Animal Posse

Francine Guillot of the Spay Neuter Iberia Project (SNIP) joins the Animal Posse Podcast to share a raw, boots‑on‑the‑ground look at what it really takes to fight pet overpopulation in Louisiana. From reviving a dormant nonprofit to rescuing special‑needs kittens like Gump , Francine walks us through the daily challenges, emotional wins, and community gaps that shape animal welfare in New Iberia....

In this episode, host Dixie sits down with Katie Hunt, the driving force behind Shagbark Hickory Farm—a Connecticut-based nonprofit dedicated to the life-changing power of equine-assisted therapy. Katie shares how her farm evolved from a family hobby into a vital community asset, matching semi-retired horses with individuals facing anxiety, autism, ADHD, and cerebral palsy. Discover the incredible...

Carin, owner of Hide and Scratch , joins Dixie to share the inspiring story behind her cat‑focused company and the creation of the Give a Cat a Box program—a donation system designed to bring comfort, enrichment, and security to cats in shelters, foster homes, and adoption centers. She explains how a simple cardboard box can reduce stress, support natural feline instincts, and help cats transition...

Families often feel overwhelmed when their cats develop behavior issues—and many consider surrendering them. In this conversation, Dixie sits down with Matt Wildman of the National Cat Behavior Helpline to explore how his team helps keep cats in their homes through free, phone‑based behavior counseling. From litter box mysteries to inter‑cat conflict, stress‑related behaviors, and the emotional si...

In this episode, Dixie talks with Rebecca McCathern from Helena’s Community Cats of SWGA about the realities of rescuing cats in rural Georgia. From nonstop kitten season to bottle‑baby emergencies, dumping, TNR challenges, and the myths that keep people from spaying and neutering, this conversation shines a light on what rescuers in the South are facing every single day. Rebecca shares how she bu...

In this episode, Vicki Davison of Kindred Tails Sanctuary shares how two feral cats turned into a full rescue on five acres of rural Georgia. She talks about caring for 40+ free‑roaming cats, neonatal kittens, goats, dogs, and the daily challenges rescues face—from overpopulation to lack of spay/neuter access. This conversation is a real look at sanctuary life, compassion, burnout, and why adult c...

In this powerful conversation, Dixie sits down with Diana Tuorto of Horse Rescue United to uncover the hidden world of horse rescue. From auction pipelines and Amish workhorses to senior sanctuary care and lifelong adoption contracts, Diana shares the realities most people never see — and the hope that keeps her fighting for every horse. Hear how her team saves lives, rehabilitates neglected horse...

Some cats shut down in shelters. Others hiss, swat, or go silent. But beneath the “spicy” label is almost always one thing—fear. In this episode of Animal Posse , Dixie sits down with Berlin Waters of The Spicy Cat Project to break down why so many cats struggle in shelter environments, how fear is often mistaken for aggression, and what rescuers, fosters, and adopters can do to help stressed cats...

Rabbit bonding can be one of the most stressful experiences for any pet parent. When the "one-size-fits-all" checklists fail, how do you move forward? In this episode, we sit down with Fiona Murphy , the founder of The Bunny Bonding Coach . As Ireland’s only professional rabbit bonder with over 500 successful bonds under her belt, Fiona brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the table. We discu...

Sonia Guillory didn’t plan on returning to the world of rescue, but searching for her lost cat, Moco, opened her eyes to a massive overpopulation crisis in rural Louisiana. Now an independent rescuer, Sonia joins us to discuss the "brick wall" of community indifference, the dangers of "free kittens," and her tireless mission to provide TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) services to underserved colonies. Abo...

Think you can’t help animal rescue because you’re allergic, live in a small apartment, or don’t have the time to foster? Think again. In this episode, Dixie sits down with Tammy Kaehler , Development Coordinator for Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF) . Tammy’s own journey into rescue started late—and without any hands-on cat experience—but she quickly discovered that a rescue’s survival depends on mor...

What happens when a simple donation of a cat tower turns into a decade-long mission to save hundreds of lives? In this episode of Animal Posse , Dixie sits down with Beverly Paladinetti of Purrfect Peaches Cat Rescue in Douglasville, Georgia. Beverly shares her journey from a self-described "crazy cat lady" to a lead volunteer and grant writer for a rescue that successfully facilitated over 700 ad...

In this episode, we sit down with Nikki, the creative force behind Parish Pets , to explore how a passion for design can fuel a mission for animal welfare. Nikki shares the story of how her pet-based business is more than just a brand—it’s a dedicated engine for giving back to the rescue community and supporting pets in need. About Animal Posse 🐈 Welcome to Animal Posse! We share heartwarming sto...

St. Bernard Parish is facing one of the most intense community‑cat challenges in Louisiana — and today, we’re digging into the solution that actually works. Robbie Denny of the St. Bernard Parish Community Cat Coalition and Snip & Tip St Bernard TNR joins us to share how TNR (Trap‑Neuter‑Return) is reducing stray populations, easing community tensions, and improving life for both residents and...

In this episode of Animal Posse , host Dixie sits down with longtime animal welfare leader Christie Keith for a deep, nuanced conversation about early spay‑neuter through a harm‑reduction lens. With more than 30 years of experience—including work with major organizations like Maddie’s Fund—Christie breaks down why medical guidelines must differ between high‑volume shelter environments and private...

In this heart-to-heart episode, Dixie sits down with Maria , a dedicated animal advocate and "bunny whisperer" from New Orleans, to discuss a growing epidemic: the surge of abandoned domestic rabbits. As Easter approaches, Maria sheds light on why bunnies are the "ultimate impulse buy" and the devastating consequences that follow when the novelty wears off. From a serendipitous rescue in the middl...

When Vicki Johnson-Cain lost her son, William, she turned her grief into a mission of mercy. Today, she joins Dixie to share the story of "Willpower Transport" and her life as a foster coordinator for Take Paws Rescue. From playing relaxation music for stressed pups to the "Crate Tetris" required to fit 15 dogs in one SUV, Vicki discusses the literal miles she goes to give high-kill shelter dogs t...

In this heartfelt episode of Animal Posse , Dixie sits down with Lisa, owner of Pet Wants Metairie, to explore how unimaginable loss transformed into a mission to help pets live healthier, longer lives. After losing her beloved soul dog, Darby, to an aggressive cancer, Lisa began searching for answers. That search led her deep into the world of pet nutrition and ultimately inspired her to open her...

"Be prepared" is a simple phrase, but for Ashley Gardenier of Southern Paws Inc. , it’s a life-saving mission. From the devastating aftermath of Hurricanes including Helene, Michael, Laura, Ian and Ida to the unpredictable chaos of floods and fires, Ashley has seen it all. She joins the show to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of animal disaster relief, sharing what it really takes t...

In this episode of Animal Posse, we meet Hannah Louviere, who founded Forgotten Felines Rescue of Louisiana as a 19-year-old college student after witnessing a stray cat give birth on her campus sidewalk. Now a professional surgical vet technician, Hannah shares how she grew that initial student project into a thriving 501(c)3 nonprofit that handles some of the most complex medical cases in the st...

When a beloved pet disappears, the silence can be deafening. In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Barry of Precision Drone Services to discuss the high-tech frontier of lost pet search and rescue. Joshua joins the podcast to pull back the curtain on how he uses thermal drone technology to locate pets in the toughest conditions. We focus on the high-stakes world of pet search and rescue, the sc...

In this inspiring and deeply educational episode, we welcome Jenni Johnson of Opi•Earth , a licensed wildlife rehabilitator whose work centers on giving vulnerable native wildlife a second chance—especially orphaned opossums. Jenni walks us through what it truly means to rehabilitate wildlife in Louisiana, from the moment an orphaned joey arrives to the careful, skilled process of tube‑feeding the...

Mr. Ed, the longtime beekeeper of St. Joseph Abbey and one of YouTube’s most trusted voices in bee rescue, joins the show to talk about ethical bee relocation, swarm behavior, and the art of working with honey bees. We talk about how he approaches swarm calls, why bees choose the places they do, the gentle techniques that keep colonies intact, and the deeper lessons bees offer about community, pat...

In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes , the duo behind Frame Your Feline , to explore the fascinating journey of how they merged a passion for cats with high-end interior design. They share the story of how they moved from a creative spark to a rigorous design process that prioritizes feline safety and comfort, ultimately creating a product that treats your cat like t...

Independent rescuer and animal advocate Stephanie Smith joins us for a powerful, eye‑opening conversation about what it really takes to protect animals in communities where resources are thin and the need is overwhelming. Stephanie shares the story that changed everything for her in 2022 — a heartbreaking discovery that pushed her from “someone who loves animals” to a full‑time advocate working di...