The Asia for Animals podcast

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has recently marked its 50th anniversary with the landmark 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) in Samarkand. Hosts Ngoc Anh Nguyen and Koh Jieh Long were joined by Dr. Mark Jones, Head of Policy at the Born Free Foundation and a CITES veteran, to break down the pivotal outcomes.In this episode, we explore how CITES is evolving to address modern challenges, including the record-setting workload of CoP20, the shift to online and exotic pet trade in Asia, and the imperative for digitalization through CITES e-permits and traceability systems. Dr. Jones shares insights on the critical need for national policy reforms in Asian countries, greater international cooperation with bodies like the Quadripartite Collaboration for One Health, and the complex issues of animal repatriation and welfare for seized live animals.For summary of key developments, please check out: https://cites.org/eng/cop/20/summary-records

In this special episode, we take you behind the scenes of Asia Farm Animal Day (AFAD) — the region’s leading gathering for farmed animal advocates — to hear directly from three inspiring voices representing India, Indonesia, and Nepal. Join us as they share their experiences, key learnings, and personal takeaways from the conference. From building connections across borders to discovering new strategies for impact, this conversation unpacks how AFAD serves as a powerful platform for collaboration, growth, and renewed motivation within Asia’s farmed animal movement. Tune in for heartfelt reflections, practical insights, and a glimpse into how regional advocates are shaping a more compassionate future for animals.

Welcome to the "Shelter Fatigue" Podcast Series by the Dog and Cat Coalition (DACC)! Join Cica, Lead Coordinator of DACC, and Henna Pekko, Managing Director of Rescue P.A.W.S. Thailand, as they discuss the pressure shelters face when it comes to making decisions and why it’s okay to acknowledge our limits. This conversation is a reminder that no shelter or rescuer is facing these challenges alone, we are in this together.

To celebrate World Orangutan Day, we release a podcast with the Centre for Orangutan Protection to explore one of the most powerful journeys in orangutan conservation: the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orangutans back into the wild. Through stories from the field, insights from experts, and a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of orangutan rehabilitation, this episode delves into the emotional and ecological complexities of reintroducing orangutans to their natural habitat. We welcome Hardi Baktiantoro and Indira Nurul from the Centre for Orangutan Protection, one of the organizations that works on the frontlines of orangutan conservation in Indonesia.

We often see news reports about live animals being confiscated by the authorities. We automatically assume they have been "rescued"; however, fortunately or unfortunately, the animals survive after confiscation. They have to live on to deal with the aftermath of their psychological trauma, as a result of being separated from their parents and having witnessed them being killed. In this podcast episode, Amapola Rey (Poppy) and Cris Armengol were interested in studying macaques and gibbons, respectively, to understand how they cope with trauma within a social group after being rescued from the illegal pet trade. With the knowledge they gathered, they hope to inform better rehabilitation strategies at rescue centres, leading to improved welfare outcomes and increased success in releasing rescued primates back into the wild. Poppy's research paper: "Impacts of illegal trade on socio-emotional and behavioural skills in macaques" https://f1000research.com/articles/13-188 Support the Gibbon Conservation Society: https://ko-fi.com/gibbonconservationsociety

This World Parrot Day, we speak with Angela D'Alessio of the World Parrot Trust and Billy Gustafianto Lolowang of Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Center about the journey of repatriating illegally traded parrots back to Indonesia — and the complex, hopeful process of releasing them back into the wild.  Tune in and celebrate the resilience of parrots and the people fighting for their return.

Have you ever wondered what goes into planning Asia’s largest and most progressive animal advocacy conference? In this special episode, we chat with Connie Chiang (Taiwan SPCA) and Wu Hung (EAST), two incredible voices from the Conference Steering Committee. We’re diving into this year’s powerful theme, “Reflection and Breaking Boundaries,” and what makes AfA Conference Taipei 2025 a must-attend event for anyone passionate about animal welfare.

In this special International Macaque Week episode, host Amanda Yonica is joined by Vasanthi Kumar and Tanveer Khanam from STRAW India — a leading voice in humane education. For nearly two decades, STRAW has worked to bring empathy into Indian classrooms, integrating animal welfare into school curricula, teacher training, and student workshops. In this episode, we explore how their work helps children build compassion from an early age — and why education may be one of the most powerful tools for protecting animals. We also dive into their new efforts to include macaques in their programming — one of the most visible and misunderstood primates in Asia. By addressing common fears, cultural beliefs, and urban conflict, STRAW hopes to help children see macaques not as problems, but as fellow beings we must learn to coexist with.

Join our esteemed guest, Trixie Concepcion, Regional Director for Asia Pacific at the Dolphin Safe Monitoring Program, Earth Island Institute, as she shares her years of experience in dolphin protection across the Asia Pacific region, offering insights into the exciting and ever-evolving challenges of marine animal welfare advocacy. Discover the origins of the Dolphin Safe program, explore crucial advocacy efforts, along with the unique challenges faced in developing countries where economic and social issues often take precedence.

Join us as we celebrate Thai Elephant Day with our latest podcast! In this special episode, we explore the unique personalities of elephants and how recognizing them as individuals can pave the way for harmonious human-elephant relationships. We’re thrilled to welcome Ave Owen from Bring the Elephant Home for an insightful conversation from Kuri Bui National Park, Thailand.  

Welcome to the "Shelter Fatigue" Podcast Series by the Dog and Cat Coalition (DACC). The very first episode dives into the critical issue of hoarding and its impact on animal welfare. Join Cica, Lead Coordinator of DACC, and Aarthi Sankar, Executive Director of SPCA Singapore, as they discuss the consequences of animal hoarding and solutions to ensure the desire to help doesn’t harm the very animals we aim to protect.

We know it's illegal and inhumane to keep wild animals as pets or for exploitation; but what happens to the animals in cases where law enforcement confiscates them? Animal Asia provides a sanctuary that serves not merely as a shelter but a place where an Asiatic black bear, rescued from the bear bile farms, finds their confidence in living a normal life with other bears, again; while acting as the ambassador for their species. Tune in to listen to how Sarah van Herpt, Veterinary and Behavioural Husbandry Services Director - Animals Asia, empowers the animals and the local community at Animals Asia's Viet Nam Bear Sanctuary, Tam Dao.

Join Ngoc Anh Nguyen, Lead Coordinator of the AfA Policy Coalition, as she sits down with David Pedersen, Membership Development Officer at the World Federation for Animals (WFA), for a powerful conversation about uniting the global animal welfare movement. With inspiring success stories, strategies for overcoming barriers, and a hopeful vision for the future, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating a better world for animals.

This podcast episode explores the vital issue of protecting animals in disaster situations, featuring insights from Altamush Saeed, an award-winning interspecies justice lawyer, professor, and activist. Altamush shared his experiences in animal rescue operations, the need for inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks, and his vision for international policies that safeguard animals during crises.

The AfA SMACC team discuss their latest report, "Spot the Scam: Unmasking Fake Animal Rescue". The Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition spent months investigating fake animal rescues on social media, and in this episode will share their shocking findings. Listen to learn how you can identify the real from the fake, and what action you can take to help animals.

Join the AfA Macaque Coalition’s Lead Coordinator in conversation with Praneetha Monipi, wildlife biologist, conservationist, and founder of Adhvaya: Beyond Barriers! They dive deep into the world of bonnet macaques, explore the complexities of primate welfare and conservation, and shine a light on the unique challenges faced by grassroots activists and organizations working tirelessly for their conservation.

In this episode, we invite you to learn more about Ape conservation and welfare efforts that are being highlighted on October 8 by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries' annual fundraiser- 'Giving Day for Apes'. Hear from Valerie Taylor, Executive Director at the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries on what is Giving Day for Apes, how does it help apes and how can you be involved.

The animal protection movement is a challenging field that exposes workers to high levels of stress and trauma. Compassion fatigue, burnout, stress injury, and vicarious trauma are common issues faced by those dedicated to helping end animal suffering. Join us for an empowering session with Jessica Dolce from Compassion in Balance where we hear of some real-life experiences about these occupational hazards, how to recognize warning signs, and effectively implement practical strategies to safeguard your well-being.

The capacity of the Asian farmed animal and diet change NGO advocacy sector remains critically lacking compared to the scale of the issue. Additionally, global fund distribution remains disproportionate to the magnitude of the problem, creating challenges for organizations on the ground.  Join Jessika Ava from Thrive Philanthropy and Wanyi Zeng from Welfare Matters as we explore the findings of our Report on the Capacity and Funding Landscape of the Asian Farm Animal Movement and discuss how funders and capacity-building organizations can work towards strengthening the farm animal welfare movement in Asia.

This episode delves into the critical link between animal welfare and climate action, highlighting the discussions and outcomes from the recent Bonn Climate Change Conference and setting the stage for the upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Host Ngoc Anh Nguyen and guest Angel Flores from World Animal Protection explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating animal welfare into global climate policies. They discuss key takeaways, strategic advocacy points, and the vital role of public support and cross-sector collaboration in pushing for meaningful change. The conversation underscores the urgent need to recognize animal welfare as a fundamental component of climate resilience.

As we observe National Grief Awareness Day on August 30th, our latest episode of the One Life podcast delves into the profound emotion of grief. While this day traditionally focuses on human experiences, we also explore how grief impacts non-human animals, reflecting their deep emotional connections and the need for compassion.   Join our hosts Eileen and Dino to recognize the shared experience of grief, honor the emotional lives of all beings, and deepen our commitment to respecting and protecting animals.

In this compelling episode of AfA Podcast, host Vinnie from the Farm Animal Coalition (FAC) sits down with four exceptional guest speakers from Animal Kingdom Foundation who co-organized the recent FAC regional events in the Philippines. This episode offers an in-depth look at the FAC Regional Event, an initiative by FAC aimed at improving farmed animal welfare across different regions through collaboration and the exchange of best practices. Join us for an enlightening and inspiring conversation about the future of farmed animal welfare and the vital role of regional collaboration.

Ever wondered what it’s like to lead the world’s oldest animal welfare organization? Or how the RSPCA UK is preparing for its remarkable 200th anniversary?  This episode with the CEO Chris Sherwood, explores the legacy and evolution of RSPCA, their rebranding, and the daily work that drives their mission forward. Tune in to discover what makes this historic organization a continued force for animal welfare around the globe!

Long-tailed macaques are regarded by some as "pests" and others as "resources" - and they're killed, captured and traded in huge numbers around the world - to the extent that they are now considered to be Endangered. The biomedical industry, which utilizes many thousands of LTM individuals every year, has launched a formal challenge to their Endangered status.   We'll talk with LTM expert Malene Friis Hansen and Policy expert Mark Jones about long-tailed macaques and the threats they face - and what you can do to help.

Curious about the ongoing efforts to advocate for animal welfare in Indonesia? Want to learn more about impactful campaigns like 'Dog Meat Free Indonesia' and 'Go Cage-free'? In this episode, we catch up with Herdiana Putri Ayuningtyas and Monique van der Harst from Animal Friends Jogja to explore their comprehensive approach to policy advocacy and community engagement. Discover the challenges and successes they’ve faced, and gain insights into the strategies they employ to influence policy changes and improve animal protection in Indonesia. Join us to find out what the future holds for animal welfare in Indonesia and how you can get involved in supporting these crucial initiatives.

Join us for an inspiring journey through the Vegan India Conference! In this episode, we chat with passionate activists and dedicated professionals about the incredible progress and future of the vegan movement in India. From the importance of relationship building in volunteer engagement to insights on the funding landscape, we've got it all covered!

Have you heard about South Korea's recent announcement to ban the dog meat trade and want to learn more? Are you curious to understand the dog meat trade in Asia, and the situation across Asia in general? We caught up with Lola Webber from Humane Society International to provide you with an overall understanding of the dog meat trade in Asia, and what the recent ban announcement in South Korea entails. Join us to discover what the next few months and years will bring ahead for South Korea and Asia, and what organisations and members of the public can do to tackle this issue.

We dive deep into the world of development banks and their role in financing factory farming. Our special guest, Alessandro Ramazzotti from the International Accountability Project, sheds light on the intricate web of funding, the loopholes being exploited, and the vital work of the Stop Financing Factory Farming coalition (S3F). In this insightful conversation, Alessandro explains the mission and goals of the International Accountability Project and how development banks are fueling factory farming and why this is a global concern. He also discusses the Early Warning System (EWS) and its role in monitoring harmful projects, sharing success stories from the S3F coalition in stopping detrimental projects. Alessandro emphasizes how listeners can get involved and support sustainable, humane farming practices. Tune in to learn how development finance impacts our environment and communities, and discover ways to join the movement for a more sustainable future.

The illegal wildlife trade seems impossible to overcome, and is harming millions of animals and our ecosystems around the world. In this episode we ask the question - is it possible to stop illegal trade of wild animals? Joining us today is Karmele Llano Sanchez, from Yayasan International Animal Rescue Indonesia. Karmele will be sharing with us how they managed to dramatically slow, and almost stop the illegal trade of Asia’s mysterious slow loris.

Join long time AfA Coalition core member organization Born Free Foundation (BFF) to discover the challenges faced by a vast number of wild animals being kept and traded as pets. Dr. Mark Jones and Chris Lewis of BFF take us deep into this global issue, as well as their multi-pronged approach to find solutions.

To celebrate International Turtle Day, delve into the fascinating world of turtles! Learn more about these amazing animals in this episode, from their shells, to their navigation skills and parental care, you'll also learn about the threats that they face and conservation initiatives that have helped save endangered populations! 

In this episode, we delve into the nuances of animal welfare advocacy in Latin America with Luis Sarmiento, Founder and Director of Proyecto ALA. With a rich background in animal welfare and protection, Luis shares his insights on the challenges and strategies employed in Latin America and discusses the parallels with Asian efforts in policy advocacy. The conversation explores the importance of global policy forums, effective strategies for engaging national governments, and the benefits of collaboration between Latin American and Asian animal welfare advocates. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of cross-regional efforts and how they can inform and strengthen our advocacy work.

To round up International Macaque Week 2024, we explore the vital work of Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC) member organizations Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates in combating the exploitation of macaques in online cruelty content. We discuss the global reach of this issue and the challenges faced by animal advocates in getting social media platforms to take down abusive content. Find out more about our guest organizations at https://ladyfreethinker.org/ and https://actionforprimates.org/

In celebration of International Macaque Day, we're featuring quick macaque tales from a variety of macaque people - a new, personal story each day! Today we hear from Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, Senior Science Advisor, PETA. Learn more at www.macaquecoalition.com/international-macaque-week  

In celebration of International Macaque Day, we're featuring quick macaque tales from a variety of macaque people - a new, personal story each day! Today we hear from Cris Armengol from the Gibbon Conservation Society. Learn more at www.macaquecoalition.com/international-macaque-week

In celebration of International Macaque Day, we're featuring quick macaque tales from a variety of macaque people - a new, personal story each day! Today we hear from anthropologist Professor Erin Riley. Learn more at www.macaquecoalition.com/international-macaque-week

In celebration of International Macaque Day, we're featuring quick macaque tales from a variety of macaque people - a new, personal story each day! Today we hear from Amanda Yonica of the Asia for Animals Coalition. Learn more at www.macaquecoalition.com/international-macaque-week

In celebration of International Macaque Day, we're featuring quick macaque tales from a variety of macaque people - a new, personal story each day! Today we hear from Dr. Kurnia Ilham, who studies interactions between humans and macaques. Learn more at www.macaquecoalition.com/international-macaque-week

In celebration of International Macaque Day, we're featuring quick macaque tales from a variety of macaque people - a new, personal story each day! Today we hear from Dr. Jo Leen Yap, founder of Langur Project Penang. Learn more at www.macaquecoalition.com/international-macaque-week  

Today is the start of International Macaque Week (IMW), and what better way to start this week than learning all about these wonderful primates? Learn more about macaque communication, social bonds, motherhood, cognitive abilities, tool use (including flossing!) and much more in this episode. Originally created by Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation, this year, the AfA Macaque Coalition is helping to coordinate and reinvigorate IMW, so expect to see many activities, facts, information, and ways you can get involved in the coming days! You can access all this on IMW’s social media pages and website - www.macaquecoalition.com/international-macaque-week  This podcast episode is part of AfA’s recently launched project called One Life, a database of education resources which NGOs can use to promote concepts of animal sentience. Learn more at www.asiaforanimals.com/one-life. #macaques #macaque #internationalmacaqueweek #MacaquePositivity #asia #animals #wildanimals #monkey #monkeys

Warzones are undoubtedly some of the most devastating and chaotic environments one can imagine. Nowzad, an organization committed to animal welfare in conflict zones, has fearlessly undertaken the challenging task of working in war-ravaged regions such as Ukraine and Afghanistan. Despite the inherent dangers, their dedicated team has been relentless in their efforts to rescue and enhance the well-being of animals affected by these conflicts.

How can animal advocates create a future where justice for animals is the global standard? Join us for a compelling discussion with Dr. Sabine Brels, founder of World Animal Justice (WAJ). WAJ is spearheading a movement to bring "crimes against animality" into international law, mirroring the protections afforded to humans and the environment. In this episode of the AfA Policy Coalition podcast, you'll discover WAJ's bold vision for a world where animal rights are upheld, their strategies to criminalize acts of extreme cruelty and the overexploitation of animals as well as the Asia Pacific Animal Law Overview (APALO) – a groundbreaking project mapping animal protection laws across the region. Ready to drive change in animal law? Visit worldanimaljustice.org to learn more about WAJ's vital work and how you can support their efforts. More about APALO, visit https://worldanimaljustice.org/projects/

What is social media animal cruelty content and how do organizations work to tackle this enormous issue? This episode, brought to you by our SMACC working group, will introduce how to spot some different forms of animal cruelty content, as well as exploring the interventions being taken by NGOs to find solutions, all through conversation with our coalition member, ACRES, from Singapore.

Have you ever heard of kopi lukak? Or civet cat coffee? Yes? Then this podcast will reveal more insights into the creatures behind the trade. Join us on the first episode of Asia's Wildlife Rescuers with Jes Hooper of The Civet Project, and fall in love with this cryptic and beautiful creature, and learn what you can do to help save them!

How can the movement for animals in Asia best utilize the growing body of research? In this first episode hosted by our Capacity in Animal Protection Coalition team, we had a great, in depth conversation to uncover just that. Good Growth and Faunalytics have a strong partnership which aims to bring advocates the highest quality research to bolster their legitimacy and amplify their messages. Here, Ella Wong, Head of Projects and Operations at Good Growth, and Björn Olafsson, Research Liaison for Faunalytics share their expertise on best practice for leveraging insights, developing a "research mindset", and how your organization can use their projects to benefit your work for animals.

Announcement! We are happy to introduce the newest project of AfA Coalition, One Life. One Life aims to be a database of education resources which NGOs can use to promote concepts of animal sentience at the deepest level, to help new generations understand the ways in which animals share many cognitive and emotional abilities as well as needs with humans, and therefore, why they deserve our respect and protection. One Life resources, developed by AfA Coalition President Dave Neale, Global Animal Welfare Director for Animals Asia, have been delivered via Animals Asia's education programs in China and Vietnam with great success for some years now. Dave, a major instigator of the AfA Coalition, sees the clear opportunity to disseminate these resources via AfA, so they can be used by animal organizations in many more countries around Asia. Over the coming months, we will be working hard to make this a reality, so watch this space! In this exciting episode, we dig deep into the impetus and success of One Life and how Dave sees the project evolving, still under his stewardship as AfA President, and spreading throughout the Asia for Animals Network.

Puppy mills are large-scale commercial breeding facilities where dogs are bred in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Unfortunately, this serious issue is usually overlooked, and the public is often deceived with cute puppies presented in pet stores. For a year, PETA Asia has carried out various investigations in different countries across Asia to expose the cruelty behind this trending industry. In this new episode of "Cat & Dog Conversations", we caught up with their Campaign Coordinator, Abigail Forsyth, to learn more about this important work.

In the first installment of "All About Macaques", our AfA Macaque Coalition Lead Coordinator talks to Uddalak Tathagato Bindhani, who is currently working towards his PhD at the Wildlife Institute of India. Uddalak studies the ecology and behavior of rhesus macaques in human-dominated landscapes and gives us a great insight into what he’s observed and learned. Both where he works and across many of the regions where certain species of macaques live, the way people interact with them can sometimes be problematic, causing an array of issues for both humans and monkeys. Uddalak’s studies can shed light on some of the causes of and potential solutions to such interactions.

Meet Christine Dorchak, the founder and visionary behind GREY2K USA Worldwide. In this first episode in the series "Cat & Dog Conversations", we discuss how Greyhound racing, once a thriving industry, is now a dying sport. Christine and her organization are committed to ending the cruel greyhound industry with a strategic approach focusing on legislation, public awareness, and promoting adoption. She highlights that this issue is sadly present in many countries, including Vietnam, the UK, USA, and Australia. Christine also shares personal stories to inspire advocates to speak up for greyhounds.  

Focus on Farm Animals: Have you ever considered running an institutional outreach program to influence the youth in your country to try veganism? Well, that is exactly what the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO) is doing. Back in October, we caught up with FIAPO’s Sarita Joshi at our conference in Kuching, Malaysia, to hear about her first-hand experience of delivering the institutional outreach program, which had already engaged over 2,000 university students within its first 18 months! Sarita talked to us about successes, pitfalls, and aspirations for how our movement can inspire young people towards more compassionate lifestyles. This was a great chat, and this episode will be especially for you if you are involved in running education programs for animals in your country or are thinking of doing so.