The Animal Wellness Podcast

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/)

Rep. Mike Quigley and his fight for lions, tigers—and roosters | Episode 34

Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states, yet thousands of birds are shipped every year via the U.S. postal service to overseas locations where the bloodsport remains a cruel cultural staple. Fortunately, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) decided to act. He discusses his work on the issue and the steps he and other legislators are taking to ensure existing postal regulations are enforced. We also talk abut his leadership with the Big Cat Public Safety Act and legislation that would help the U.S. and the world avoid another pandemic.
 
Wayne Pacelle and Marty Irby from Animal Wellness Action join 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/)

Milk: It Does a Body Bad | Episode 33

The U.S government pays to dump millions of gallons of milk down the drain every year. Worse, the drink is foisted upon our school children, most of whom experience digestive issues and resultant academic hindrances if they consume it.
All the while, diary cows face lives of suffering and exploitation that exceeds even those experienced by beef cattle.
In this shocking episode, Dr. Martin Mills and Olympic cyclist Dottsie Bausch join Animal Wellness Action to discuss this terrible waste of tax dollars, the systemic racism in the school lunch program and the cruelty among our bovine friends. Also explored are the myriad benefits of eschewing dairy in our diets.
Wayne Pacelle and Marty Irby from Animal Wellness Action join 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/)

Team Biden: Are they helping animals? | Episode 32

The report on the Biden administration from the perspective of animal welfare isn't good, according to Wayne Pacelle and Marty Irby from Animal Wellness Action. Not enough is being done to undo or curtail Trump administration policies, and little—if anything—is being initiated to realize the hopes of many advocates.
"I'm disappointed in that they're largely indifferent to animal issues," Pacelle said. "I don't believe there's anyone in the White House saying, 'Animal welfare is important and we should be doing something about it.'"
Joseph Grove hosts the podcast.
Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Fearless First" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com); License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)