The Top Dog Podcast

What if the key to saving more animals isn’t building bigger shelters—but keeping pets out of them entirely? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Sheryl Blancato, Founder of Second Chance Animal Services. From her early days as an animal control officer to leading a nationally recognized nonprofit, Sheryl shares how her organization has grown to help over 64,000 animals each year t...

What does the future of animal welfare look like when trust comes first? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Jakie Hernández, Vice President of Shelter Operations and Strategy at the Nebraska Humane Society. With two decades of experience and leadership across communities nationwide, Jakie shares why breaking down silos, meeting people where they are, and leading with empathy are...

It started with a mother cat and kittens in her backyard. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Samantha Shelton, Founder and CEO of Furkids Animal Rescue & Shelters — now the largest no-kill animal shelter in Georgia. Samantha shares how bold vision, resilience, and strategic growth can transform an organization — and a community.

Sometimes, the biggest career shift leads to the most meaningful impact. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we talk with Randa Richter, Humane Programs and Public Media Director at SPCA Florida. After leaving the corporate world, Randa found her purpose in animal welfare — and has spent the last 15 years building programs that support both pets and the people who love them. At SPCA Florida, her t...

What happens when you completely change careers at 40 — and find your true purpose? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Jackie Roach, CEO of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society. After spending decades in retail, Jackie discovered animal welfare later in life and went on to found a rescue that has saved thousands of dogs before stepping into executive leadership.

What does full-spectrum animal protection look like? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we talk with Mike Keiley, Vice President of the Animal Protection Division at MSPCA-Angell in Massachusetts. With more than 30 years in animal welfare, Mike shares how the organization integrates sheltering, humane law enforcement, medical services, relocation, and community outreach to impact over 100,000 ani...

What does it take to lead one of the largest animal welfare organizations in Texas? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Jordan Craig, Chief Operating Officer of Operation Kindness. From starting on the overnight shift at a municipal shelter to leading a 50-year-old organization impacting more than 80,000 pets annually, Jordan shares her journey and what modern animal welfare leade...

Animal welfare is global — and so is innovation. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we speak with Erika Oguro, founder of the Japan Animal Shelter Alliance. After earning her master’s degree in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida, Erika returned to Japan determined to modernize shelter operations through education, translated resources, and technology.

She didn’t expect to land her dream job — and then build a new animal shelter from the ground up. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Casey Shook, Executive Director of Homeward Bound Pets Humane Society in Oregon. Casey shares her journey from pursuing veterinary medicine to becoming an attorney, and ultimately finding her passion in animal welfare leadership.

It started with a cat she tried to save — and a realization that the real solution wasn’t adoption, it was prevention. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Esther Mechler, founder of United Spay Alliance and a pioneer in the spay/neuter movement. For more than 30 years, Esther has worked to reduce pet overpopulation through affordable spay/neuter programs and community-based soluti...

Community cats are not just a shelter issue — they are a community issue. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we talk with Stacy LeBaron, founder of Community Cat Central and host of the Community Cats Podcast. With more than 30 years of experience in community cat programs, Stacy shares how Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), education, and community collaboration can dramatically reduce cat overpopulation...