The Animal Welfare Junction

We are back after a short break, and we couldn't have asked for a better guest to get us back on track. Dr. Adam Stern, professor of forensic pathology at the University of Florida, joins us to discuss poisonings and starvation in the veterinary forensic setting. This is an educational and informational episode and, while it is a difficult topic, there is nothing gory about our discussion. This to...

Everyone knows someone who says they work with animals because they hate people. Or maybe you are that someone. But what we must realize is that as animal welfare advocates we cannot separate the animals from their humans. The human-animal bond is a very important relationship, and to care for one we must acknowledge the other. Dr. Jonathan Gonzalez is a veterinarian practicing in the State of Tex...

This episode contains topics that may be difficult to hear or that can be triggering to some listeners. Please take care of yourself and pause or stop if needed. This episode also has explicit language.  Our guest K.D. Hearst, host of “Don’t F* up the Crime Scene”, joins us to discuss a case he worked on years ago in the state of Georgia involving sexual assault on a dog by two young kids. Au...

Episode 37: SpayFirst with founder Ruth Steinberger Shelter euthanasia is not the problem. Shelter overpopulation is not the problem. We are looking for a solution to animal welfare issues while overlooking the real problem. Pet overpopulation and lack of access to care is the cause of increased shelter intake and thus shelter euthanasia. Until we acknowledge that lack of affordable and accessible...

In 2017, officers Daniel Ettinger and Salvador Aguirre were able to close a case that started in 2014. Marleen Puzak avoided investigation for years following complaints of animal neglect at her property. This episode breaks down the details of the case, a review on hoarding disorder, and the importance of mental health evaluations. Our guest Daniel Ettinger (co-host of the Animal Control Report)...

There has been a lot of media attention to a "mystery" respiratory disease affecting dogs, and many pet owners and rescues are understandably concerned. But is it as mysterious or dangerous as it is being reported? To answer this question, we have invited Dr. Jeanette O'Quin, Associate Professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. O'Quin has training and experience in...

Homelessness is a serious crisis in the United States, with the most recent report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development dated December 2022 finding over 580,000 unhoused people on a single night in January of 2022 (hud.gov). It is a sad reality that pet ownership by housing-insecure individuals and families is a significant obstacle to sheltering and affordable housing. The lack of a...

The lack of financial access to veterinary care creates a ripple of negative effects. It poses challenges such as delayed or foregone medical treatment for pets, compromising their health and undermining the broader objectives of the One Health approach. This issue is exacerbated by credit inequality, where individuals with limited financial resources may struggle to afford veterinary services, po...

On this episode, our guest Dr. Michael Blackwell explains the concept of OneHealth and the importance of caring for both animals and their caretakers to promote wellness throughout the community, with a particular emphasis on services for communities lacking in resources. Family health does not stop at the humans or the animals, but involves both. And this must incorporate mental and physical heal...

We hear the term no-kill often within the rescue and shelter community, but do you know what no-kill actually means? You may be surprised to learn the facts behind what it takes to be a no-kill shelter and the impact it has on the current pet overpopulation and rescue hoarding crisis. Our Guest, Daphna Nachminovitch, head of PETA's Cruelty Investigations Department, joins us to discuss this topic,...

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including animal abuse and interpersonal violence. Domestic violence affects the whole family and unfortunately, often the family pet and animals. What most people don’t realize, is that abuse of a family pet can be one of the most serious indicators of the most at risk people and children. Perpetrators who harm animals rarely stop at animal victims and are...

The shelters are overcrowded. This is a sad reality. And these animals are there at no fault of their own. Part of the problem is when individuals purchase animals without researching or learning about the traits of the breed or the individual dog and end up with a pet that is not compatible with their lifestyle. Today's guest, Elizabeth Menegon, is the creator of Hands 2 Paws, an app that helps i...

Puppy mills are facilities in which dogs suffer in mass to produce puppies for sale. If you purchase a puppy from a pet store, there is a risk that it is coming from a puppy mill. But what are puppy mills? Who regulates them? How can consumers protect themselves? Shalimar Oliver, Animal Crimes Manager from the Humane Society of the United States, joins us again to discuss these and other questions...

Dr. Jeff Young is the founder of Planned Pethood International, but many know him as Dr. Jeff, Rocky Mountain Vet. His passion for helping animals and their caretakers as well as educating the next generation of veterinarians is clear. Join us for a 45-minute ride into many topics affecting pet care, affordability, and the veterinary profession. We discuss compassionate care, technician utilizatio...

Warning: This episode dives into animal crimes and sensitive topics On this episode, Dr. G and guest Mark Randell discuss different animal crimes and the LINK between animal and interpersonal violence from a local and global perspective. Mark Randell is a retired senior detective from the UK police. In that role he was was responsible for covert operations, criminal intelligence and analysis and i...

Episode 25 explores the affordable and accessible veterinary care and social work service provided by Columbus Humane's Essential Care Center. Rachel Finney, CEO, and Dr. Laura Advent, Chief Medical Officer, discuss why the center was created, who their target pet owners are, the services the provide along with pricing structures, and how others can follow this example. The ability to afford veter...

For most families, their pets are part of the family and, when met with housing difficulties, they may face the decision of choosing a roof over their head or their pets. This is a decision no one should have to make. In Cincinnati, Ohio, an amazing organization called Found House Interfaith Housing Network (FHIHN) provides pet support to individuals facing or experiencing homelessness. Garrett Pa...

Do you know what to do if your pet gets lost? Or if you find a lost pet? Leslie Poole, Executive Director of Pet FBI, shares the history of Pet FBI, how to utilize the services or the organization, and what we can do as pet owners to increase the chances of reuniting with our pets. For more information, visit www.petfbi.org.

What is veterinary social work? This episode’s guest, Alicia Kennedy, is a social-hearted veterinarian who provides care to animals but also the people who love them. Through the use of social workers, she has created a practice that centers around the human-animal bond. It is an amazing service, one that we hope others will learn from and perhaps bring into their own practices. Mentioned in this...

What is Give Them Ten? Learn about this movement, aimed at giving cats an extra life by promoting spay neuter and other efforts that benefit shelter and community cats. Deborah Cribbs and Monica Tarrant share with us how this program got started and the reach it has today. They also have information on how organizations throughout the country and beyond can become part of the Give Them Ten movemen...

Dogfighting is a cruel and barbaric act that is not only harmful to the animals, it is also a danger to the community. To understand this topic, we have invited dogfighting expert from the Humane Society of the United States, Janette Reever, to discuss what is dogfighting, what isn't, and what it means for Pit Bulls. We also touch on the breed, breed specific legislation, responsible sheltering, a...

Tessa Cannon, founder and director of For the Love of Primates, joins us to discuss the topic of primates as pets and in research, both conditions that lead to physical and mental health problems in this species. Join us to learn about the needs of primates, why they need our help, and how you can be involved as a Primate Protector. For more information on the organization, visit www.fortheloveofp...

What is the best age to sterilize dogs and cats? There are many opinions on both the benefits of sterilization as well as the risks, and most of the concerns expressed currently are based on research published from a referral hospital. But is the information applicable to all animals? What are the risks and benefits? And what are the implications of not sterilizing our pets? Dr. Phil Bushby, Board...

Dr. Sam Valerius, from All Critters Veterinary Clinic in Grove City, Ohio, joins us to share information on the basic needs and common ailments of exotic pets. We discuss (in order) snakes, lizards, turtles, birds, spiders, fish, rats, mice, hamsters, and wildlife. If you own an exotic pet, are contemplating getting one, or if you are in the veterinary field and interested in helping exotics patie...

Do you know the do's and don'ts of large scale investigations? Are you looking to learn more about procedures or resources available to humane officers and officials investigating animal crimes? Shalimar Oliver, Animal Crimes Manager from The Humane Society of the United States, joins us for a detailed discussion of what it takes to properly conduct an investigation as well as the things to avoid....