036: From Interior Design to Monkey Sanctuaries: Kari Bagnall's Journey
Description
If you've ever wondered how one small moment can completely change the course of your life, this episode is for you.
It started with a baby monkey named Samantha riding on the back of a poodle.
That single image changed everything for Kari Bagnall.
She walked away from a successful career in interior design and built a sanctuary that now gives nearly 200 monkeys a safe and loving home.
In today's episode, you'll hear how one act of compassion led to the creation of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville, Florida—
a refuge for monkeys rescued from research labs, the pet trade, and neglect.
But this conversation goes deeper than rescue stories.
You'll learn how:
-
Kari discovered the heartbreaking reality of monkeys used in medical research
-
Decades of isolation and trauma impact their ability to trust and heal
-
True sanctuaries differ from zoos and why that difference matters
-
Jungle Friends helps primates rediscover their natural instincts and connections
-
Compassion can create lasting change, one life at a time
Running a 50-acre sanctuary isn't easy. It takes heart, courage, and nearly $100,000 a month to keep it all going.
Kari shares how she stays committed, the power of connection between primates, and what it really means to give another being a second chance at life.
Her message is simple but powerful:
Humans are poor surrogates for monkey friends. They need each other, and they deserve a second chance.
This isn't just a story about rescue.
It's about empathy, healing, and what happens when one person decides to do something extraordinary.
Full post at: www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/036-Kari-Bagnall
United States
