health, leadership, and a sense of purpose. East Idaho News
• For shelter animals: improved socialization, enrichment, and increased chances of adoption. East Idaho News
• For the community: stronger connections between youth, animal welfare and service.
  We’ll also unpack how shelters and agencies can replicate or adapt similar programs in their own jurisdictions—even if resources are limited—and how these initiatives tie into larger themes of staff and volunteer engagement, retention, and building culture in animal welfare (something we often talk about on this show).
  Grab your earbuds, because this conversation brings hope, practical ideas and a reminder that when young people are empowered—and animals are included—the ripple effects can be powerful.

Takeaways for listeners:

• What it actually looks like to run a hands-on humane education program for teens.
• How to measure and communicate the benefits for all stakeholders (teens, animals, shelters, community).
• Ideas for adapting the model to your local animal control or shelter setting.
• Lessons on staff and volunteer culture: empowering younger generations, creating meaningful roles, and building an inclusive “we” culture.
• Inspiration for turning caring into action—both for the animals you serve, and the people working in the trenches every day.

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 NewsTune 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. PETARachel 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. PETAWhether 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