Taking Care of Families by Taking Care of Their Pets (Episode 301)

In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger and Ashley Bishop sit down with Dr. Doonerstag, DVM, for an insightful conversation exploring the critical role veterinarians play in animal welfare, shelter medicine, and community-based care.Dr. Doonerstag shares perspectives from the veterinary field on some of the most complex challenges facing animal control agencies and shelters today — from medical decision-making and capacity for care to collaboration between veterinarians, animal control officers, and shelter professionals. The discussion dives into how veterinary expertise supports humane outcomes, improves field response, and helps agencies balance compassion with practical realities.Together, we explore the evolving relationship between animal control and veterinary medicine, the importance of communication across disciplines, and how partnerships can better serve both animals and the communities we protect.Whether you’re an animal control officer, shelter professional, veterinarian, or advocate, this episode offers thoughtful insight into how working together — across roles and perspectives — helps us truly keep it humane.