Dog Desk Radio Podcast

For National Dog Bite Prevention Week, our director Michelle Robertson, who studies street-born dog behaviour on the streets and within shelter environments speaks about bite risk. In this episode, she addresses what happens to dogs after relocation into homes. Some street-born dogs, newly arrived from overseas, have gone on to bite, in some cases leading to euthanasia. These incidents are not fre...

This week’s animal welfare bulletin brings together reports from multiple countries, revealing a consistent pattern across systems. In Turkey, large-scale dog removals continue without transparent data, while an illegal horse slaughter operation uncovered in Çatalca raises serious questions about oversight and enforcement. In the United Kingdom, dog control policies and enforcement powers remain u...

Vultures: Europe’s Most Misunderstood Environmental Heroes In conversation with Jose Tavares from the Vulture Conservation Foundation , we unpack the bad press vultures face, why they’re actually good news for ecosystems, and why protecting these vital scavengers is essential for Europe’s environmental health. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

Championing Canine Welfare: A Conversation with Carol Fowler of The Dog Breeding Reform Group Join us for an in-depth conversation with Carol Fowler , founder of The Dog Breeding Reform Group (DBRG), a leading UK charity campaigning for healthier, more ethical dog breeding practices. Carol shares her personal journey from dog owner to lifelong advocate, explains the critical issues facing pedigree...

When a Collar Becomes a Threat: A Conversation on Preventing Dog Strangulation Injuries Dog collar strangulation is a silent risk that continues to injure and kill dogs worldwide. In this discussion with Lynette Smith of the RyderSafe Foundation , we examine why traditional collars can be dangerous, the scenarios where risks are highest, and how simple changes in practice and equipment can save li...

Join filmmakers Richard Pierce and Anton Leech as they expose the disturbing lifecycle of captive-bred lions born on farms, raised for tourist interactions, shot in canned hunts, and ultimately exported as bones for international markets. This conversation examines: * How lion farming operates as a commercial supply chain rather than conservation. * The role of canned hunting in providing a lucrat...

Diving for Change - How One Man is Cleaning Newfoundland’s Seabeds In this eye-opening interview, Shawn Bath from the Clean Harbor Initiative takes us beneath the surface of Newfoundland’s coastal waters to reveal the scale of submerged pollution threatening marine life and local ecosystems. Shawn explains how he has devoted himself to diving off the coast to remove discarded fishing gear, plastic...

Description In this inspiring conversation with Josie Sharrad of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), we explore the extraordinary journey of Bear a once unwanted dog who became a highly skilled detection expert, locating injured and displaced koalas so they can receive lifesaving medical care. Josie shares how Bear’s training transformed his future, the critical role he plays in koal...

In this compelling interview, Shirley Lack from the Wombat Protection Society talks to us about the challenges facing wombats across Australia from habitat loss and disease to outdated legislation that once left these gentle animals unprotected. Shirley explains how her organisation mobilised public support, challenged misinformation, and worked tirelessly to overturn a damaging law, securing long...

A Conversation with Professor Claudio Sillero on Saving the Ethiopian Wolf Join us for an in-depth discussion with Professor Claudio Sillero, a leading expert on the world’s rarest canid the Ethiopian wolf. In this compelling conversation, we explore the unique ecology and behaviour of this iconic species, the escalating threats posed by habitat loss, disease transmission from domestic dogs, clima...

In this conversation with Ashley Leiman from the Orangutan Foundation, we talk about the serious threats facing orangutans today and the crucial work being done to protect their habitats, their lives and their future. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...

Dana from the Wolf Conservation Center (USA) joins us to share what it really takes to protect wolves through hands-on rehabilitation, public education, and building understanding where fear and myths still dominate. We talk rescue and recovery, what rehab looks like in practice, and how education can be the difference between conflict and coexistence. #WolfConservation #WildlifeRehab #Conservatio...

We spoke with Patrick Ramage about the increasingly precarious situation facing the North Atlantic right whale , a species listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List . This conversation explores the main threats pushing these whales toward extinction and what must be done urgently to prevent their disappearance. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get a...

We spoke with Sheryl Fink from IFAW about the reality of the commercial seal hunt in Canada , its history, current realities, and the ongoing fight to protect seals from commercial exploitation. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or g...

This Christmas, we’re sharing a powerful conversation with Jill Robinson , Founder and CEO of Animals Asia , about the brutal reality of bear bile farming and the extraordinary change that’s possible when compassion meets action. Jill takes us inside Animals Asia’s pioneering rescue work, from saving bears from tiny cages to giving them the space, care, and safety they’ve always deserved. It’s an...

Felix Blume and the Voices of the Streets Mutt Dogs of Belo Horizonte In this fascinating conversation, we speak with Felix Blume , co-ordinator of Mutt Dogs , about a remarkable sound piece that places stray dogs centre stage in Belo Horizonte, southeast Brazil. Through sound, presence, and careful listening, the project gives voice to dogs who live on the streets, inviting audiences to experienc...

Christmas Conversations: Standing for Lions with Lion Aid In today’s Christmas Conversations, we are joined by Lion Aid , an organisation working tirelessly to protect and preserve the world’s remaining lion populations. This timely discussion explores the urgent threats facing lions, the vital conservation work underway, and why safeguarding these iconic animals matters now more than ever. A conv...

Roxy Danckwerts: A Lifetime Dedicated to Saving Wild Elephants In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, we speak with Roxy Danckwerts of Wild Is Life Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery about her life’s work rescuing, rehabilitating, and protecting vulnerable wild elephants. From the realities of orphan rescue to the long, patient journey of rehabilitation, Roxy shares the challenges, triumphs, and deep...

Honouring our Unsung Hero Paul Christian of Protect All Wildlife I had the joy of speaking with my very dear friend Paul Christian from Protect All Wildlife a genuinely kind gentleman and a true force for good in the animal welfare world 🐾💛 We spoke about his deep love for the natural world and a fundraising career that has raised more than £70,000 for vulnerable animals . Inspiring, hopeful, an...

A Conversation With Nicky Campbell In this conversation with Nicky Campbell, we discuss the themes that run through his written work, One Of The Family. We talk about adoption, being bipolar, loving dogs & coincidences. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dogdeskanimalaction.co.uk/subscribe

In this conversation with Peter Egan, we reflect on his long and highly successful acting career, spanning decades of acclaimed work on stage and screen. Alongside his professional journey, Peter speaks about his commitment to veganism and how compassion for animals has shaped his values, choices, and advocacy beyond the spotlight. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and suppor...

The Hidden Cost of the Exotic Animal Trade Cruelty, Risk, and Global Consequences In this conversation with Pete Kemple Hardy from World Animal Protection, we examine the realities of the exotic animal trade exposing the severe cruelty inflicted on wild animals and the often-ignored risks this trade poses to human health. Drawing attention to the movement of wildlife from emerging disease hotspots...

Cross-Border Compassion: A Conversation with Romana from Todd’s Welfare Society In this conversation, I speak with Romana from Todd’s Welfare Society about their spay and neuter campaign in a Lahore housing association where Dog Desk funded much needed rabies vaccinations. We discuss the realities of frontline animal welfare in Pakistan, the importance of international participation and how commun...

What Rabbits Really Need: Insights from Rae Walters of the RWAF In this episode, we sit down with Rae Walters from the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) for a truly eye-opening conversation. Rae’s depth of knowledge, compassion, and decades of experience in rabbit welfare shine through as she guides us into the often-misunderstood world of domestic rabbits. She enlightened us on the realiti...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Victoria Bryceson , the visionary founder of Miracle’s Mission , a charitable organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled, injured, and vulnerable animals. Victoria shares her extraordinary journey, from rescuing her first dog Miracle to building a global mission that provides rehabilitation, prosthetics, wheelchairs, and safe sanctuary...