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Muddy Paws and HairballsAuthor: Amy Castro, MA, CSP
Muddy Paws and Hairballs is the no-fluff podcast for pet parents juggling chaos, cuddles, and the quest to live your best lifewith your pets, not in spite of them. Host Amy Castro brings real talk, expert pet advice, behavior tips, and humor to help you lead with confidence, ditch the guilt, and raise healthy, happy pets without losing yourself in the process.This show is for the real onesthose knee-deep in fur, vet bills, and what the heck did you just eat?! moments. The ones holding it all together while the dog humps guests and the cat redecorates with hairballswho still want to do right by their animals without losing their sanity (or their favorite rug).Hosted by longtime rescuer, speaker, and unapologetically honest pet advocate Amy Castro, each episode delivers the insight, support, and sarcasm you need to go from overwhelmed to in control. Whether you're choosing the right dog or cat for your lifestyle, managing behavior issues, navigating pet health decisions, or just trying to keep your shoes barf-free, this show helps you become the confident, capable leader your pet actually needs.Because Muddy Paws and Hairballs is about more than fixing bad behaviorits about building a better life for you and your petsmess and all. New episodes every week. Follow now and start creating the life your pet deserveswith fewer meltdowns, more clarity, and a whole lot more joy. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Kids & Family, Pets & Animals Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Why No Kill is Failing: The Case for a Smarter Approach to Rescue
Episode 111
Sunday, 27 April, 2025
The no-kill movement promised to revolutionize animal sheltering by saving lives and ending unnecessary euthanasia. But behind the catchy slogans and glowing statistics, a different reality lurks – one that’s rarely discussed. In this eye-opening conversation with animal welfare expert Daniel Ettinger, we dig deep into the issues plaguing some shelters striving for that elusive 90% live release rate.As a rescuer myself, I'm experiencing a system overwhelmed by its own ambitions. Shelters don't have a clear understanding of what it means to be no-kill, and communities are not set up to provide all the realities needed to make no-kill work. Instead, shelters are closing their doors when full to avoid euthanasia and maintain high live-release rates, finders are stuck with animals they can’t keep, and rescues are buckling under overflow. Even worse, some animals are warehoused for years, leading to questionable quality of life. Daniel shares a more balanced alternative – SMART (Saving More Animals Responsibly Together), an approach that addresses the root causes and focuses on community resources, transparency, and responsible care.We discuss how the relentless pursuit of arbitrary statistics, like the 90% live release rate, has led to dangerous consequences, including the adoption of unsafe animals and public safety issues. We also explore why adopting more pets isn’t the solution and how real change starts with accessible veterinary care, housing policy reform, and community education.This episode challenges the black-and-white thinking surrounding animal rescue and offers a fresh perspective on how we can all contribute to more sustainable, humane solutions. Tune in for an honest look at the no-kill movement and discover why we need a smarter approach to animal welfare.Comment on this episode! For questions or if you need a reply- please email us at Amy@StarlightPetTalk.comQuick Update: We’re taking a short break and will be back with a batch of fresh episodes starting August 10! In the meantime, binge your way through 100+ past episodes packed with pet-saving sanity—and maybe even solve that one issue that's driving you (and your pet) nuts. Catch up, take notes, and we’ll see you soon! Support the show✅ Subscribe to Muddy Paws and Hairballs for real talk and expert advice on pet care. ✅ Share this episode to help more pet parents navigate life with their pets. 💬 We’d Love to Hear from You! Got thoughts on this episode or a topic you want covered? Leave a review or comment—we value your feedback! 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site | 📱 Facebook | 📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple | 🎵 Spotify 📩 Contact: Amy@muddypawsandhairballs.com Thanks for listening to Muddy Paws and Hairballs, your go-to resource for all things pet care. From dog training, behavior, and socialization to cat enrichment, pet adoption, and tackling behavior problems, we provide expert advice and real talk to help you create a happy, healthy life with your pets. Whether you're dealing with dog anxiety, looking for puppy training tips, or exploring enrichment ideas for your cat, we've got you covered. Be sure to check out all our episodes!
