Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Why are our animal shelters broken? It starts with a massive misunderstanding. Too many people judge a tax-funded municipal shelter by the exact same yardstick they use for a private rescue. But their core missions are completely different. In this episode, we break down why a shelter is not a rescue, how this confusion leads to finger-pointing, and how working together—instead of competing—is the...

Words matter. Decades ago, the term "no-kill" revolutionized animal welfare and ignited a movement. But today, has that very vocabulary become weaponized? In this powerful episode, we dive deep into how our language is fueling the current animal shelter crisis—leading to packed facilities, public confusion, and severe burnout for shelter workers. We are challenging the status quo and pro...

A conversation with Meridith Perry , who inherited a Mississippi animal shelter on the brink of collapse. When she took over, the facility was broke, dangerously underequipped, bound by strict city intake contracts, and trapped in a legacy of long-term warehousing. Worse, the local community had no idea how dire the situation really was. In just two and a half years, Meridith completely turned the...

In this eye-opening episode of Who Will Let the Dogs Out? , co-founder Cara Achterberg tackles the escalating animal crisis with raw honesty and a glimmer of hope. While shelters innovate with new foster models, pet retention programs, and spay/neuter funding, a deeper issue is dragging true animal welfare backward. Cara boldly exposes how the standard "90% live-release rate" for no-kill...

What happens when our "save them all" slogans collide with the heartbreaking reality of underfunded, overwhelmed animal shelters? After visiting over 200 shelters and hearing from thousands of workers on the brink of collapse, Cara pulls back the curtain on the "Impossible Task" we’ve handed our shelter staff. In this episode, we dive deep into the two worlds of animal welfare:...

The animal shelter world has shifted drastically since the pandemic, and we need to talk about the uncomfortable reality behind the headlines. In this episode, we share what we witnessed during our recent shelter tour—from the unintended consequences of the "No-Kill" label to the heartbreaking rise of animal warehousing. We dive deep into why the animal crisis is worsening, exploring the...

The animal crisis in our country is growing every day. The solutions we've used for decades are helping us tread water but make no real progress. We need new solutions. Here's one! Cara shares four ways to have a Post Adoption Program that helps adopters, dogs, and shelters/rescues. Plus 7 ways why you need to start doing post adoption programs on some level NOW. Visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut...

Utilizing local businesses and organizations can be a shelter's superpower when it comes to engaging its community. Here are five ways to invite them to help you, not only find the supplies and resources you need, but to get dogs (and cats) into homes faster, and create strong advocates who will make the shelter a beloved resource. To learn more about our work, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org H...

We just got back from our latest shelter tour. We've now made more than 200 visits to shelters in 16 states, yet I learn more with every tour. We were able to visit some remarkably successful shelters on this tour and I'm going to share 7 key takeaways from the places that are succeeding in not just saving lives but serving their communities. To learn more about our work, visit WhoWillLett...

Explanation of the difference between different types of shelters (municipal, nonprofit, regional), examples of some exemplary ones, and how they function, plus ideas for funding any kind of shelter. This is Chapter Six of Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues. This book is available on Amazon or through our website. Book sales enable us to give the book out for...

We just got back from a tour of shelters in southern states and some things were very clear. A shelter's intake practices can compound the crisis, but they can also force shelter leadership to make hard choices. This podcast shares some of what we saw and poses some of the questions we all need to ask if we want to solve our animal crisis. for more information, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org T...

Stronger Together is a program to bring together all the players: rescue and shelter employees, volunteers, and advocates, plus government officials and change makers to solve the animal crisis in their community. Here's what it's about and what happens at these free events and why we host them. Free Registration for Memphis event on 10/25/25: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stronger...

A brief episode explaining why we visit animal shelters, what our purpose is, and what happens when we go there - and afterward. For more information, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org If you have questions or would like to suggest a shelter we should visit, contact Cara@WWLDO.org

Shelters and rescues all over the country are overwhelmed. Our stray population is growing. More dogs are being surrendered. More dogs are being killed. Adoptions have slowed. Transports have slowed. And yet, some national animal welfare organizations say things are getting better. It's time for a frank conversation about the situation. To learn more about us, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org .

This episode dives into the critical pieces of veterinary access and community engagement for shelters and rescues. This is the second half of the chapter on Solutions and it's packed with ideas for programs and practices to help your organization engage your community, as well as, creative solutions to the struggle for veterinary access in the south. Learn more or get your copy of the book at...

Why do volunteers matter and why truly great shelters have them at the heart of their program. This episode offers inspiration and practical ideas for developing a volunteer program at your animal shelter or rescue. Learn more at: WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

Cara Achterberg, cofounder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, shares the new program, InstaSnip, for easy and accessible spay and neuter funding available to our shelter partners and to anyone. To learn more about our work, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org With questions or to talk more about this idea, contact Cara (cara@wwldo.org) If you're one of our shelter partners and would like to participate...

The first half of chapter five of Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues shares stories of leaders who are finding ways to save lives. Includes actionable ideas for putting in place right now and inspiration for leaders. Click here for more information on Who Will Let the Dogs Out, what we do and how we help shelters. Click here to purchase a copy of the book, Wh...

We just completed a shelter tour of six shelters and rescues in North Carolina and Georgia. Here's what happened, who we visited, and what we learned. To read the blog post this episode is based on (and see pictures of the places we visited), click here. To learn more about us and the work we do, visit our website: www. WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

This is the fourth chapter from the book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues. Learn more or get a copy for yourself at: Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Traveling to shelters and rescues is the basis for all of our work. Here's why we do it and why it's so important. If you'd like to learn more about Who Will Let the Dogs Out, visit our website: https://whowillletthedogsout.org/ If you'd like to donate to our Shelter Tour Fund, click here . If you'd like to inquire about sponsoring one of our tours, contact Cara Achterberg (car...

This is the third chapter in our book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues read for you by the author. To purchase a copy (or one for a shelter or rescue), click here. If you are a shelter or rescue, you can request your free copy by contacting Cara@wwldo.org. To learn more about the work we do visit: www. WhoWillLetheDogsOut.org

Our visit to Memphis Animal Services was eye-opening. It's a tough situation and thankfully a lot of people are working to change that. You can read the blog post that shares pictures and specifics about our visit here. If you want to donate to Team Memphis, the incredible network of people working SO hard to save lives from the Euthanasia List, click here. If you'd like to help my foster...

The second chapter in our book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues shares thoughts on the words 'no-kill' - what the original concept was for the no-kill declaration/movement and how it has been misinterpreted by the general public and shelters/rescues. You can learn more about the book and/or order a copy at WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org Who Will Let the...

This was our second visit to this dog pound in rural Tennessee. Find out what life is like in this Carroll County dog pound in February 2025. You can see a written version of this visit on our website: https://whowillletthedogsout.org/improve-huntingdon-animal-shelter/ If you'd like to shop for the dogs at the pound, visit the Amazon Wishlist of the Rescue Sisters: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wi...