The Animal Rescue Podcast: what you always wanted to know but didn’t know who to ask

This week I talk with Julia Pennington, founder of Hera the Dog Vodka, who transformed her approach to animal activism after discovering criminal abuse at a Nashville animal shelter in high school, leading her to devote 25 years to Los Angeles rescue work before realizing traditional methods weren't addressing root causes. To create sustainable funding beyond donor fatigue, Julia developed a premium vodka using organic Italian wheat base from spent pasta grain, operating as a social benefit corporation that donates 50% of profits (currently 6% of sales) to local animal rescues in the same cities where the vodka is sold. The company has donated $70,000 plus 16,000 pounds of pet food, is expanding to Colorado, and is developing an online platform where customers will be able to choose which rescue receives their donation, with Julia emphasizing transparency and welcoming non-drinkers to support the mission by donating directly to featured rescues. To learn more about Hera the Dog, as long as you are 21 or older, check out www.herathedogvodka.com or follow them on social media @herathedogvodka.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Monica (pen name Leokadia George), author of a 4-book children's series about Trumpet, a "miracle" Mexican gray wolf at the Wolf Conservation Center in New York. Monica shares insights into the center's breeding programs for critically endangered wolves, creative conservation partnerships with ranchers (including AC/DC-playing drones as deterrents), and how her storytelling approach—with 50% of book royalties supporting conservation—demonstrates the powerful connection between literature and real-world wildlife protection efforts. To learn more about wolf conservation you can check out @wolfconservationcenter on social media or at www.nywolf.org. Also check out @lighthawk_org on social media and @briley.baxter.books for more on the Trumpet book series!Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Linda Velwest, author of "City Rescue Pets, Second Chances for Love and Hope". We discuss her early experiences with animal rescue, how that influenced her adult life, and what led to the creation of her website City Rescue Pets and the book "City Rescue Pets, Second Chances for Love and Hope". To learn more you can find her online at www.cityrescuepets.com and the book is available anywhere books are sold, but you know I like to recommend www.bookshop.org!Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Beth Gould, Executive Director, and Erica Kubersky, Director of Community Outreach, for Positive Tails, an organization based in New York City. Positive Tails focuses on supporting people and their pets by providing funding for emergency care, hosting health clinics, and spay/neuter resources. We discuss their experiences in animal rescue and welfare from a young age, how seeing the need in the community led them to conversations with a local vet group about how to get involved, and actually bringing people together to create Positive Tails. The work they do touches not only the people and pets supported, but also the veterinarians they work with. To learn more about Positive Tails you can find them online at www.positivetails.org and on social media @positivetails. Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Jenna Hage-Hassan about the unique way she got into rescue. From seeing a news story to getting involved with a rescue in Lebanon, her experience should leave anyone hopeful about their ability to help, no matter how big or small of an impact they think they are making. Spoiler, even if you think you are only making a small impact, you still are leaving a ripple effect of goodness in your wake. To learn more about Bekaa Rescue in Lebanon and how you can help check them out at www.bekaashelterlebanon.org and on social media @bekaa_shelter_lebanon. Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order!Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site