Episodes
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Animal Rescuers Are a Different Breed
In this return episode of Animal Posse, Dixie gets real about the unfiltered truth of animal rescue life. From battling burnout and managing the emotional whiplash of 3:00 AM kitten vigils to sharing how a customer handing her kittens sparked a 20-year rescue journey (and the mission behind UFO's...
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Animal Rescue Scams Part 2: Rehoming, Red Flags & Real Solutions
In Part 2 of Animal Posse, host Dixie continues her conversation with animal advocate Veronica Belletto as they take a deeper look at the challenges facing the animal rescue community—and what we can do differently to protect the animals who depend on us. From trusting your instincts during...
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Animal Rescue Scams, Adoption Red Flags & Protecting Pets
In this episode of Animal Posse, host Dixie welcomes back animal advocate Veronica Belletto for an eye-opening discussion about a troubling trend in animal rescue. From social media "rescue" scams to cases involving animals adopted for abuse and financial exploitation, Dixie and Veronica explore...
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From Circus Bears to Sanctuary Dreams: Kati Krouse and the Fight for Exotic Animal Welfare
What happens to bears, big cats, parrots, and other exotic animals when they can no longer be kept as pets, used in entertainment, or housed by failing facilities? In this episode, Dixie sits down with Kati Krouse, founder and executive director of Bears Etc., the nation's first bear-focused...
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The Louisiana Cat Cruelty Case : The Red Flags Every Animal Lover Should Know
In this heartbreaking episode of Animal Posse, host Dixie sits down with Jonathan from Rescue Alliance to discuss a devastating animal cruelty case in Walker, Louisiana. Authorities discovered nearly 40 cats and kittens trapped in dangerous, triple-digit conditions without proper access to food,...
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Unlocking Pet Wellness Through Energy Work and Body Balance with Kerri Russell
Ever wonder how energy healing and physical alignment can completely change your pet's behavior and well-being? In this episode of Animal Posse, Dixie sits down with Kerri Russell, a certified practitioner of Whole Energy Body Balance and Animal Reiki, to discuss a holistic, whole-animal approach...
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Gentleness Is a Strength: Ellie Laks on The Gentle Barn, Healing Animals, and Helping Humans Heal
In this heart‑opening conversation, Dixie sits down with Ellie Laks, founder of The Gentle Barn, a world‑renowned sanctuary where rescued animals help humans heal through connection, compassion, and cow‑hug therapy. Ellie shares the extraordinary true story behind her new Macmillan picture book...
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An Intuitive Look Inside a Cat’s Hidden World
This episode opens a rare window into what trauma feels like from the animal’s side. Dixie sits down with interspecies communicator Leiah Bowden, whose work blends intuitive perception, core shamanism, energy healing, and her signature soul‑journey portraits to reveal what animals carry beneath...
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Inside the Rehoming Crisis: Breeders, Flippers & the Fight for Honest Rescue
Jami Torrini joins us to talk about the realities of animal rescue — the good, the heartbreaking, and the deeply frustrating. She walks us through the dogs she’s saved over the years, and the moment she stumbled upon two starving puppies locked in a garage with no food or water. We also dive into...
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New Orleans Dog Rescue Songs with The Canine Crooner
Songwriter Craig Cortello—The Canine Crooner—shares how his dog‑inspired music is raising funds and lifting spirits across Louisiana’s rescue community. He talks about the Dog Tails album, the legend of Scrim, and the joy of performing at dog‑friendly shows. Hear song clips, learn how his music...
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When a Dog Becomes a Lifeline: The Heart Behind Golden Boy
A single dog can change a life—sometimes so profoundly that it redirects the entire future. In this deeply moving episode of Animal Posse, Dixie sits down with author A.J. Symon to explore the extraordinary bond he shared with his first service dog, Chip, a golden retriever who became his...
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Tyler the Bobcat & Special Needs Wildlife Rehab with Moon Taylor
What happens to wild animals that suffer injuries so severe they can never return to the wild? In this episode, host Dixie sits down with licensed wildlife rehabilitator Moon Taylor, founder of Spiritual Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary, to explore the intensive care required for...
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Trapped in the Rubble: Inside the Battle to Rescue Seoul’s Redevelopment Cats with Yongsan Cats
When Seoul’s historic Yongsan district began its multi-billion dollar redevelopment, over 18,000 residents moved out—and left an estimated 1,000 community cats trapped behind demolition barriers. Facing bulldozers, starvation, and strict urban restrictions, these animals had no voice and nowhere…
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Celebrating “Milton Makes a Move”: Jonathan Graziano on Noodle’s Legacy & the Bravery Behind Rescue Love
When a pet changes your life, their impact never really leaves—and few stories embody that truth more than Jonathan Graziano’s. In this heartfelt conversation, Jonathan opens up about life after the loss of his beloved pug Noodle, the viral “Bones or No Bones” phenomenon, and the vulnerable…
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Goats, Grounding & Ginger Snaps: Inside Fairyland Farms’ Healing Sanctuary
Dixie sits down with Cora Moore of Faeryland Farms, a Tennessee sanctuary where rescued goats become partners in wellness, education, and community healing. Cora shares how her background in psychology and her deep connection to nature shaped a program that brings goats into classrooms,...
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SNIP in Action: Francine Guillot’s Fight to Fix Iberia Parish
Francine Guillot of the Spay Neuter Iberia Project (SNIP) joins the Animal Posse Podcast to share a raw, boots‑on‑the‑ground look at what it really takes to fight pet overpopulation in Louisiana. From reviving a dormant nonprofit to rescuing special‑needs kittens like Gump, Francine walks us...
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Horses Do Fix Everything — The Healing Power of Equine Therapy with Katie Hunt
In this episode, host Dixie sits down with Katie Hunt, the driving force behind Shagbark Hickory Farm—a Connecticut-based nonprofit dedicated to the life-changing power of equine-assisted therapy. Katie shares how her farm evolved from a family hobby into a vital community asset, matching...
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Give a Cat a Box: How Hide and Scratch Is Changing Shelter Life One Box at a Time
Carin, owner of Hide and Scratch, joins Dixie to share the inspiring story behind her cat‑focused company and the creation of the Give a Cat a Box program—a donation system designed to bring comfort, enrichment, and security to cats in shelters, foster homes, and adoption centers. She explains…
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The Helpline Saving Cats From Surrender
Families often feel overwhelmed when their cats develop behavior issues—and many consider surrendering them. In this conversation, Dixie sits down with Matt Wildman of the National Cat Behavior Helpline to explore how his team helps keep cats in their homes through free, phone‑based behavior...
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How One Woman Is Changing Cat Welfare in SWGA
In this episode, Dixie talks with Rebecca McCathern from Helena’s Community Cats of SWGA about the realities of rescuing cats in rural Georgia. From nonstop kitten season to bottle‑baby emergencies, dumping, TNR challenges, and the myths that keep people from spaying and neutering, this...
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Feral Cats, Sanctuary Life & The Reality of Rescue
In this episode, Vicki Davison of Kindred Tails Sanctuary shares how two feral cats turned into a full rescue on five acres of rural Georgia. She talks about caring for 40+ free‑roaming cats, neonatal kittens, goats, dogs, and the daily challenges rescues face—from overpopulation to lack of...
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How Horse Rescue United Protects At‑Risk Horses
In this powerful conversation, Dixie sits down with Diana Tuorto of Horse Rescue United to uncover the hidden world of horse rescue. From auction pipelines and Amish workhorses to senior sanctuary care and lifelong adoption contracts, Diana shares the realities most people never see — and the…
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Understanding Spicy Cats: Fear, Stress & the Path to Trust
Some cats shut down in shelters. Others hiss, swat, or go silent. But beneath the “spicy” label is almost always one thing—fear. In this episode of Animal Posse, Dixie sits down with Berlin Waters of The Spicy Cat Project to break down why so many cats struggle in shelter environments, how fear…
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Decoding Rabbit Language: Expert Bonding Strategies with Fiona Murphy
Rabbit bonding can be one of the most stressful experiences for any pet parent. When the "one-size-fits-all" checklists fail, how do you move forward? In this episode, we sit down with Fiona Murphy, the founder of The Bunny Bonding Coach. As Ireland’s only professional rabbit bonder with over 500...
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Saving the Strays in New Iberia
Sonia Guillory didn’t plan on returning to the world of rescue, but searching for her lost cat, Moco, opened her eyes to a massive overpopulation crisis in rural Louisiana. Now an independent rescuer, Sonia joins us to discuss the "brick wall" of community indifference, the dangers of "free...
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Saving Community Cats: Using Your Unique Skills for Rescue Success
Think you can’t help animal rescue because you’re allergic, live in a small apartment, or don’t have the time to foster? Think again. In this episode, Dixie sits down with Tammy Kaehler, Development Coordinator for Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF). Tammy’s own journey into rescue started late—and...
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Cat Therapy, Neonatal Miracles, and Adoptions with Beverly Paladinetti
What happens when a simple donation of a cat tower turns into a decade-long mission to save hundreds of lives? In this episode of Animal Posse, Dixie sits down with Beverly Paladinetti of Purrfect Peaches Cat Rescue in Douglasville, Georgia. Beverly shares her journey from a self-described "crazy...
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Pet-Powered Purpose: Giving Back with Parish Pets
In this episode, we sit down with Nikki, the creative force behind Parish Pets, to explore how a passion for design can fuel a mission for animal welfare. Nikki shares the story of how her pet-based business is more than just a brand—it’s a dedicated engine for giving back to the rescue community...
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Saving St. Bernard’s Cats: How TNR Is Changing Everything
St. Bernard Parish is facing one of the most intense community‑cat challenges in Louisiana — and today, we’re digging into the solution that actually works. Robbie Denny of the St. Bernard Parish Community Cat Coalition and Snip & Tip St Bernard TNR joins us to share how TNR (Trap‑Neuter‑Return)…
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Happiness, Humor, and Harm Reduction in Rescue with Christie Keith
In this episode of Animal Posse, host Dixie sits down with longtime animal welfare leader Christie Keith for a deep, nuanced conversation about early spay‑neuter through a harm‑reduction lens. With more than 30 years of experience—including work with major organizations like Maddie’s…
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The Easter Bunny Crisis: Breaking the Cycle of Dumped Pets
In this heart-to-heart episode, Dixie sits down with Maria, a dedicated animal advocate and "bunny whisperer" from New Orleans, to discuss a growing epidemic: the surge of abandoned domestic rabbits. As Easter approaches, Maria sheds light on why bunnies are the "ultimate impulse buy" and the...
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Willpower & Freedom Rides: Honoring a Legacy with Vicki Johnson-Cain
When Vicki Johnson-Cain lost her son, William, she turned her grief into a mission of mercy. Today, she joins Dixie to share the story of "Willpower Transport" and her life as a foster coordinator for Take Paws Rescue. From playing relaxation music for stressed pups to the "Crate Tetris" required...
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From Loss to Purpose: Lisa’s Journey Into Pet Nutrition
In this heartfelt episode of Animal Posse, Dixie sits down with Lisa, owner of Pet Wants Metairie, to explore how unimaginable loss transformed into a mission to help pets live healthier, longer lives. After losing her beloved soul dog, Darby, to an aggressive cancer, Lisa began searching for...
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Disaster Preparedness: A Conversation with Ashley Gardenier of Southern Paws Inc.
"Be prepared" is a simple phrase, but for Ashley Gardenier of Southern Paws Inc., it’s a life-saving mission. From the devastating aftermath of Hurricanes including Helene, Michael, Laura, Ian and Ida to the unpredictable chaos of floods and fires, Ashley has seen it all. She joins the show to…
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From Dorm Rooms to Rescue Rooms: Forgotten Felines Rescue of Louisiana
In this episode of Animal Posse, we meet Hannah Louviere, who founded Forgotten Felines Rescue of Louisiana as a 19-year-old college student after witnessing a stray cat give birth on her campus sidewalk. Now a professional surgical vet technician, Hannah shares how she grew that initial student...
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Thermal Tracking & Heartfelt Homecomings with Joshua Barry
When a beloved pet disappears, the silence can be deafening. In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Barry of Precision Drone Services to discuss the high-tech frontier of lost pet search and rescue. Joshua joins the podcast to pull back the curtain on how he uses thermal drone technology to...
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Raising the Wild: Inside Opossum Rehab with Jenni Johnson of Opi•Earth
In this inspiring and deeply educational episode, we welcome Jenni Johnson of Opi•Earth, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator whose work centers on giving vulnerable native wildlife a second chance—especially orphaned opossums. Jenni walks us through what it truly means to rehabilitate wildlife in...
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Mr. Ed: The Bee Saving Legend of Louisiana
Mr. Ed, the longtime beekeeper of St. Joseph Abbey and one of YouTube’s most trusted voices in bee rescue, joins the show to talk about ethical bee relocation, swarm behavior, and the art of working with honey bees. We talk about how he approaches swarm calls, why bees choose the places they do,...
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Reframing the Way We See Cats with Frame Your Feline
In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes, the duo behind Frame Your Feline, to explore the fascinating journey of how they merged a passion for cats with high-end interior design. They share the story of how they moved from a creative spark to a rigorous design process...
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It Takes a Village to Save Lives with Stephanie Smith
Independent rescuer and animal advocate Stephanie Smith joins us for a powerful, eye‑opening conversation about what it really takes to protect animals in communities where resources are thin and the need is overwhelming. Stephanie shares the story that changed everything for her in 2022 — a...
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Meow's the Word with Mission Meow
In this episode, we sit down with Sally Williams to discuss Mission Meow's unique crowdfunded grant model, which brings animal lovers together to provide life-changing resources for small feline rescues. Throughout our conversation, Sally explains how focusing on these local, grassroots...
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Abandoned at the State Line: The Welcome Center Cats
🚨UPDATE (March 2026): We have incredible news! Since this episode originally aired, trappers received the necessary permission and all cats at the welcome center have been safely trapped. Because the situation is now resolved, no further assistance or outreach is needed for this location. Thank...
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From 12 Cats to a 501(c)(3)
What happens when you move into a new home and inherit 12 cats you weren't expecting? For the founder of Southern Pets Animal Rescue, it was the start of a 12-year journey from independent rescuer to a formal nonprofit leader. In this episode, we sit down with Amber Richard to discuss the gritty...
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A Year of Rescue, Recovery & Remarkable Lives
As we close out December 2025, Animal Posse reaches a powerful milestone — our 48th episode of the year. Join host Dixie Louviere for a heartfelt journey through the moments that defined this season of rescue. From overcrowded shelters to tireless fosters, from animals fighting impossible odds to...
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How Cats Are Building Community at Lafreniere Park
In this heartwarming episode, Leslie and Jeri share their journey of feeding and caring for the beloved cats of Lafreniere Park through the Lafreniere Volunteers Civic Association. Listeners will hear how daily acts of compassion—providing food, medical care, and safe spaces—have transformed the...
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Turning Grief into Action with Potato's Place
Join us as we talk to Haley Sampey, the passionate founder of the new animal rescue nonprofit, Potato's Place. Haley shares her journey from dedicated volunteer and foster mom—who rigorously followed up on every stray she took in—to starting her own 501(c)(3). She stresses the critical 3-3-3 rule...
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When Hope Meets Heartbreak: Saving Animals in Rural Louisiana
In this episode of Animal Posse, we sit down with Alyssa of Aviary Creature Rescue to confront the growing animal welfare crisis in Louisiana. From parish shelters closing their doors to feral dog packs roaming rural towns, Alyssa shares firsthand stories of resilience, heartbreak, and hope....
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Opossums, Raccoons, & Squirrels: Saving Our Backyard Wildlife
Found a baby squirrel, opossum, or raccoon? What should you do—and more importantly, when should you help? We talk to licensed wildlife rehabilitator Leah Anderessen of Silent Voices Wildlife Rehabilitation for the essential guide to protecting our wild neighbors. Leah shares the proper steps for...
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The Heart of Animal Communication
Dixie welcomes Faun Fenderson of Hearts Communicate to explore the profound practice of animal communication. Faun shares her experiences of tuning into the subtle language of animals—through intuition, presence, and love—and how these exchanges can transform the way we relate to the beings who...
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The Spiritual Gift of Animals
In this inspiring conversation, Dixie sits down with Bonnie Poirier to explore the profound ways animals can serve as our spiritual directors. Together, we reflect on how the presence of cats, dogs, and other companions can guide us toward deeper awareness, compassion, and connection with the...
About this show
Dive deep into the world of animal rescue with heartwarming stories, expert interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights. From heartwarming adoptions to daring rescues, we'll explore the incredible bond between humans and animals.
Hosted by
Unwanted Feline Organization