Keep it Humane

What if the challenges we’re facing in animal welfare today aren’t new at all?In this episode of Keep it Humane, we sit down with Audrey Lodato—Senior Director of Regional Programs at Best Friends Animal Society and creator of the animal welfare history blog Barking at the Knot—to uncover how the past continues to shape the present.From the early 1800s “War Against Dogs” to the fear-driven policies surrounding rabies and hydrophobia, Audrey walks us through how societal pressures, public health concerns, and even misinformation helped build the foundation of modern animal control. We explore how practices like intake-driven systems and strict impound policies didn’t just appear—they evolved from a very different time.But this isn’t just a history lesson.We connect those origins to today’s biggest challenges: rising intake, public accountability, humane education gaps, and the ongoing push for transparency in shelter operations. The conversation digs into what needs to change—and what we may still be getting wrong.We also look ahead, exploring how technology and AI could reshape sheltering by improving decision-making, reducing length of stay, and helping more animals find positive outcomes.Plus, a quick look at what’s coming next with Best Friends’ national conference in Utah—and a live AI demo that might just change how you think about shelter operations.If you’ve ever wondered why we do things the way we do in animal welfare… this episode connects the dots.

Daniel is out this week… which means Ashley Bishop and Ashlee Bishop have taken over the podcast.That’s right—no supervision.In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, the Ashleys talk about something that isn’t always easy to discuss in animal welfare: compassion fatigue. They dive into the emotional weight of the job, the stress that comes with working in animal control and shelters, and why even the most dedicated professionals sometimes feel completely drained.Along the way they share real experiences from the field, talk about how this work affects people behind the scenes, and discuss resources and strategies that can help professionals take care of themselves while continuing to care for animals.It’s honest, it’s real… and with Daniel gone, it might even be a little less controlled than usual.

A recent large-scale animal seizure in Los Angeles County—where more than 300 animals were removed from a single property—serves as the backdrop for this episode. But this isn’t a breakdown of that case.Because the truth is… we don’t have all the facts. And neither does anyone else—yet.Instead, we use this moment to talk about what really happens when a large-scale impound hits an agency.From the outside, these cases look like heroic rescues. And they are. But behind the scenes, they’re also complex, messy, resource-draining operations that can push even the best-run organizations to their limits.In this episode, we dig into:What it actually takes to mobilize for a seizure involving hundreds of animalsThe immediate strain on staffing, space, and decision-makingWhy these cases are rarely as clear-cut as the headlines suggestThe ripple effect across shelters, rescues, and communitiesHow agencies balance enforcement, animal welfare, and public perception in real timeWe also talk about the uncomfortable reality: sometimes these cases involve people who believed they were helping animals—and situations that evolved beyond their capacity to manage.With shelters across the region scrambling to create space, transfer animals, and call on the public for help, this case highlights something bigger: large-scale impounds are not just enforcement actions—they are system-wide events. Whether you’re in animal control, sheltering, rescue, or just care about animal welfare, this episode gives you a real-world look at what happens when “too many animals” becomes everyone’s problem overnight.Because when 300 animals walk through your doors… everything changes.

In this episode, Ashley, Ashlee, and Daniel take a deep dive into the evolution of animal welfare by breaking down the Five Domains of Animal Welfare and how they differ from the traditional Five Freedoms.The team explores how the Five Freedoms laid the foundation for humane care—focusing on preventing suffering—while the Five Domains push the conversation further by emphasizing an animal’s overall experience, including positive mental states. Through real-world examples from animal control and sheltering, they unpack what this shift means for decision-making, enforcement, and daily care.From nutrition and environment to behavior and mental well-being, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what “good welfare” really looks like in modern animal services. Whether you’re in the field or just passionate about animals, this conversation highlights why moving beyond simply avoiding harm—and toward creating positive outcomes—is the future of animal welfare.Because it’s not just about surviving—it’s about thriving.

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop unpack a controversial and costly case out of Los Angeles that has many in the animal welfare field asking hard questions.A Los Angeles County jury recently awarded $5.4 million to a woman who was severely injured by a dog while picking it up from a city animal shelter for transport to a rescue group. The dog — a Belgian Malinois named Maximus — reportedly had a documented history of biting multiple people, including incidents that sent a teenager and a shelter employee to the hospital. The transporter alleged she was never warned about the dog’s dangerous history before the attack. Daniel and Ashley break down what happened, what the jury decided, and why the City of Los Angeles was found 62.5% liable, with additional responsibility assigned to the rescue organization and the transporter. But beyond the headlines, this episode explores the deeper issues the case raises for animal shelters and the professionals who work in them every day:What are the legal and ethical obligations when a dog has a serious bite history?How should shelters communicate risk to adopters, transporters, and rescue partners?When does advocacy for saving animals collide with public safety and staff safety?And what lessons should animal control agencies and shelter leaders take from multimillion-dollar verdicts like this one?Drawing on their experience in animal control and shelter operations, Daniel and Ashley discuss how cases like this shape policy, liability, and the public perception of animal shelters — and why transparency and professional judgment are more important than ever in modern animal welfare.If you work in animal control, sheltering, rescue, or law enforcement, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Sam Amalsadwala, a Montreal-based dog behavior expert whose path into animal behavior is anything but traditional.Originally from India and trained as a chef, Sam shares how a career transition — and a deep curiosity about dogs — led him to build a unique approach to canine behavior grounded in observation, relationship-building, and real-world socialization. Drawing from his cultural background, including the role dogs play within Zoroastrian traditions, Sam offers a perspective on human–animal relationships that challenges many Western assumptions about dog ownership and training.Sam discusses his now well-known work walking large groups of dogs — sometimes up to 35 at a time — off-leash in a private forest environment, and how that experience shaped his philosophy that early socialization and environmental exposure often matter more than traditional obedience training.The conversation explores:Cultural differences in how societies view and live with dogsThe evolution from training-focused models to relationship-based behavior workThe realities and ethics of off-leash freedomUnderstanding both human and canine behaviorThe difficult conversations around behavioral euthanasia and public safetyThis episode challenges listeners to think beyond labels like “good dog” or “bad dog” and instead consider the balance between animal welfare, community safety, and responsible ownership.Whether you work in animal control, shelters, training, or simply love dogs, this conversation offers thoughtful insight into how culture, environment, and expectations shape the animals we live alongside.Learn more about Sam and his work at: samaysam.com

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Dr. Doonerstag, DVM, for an insightful conversation exploring the critical role veterinarians play in animal welfare, shelter medicine, and community-based care.Dr. Doonerstag shares perspectives from the veterinary field on some of the most complex challenges facing animal control agencies and shelters today — from medical decision-making and capacity for care to collaboration between veterinarians, animal control officers, and shelter professionals. The discussion dives into how veterinary expertise supports humane outcomes, improves field response, and helps agencies balance compassion with practical realities.Together, we explore the evolving relationship between animal control and veterinary medicine, the importance of communication across disciplines, and how partnerships can better serve both animals and the communities we protect.Whether you’re an animal control officer, shelter professional, veterinarian, or advocate, this episode offers thoughtful insight into how working together — across roles and perspectives — helps us truly keep it humane.

Before Keep it Humane, there was The Humane Roundup — the show that started it all.In this special episode, we bring back two of the original hosts of The Humane Roundup — the voices who helped lay the foundation for the conversations we’re still having today. We revisit where it all began, why the show was created, what was happening in animal welfare at the time, and how those early discussions shaped what the podcast has become.We talk about:The original mission behind The Humane RoundupHow the profession has evolved since those early episodesThe hard lessons, the proud moments, and the behind-the-scenes storiesWhy the rebrand to Keep it Humane matteredAnd what still needs to change in animal control and shelteringThis isn’t just a reunion. It’s a reflection on growth — personal, professional, and as a field.If you’ve been with us since the beginning, this one’s for you.If you’re new here, this is your origin story.Because the conversations that shaped this profession didn’t start yesterday.They started with people willing to press record and speak honestly about the work.And that’s exactly what we’re doing again.

In this fun and heartfelt episode, Ashley and I dive into one of the most creative shelter fundraisers we’ve seen yet — the “Neuter Your Ex” campaign from Check out the “Neuter Your Ex” promotion and how it helps community cats. We break down how this playful idea raises funds for spay/neuter programs that reduce feral cat overpopulation, support Trap-Neuter-Return efforts, and ultimately save lives. Plus, we share other practical and impactful things shelters can do right now — from low-cost spay/neuter clinics and community TNR efforts to engaging events and creative donor opportunities that help animals find better lives. Whether you’re a shelter team member, volunteer, or animal lover, you’ll come away with fresh inspiration for making a difference!

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger, Ashley Bishop, and Ashlee Bishop sit down with children’s author Marshall Silverman. Marshall reads from his heartfelt book Can I Please Have a Dog and shares the inspiration behind the story. We talk about patience, responsibility, and the powerful connection between kids, animals, and storytelling. It’s a warm, family-friendly episode that highlights how books can spark empathy and meaningful conversations.

In this episode, we sit down with Wayne Pacelle — former President & CEO of HSUS and current leader of two powerful organizations shaping the future of animal welfare: Animal Wellness Action (https://animalwellnessaction.org/) and the Center for a Humane Economy (https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/).Wayne joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of animal welfare for dogs and cats in shelters, from the progress we’ve made to the persistent challenges that still demand our attention. We explore how innovative policies, corporate engagement, and data-driven strategies can help reduce suffering, strengthen communities, and create a more humane world for animals in need.Whether you’re an animal shelter professional, advocate, or lifelong animal lover, Wayne’s insights — grounded in decades of leadership — will challenge you, inspire you, and leave you energized about what’s possible when we aim higher for the animals we serve.Learn more:🔗 Animal Wellness Action — https://animalwellnessaction.org/🔗 Center for a Humane Economy — https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/Tune in for honest conversation, practical takeaways, and a hopeful vision for shelter animals everywhere.

In this episode of Keep it Humane, Daniel and Ashley sit down with Douglas Starr, Professor Emeritus of Science Journalism at Boston University and longtime science writer, to unpack one of the most polarizing topics in animal welfare today: the no-kill movement and the influence of large national organizations like Best Friends Animal Society.Douglas joins the show to discuss his recent Smithsonian Magazine article, “The Nation’s Biggest Animal Sanctuary Operates Under the Mantra ‘Save Them All.’ How Controversial Is That?”, which you can read here:👉 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/nations-biggest-animal-sanctuary-operates-under-mantra-save-them-all-how-controversial-180987638/Drawing from time spent at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and extensive historical research, Douglas shares what he learned about the ideals, psychology, and politics behind the no-kill philosophy. While acknowledging the dedication of many working within the movement, the conversation explores how language, public pressure, and one-size-fits-all approaches can create unintended consequences for shelters, communities, and public safety.Together, Daniel, Ashley, and Douglas have an honest, nuanced discussion about the harm caused by labels like “kill shelter,” the pressure placed on municipal agencies, the silencing of dissenting voices, and the difficult ethical decisions faced by animal welfare professionals every day. With decades of combined experience, the episode emphasizes the need for balance—prioritizing humane care and community safety, accountability in pet ownership, access to spay and neuter services, and moving beyond slogans toward practical, collaborative solutions.This episode challenges simplistic narratives and invites listeners to think critically about what responsible animal welfare really looks like.

It’s the first episode of Keep it Humane for 2026, and we’re kicking off the year by catching up.Daniel Ettinger, Ashley Bishop, and Ashlee Bishop sit down to reflect on the past year—what challenged us, what surprised us, and what reminded us why this work matters. From lessons learned in animal control and animal welfare to the realities of burnout, leadership, and showing up for both people and animals, this episode is an honest look back at where we’ve been.We also talk about the road ahead: what we’re hopeful about in 2026, what needs to change in the profession, and how we can continue to help people help animals in meaningful, sustainable ways.If you work in animal control, shelters, rescue, or animal welfare—or care about the people doing the work—this episode sets the tone for the year ahead.

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger, Ashley Bishop and Ashlee Bishop sit down with Dr. A. Michelle Gonzalez—veterinarian, forensic expert, and host of The Animal Welfare Junction. Dr. Gonzalez has been leading a groundbreaking investigative series on Steffen Baldwin, a self-proclaimed “trainer” whose history of animal cruelty and misconduct has sent shockwaves through the animal welfare community.Together, we unpack the complex layers of this case:• how Baldwin built influence in the dog-training world,• the red flags that were ignored or minimized,• the survivors—both canine and human—impacted by his actions,• and the systemic gaps that allow abusers to hide in plain sight.Dr. Gonzalez shares what she’s learned through extensive research, interviews, and forensic review for her podcast, offering a candid look at how misinformation, inadequate regulation, and industry silencing contribute to ongoing harm.Whether you work in animal control, sheltering, veterinary medicine, law enforcement, or advocacy, this episode provides essential insight into how we can better protect animals, empower victims, and build a safer, more accountable animal welfare landscape.This is an episode you won’t want to miss—honest, unsettling, educational, and ultimately a call to action for all who believe animals deserve better.

While Daniel was somewhere over the Rockies on a flight, Ashlee and Ashley held down the fort and sat down with one of animal welfare’s most respected leaders: Kenny Lamberti.In this episode, Kenny shares insights from his decades of experience in community engagement, shelter operations, and national-level advocacy. Together, they dig into the evolving landscape of animal welfare, the importance of building trust with communities, and how we can better support the people doing the work on the ground. Kenny also talks about leadership, equity in access to care, and what the next generation of animal welfare professionals needs from us.This conversation is packed with honesty, heart, and practical wisdom—perfect for anyone striving to “keep it humane” in their daily work.

In this episode of Keep it Humane, Daniel and Ashley explore an inspiring initiative where teens aren’t just learning about animal welfare—they’re actively shaping it. We dig into the story of the Snake River Animal Shelter’s “Paws for a Cause” program, which brought local teenagers into direct service with shelter animals and their community. East Idaho NewsYou’ll hear how the five-week program immerses teens in the world of animal care, advocacy and emotional growth—starting with tours and instruction on humane treatment, engaging presentations from animal control officers and vet techs, and then reaching a hands-on high point: creating enrichment activities for shelter pets and a visit to a nearby assisted-living facility with a shelter dog in tow. East Idaho NewsWe’ll discuss how this kind of humane education benefits everyone involved:For teens: building life skills, emotional health, leadership, and a sense of purpose. East Idaho NewsFor shelter animals: improved socialization, enrichment, and increased chances of adoption. East Idaho NewsFor the community: stronger connections between youth, animal welfare and service.We’ll also unpack how shelters and agencies can replicate or adapt similar programs in their own jurisdictions—even if resources are limited—and how these initiatives tie into larger themes of staff and volunteer engagement, retention, and building culture in animal welfare (something we often talk about on this show).Grab your earbuds, because this conversation brings hope, practical ideas and a reminder that when young people are empowered—and animals are included—the ripple effects can be powerful.Takeaways for listeners:What it actually looks like to run a hands-on humane education program for teens.How to measure and communicate the benefits for all stakeholders (teens, animals, shelters, community).Ideas for adapting the model to your local animal control or shelter setting.Lessons on staff and volunteer culture: empowering younger generations, creating meaningful roles, and building an inclusive “we” culture.Inspiration for turning caring into action—both for the animals you serve, and the people working in the trenches every day.

As Albuquerque faces what some are calling a “kitten takeover,” shelters across New Mexico are stretched to capacity. In this episode, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Val Wilson, Executive Director of Animal Humane New Mexico, to discuss what’s behind the surge in kitten intakes and how shelters can adapt to the changing landscape of animal welfare.Val shares insights from her leadership journey and the innovative strategies her team is using to balance lifesaving outcomes with sustainable operations. From expanding foster networks to improving access to spay and neuter, she explains how collaboration—not competition—is the key to weathering the storm of kitten season.We also explore the human side of shelter work: how to maintain staff morale, prevent burnout, and lead with compassion during times of crisis.Whether you’re an animal control officer, shelter professional, or advocate for community cats, this episode sheds light on what it takes to keep it humane when the kittens take over.

In this episode, Daniel and OG Bishop dive into an inspiring story out of Eastpointe, Michigan, where Animal Control Officer Ashley Sanchez is making a real difference for pets and their owners. They explore how strict city ordinances (Eastpointe spans just five square miles) have been paired with a compassionate outreach program: a pet-food pantry, low-cost vaccination and micro-chip clinics, and a full-service shelter transformation under Sanchez’s leadership. CBS NewsDaniel asks: what does this approach tell us about community responsibility and the bond between humans and their animals? OG Bishop brings in a personal angle—how reform and empathy co-exist in unexpected places, and how giving even one creature a better chance changes a bigger story. They’ll unpack the article’s key moves (grant funding for free microchips, the “Four-Legged Friends Pantry,” a microchip-scanning station) and reflect on how similar models might work elsewhere. CBS NewsListeners will hear about the challenges of animal welfare, the creative pivot from a three-kennel garage to a full shelter under Sanchez’s drive, and leave with practical ideas: how to support local pet-owners in financial stress, how to volunteer or set up a micro-chip clinic, and why enforcement plus empathy is a powerful combo for community change. CBS NewsTune in for an uplifting conversation that shows animals’ wellbeing and human community health are more connected than we often think.

In this unfiltered episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, Daniel and Ashley drop the script, silence the filters, and just talk. No guests. No agenda. No BS.They open up about the highs and lows of working in animal welfare — the burnout, the wins that keep them going, the moments they’ve doubted themselves, and the people who’ve helped them grow along the way. This is an honest, vulnerable conversation between two friends who’ve seen it all in the world of animal control and sheltering.If you’ve ever felt the weight of the work or questioned whether you’re making a difference, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, we sit down with Steve Kaufman, former leader at PetSmart Charities and now a respected consultant in the animal welfare space. Steve shares his unique perspective on how access to veterinary care is evolving and why it’s one of the most pressing issues facing shelters, rescues, and communities today.We explore his views on the future of animal welfare, the balance between data-driven strategies and compassion-driven care, and how his consulting work helps organizations build stronger, more sustainable programs. Whether you’re an animal control officer, shelter professional, or advocate for pets and people, this conversation offers valuable insight from one of the field’s most experienced voices.