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
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.