PODCAST · kids
the Intake
by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
Conversations in Animal Welfare
Episodes
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DEI Journey with The Association and MSM Global
In 2019, The Association made an intentional commitment to examine DEI within our organization and across the animal welfare profession. That commitment ultimately led to the creation of our DEI Council and to a partnership with MSM Global Consulting that has helped us learn, listen, challenge...
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Disaster Fundraising and Communications with Pasadena Humane
In January 2025, the Eaton Fire burned for 24 daysin Pasadena Humane's service area. Evacuations and warnings affected more than 100,000 residents and 20,000 structures, over 9,400 structures were destroyed and Pasadena Humane assisted more than 3,000 animals during the response. Katherine is...
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The Stories Behind the Stories: Leadership Lessons from Humane Perspectives
Cathy Rosenthal is the curator and editor of HumanePerspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare, a remarkable collection of essays from 45 leaders across our profession. Rather than focusing on organizational achievements, this book explores the experiences that shaped these leaders—the challenges...
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All About AAWA with Jim Tedford
What is The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement? Where did it originate? Why should I become a member? Jim Tedford sits down with Katherine Shenar to talk all things AAWA!
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Discover SEEDs: Build a More Positive, Inclusive, and Sustainable Work Culture
Today we're discussing one of the most urgent andstrategically important issues facing animal welfare organizations today. The health and sustainability of the workforce itself. You know, across the profession organizations are grappling with burnout, turnovers, staffingshortages, communication...
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The Annual Conference...Registration is LIVE!
Join us in Chattanooga, TN, October 26 - 29 for The Association's Annual Conference! AAWA's own Kelly Cunningham and Kristy Gonyer join Katherine to share the details of all the things you don't want to miss. Register today!
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Did You Miss The Network Live?
Recently, animal welfare leaders from across the countrygathered for The Network Live, an event designed to bring together big ideas, honest conversations, and practical solutions for some of our profession's most pressing challenges. But as many of our listeners know, not everyone can attend…
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Community Cats with Stacy LeBaron
Stacy LeBaron has spent more than three decades helping cats and the people who care for them. Previously, she led the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, where innovative programs helped more than 100,000 cats and kittens. Today she is the founder of Community Cats Central, formerly known as...
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Why Pet Insurance Matters More Than We Think: A Shelter Leader’s Perspective
Pet health insurance can be confusing—for pet parents and animal welfare professionals alike. Terms like pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, and medical records often create uncertainty at the very moment families are trying to do the right thing for their pets. In this episode of The…
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It’s Not Just About Asking, It’s About Connecting: Rethinking the Day of Giving in Animal Welfare
In this episode of The Intake Podcast, host Katherine Shenar sits down with Rhett Lindsay and Lydia Krupinski from Anti-Cruelty in Chicago, alongside TrueSense Marketing’s Alison McCarty, to unpack how their 125th anniversary campaign became one of their all-time most impactful fundraising…
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The Fundraising Reset: Retention, Reactivation, Results
What does it take to stabilize your donor pipeline, re-engage lapsed supporters, and grow fundraising revenue—without burning out your team? In this episode of The Intake, host Katherine Shenar is joined by Kendall Paul, CEO of the Vanderburgh Humane Society, and Kristin Serrano, Vice President…
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Adoption Trends Uncovered: Insights from the 2025 Report
Are shelter adoptions changing — and what does that mean for pets, people, and the future of animal welfare? In this episode, we dive into the 2025 State of Shelter Adoptions Report, one of the most comprehensive snapshots of what shelters are experiencing right now. Join host Katherine Shenar of...
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Pet Insurance & Peace of Mind: A Shelter’s Secret Advantage
Pet insurance might not be the flashiest topic—but what if we told you it could be the secret ingredient to boosting adoptions, supporting your staff, and building long-term trust with pet parents? In this episode of The Intake, we’re joined by two passionate leaders who know the power of...
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Alleviating the Licensing Burden & Getting More Pets Home
If you’re an animal welfare professional looking to reduce intake, increase RTO, and provide faster solutions for lost pets and worried families, this episode is for you. Katherine Shenar hosts Front Street Animal Shelter’s Phillip Zimmerman and Jackie Rose of DocuPet.
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The Kitten Lady & Orphan Kitten Club Pt. 1
This episode kicks off Part 1 of a 2-part interview with Hannah Shaw, widely known as The Kitten Lady, and Jackie Noble, the newly appointed executive director of Orphan Kitten Club, to explore the unique challenges and rewarding experiences of fostering neonatal kittens. The conversation sparked...
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The Kitten Lady & Orphan Kitten Club Pt. 2
In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Shaw, a/k/a The Kitten Lady, an advocate for cat welfare, especially neonate kittens, and Jackie Noble, executive director for the Orphan Kitten Club, Shaw’s nonprofit she created to help build innovative programs that save the lives of the tiniest and…
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Not-So-Secret Strategies of 4-Star Foster Programs
Hill’s Pet Nutrition just released their 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report, with data suggesting there could be gains in exploring our messaging to potential volunteers around foster opportunities. The Association’s Katherine Shenar sat down with three animal welfare professionals who have...
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Grow Your Foster Program, Texas-Style
Hill’s Pet Nutrition just released their 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report, and you may be surprised to learn that 1 in 3 people would be more likely to adopt if foster-to-adopt were an option at their shelter, or that 64% of respondents would foster if their costs were covered. To capitalize...
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Pet Insurance + Shelters: Untapped Partnerships for Tackling Access to Care
The Association’s Katherine Shenar hosts Brian Jorgensen of MetLife Pet Insurance and Atlanta Humane Society’s Michael Robbins for a talk about an untapped strategy for improving access to care. Learn about partnerships between shelters and pet insurance providers that can change the way shelters...
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RTO Reality Check: Stop Judging & Start Strategizing Around Lost Pets
It's true that intake numbers are still below pre-pandemic 2019, yet animal shelters are over capacity. And the numbers show that interest in adoptions is waning. There is a potential solution... But why aren’t more organizations prioritizing it? The Association’s Katherine Shenar sits down with...
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Temperature Check: New Tool Reduces Stress for Pets at the Vet
Taking a dog’s or cat’s temperature with a traditional rectal thermometer in a clinical or shelter setting… Wish it could be both more efficient and less stressful for the animal? Well, it CAN. Find out how in this conversation between The Association’s Katherine M. Shenar, Jamie Driscoll of…
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How Telemedicine Saved This Shelter
Heard the one about the foster volunteer with the sick kitten calling the foster coordinator at 2 am on a Sunday morning, and the foster coordinator then calling the vet to see if it’s an emergency? This all-too common scenario can lead to staff burnout , work-life imbalance, and inefficient...
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The Number One Way To Keep Your Pet From Being A Statistic
July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month and Lorien Clemens, CEO and co-founder of PetHub and Jerrica Owen, Executive Director for the National Animal Care & Control Association, share survey results from their 2022 Lost Pet Research Study. The survey shows a gap in perceptions of prevention…
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What You Should Know If You Rent With A Pet
With rents increasing as much as 25% across the nation, Dianne Prado, eviction attorney in Los Angeles, helps us understand what we need to know if we rent with a pet. We learned a lot from Dianne and know you will, too.
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It's Time to Clear The Shelters 2022
She's an #animalwelfareshero to many of us working in animal shelters -- Joann Fuller, the person responsible for Hill's Food, Shelter, Love program and champion of #ClearTheShelters 2022, has rolled up her sleeves to make August the best adoption promotion in its 7-year history. Thanks to the...
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This Shelter Vet Believes Veterinarian Relationships Are Changing
Dr. Anne Kimmerlein, Veterinary Epidemiologist for VCA Animal Hospitals, tells her story of becoming a shelter veterinarian and why she thinks relationships are changing between shelters and private practice veterinarians.
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Cyber Security in Animal Welfare: What's Phishing Got To Do With Puppies & Kittens?
Petfinder.com's Jessica Arnold pulls the curtain back and reveals an area where animal welfare groups are potentially most vulnerable - cyber security. Just like any other online retailer, nonprofit organization, or business, animal welfare organizations are susceptible to hacking and online…
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Is Hustle Culture Hurting You and Your Co-Workers?
A workplace built on constant response and hustle makes for a draining culture. José Ocaño from Best Friends Animal Society shares his observations about Hustle Culture and how animal welfare professionals can take control and escape this toxic environment.
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The One Bit of Advice For All Animal Welfare Fundraisers
The new vice president for client strategy and success at One & All, DeSean Brown, shared his one bit of advice for fundraisers in animal welfare. It's not what you think but it makes so much sense.
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How Loud Can You Bark? Hellraising versus Fundraising
Big brands get to have the biggest voices and attention, while organizations doing the most good are often overlooked. Nonprofit social impact orgs such as animal shelters can’t compete with the $$$$ budgets big brands dedicated to media buying, production, talent, product, creative, etc. So how...
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Is Your Pet The 1 in 3 That Will Go Missing? Here's What American Pet Owners Need To Know
Research conducted by Petco Love confirmed that 1 in 3 pets in the United States will go missing in their lifetime. Petco Love has created a national database of lost and found pets to help ensure your pet will be reunited with you and your family. Hear from Petco Love President Susanne Kogut and...
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Here’s What Successful Fundraisers Do To Improve Results
They invest in themselves! What should fundraisers focus on right now? How do fundraisers commit to professional growth? This conversation explores these ideas and offers reviews on the new fundraising certificate offered through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. Whether you're new…
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Why didn't I think of that? Animal Welfare Innovation Award for 2020
The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and Pethealth Inc. are pleased to announce the 2020 recipient of the Diane & Bob Hoover Annual Innovation Award is Adan Parra and the team at El Paso Animal Services! Though they have multiple worthy initiatives, their focus on using technology to...
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Will your pet have access to veterinary care in 10 years?
A new study from Banfield Pet Hospital® reveals an estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030, with an important factor being a critical shortage of veterinarians. Further, with nearly 90% of veterinary professionals identifying as white...
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Unicorn Alert: Nonprofit AF with Vu Le
Jim Tedford, CEO for The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, interviews author and blogger Vu Le who founded the much loved Nonprofit AF blog that serves as a source of comfort and sanity for nonprofit professionals. Vu Le's irreverent humor continues to delight professionals who try to...
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Are You Making Space For BIPOC Voices?
Are you helping amplify BIPOC voices? Not sure how? Guest host Jorge Ortega joins Katherine Shenar in exploring ways the animal welfare profession can elevate BIPOC voices with CARE President James Evans and Best Friends' José Ocaño, Senior Director of People and Culture.
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Solving The People Problem
Hear from authors Brett Cooper and Evans Kerrigan about their new book "Solving The People Problem" and learn their recommendations so you can have better communication and relationships with your work colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family! A must read for anyone who frequently works or…
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The Eviction Crisis: What Will We Do With 11 Million Displaced Pets?
Why does the Eviction Crisis matter for animal welfare? 72% of renters own pets and The Humane Society of the United States estimates 11 million pets could be displaced in 2020 without significant intervention. For the last few months of 2020, projections put between 30-40 million American…
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Embarrassing Epiphanies: What's Your Adoption Philosophy Story?
Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Shain, Vice President of Field Services Chris Schindler, and Vice President of Operations Claudia Roll, open up with Katherine Shenar about personal experiences in animal welfare around adoption denials. These leaders from the Humane Rescue Alliance in…
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How do you reinvigorate a 143-year-old brand?
Michigan Humane Society was founded in 1877 but 2020 brought an opportunity to reinvigorate the mission and service levels to a more human-centric approach to animal welfare. Not just focusing on the animals in the shelter but looking at the health and wellbeing of pets and their people…
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Should Fostering Be The New Normal For Animal Welfare?
Laura Oliver, founder of Lionel's Legacy Senior Dog Rescue in San Diego, California, guest hosts this episode of The Intake and interviews Kristen Auerbach and Dr. Ellen Jefferson about the role fostering is playing in animal welfare in a COVID-19 world.
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Are you ready for Human Animal Support Services?
Guest Host Jorge Ortega interviews Kristen Auerbach and Dr. Ellen Jefferson about the Human Animal Support Services movement and how its impacting shelters across the nation. He even asks them about their superpowers.
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Are Rural Animal Shelters Ready For COVID-19 Changes?
The first several months of COVID-19 in America led to incredible collaboration and exploration of programmatic and protocol changes. Dr. Josh Fisher sits down with fellow southern shelter leader Cole Wakefield to further explore how rural shelters are managing COVID-19 and the new social…
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Support Your Team During Change & Uncertainty
Brian August, Chief Operating Officer, and Rhonda Palos, Vice President for Humane Resources, at Oregon Humane Society share how their organization is navigating the sudden changes and employee issues that COVID-19 has brought. You can incorporate their lessons learned for your own team.
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Texas Animal Services Director Talks COVID-19 and the Tiger King
Dr. Josh Fisher, Animal Services Director for Charlotte-Mecklenburgh, North Carolina, joined our EVP Katherine Shenar for a conversation with Jamey Cantrell, Animal Services Director for Plano, Texas. Jamey shares how his award-winning team is navigating COVID-19 and even recalls his experiences...
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Finding Emotional balance during COVID
Hilary Hager and Lindsay Hamrick of The Humane Society of the United States offer some recommendations for leaders to help support their teams through the uncertainty of COVID-19.
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Animal Services: Report From the Field in COVID-19
Chris Schindler, Vice President for Field Services for the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C., shares how his team is social distancing and working with new protocols in the field. With more than 100 calls per day, animal control officers and humane law enforcement are essential service...
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Leading change in animal welfare during COVID-19
Directing one of the highest intake shelters in the nation, Kristen Auerbach is leading her team at Pima County Animal Center in Tucson, Arizona, through COVID-19 with innovation, determination, and an eye on the future of animal sheltering. Hear her predictions and decide if they make sense for...
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Animal Advocacy In The Time Of COVID-19
Elise Traub, Senior Director for Legislation and Advocacy for Best Friends Animal Society, talks about community outreach efforts and helping states like California establish animal care and control personnel as essential workers.
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Navigate your new role as Teacher, Parent, and Professional
Stay at home orders and social distancing due to COVID-19 has required parents to morph into teachers in addition to working full time from home. For many parents, there is no respite from role leaving many exhausted, anxious, and defeated. Jyothi Robertson, DVM, DABVP, shares her experience and...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does the Intake have?
the Intake currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is the Intake about?
Conversations in Animal Welfare
How often does the Intake release new episodes?
the Intake has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to the Intake on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts the Intake?
the Intake is created and hosted by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.
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