Defender Radio and The Switch

Host Michael Howie shares the news that Defender Radio has reached 100,000 downloads, and gets a surprise midway through recording! Support Defender Radio on Patreon: www. Patreon.com/DefenderRadio Sign up for The Fur-Bearers email updates: www. TheFurBearers.com/updates .  Follow Defender Radio on: Facebook , Twitter or Instagram .

It's the Easter long weekend and you know what that means – bunnies, chicks and other little critters are being discussed, if not bought, as presents. But as many of you know, little animals aren't just gifts, they're sentient beings who are a lifetime commitment, require love, patience, veterinary care, and many other things. A while back I spoke with my friend Lisa Winn from the Ladybird Animal...

Have you ever looked over at your dog and cat and wondered, "Are they happy?" If you're like me, you probably have. But have you ever asked deeper questions, like are they fulfilled, how do they view themselves in relation to the world, and do they consider life after death? I have, but I think it was 4 am on a Tuesday morning and I'd been up for 23 hours. But that's what ethicists do, sometimes:...

The idea of a west coast seal and sea lion hunt or cull popped up earlier this year. It seemed a bit strange, but that perhaps there was some internal logic: killing seals and sea lions who eat fish could help the beleaguered transient and at risk Orca populations, ensure that fish stocks remain healthy enough for commercial use, and maybe exploit a new market for seal and sea lion -based products...

The science is pretty straight forward when it comes to rehabilitating grizzly bears: it works, and they're not more likely to come into conflict as a result of rehabilitation. But that hasn't stopped the Alberta government from continuing to prevent qualified rehabilitators from taking in grizzly cubs – despite the fact that it's an acceptable and frequent practice one province over in British Co...

If you read enough headlines about the environment and wildlife, it won't be long until you see one like 'kill wolves to protect endangered caribou.' In simple terms, the suggested actions by some government-funded researchers or those with a vested interest in killing animals makes sense: if we remove the predator or competition, the population of an animal targeted for conservation will increase...

John E. Marriott has taken some of the most breathtaking photos of wildlife that I have ever seen. He's the keynote speaker at The Fur-Bearers gala event including the Clements Awards on March 30, and he's been a regular on Defender Radio sharing stories about his adventures, ethical wildlife photography, and conservation. In his latest episode of the popular web series Exposed With John E. Marrio...

Boss' story is similar to many others we've heard this trapping season, but he was one of the few lucky ones. While on a walk with his guardian near his home in British Columbia, Boss was lured to a baited snare and became entangled. Fortunately, he was able to get loose – but the event injured him and has shaken his family. Now they're asking questions like why is trapping taking place on a trail...

Not long ago, Kimberly Ross and her family lost their beloved companion Titus to a legally set snare. This episode features an emotional interview with Kimberly. If you are unable or choose not to listen, I understand – but I do ask that you click on the links in our blog or show notes, or head to www. TheFurBearers.com/snares to take action on banning these horrible, inhumane devices. Snares are...

One year ago today, I spoke about hope in a video like this. It's been a long year, with loss and pain, but I know together we can make change for ourselves, and the world. Listen to Defender Radio: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/defender-radio/id718357541&ls=1 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/defender-radio Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/53h2PqGuJCc5qZgvtVvV...

Reggie Raccoon is looking forward to a day of loot on December 25. Will his greed reign, or will the spirit of giving find its way into his heart?  The Bandit Who Gave Back Christmas was written by Marisa King, who also co-directed, and played the parts of Narrator, Snickers, Stickles, and Sniggles. Marisa King is a local actor, director and animal advocate and can be heard on numerous podcasts in...

Protest and activism are a cornerstone of change, particularly in social issues. While our right to protest and speak are guaranteed by law in both Canada and the United States, some law enforcement agencies push back at those participating in protest or activism – at times beyond their rights. Understanding what your rights are is important for all advocates, but especially for those who hit the...

Before we get started, I want to put out a general advisory – in this episode we will be speaking in a matter-of-fact tone about the cruelty of snare traps and the poison strychnine. You will hear details about how these devices work and the devastation they cause in plain language and that may be upsetting to some listeners. Dr. Gilbert Proulx has seen a lot in his years as a field biologist. And...

The  World Wildlife Fund issued their bi-annual Living Planet report in late October, and it painted a dark reality: humanity has wiped out 60% of animal life on the planet since the 1970s, and that we are marching toward ecological disaster due to our consumption of food and resources. The media had something of a field day with this – experts from WWF and other organizations spoke at length on t...

Changes at the OSPCA, concerns about an NGO being in law enforcement, and the importance of filing reports, complaints, and creating paper trails are discussed with Animal Justice Executive Director Camille Labchuk. Learn more about Animal Justice at www.animaljustice.ca .  Defender Radio Patreon: www. Patreon.com/DefenderRadio Defender Radio Emails: www. TheFurBearers.com/Updates  

If you follow host Michael Howie on social media, you'll know that last week his dog JJ required emergency surgery for a critical, and unpredictable ailment. Fortunately, he knew how to identify this deadly illness and was able to get her to the Mississauga Oakville Emergency Veterinary Hospital in time. Surgery was performed around 2 am Friday morning, and JJ was declared fit to come home and rec...

Wilderness, Wildlife and Human Interaction - Changing the Paradigm is being hosted by the Cochrane Ecological Institute at the Cochrane Ranchouse on November 10.  With an impressive lineup of speakers including scientists, advocates, and rehabilitators, it is surely an event that could help shift the paradigm. Discussing this is Lisa Dahlseide, an organizer of the event, biologist, bear hero, and...

How are ecosystems responding to the warming of the planet? It's a big question, and there isn't a single answer. But specific questions are being asked to help build a better idea of what's happening globally. Two such questions were asked by Dr. Ben Freeman and his colleagues in a paper published in Global Ecology and Biogeography titled Expanding, shifting and shrinking: The impact of global wa...

CONTENT WARNING:  trauma, anger, depression, anxiety, grief, and issues related to mental health today Liz Sinclair Ruth was a vegetarian at a young age. She went on to become a successful veterinarian, helping to literally save the lives of thousands of animals. Today, she is a counsellor in Guelph, Ontario, and saving more lives that she ever could have imagined. I spent some time with Liz at he...

Wuxly Movement is the animal-free, made-in-Canada outerwear brand that animal lovers across Canada are raving about. Full disclosure – I myself have two of the jackets and they're ridiculously warm and comfortable. Inspired to create a winter coat that wasn't adorned with coyote fur or stuffed with goose down, James Yurichuk and his long-time friend Anthony DeBartolo developed Wully Outerwear, whi...

Wuxly Movement is the animal-free, made-in-Canada outerwear brand that animal lovers across Canada are raving about. Full disclosure – I myself have two of the jackets and they're ridiculously warm and comfortable. Inspired to create a winter coat that wasn't adorned with coyote fur or stuffed with goose down, James Yurichuk and his long-time friend Anthony DeBartolo developed Wully Outerwear, whi...

Those in consumptive wildlife activities – hunting and trapping – like to say that they're responsible for conservation of many species. And, in some ways, they are. But there's an important difference between the concept of hunting to conserve and regulating hunting to conserve. And that's the subject of a paper by Dr. Adrian Treves, along with Drs. Kyle Artelle and Paul Paquet. Differentiating b...

Those in consumptive wildlife activities – hunting and trapping – like to say that they're responsible for conservation of many species. And, in some ways, they are. But there's an important difference between the concept of hunting to conserve and regulating hunting to conserve. And that's the subject of a paper by Dr. Adrian Treves, along with Drs. Kyle Artelle and Paul Paquet. Differentiating b...

Wildlife conflict is a major issue across Canada and around the world. As humans continue to alter landscapes, break down connectivity of ecosystems and attempt to control environments without consideration for the complex relationships between predators, prey, and other organisms, it seems that this conflict is increasing. Increasing alongside this is the need for research into how to prevent and...

Wildlife conflict is a major issue across Canada and around the world. As humans continue to alter landscapes, break down connectivity of ecosystems and attempt to control environments without consideration for the complex relationships between predators, prey, and other organisms, it seems that this conflict is increasing. Increasing alongside this is the need for research into how to prevent and...