The Rescue State

This week on The Rescue State , we’re leaning into the spirit of giving and exploring real ways you can make a difference for animals this holiday season.  From donating to your favorite local rescues, to supporting shelters with Amazon wishlists, to dropping off cozy blankets for pups in cold kennels, small acts of kindness open the door to big change. We have an exciting sweet, new foster named...

Join us for one of our most important conversations yet as The Rescue State sits down with Lauren and Anthony from the Animal Welfare Data Center .  Together, we explore a side of animal welfare that doesn’t get talked about enough: data.  The answers needed for change are hidden in numbers and trends that reveal why dogs are entering shelters, where resources are falling short and how we can fina...

In our first interview for The Rescue State podcast Season 2, I sit down with longtime animal advocate Tessa Behr to talk about everything fostering — the real, the emotional, the messy and the life-changing. Tessa shares her step-by-step fostering roadmap to help anyone know exactly what to expect when opening their home to a shelter dog: from the first car ride, decompression and training and th...

In this emotional second part journey of our first foster Bergy, I open up about what it’s really like to love a dog you’re expected to let go.  The joy, the heartbreak and the exact moment Bergy made it clear that rescue work would become my purpose. This episode isn’t just about her journey; it’s about love, loss and the calling some dogs are placed in our lives to reveal.  If you’ve ever wanted...

In this emotional Season 2 opener for The Rescue State , Kim shares how her first foster dog, Bergy, changed her life and opened her eyes to the realities of animal shelters, the fostering experience and California’s homeless pet crisis. Join us for the first part of this powerful two-part story.  You won’t want to miss it!

In the season’s finale of The Rescue State podcast, I dive into one of the biggest loopholes backyard breeders use to sell puppies: Craigslist.  Even though Craigslist bans the sale of animals, many people try to get around the rules with misleading ads.  In this episode, I walk you through how to spot these posts and show you how to turn “flagging” them into a game.  Together, we can push back ag...

In this episode of The Rescue State , we dive into one of the most powerful and often overlooked ways you can save a life...Fostering!  Rescues cannot do what they do without fosters opening their homes and hearts to dogs in need.  I share why fostering is so essential, bust a few common myths that might be holding people back and offer practical pointers for anyone on the fence.  Whether you’ve b...

In this second part of our brachycephalic breed series, we take a hard look at how backyard breeders are fueling the crisis inside high-kill shelters.  By overbreeding bulldogs, Frenchies, pugs and other short-snout dogs often with severe health issues, these breeders prioritize profit over animal welfare.  This leaves thousands of dogs to suffer and end up in shelters at alarming rates. Together,...

In this week’s episode of  The Rescue State , I dive into the hidden costs of owning brachycephalic breeds; think pugs, English bulldogs, French bulldogs and other flat nosed breeds.  These sweet, little companions often require extensive and expensive medical care from breathing difficulties to chronic skin and eye conditions. Sadly, many end up in shelters when families can no longer afford thei...

In this episode of  The Rescue State , I sit down with Kevin and Sue Walshe, the incredible founders of Promise 4 Paws . Together, we dive into the tough but necessary conversations about the realities of animal rescue and the immense joy that comes from saving lives. Promise 4 Paws isn’t just a rescue—it’s a powerhouse team of fosters and volunteers who have built something truly extraordinary. T...

In this listener Q&A episode of The Rescue State, Kim tackles your most pressing questions about California’s homeless dog crisis. Packed with eye-opening facts and insight into shelter realities, this episode sheds light on the complex reasons behind the state’s overwhelming homeless dog population. From unenforced laws to gaps in resources, Kim breaks down the “why” behind the crisis—empower...

In this episode, I sit down with Kristi Young, a rescue coordinator with Loved At Last Dog Rescue . Together, we share our firsthand experiences rescuing dogs from California shelters and transporting them to Vancouver, Canada, where they find loving foster homes and forever families. Kristi opens up about the unique challenges rescues face in California, from overwhelming shelter numbers to restr...

In this first episode of The Rescue State, host Kim Moodey shares the heart behind the mission: turning California into a No Kill state by supporting high kill shelters. Kim opens up about her personal journey into animal rescue and introduces the story that started it all—the emotional, unforgettable rescue of a foster dog named Apollo. It’s a story of heartbreak, hope, and a call to action for e...