Freedom of Species

We’re joined by activist and academic Jess Ison who discusses her research challenging the use of prisons and other punitive measures as a way to counter animal abuse. If you’d like to look further into the issues of prisons and prison abolition, Jess recommends the book Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Davis: https://www.sevenstories.com/books/2907-are-prisons-obsolete Jess Ison is a part of The I...

We're in the studio with local representatives Monique Luci & Tania Milton of the global campaign to stop the dog & cat meat trade, who explain the extent of dog & cat consumption around the world including here in Australia, and why this is one of the very cruellest trades.   Monique & Tania are also organisers of a march scheduled for Melbourne on Saturday 2nd June, which is the campaign's World...

We speak with Megan Moon, the founder and president of the Humane Education Coalition. Megan describes what humane education is, why the world needs it and what the Humane Education Coalition is doing to make humane education a prominent part of our education landscape. Humane Education Coalition  https://www.hecoalition.org/

The Animal Justice Party's Andy Meddick chats about the community of Lara campaign against a cruel 4500 head intensive goat factory and processing plant, in what has truly been a David and Goliath struggle, battling not just the international dairy giant, but City Hall as well!

On 28th April 2018, over 2000 activists took to the streets of Melbourne for what was to become Australia's largest animal rights march. We play an edited recording of the speeches from that historic evening. Photo courtesy of Love Bree PhotographyAussie Farms  https://www.aussiefarms.org.auDominion the film  www.dominionmovement.com

We RW joined by a founder of the orgnisation Young Voices for Animals (Yva), along with some participants from the first round of Yva's Catalyst program. Catalyst is a free leadership program that offers passionate young people aged 16 ‑ 18 the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to take their love of animals to the next level and build a more compassionate future. We chat about the Ca...

We’re joined by historian and animal advocate Gonzalo Villanueva who discusses his book A Transnational History of the Australian Animal Movement, 1970-2015. The discussion covers academia and activism, the importance of history, the campaign against live animal export, and vegetarianism and veganism in the animal movement. Beyond his academic work, Gonzalo is also an activist with the Coalition A...

Do you think threatened & highly stressed animals should be used for fun & entertainment value ? Animal Liberation Qld are calling for a ban on rodeos after two bull deaths last weekend. At the very least, ALQ want a ban on the calf roping event which is banned in Victoria and SA. We speak with Gayle D'Arcy, ALQ Campaign Director for Rethink Rodeos. Take action & sign please: http://rethinkrodeos....

We talk with Revekka Eli (pictured), lead organiser with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) Melbourne, and Rochelle Van, of Animal Activists Australia.  They explain why the recent surge of slaughterhouse actions and restaurant disruptions, both locally and internationally, is getting the attention of mainstream media. Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) Melbourne:  https://www.facebook.com/dxemelbourne/An...

We share two talks one about vegan companion animals and the other discusses human population and why it's important to think about in relation to animals. Professor Andrew Knight – Vegan Companion AnimalsFor more on Professor Andrew Knight’s research on vegan companion animals, visit his website: http://vegepets.info/Biography: Andrew Knight is Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics, and Director...

Lucy’s Project is busy raising awareness that "we fail to save human domestic violence victims lives when we fail to address the whole family - paws and all." We chat with Lucy's Project founder, Anna Ludvik. https://lucysproject.comMy Saving Grace: http://www.mysavinggrace.org.au/

Sam Tucker is Vegan Outreach's coordinator for Australia & NZ. He's handed out something close to a quarter of a million leaflets that promote a vegan diet to end the suffering of farm animals. Consequently, he knows a thing or two about effective leafleting & gave a presentation on this very subject at Melbourne's Animal Activist Forum late last year. Whether you're seeking a non-confrontational...

Trap-neuter-return for urban and periurban cats has proven to be a highly successful component for community cat population management. Why aren't we adopting these community cat programmes more in Australia when we can't actually afford the alternative proposed ? We listen to an illuminating presentation by Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand who is the Executive Director & Chief Scientist of the Aus...

Laurie Levy, campaign director and founder of the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, brings us up-to-date on the campaign to stop Victoria's routine recreational slaughter of native waterbirds, including last year's massacres at Koorangie Marshes which shocked even the Game Management Authority.  He goes on to explain what we might expect this coming killing season. We also find out how to support a...

We speak with Kristin Leigh, the lead organiser of the campaign Melbourne Against Horse Drawn Carriages. Kristin gives us an update on some recent changes to the campaign and where it is headed in the future.

Parks Victoria  plan to eradicate all the  brumbies in the Bogong High Plains of Victoria which is not founded on any peer reviewed science.  Jill Pickering from the Australian Brumby Alliance unpacks the injustices & inconsistencies of the evidence used to back the cull. We have until Friday to tell Parks Victoria to not eradicate all the brumbies! Scroll down  to follow link to feedback form for...

We're sharing the talk given by dedicated animal liberation activist Joey Carbstrong at last year's Animal Activists Forum in Melbourne. Joey offers excellent advice to fellow activists, concerning the fine art of vegan outreach communications, whether it be online or on the street. Drawing on his own experience, he explains candidly what works and what doesn't.  If you sometimes struggle with eff...

The 29th January is the deadline for submissions to prevent a rollover of the 20 year Regional Forest Agreement. This agreement has exempted the logging industry from national environment laws which means many protected species and countless others are basically bulldozed with their habitat! Take the greenwashed glasses & earphones off and tune in  as we replay a chat I had with Ed Hill from GECO...

We're joined by vegan neuropsychologist Dr Ash Nayate to discuss how neuropsychology can inform vegan advocacy. We also chat about activist burn-out and the importance of self-care.

We're in the studio, chatting with wildlife ecologist Joshua Griffiths (pictured here) & conservation photographer Doug Gimesy (photo credit) about threats to the platypus.  They also tell us about a nifty 'citizen science' initiative PlatypusSPOT, new technology that detects platypus DNA in waterways, and the Victorian Alliance for Platypus Safe Yabby Traps which has been formed with the objectiv...

In this episode we speak with Philosopher Michael Hauskeller about the problematic framing of animals within transhumanism. We also chat with recently completed PhD Ashley Keefner about her thesis on how prejudice impacts the study of animal minds.

This is the talk given by Brad King, director of Farm Animal Rescue (Qld), at the recent Animal Activists Forum in Melbourne.  Brad details the cruelty & terrible suffering caused by farmed animals' genetic design.  He also shares some wonderful stories of the FAR sanctuary residents who, now in safety, are able to express their normal range of social and emotional behaviours. Farm Animal Rescue  ...

In this week’s show we check the pulse of the vegan community in Melbourne by speaking to people at the Spring Vegan Festival that was held at the old meat market. We discuss the challenges facing animals, what is inspiring about the vegan movement and where people find hope.

Pam Ahern's presentation from the recent Australian Animal Activist Forum. Pam is the Founder and Director of farmed animal sanctuary Edgar's Mission (Victoria, Australia).Pam's talk was a journey of self-discovery from animal lover to animal advocate as she explores the role of farm sanctuaries in the bigger picture of creating a kinder world for animals. This is the perfect show to share with fr...

In March this year, Darebin Council in Melbourne, Victoria, announced the next pound contractor will be a 'no kill' shelter facility for companion animals. Our guest is a major driver of that momentous change - Kathleen Chapman from Save Darebin Pets. The Maneki Neko Cat Lounge  info:http://www.neko.org.au/neko-hq/November 3rd GECO Citizen science camp info ( note there are a few camps over summer...