Like many activists, Peter Egan found his cause by chance. When a labrador named Custard collapsed outside the Downton Abbey actor’s house, his wife jumped into action, taking the animal to a vet, and eventually the family adopted the dog. For Egan, this moment opened his eyes to the crisis of surplus pets in the UK, and it served as his initiation into advocating for animal rights.

Peter Egan joined host Jay Ruderman to discuss the great number of organizations and animal rights causes he supports, from Saving Suffering Strays, to Animals Asia, to Animal Equality UK. They discuss a campaign to protect stray animals in Turkey that Peter is involved with, the ways that animals care for their well being, and the many ways Peter’s personal relationships with animals shape and international activism shape each other.

Episode Chapters

(00:00 ) Intro to Peter Egan

(01:07 ) Peter’s fight to protect stray animals in Turkey

(02:54 ) How to become involved with international causes

(06:15 ) Bile extraction from Moon Bears

(11:31 ) Peter says Zoos need to go

(15:04 ) What’s the connection between all of Peter’s activism?

(22:23 ) Peter’s path to being a vegan

(29:21 ) How being a vegan has changed Peter’s life

(33:48 ) How animals give us comfort while we grieve

(37:40 ) How can people get involved

(40:07 ) Conclusion and Credits

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