Episode 24. Animal Welfare Round Table: Mythbusters Edition

Episode 24. Animal Welfare Round Table: Mythbusters Edition

On this episode, we’re welcoming back previous guests Annie Pruitt, Kaitlyn Thomas and Liz Weiner. Between the 4 of us, we have nearly 30 years combined experience in animal sheltering and community pet support.

Special thanks to Chuck Nunn,  audio engineer for the Round Table - who also joins in the conversation when we put him on the spot.

 

On this Round Table, we’re confronting 4 myths that we see on social media and in our personal experience:

Myth #1: Heartless people dump animals at shelters.

Myth #2: If you can’t afford a pet, you shouldn’t have one.

Myth #3: Dogs with scars and injuries were used as “bait dogs.”

Myth #4: Pets end up at animal shelters because they were abused, have behavioral issues or are otherwise flawed in some way.

 

Annie, Kaitlyn, Liz & I talk through each of these statements and share the truths we’ve learned through our volunteer, work and life experiences.

 

Some of the topics we discuss:

• How we used to believe some of these but our experiences changed our minds – and we’re thrilled that we used to be wrong;
• How negative and judgmental comments on social media can create a dangerous situation for pets;
• Why we need to change the conversation from focusing on our opinions about the problem to focusing on solutions;
• Challenges faced by pet owners living at or below poverty level;
• How we can’t jump to conclusions or make assumptions about what goes on in a family;
• How imparting our own judgments on situations is the root cause of most conflicts and unhappiness;
• The power of making human connections;
• The importance of collaborating;
• Being responsible with social media consumption; and
• Compassion fatigue and burnout in the animal welfare community and the best way our panelists have found to reverse it.

 

Let's make Liz’s poem go viral!  Share now!

https://medium.com/creatures/i-adopted-your-pet-today-a-poem-921b7dab43fc

 

Connect with Annie of Charm City Companions:

Website: http://www.charmcitycompanions.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charmcitycompanions

Podcast Ep. 6:  https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-6-annies-story-compassion-in-action/

 

Connect with Kaitlyn of Finding Knox:

Website:  https://findingknox.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingKnox

Podcast Ep. 19:  https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-19-kaitlyn-thomas-of-finding-knox/

 

Connect with Liz Weiner:

Liz's Writing:  https://medium.com/creatures/liz-weiner/home

Podcast Ep. 7: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-7-lizs-story-tovis-gift/

Podcast Ep. 17: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-17-dog-mom-dog-dad-round-table-shy-fearful-dogs/

 

Let's Connect:

Facebook: @believeindogpodcast
Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast
Email: erin@believeindogpodcast.com

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