Keep it Humane

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel and Ashley sit down with Adam Blankenship, an Animal Control Officer in Virginia Beach, to talk about one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of the job: community engagement and education.

Adam shares his passion for proactive outreach, building trust with the public, and empowering residents with the knowledge they need to better care for their animals. From c...

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with the passionate leaders of The Animal Alliance, an organization committed to advancing the welfare of animals through advocacy, education, and community action.

We explore:

• How The Animal Alliance got started and what drives their mission today

• Their work in pushing for smarter legislation and policies that protect animals

• Strategies for building strong partnerships wi...

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we’re joined by the inspiring Dr. Alba Michelle Gonzalez—veterinarian, forensic expert, and founder of the Animal Welfare Junction podcast. Dr. G shares her journey from veterinary medicine to launching the Rascal Unit, a mobile clinic providing high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter and essential veterinary care in underserved Ohio communities.

We dig into the realities of veterinary deser...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Daphna Nachminovitch, Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations at PETA, to unpack the growing controversy surrounding the “no-kill” movement—specifically the bold promises made by Best Friends Animal Society. With a reported annual revenue of $173 million, Best Friends has pledged a "no-kill nation by 2025," a goal PETA says is not only unrealistic, but deeply harmful to a...

In this classic Animal Control Report episode, we tackled the annual chaos that hits shelters and animal control agencies around the Fourth of July. With fireworks booming, pets go missing in record numbers, kennels fill up overnight, and officers work overtime to reunite families.

We break down why this holiday is one of the most intense for the field, what agencies do to prepare, and how the public can actually help prevent the cr...

In this episode, we sit down with Audra Michael, the current Secretary of NACA and Director of Pinal County Animal Control in Arizona. With a career in animal welfare that began in 2007, Audra has served in nearly every field role imaginable—from training new officers to supervising field operations. Audra is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University, and holds an E...

In this classic episode from our Humane Roundup days, we tackled a life-saving topic that never goes out of season: the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars. With temperatures rising and summer in full swing, we revisited the heartbreaking realities and legal consequences of heatstroke in pets. You'll hear real-life stories, expert advice, and practical tips on what to do if you see an animal in distress. This is one of those co...

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, we sit down with Clay Foley, the stand-up comedian and animal advocate behind Comedy to the Rescue, a unique organization that uses comedy shows to support animal shelters and rescue groups. Clay shares how he combined his passion for stand-up with a mission to make a difference—one laugh (and one adoption) at a time.

We talk about the highs and lows of rescue work, the healing power of la...

In this engaging episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we’re joined by Christine Mott, a powerhouse attorney, dedicated animal advocate, award-winning author, and strategic advisor. Christine brings a wealth of expertise from her work advising businesses and nonprofits on commercial contracts, governance, and corporate strategy. Her impressive client roster includes BlueNalu, Kadem Sustainable Impact Corporation, Catskill Animal ...

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we’re exploring how smart, evidence-based giving can bridge the gap between farmed animals and the animals we see every day in our shelters. We sit down with the team from Farmkind.Giving, an organization that uses rigorous research to recommend top animal charities—ensuring that every donation goes to the most effective organizations.

We’ll learn how Farmkind.Giving’s meticulous appro...

*Bonus Episode from the Muddy Paws and Hairballs podcast

The no-kill movement promised to revolutionize animal sheltering by saving lives and ending unnecessary euthanasia. But behind the catchy slogans and glowing statistics, a different reality lurks – one that’s rarely discussed. In this eye-opening conversation with animal welfare expert Daniel Ettinger, we dig deep into the issues plaguing some shelters striving for that elusiv...

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, hosts Daniel Ettinger, Ashlee Bishop and Ashley Bishop take to the skies with Michael Schneider, founder of Pilots to the Rescue—a nonprofit organization that unites aviation and animal welfare in an extraordinary way. Michael shares his journey from tech entrepreneur to pilot on a mission, flying at-risk animals from overcrowded shelters and disaster zones to safety and second chance...

In this thought-provoking episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Harvard-educated attorney and author Elizabeth MeLampy for a deep dive into the world of animal law, environmental justice, and the quirky cultural traditions that shape our relationships with animals. Elizabeth shares her journey from clerking for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to litigating high-impact envir...

In this episode, we sit down with the Humane Educators of Texas to dive into their incredible work across the country. From their innovative training programs to their community outreach efforts, they’re helping reshape the future of animal welfare through education and advocacy. We explore Humane H.E.L.P. and how it is making an impact on compassion fatigue. Tune in to learn how Humane Educators of Texas are making a real impact a...

In this gripping episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we recount a disturbing case that unfolded on January 27, 2022, when a concerned citizen called Denver Animal Protection to report the sounds of a dog being beaten inside an apartment at 5190 Broadway Street.

Officer Daniel Ettinger responded to the call and was met with silence, resistance, and ultimately a scene that revealed shocking conditions. Inside the apartment, four d...

In this episode, we’re joined by representatives from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to dive into their highly anticipated State Rankings Report, a comprehensive annual review of how each U.S. state protects—or fails to protect—animals through its laws. We break down the top-performing states, the ones falling behind, and what these rankings really mean for the animals, the public, and the professionals enforcing the laws.

Fro...

In this powerful episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Rock, Georgia’s state animal crimes resource prosecutor, to discuss the staggering 475-year prison sentence handed down to Vincent Lemark Burrell for his role in a massive dogfighting operation.

Jessica walks us through the details of this groundbreaking case—how an Amazon driver’s report led to the discovery of 107 dogs in horrific conditions, the int...

In this gripping follow-up episode, Ashlee continues to unravel the shocking reality of her experience in Wisconsin. After exposing deep-seated issues within the local animal welfare system, the fallout intensifies. She shares the emotional and professional toll of standing up for what’s right, the resistance she faced, and the unexpected allies who emerged. From internal battles to public scrutiny, this episode takes you behind th...