Earlier this year, Vermont’s first director of animal welfare, Lisa Milot, released a report on how the state responds to animal welfare and cruelty cases. She discussed plans to modernize the system, emphasizing the need for clearer standards, stronger enforcement and additional resources.

We also heard from Medora Plimpton, who runs Howling Mountain Wildlife Rescue from her home in Starksboro. She is one of only a few people in Vermont licensed to work with rabies-vector species such as foxes, skunks and raccoons. Plimpton also shares what to do if you encounter an injured or baby animal.