Episode 24. Animal Welfare Round Table: Mythbusters Edition

Episode 24. Animal Welfare Round Table: Mythbusters Edition On this episode, we’re welcoming back previous guests Annie Pruitt, Kaitlyn Thomas and Liz Weiner. Between the 4 of us, we have nearly 30 years combined experience in animal sheltering and community pet support. Special thanks to Chuck Nunn,  audio engineer for the Round Table - who also joins in the conversation when we put him on the spot.   On this Round Table, we’re confronting 4 myths that we see on social media and in our personal experience: Myth #1: Heartless people dump animals at shelters. Myth #2: If you can’t afford a pet, you shouldn’t have one. Myth #3: Dogs with scars and injuries were used as “bait dogs.” Myth #4: Pets end up at animal shelters because they were abused, have behavioral issues or are otherwise flawed in some way.   Annie, Kaitlyn, Liz & I talk through each of these statements and share the truths we’ve learned through our volunteer, work and life experiences.   Some of the topics we discuss: How we used to believe some of these but our experiences changed our minds – and we’re thrilled that we used to be wrong; How negative and judgmental comments on social media can create a dangerous situation for pets; Why we need to change the conversation from focusing on our opinions about the problem to focusing on solutions; Challenges faced by pet owners living at or below poverty level; How we can’t jump to conclusions or make assumptions about what goes on in a family; How imparting our own judgments on situations is the root cause of most conflicts and unhappiness; The power of making human connections; The importance of collaborating; Being responsible with social media consumption; and Compassion fatigue and burnout in the animal welfare community and the best way our panelists have found to reverse it.   Let's make Liz’s poem go viral!  Share now! https://medium.com/creatures/i-adopted-your-pet-today-a-poem-921b7dab43fc   Connect with Annie of Charm City Companions: Website: http://www.charmcitycompanions.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charmcitycompanions Podcast Ep. 6:  https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-6-annies-story-compassion-in-action/   Connect with Kaitlyn of Finding Knox: Website:  https://findingknox.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingKnox Podcast Ep. 19:  https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-19-kaitlyn-thomas-of-finding-knox/   Connect with Liz Weiner: Liz's Writing:  https://medium.com/creatures/liz-weiner/home Podcast Ep. 7: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-7-lizs-story-tovis-gift/ Podcast Ep. 17: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-17-dog-mom-dog-dad-round-table-shy-fearful-dogs/   Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.