The Animal Wellness Podcast

How a California lawsuit may change things for kangaroos | Episode 42

Animal Wellness Action has been pressuring Nike, Adidas and other retailers of "k-leather" soccer shoes to discontinue the models. More than 2 million kangaroos a year are slaughtered, including joeys, just so athletes can don prestige shoes with no performance-enhancing value.
Natasha Dolezal, deputy director of campaigns, and Scott Edwards, general counsel, update listeners on our work for kangaroos, including recent protests and the filing of a lawsuit against California retailer Soccer Warhorse, which we allege has been violating state law by selling kangaroo-sourced soccer shoes.
Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, also joins host Joseph Grove.
 
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Monty Roberts, ”The Man Who Listens to Horses,” talks whipping horses in races, the wild ride of Rich Strike, and the Queen | Episode 41

Monty Roberts, "The Man Who Listens to Horses," talks whipping horses in races, the wild ride of Rich Strike, and the Queen
 
Monty Roberts is one of the most celebrated and admired horse trainers ever to take the reins. Not only has he sold more than 6 million copies of his blockbusting "The Man Who Listens to Horses" and published hundreds of training videos, he has been repeatedly called in for service by Queen Elizabeth II and traveled at her behest to more than 40 countries.
 
In this episode, he weighs in on the topics of whipping horses during races, the wild ride of Rich Strike in last month's Kentucky Derby, the fate of notorious trainer Bob Baffert, and what he hopes to do next, in the twilight of his career.
 
Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, joins the show and provides an update on the organization's legislative efforts as Congress approaches the summer break.
 
Joseph Grove is the host.
 
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Animal Abuse and the Connection to School Shootings | Episode 40

Statistics show a strong correlation between animal abuse and the perpetration of violence on humans. Both of the teens involved in the Buffalo and Uvalde massacres, for example, had previously tortured and killed cats, with the latter assailant even boasting about it on social media.
Wayne Pacelle, founder and president of Animal Wellness Action, calls a history of animal abuse "the reddest of red flags" when it comes to identifying teens and young adults who may one day walk into a crowded building or school and begin killing people.
He and special guest Steve Dale, a noted writer and speaker on animal issues, talk about this connection and argue that now more than ever, it's time for Congress to pass the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act.
Joseph Grove is the host.
 
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Wild Horses and their Mishandling by the BLM | Episode 39

When it comes to telling the truth about wild horses, the Bureau of Land Management comes up short. Leadership there seems determine to subjugate the well-being of the U.S.'s most iconic animal to the interests of cattle ranchers and sheep farmers.
Scott Beckstead, our director of campaigns, and Vickery Eckhoff, an investigative journalist who writes on western public land issues and politics and government disinformation, are the guests. They address our western native equine populations and how they are suffering so that Big Ag can have cheap access to public grazing lands. It's an issue that should incense anyone who cares about horses and who resents the triumph of corporate greed over the interests of the innocent and helpless.
Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, kicks the show off with an update on our work to modernize the FDA, ban the private ownership of big cats from private ownership and eliminate the incredible COVID risk to humans that is mink farming.
Joseph Grove is the host.

The sad fate of Thoroughbred horses, with Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron | Episode 38

After the thrill and spectacle of Thoroughbred races, the athletes themselves too often face a cruel, horrific fate. One Kentucky Derby winner, Ferdinand, was actually sold for human slaughter. Before the races, they are likely to experience doping to mask their pain, resulting in on-track breakdowns that are lethal for them and dangerous for jockeys.
 
Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron has become a vocal opponent of these practices, evidenced by his recent strong op-ed in the Louisville, Ky., daily newspaper. His willingness to confront the industry is one more example of a "sport" that has reached a tipping point. Will it survive?
 
In addition, Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, provides an update on all the organization's work for animals. Joseph Grove, director of public relations for the Center for a Humane Economy, is host.
 
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

MISSION POSSIBLE: The struggle to rescue dogs from Afghanistan...and the CDC | Episode 37

Jennifer Skiff and Zach Skow, representing Animal Wellness Action and other groups, have worked in the face of daunting bureaucratic and logistical challenges to reunite dogs of U.S. military and diplomatic personnel with their humans. Enemy No. 1? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Skiff and Skow share their stories.
In addition, Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, provides an update on all the organization's work for animals. Joseph Grove, director of public relations for the Center for a Humane Economy, is host.
 
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Carole ”Tiger King” Baskin updates us on the Big Cat Public Safety Act | Episode 36

Carole Baskin rocketed to global stardom after Netflix released "The Tiger King" in 2020. Rather than capitalizing on her frame for personal success, however, she has worked harder than ever for legal protections for lions, tigers and other big cats.
In this episode, she shares a little about her personal adventures and digs deep into the legislation she is fighting so hard to make become law.
Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, provides an update on all the organizations work for animals. Joseph Grove, director of public relations for the Center for a Humane Economy, is host.
 
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.): A rising star in Congress talks about her work for animals | Episode 35

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is a rising star in the House and in her party. The fight for animals, she says, is one means for a divided Congress to find common ground and to do good together. In this episode, she talks about a variety of animal topics, including the potential ban against mink farms, farm check-offs and her work to protect beagles from scientific experimentation.
Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, joins host Joseph Grove.
 
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)