Unmuzzled: A Pawdcast with Sarah Lauch

As technology advances, we are able to reach people quickly and easily and for someone facing the loss of a pet, this could be a game-changer. A new platform called Pawprints Care enables users to text with a therapist or doctor about anticipatory grief or pet loss grief. For people that would rather not face someone in a large group or in person, this could be an incredible way to connect about t...

"As long as we are alive, we need to live." The Live Like Roo Medical Director sent me an email and said "sit down and watch this with no distractions." The brilliant short film that I watched touched my soul immediately. Renee Baffert joins me to talk about Eben, the inspiration behind the film, as well as her work in pet loss grief counseling. It is a great convo. Watch the film here: https://ww...

In 1953, six women noticed an issue with the local "pound" and started to help with resources and education. Now, 72 years later, Hinsdale Humane Society's mission is built around not only saving animals, but providing resources and education in their community. The Director of Development, Erin joins me for a conversation on the big difference Hinsdale Humane Society is making for pets and the pe...

Jessica Siegfried is the founder of Pittie Chicks, a clothing brand for pit bull lovers.  She recently collaborated with an author to tell the story of her own dog Bull, with the message of not judging a book by its cover and breaking stereotypes for pit bull type dogs. A great podcast! To buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Curious-Case-Beefy-Bull-Collection/dp/B0F89FXJNG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L0WMA1...

John Fabiano tired of corporate America and decided to travel the world photographing dogs in their environment. In the process, he snagged the 2024 Documentary Photographer of the Year with a photo he took in Greenland. John is a great example of taking chances.  Another special guest. Thank you John. More here: https://www.instagram.com/fabs5180   Unmuzzled is presented by Yutka Fence, Canine Cr...

Mark helped me out in a desperate time needing a photographer for our calendar and what he sent back to me was breathtaking. Mark does a lot of end-of-life sessions and has one of the best eyes for photography that I have ever seen. Mark joins me for a terrific conversation on how tough it can be to shoot these sessions and how he learned photography. For more: https://www.facebook.com/markluther....

"I hope we can get our message out and show you how dog food can be made because no one else really wants you to know how they make your dog's food."  With so much buzz about dog food, it is so hard to know what is best for your pet. Matthew Anderson, the Founder of Kibbies dog food, joins me. With a recipe of WHOLE ingredients, delivered fresh, it is easy to see why he decided on this business mo...

"What I was not prepared for is the heartache of losing them."  Farm animals are often discarded in some of the worst ways. More and more farm sanctuaries are popping up and doing the really tough work. Freedom Run Farm Sanctuary assists abused and neglected farm animals in Illinois and is hoping to help even more! For more: www.freedomrunfarmsanctuary.com Unmuzzled is presented by Yutka Fence, Ki...

"It is so easy to sit behind a keyboard and berate people. Change is possible if people are willing to work with them." Imelda has been a friend of mine for 10+ years and I have watched her blossom into a beautiful human being who keeps evolving. We first met at Chicago Animal Care and Control where she was an Animal Control Officer and I was a volunteer. We each helped the other to save lives. Sh...

"It takes $75,000/month to run the sanctuary." With over 700 in their care Sara (Society for Rescue and Adoption) Sanctuary is often a last stop for animals that would otherwise be euthanized or discarded. Founder Tracy Frank converted her family ranch to a magical place for all kinds of animals including pigs, llamas, dogs, donkeys an so much move. She is a terrific guest. For more: https://www.s...

"Don't tell them your sorry, tell them thank you. You are helping them."  -Dr. Kent Morton It is never too late to make a career change and for Dr. Morton of Bond Vet, he not only made a switch, but he has made a huge splash in the vet med field with FIP cats and frenchies. Though he has some specialties, being in a general practice WITH urgent care at Bond Vet has taught Dr. Morton that each day...

"You do not have to give up your whole life and have 100 acres to be an animal advocate or to save pigs." Pigs are magical animals. I had a few pet pigs growing up. They are SO smart and the abandoned and abused have been given a 2nd chance with Chicagoland Pig Rescue. They are doing incredible work and are celebrating  years this month, with over 300 PIGS SAVED! For more: www.chicagolandpigrescue...

Planting a tree in memory of a beloved pet helps the human grieve, but it is also great for the environment. Trees for Pets started in Australia and has had so much success that it is now available in the US. Marlen Farley joins me for a great conversation on this remarkable business she founded. More here: https://www.treesforpets.com.au/ Unmuzzled is presented by Yukta Fence, Canine Crews, Kiki'...

"I would love a dog sanctuary." -says every animal-lover Attorney David Kerpel is making his dream (and thousands of others) a reality in the suburbs of Illinois. As construction starts on an old horse farm, David and his team are busy making sure everything is perfect for their new residents. The key to this sanctuary is that it is just a stop along the way of the dog's journey. The hope is to pu...

Starting a rescue is never easy....starting a rescue in the middle of a shelter crisis is ballsy....but 1 year in and Chicago Rescue Authority (CRA) has proven that they are here to stay. CRA takes many pregnant Moms, as well as many other discards animals... and sometimes they have to make tough decisions. CRA strives for advocacy and education so more people decide to rescue. They have also seen...

Tanya Smith, the CEO of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge joins me to discuss the incredible work they do with big cats who have been abused and neglected. For more: https://www.turpentinecreek.org/

I remember hearing about cremation by water a few years ago and dismissing the idea. After talking to Founder Phillip Flores Jr, I am not sure I will ever do a fire cremation. Knowledge is power and Phillip does a great job of telling us why water cremation is kinder and greener. For more: https://www.petcremationbywater.com/

From Cage to Couch does incredible work taking broken beagles from labs that were used for testing and giving them back the life thy deserve. Mary, the Founder, and her sister started the organzation as a huge bust happened in 2022. They took in a bunch of beagles that were bred to be used in labs for testing and from there have kept going to save even more. It is a tricky process and with patienc...

A few weeks ago, my jaw dropped as a drone operator zeroed in on a lost dog. The drone targeted an area where no one could get to during the search. It was incredible! I reached out to Mike Smith of Smithic Air and he agreed to come chat with me about the work he does with lost pets and beyond. As technology advances, so does the way we are able to search for lost animals and humans. An INCREDIBLE...

One of the questions that I get asked the most is, "do you now somewhere that will take a pet for a few weeks while the owner gets back on their feet?" Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Utah does JUST that. With times really tough, especially the last few years, this organization has changed so many lives. Pets belong with their owner. Kristina is a wonderful guest! For more: https://www.ruffhaven.o...

"There is a universal truth and people that have loved an animal and have been loved by that animal want to give it love, respect and dignity in the end."  Paul Koudounaris book "Faithful until Death" bring a new light to a sometimes difficult topic. This is a great podcast with tons of insight on pet cemeteries, loyalty, and the brilliance of cats! Take a listen at the link in the bio! #pets #pod...

"The less human interaction with the animals, the more neglect. The more human interaction, the more violence. At livestock auctions there is constant interaction, so there is constant violence."  Pete and Cailen, from SEED ( Strategies for Ethical and Environmental Development) give us the latest on livestock auction investigations and it is SHOCKING and appalling. For more: https://www.seedlives...

Rescue rides can be the link between death and life. Rachel came up with this idea of Rescueber back in 2019 and has not slowed down since. Rescues, shelters and animal controls from all over the US depend on her to get animals to safety. This is a great podcast with Rachel! For more: https://www.rescueber.org/

"They will have puppies in the back and wiping the snot off their nose and get them out the door." The best way to get to the puppy mill and puppy store problem is to SEE what is going on that is hidden behind closed doors. It is atrocious and inhumane. Thanks to investigators like Pete, slowly but surely, puppy mills are running into more and more laws and crackdowns that impede the work that the...

 I met Alicia many years ago and we did a lot of cool work in the rescue community, including a calendar with some big name Chicago athletes and quite the opposite --sitting in the chilly weather on a diversion shift at Chicago Animal Care and Control. Now, Alicia has moved back to her hometown where she is making an impact with a children's book, as well as a new brand called The Lake Dog. I LOVE...