In the Animal Welfare Trenches: Reflections and the Road Ahead (Episode 296)

It’s the first episode of Keep it Humane for 2026, and we’re kicking off the year by catching up.Daniel Ettinger, Ashley Bishop, and Ashlee Bishop sit down to reflect on the past year—what challenged us, what surprised us, and what reminded us why this work matters. From lessons learned in animal control and animal welfare to the realities of burnout, leadership, and showing up for both people and animals, this episode is an honest look back at where we’ve been.We also talk about the road ahead: what we’re hopeful about in 2026, what needs to change in the profession, and how we can continue to help people help animals in meaningful, sustainable ways.If you work in animal control, shelters, rescue, or animal welfare—or care about the people doing the work—this episode sets the tone for the year ahead.