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 crisis. It's a reminder of how we’ve always tried to keep it human...
Jun 30, 2025•42 min
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 Executive Leadership certification from Southern Utah University. ...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 275
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 conversations that could literally save a life—so whether you’re a seas...
Jun 18, 2025•48 min
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 laughter, and the unexpected ways comedy can bring communities t...
Jun 10, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 274
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 Sanctuary, Lantern Publishing and Media, NADAP, and more. We dive...
Jun 03, 2025•48 min
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 approach to charity evaluation mirrors the life-saving work animal s...
May 27, 2025•46 min•Season 5Ep. 264
*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 elusive 90% live release rate. As a rescuer myself, I'm experiencing a...
May 18, 2025•53 min•Ep. 1
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 chances. We discuss the logistics behind lifesaving flights, the emot...
May 13, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 271
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 environmental cases, and how her academic work with Harvard’s Animal ...
May 05, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 270
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 and how their approach to humane education is creating stronger, m...
Apr 29, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 269
In Part Two of our conversation about KC Pet Project, we discuss the unexpected loss of their animal control services contract and what it means for their organization, their staff, and the community they serve.
Apr 22, 2025•46 min•Season 5Ep. 268
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 dogs were found confined to a small closet covered in urine and ...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 267
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. From felony penalties and mandatory reporting to courtroom victori...
Apr 08, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 266
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 intensive legal battle that followed, and why this historic senten...
Apr 01, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 265
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 the scenes of a broken system—and what it takes to fix it. Tune in ...
Mar 25, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 264
In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Cole Wakefield — a passionate advocate and leader in animal welfare — to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of serving rural communities. As the Executive Director of Good Shepherd Humane Society and Managing Advisor for Rural Humane, Cole brings a wealth of experience in leadership development, strategic collaboration, and policy reform. Together, they dive into what it takes to build s...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 263
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , hosts Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with their very own co-host, Ashlee Bishop, to discuss the unexpected and challenging turn in her career as an animal control officer. Ashlee opens up about losing her position as Wausau's full-time humane officer following a controversial city council decision. The move, pushed forward by the police department to restructure animal control services, replaced Ashlee’s fu...
Mar 11, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 266
In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , Daniel and Ashley sit down with Jessica Solano, the 2024 Animal Control Officer of the Year. Jessica's journey in animal welfare is a testament to hard work, passion, and perseverance. Recognized with multiple nominations, it's clear she’s not just doing the job — she’s living her mission to help both animals and the communities they belong to. From her early days in the field to rising through the ranks, Jessica shares the moments that shaped her...
Mar 04, 2025•41 min•Season 5Ep. 261
In this powerful episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , Daniel and Ashley sit down with Cara Achterberg, co-founder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out , an organization dedicated to raising awareness about homeless dogs and the challenges faced by under-resourced shelters in rural areas. Cara shares her inspiring journey — from fostering over 200 dogs to traveling the country, spotlighting shelters that are often overlooked. We dive deep into the systemic issues driving animal homelessness, the hars...
Feb 25, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 260
In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , Daniel Ettinger, Ashlee Bishop and Ashley Bishop sit down with Will Zweigart, founder of Flatbush Cats , to discuss the incredible work his organization is doing to improve the lives of cats in Brooklyn and beyond. From groundbreaking TNR (trap-neuter-return) efforts to the launch of the Flatbush Veterinary Clinic , Will shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of expanding access to veterinary care in underserved communities. We dive into...
Feb 18, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 253
In this episode of *Keep it Humane: The Podcast*, Daniel and Ashley sit down with Mia Navedo-Williams to explore how the term *No Kill* is perceived within Spanish-speaking communities. They discuss the linguistic and cultural barriers that contribute to misunderstandings around animal sheltering, euthanasia policies, and access to care. How does the messaging around *No Kill* impact trust in shelters? What can animal welfare professionals do to bridge the communication gap? Tune in for an insig...
Feb 11, 2025•57 min•Season 5Ep. 252
This week on Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Ashlee and Ashley dive into the latest debate over animal control in Kansas City. With the city considering taking over enforcement from KC Pet Project, they break down the challenges of municipal vs. nonprofit animal control, the need for better enforcement, and what this shift could mean for officers, animals, and the community. Sponsored by Tomahawk Live Trap– the industry leader in humane animal traps and equipment. Visit [livetrap.com](https://www.l...
Feb 04, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 257
In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , Daniel and Ashley break down a controversial incident in Jacksonville, Florida, involving an off-duty animal control officer and a 5-year-old pit bull named Luna. What started as an off-leash dog enjoying a routine outing turned into a heated confrontation, leaving the community and social media buzzing. We explore the complexities of this case, including the officer’s actions, the legality of intervening while off duty, and the ripple effects on ...
Jan 28, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 256
In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , hosts Daniel Ettinger, Ashlee Bishop and Ashley Bishop are joined by Hanna Lentz, Executive Director of Supporting People and Animal Relationships for Change (SPARC). Hanna shares how SPARC is revolutionizing the animal welfare field by harnessing the power of storytelling and impactful messaging to create meaningful change for animals and people alike. Discover how SPARC’s mission to foster positive relationships between people and animals is sha...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 255
In this deeply unsettling episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , hosts Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop are joined by Kevin Hearst from Don't F Up the Podcast to unpack the horrifying details of the dogfighting case involving Fredrick Douglas Moorefield Jr., a former Pentagon official. Moorefield, a high-ranking Department of Defense employee, was recently sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and six months of home detention for his role in a multistate dogfighting ring. Operating under t...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 252
This episode is sponsored by Tomahawk Live Trap. Check them out at livetrap.com In this exciting episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast , hosts Daniel Ettinger, Ashlee Bishop, and Ashley Bishop unveil the show's new name and broader focus. Formerly The Animal Control Report , the podcast has evolved into Keep it Humane to better reflect its mission of supporting animal control officers, shelter professionals, and advocates in creating compassionate communities. Join the hosts as they discuss the...
Jan 07, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 253
In this collaborative episode of The Animal Control Report and The Animal Welfare Junction, hosts Daniel Ettinger and Dr. Michelle Gonzalez dive into one of the most debated topics in animal welfare today: Colorado’s newly passed Proposition 129. Joining the discussion is Ali Mickelson, Senior Director of Advocacy and Education at the Denver Dumb Friends League, a key advocate for the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role. We explore the potential benefits and challenges of Proposition 12...
Dec 03, 2024•43 min
In this special crosspost episode of The Animal Welfare Junction, Dr. Michelle Gonzalez (Dr. G) sits down with Daniel Ettinger, host of The Animal Control Report, for an inspiring conversation about SMART animal shelters. SMART—Save More Animals Responsibly Together—represents a forward-thinking approach to animal welfare, focusing on collaboration, community needs, and sustainable solutions for improving outcomes for animals and the people who care for them. Daniel shares insights into the evol...
Nov 26, 2024•49 min
In the season finale of The Animal Control Report, hosts Daniel, Ashley, and Ashlee sit down with Tori Fugate, Chief Communications Officer for Shelter Animals Count, to discuss the transformative role of data transparency in animal welfare. With her extensive experience as a communications professional and her leadership at Missouri’s largest shelter, KC Pet Project, Tori brings a fresh perspective on how data collection can drive impactful change. Discover how Shelter Animals Count empowers an...
Nov 19, 2024•49 min•Season 4Ep. 245
In this solo-hosted episode of *The Animal Control Report*, Daniel Ettinger sits down with Kristen Hassen, Principal and Founder of Outcomes for Pets Consulting, LLC, to explore the latest trends and strategies shaping the future of animal sheltering and welfare. Kristen, a nationally recognized leader and innovator in the field, brings a wealth of experience from managing some of the largest animal shelters in the U.S., including the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Austin Animal Center, and Pima...
Nov 12, 2024•48 min•Season 4Ep. 251
