Save A Pooch - Rescue Dog Welfare- Pet Life Radio Original

In this episode of Save A Pooch, we're joined by Rachel Horton, Director of Saginaw County Animal Care & Control (SCACC) in Michigan. This conversation digs into how a municipal shelter can pivot from reactive enforcement to proactive care. Rachel Horton walks us through SCACC's playbook: early-intervention that keeps pets with their families, community pet-food pantries and access-to-care par...

In this episode of Save A Pooch, we're joined by Linda Velwest, author of City Rescue Pets: Second Chances for Love and Hope and founder of CityRescuePets.com. Linda shares her family's years-long journey fostering cats and dogs in Jersey City—from classroom pets to "foster fails" to the day she decided to adopt not one, but two rescue pigs. We'll explore the realities of animal rescue work, the l...

In this episode, we’re joined by Barb Ashmead, Founder/ Executive Director and Ellen Suettler, Assistant Executive Director of Operation Freedom Paws Canada, an organization that pairs both rescue dogs and people with disabilities, including veterans and first responders, by training them together as service dog teams. Barb and Ellen share how the healing goes both ways: dogs once overlooked in sh...

In this episode of Save A Pooch, we welcome Sarah Cavallaro, award-winning author of Dogs Have Angels Too. Sarah shares the deeply moving story behind her novel, which follows a woman’s emotional journey from career burnout and homelessness to personal healing—thanks to the transformative power of shelter dogs. We explore themes of resilience, the human-animal bond, and the often-overlooked crisis...

This episode features Sloane Quealy-Miner, President and Co-Founder of Zion's Mission Animal Rescue in New York City. She shares the dark world of dog fighting and its implications for community safety and animal welfare. Sloane will also discuss her expertise on recognizing signs of dog fighting, understanding its connection to other forms of violence, and the challenging but rewarding work of re...

This episode features Cara Achterberg, co-founder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out and author of "Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues." Drawing from her experience visiting over 150 shelters in 13 states, Cara shares critical insights into America's shelter crisis and offers practical solutions for change. From heart-wrenching stories of overwhelmed Southern shelt...

This episode will explore animal communications with Callie Kellem, an intuitive animal facilitator at Lightbody Academy. Callie shares her journey of discovering her ability to connect with animals, including the heartwarming story of reuniting a lost dog with its owner. Learn how deepening our connection with animals can help us reconnect with nature and ourselves, as well as gain insights into...

In this episode, we're talking with journalist Carol Mithers about her upcoming book, RETHINKING RESCUE: Dog Lady and the Story of America’s Forgotten People and Pets. This book takes a heartfelt look at the special bonds between pets and their owners, even when those owners are struggling with poverty, addiction, or homelessness. One often overlooked topic is how poverty directly impacts a person...

In this episode, we’ll talk about the world of rescue dogs with Debby, a passionate advocate for rescue dog rehabilitation. Her journey began in the mid-1970s when she noticed the increasing number of terrified pups entering homes. Through her experiences, she shares valuable insights on identifying rescue dogs' triggers, understanding their impact on adoptive families, and providing effective str...

In today’s episode, we're joined by Anne Abel, author of newly released book, Mattie, Milo, and Me. Anne shares the touching stories of how her rescue dogs, Mattie and Milo, helped her navigate grief and depression. We discuss the complexities of adopting pets with undisclosed behavioral issues, highlighting the compassion and commitment required. Additionally, we tackle the debate: does someone w...

In this episode, W.B. Murph, the creative mind behind the children's book, "Molly's Miracle: A Chosen Dog, Not a Broken Dog." W.B. Murph, a former veterinary nurse, shares the remarkable journey of Molly, a lovable Beagle whose experiences mirror the harsh reality of animal neglect. Together with his real-life silly Beagle companion, Murph crafted a narrative that goes beyond the pages, encouragin...

In this episode, we delve into the touching story of Freddie: The Rescue Dog Who Rescued Me with its author, Grant Hayter-Menzies. While Grant is renowned for his historical works, his latest book shifts the focus to a more contemporary and deeply personal subject – his cherished rescue dog, Freddie who has crossed the rainbow bridge in 2021. In this episode, Grant shares the invaluable insights,...

In this episode, we sit down with a professional dog trainer and CEO of Dog Training Elite, Mark Mestas, to talk about ways to reduce the number of dogs surrendered to shelters due to behavioral issues. Today’s show explores the transformative power of effective training for dogs which can make all the difference to their future. Discover expert tips, heartwarming success stories, and invaluable i...

In this episode, we explore the powerful synergy between technology and compassion in revolutionizing dog adoptions. Join us as we talk to Rescue Spot founder Nicole Patrick about how social media, apps and other out-of-box strategies are transforming shelter-to-home connections for dogs in need. Explore avenues beyond traditional volunteering, discover ways to make a difference, and learn about l...

In this episode, renowned animal communicator Claudia Hehr will share her insights on who animals really are. Not what, but who. Her expertise & passion in animal communications has opened up another lens into the animal kingdom and will share with us how animals see the world. As we also open up our perspective, this may influence the dynamics between human and animal in the hopes that animal...

Losing your 4-legged best friend can be one of the most difficult things to experience. Because of their shorter life span than humans, that is often the case. However, it can go the other way around. The dog may also lose their human through illness or death and their lives drastically change to a whole different environment. Unfortunately, it is likely a shelter if family members are unable to c...

In this episode, special guest Stephanie Filer, executive director of Shelter Animals Count: The National Database, will discuss the statistics of shelter admissions over the past few years. Currently, shelter intakes are up across the board and as a result, there is a crisis within many shelters. Have adoptions increased or decreased during the pandemic? Why are the shelters especially overwhelme...

Today's guest is Elizabeth Menegon, founder of Hands 2 Paws, a matching app that helps people with the 2 most important questions when looking for a dog. This episode will discuss the importance of not only choosing a dog based on your lifestyle but choosing ethical breeders if you go that route, so that health issues with the dogs are minimized. EPISODE NOTES: Hands 2 Paws App: Matching You With...

This episode features United Nations photographer Olivia Pritchard and her upcoming new book “MUTTS” which aims to show people who haven't considered adopting a rescue pet or mystery mixed breed – that mutts have just as many unique, lovable, and desirable qualities as pedigree pups. Olivia will share her experience as a United Nations photographer working in combat zones as well as guidance for t...

In this episode, we will discuss how rescue dog adopters can increase their success as canine parents. Unfortunately, there are many adopters that end up returning the dog to the shelter for various reasons. In the case where the adopter just didn't feel a connection, is there a way to address that? Should the connection always be immediate or does it take time? Does the adopter first need to have...

With rescue organizations constantly facing funding challenges, coming up with campaign ideas can be difficult. For City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue, creativity doesn't run short. In fact, they successfully completed a #BettyWhiteChallenge with tremendous support. CDCK also partnered with local Washington DC artists with a win-win campaign. In this episode, co-founder Darren Binder will discuss...

This episode is about shining a light on the fact that rescue dogs not only need us; we also need rescuing with the help of support dogs. With enough education and awareness, this mutual relationship can help us and dogs thrive as we were meant to! “Paws for Love” is a show premiered on DOGTV, that follows Nashville couple Sean and Christina Conlon — and their golden retriever therapy dog Nash — w...

In this episode we will be talking with 'No Dogs Left Behind' Founder Jeffery Beri and Vice President & CEO of USA Operations Jackie Finnegan about their mission and how they are addressing the suspension of the importation of dogs into the United States from 113 countries. They have recently announced its first expansion and presence in Canada with the opening of its first Safe House in Toron...

How can we care for permanently disabled dogs? This topic is an important one to discuss because many injured or disabled dogs are given up by owners to the shelters because they cannot care for them. At the same token, many injured dogs (especially with permanent physical disabilities) have a harder time being adopted. In this episode, Sharon Seltzer, co-founder of Heaven Can Wait Animal Society...

'The Pack' is a television series where 12 dogs and their owners travel the world and compete in fun team challenges for the chance to win the grand prize of $500,000 as well as an additional $250,000 towards the charity of their choice. In this episode, two of the four final contestants, Kentucky and Lucy share their experiences with their rescue dogs Derby and Duchess while filming the televisio...