The Informed Animal Ally Podcast

https://youtu.be/oXMiVaxB9Rk All episodes On December 5th, Hastings Racecourse announced the immediate end of horse racing at the province’s last track. The Vancouver Humane Society’s Chantelle Archambault sat down with Stephen Quinn from The Early Edition on CBC Radio to share the VHS’s response, previous advocacy around the racetrack, and what a compassionate retirement for horses…

All episodes “Veterinary social work is about walking alongside guardians through some of the most stressful and emotional times in their lives.” In this episode of The Informed Animal Ally, we explore the growing field of veterinary social work — where human services and animal welfare meet. Dawn Campbell, a veterinary social worker with the…

All episodes Animal services and human services are two sides of the same coin. Providing resources for humans improves life for the animals they care for, and vice versa. This month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally welcomes Jesse Smith from the Pet Outreach program at Atira Women’s Resource Society to share some stories about…

All episodes How do bills become law in Canada? Have you ever seen an action advocating for a new law in Canada and thought, “Didn’t that bill already pass?” The process for introducing a new bill and voting to make it law is long and complex; but knowing how this process works gives us power…

All episodes How does Canada stack up against other countries’ animal protection policies? This month’s episode of the Informed Animal Ally welcomes Melissa Matlow of World Animal Protection to discuss the Animal Protection Index (API). The API ranks 50 countries around the globe based on their animal protection policies, giving them a letter grade from…

All episodes Animals dying in transport, bred without oversight, and sold in deli containers. What is happening in Canada’s exotic pet trade? In this month’s episode of the Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Chantelle Archambault and Amy Morris discuss Canada’s exotic pet trade, from breeding or capture to selling and keeping, as well…

Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals Media All episodes Who is holding the Canadian food industry accountable for the welfare of farmed animals? This month’s episode of the Informed Animal Ally welcomes Maha Bazzi to discuss the Canada Animal Welfare Scorecard from Mercy for Animals. The Scorecard is the leading annual report ranking major food companies operating…

All episodes What happened in the world of animal protection last year? Welcome to a new season of The Informed Animal Ally! Previous seasons have delved into the state of animal protection laws in Canada and B.C.; what a good life looks like for animals; specific areas that the Vancouver Humane Society works in; and…

All episodes What does a good life look like for animals? In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, we look back through the show’s second season, which delved into what good welfare looks like for animals and how we can all help improve animal well-being. Is my pet happy? The first episode of…

All episodes Research plays a crucial role in animal advocacy, helping to make decisions, measure impacts, and infludence policy-makers. This month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally discusses how research is used in animal advocacy, particularly polling, surveys, and reports. The episode expoles why collecting this kind of data is important, the ways we can…

All episodes Farm sanctuaries offer a safe forever home where animals are free to enjoy their lives. Farm sanctuaries are vital havens for rescued animals, providing them with safety, care, and a chance to live free from harm. They also serve as powerful spaces for education and advocacy, inspiring compassion and helping people connect with…

https://youtu.be/CVOU_B0uj_I All episodes On October 23rd, Jenga the giraffe died in his enclosure at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. The Vancouver Humane Society’s Emily Pickett sat down with Stephen Quinn from The Early Edition on CBC Radio to share the heartbreaking story of Jenga, a giraffe who died at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. Interview shared with…

All episodes What is the most common argument you’ve heard against going vegan? As a vegan organization, the Vancouver Humane Society regularly advocates to make plant-based eating more accessible and reduce the demand for industrial animal agriculture. Plant-based advocates often hear arguments from people who disagree with veganism. This episode will delve into some of…

All episodes Have you shopped at a vegan business recently? As consumers, we have the power to make compassionate choices that align with our values. More people are choosing animal-free products and services and helping to reduce the demand for industries that exploit animals. Meanwhile, vegan businesses are on the rise to meet the demand…

All episodes “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help.” – Jane Goodall In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, Alistair Schroff of Lakes Animal Friendship Society discusses the importance of education for animal well-being, and other successes, challenges, and opportunities in animal organizations. Featured Guest: Alistair…

Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media. All episodes Why do people still support rodeo? British Columbia is currently in the middle of its annual rodeo season. In Alberta, the Calgary Stampede wrapped up earlier this month with the deadliest rodeo and chuckwagon racing events of the past five years. On the whole, polling and…

All episodes Have you experienced challenges in your animal advocacy? You’re not alone. In this month’s episode, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris, Chantelle Archambault, and Emily Pickett discuss challenges commonly experienced in advocacy work. They delve into some of the difficult feelings that come up in advocacy work, the barriers there are to making…

All episodes Grassroots advocates have the power to mobilize communities and influence policies to improve animal well-being. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, two grassroots advocates share their experiences and the lessons they’ve learned in calling for change for animals. Note: This written discussion has been edited for length. Featured Guest: Barbara La…

All episodes One animal cruelty investigation tells a story. A decade of investigations reveals a pattern. Important action: British Columbia is currently updating its Farmed Animal Welfare Framework. Can you support major changes to protect farmed animals in B.C.? Take action See timeline In this month’s episode of the Informed Animal Ally, Vancouver Humane Society…

All episodes Do you remember that one animal who touched your heart in a way that you’ll hold dear for a lifetime? For many animal allies, our personal connections with animals have shaped the way we see the world and advocate for compassion. In this month’s episode of the Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane…

All episodes Can research help us understand our bonds with animals? In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault are joined by Dr. Sasha Protopopova and Dr. Camila Cavalli from UBC to discuss the research on human-animal bonds. Note: This written discussion has been edited for…

All episodes What laws are in place to protect animals? To kick off 2024, The Informed Animal Ally takes a look back at the show’s first ever series on animal cruelty laws in Canada. If you’re interested to learn more about any of the highlights in the episode above, you can find full episodes on…

All episodes Each day, animal advocates encounter and stand up against suffering. This can take a major emotional toll. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault are joined by Kimberly Carroll from Animal Justice. The episode will delve into strategies and tips for dealing…

All episodes People of all income levels love and care for their animal family members. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault are joined by Brooklyn Fowler-Moros, the manager of companion animal programs to discuss the challenges low-income pet guardians face, and the systems…

All episodes The plant-based journey looks different for everyone. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault are joined by guest Danielle George to discuss healthism and ableism in the plant-based discussion, as well as ways to make plant-based eating more accessible to everyone. July…

All episodes Most people are opposed to calf roping. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault are joined by guest Samantha Fuller to discuss how animals are impacted by rodeo, public response to rodeo events, and the future of rodeo. Call for a rodeo…

All episodes 65% of people are eating fewer animal-based products. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault delve into a recent project from the VHS to determine what people in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland think of plant-based eating and to share the benefits. Read…

All episodes What can we do to help wildlife? There are many ways that human activities, infrastructure, and policies impact wild animals. On this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault discuss the ways in which animal allies can speak up for wildlife. Note: This written…

All episodes How would farmed animal species live their lives if they weren’t being raised in the animal agriculture system? Previous episodes have looked at how the needs of farmed animals are not being met in the industrial animal agriculture system; but how do these species behave when they are living lives that are happy…

All episodes Training can have a big impact on the way animals experience the world. Rewards-based training methods can help keep animals safe, build stronger bonds with their guardians, and reduce their fear of unfamiliar situations. In this episode of The Informed Animal Ally’s series on animal well-being, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Chantelle Archambault and…

All episodes We all want our companion animals to live happy, healthy lives. In this first episode of The Informed Animal Ally’s series on animal well-being, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Chantelle Archambault and Amy Morris discuss companion animal behaviour, emotional “tells”, and the many facets that make up a good life for domestic cats and…

All episodes We’ve discussed the laws and regulations in place to protect animals, and the gaps in those regulations that cause animals to suffer. This month we learn: what processes are in place to ensure the regulations are being met? In the final episode of The Informed Animal Ally’s series on animal cruelty, the VHS’s…

All episodes Every few weeks, shipments of gentle draft horses are packed three or four to a crate and loaded onto planes for the long, stressful journey overseas for slaughter. Horses shipped for slaughter can go 28 hours without food, water, or rest; they can fall during takeoff or landing; and receiving countries have no…

All episodes It’s the holiday season, and many celebrations at this time of year focus on food! More and more people are adding compassion to their festive meals by opting out of animal-based products and ingredients. In this special episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault discuss…

All episodes What do you picture when you think of animals in science? Perhaps you picture a researcher in the field studying the migratory patterns of wildlife. Perhaps you see a veterinary student learning to administer vaccines to a dog. Perhaps you picture a rabbit in a lab, eyes reddened and irritated from toxicity testing.…

All episodes Wild and exotic animals in captivity are confined to spaces thousands of times smaller than their natural home ranges. Deprived of the ability to exhibit their natural behaviours, many can be seen pacing, licking the bars of their cage, huddling in corners, and languishing in boredom. In this month’s episode of The Informed…

All episodes Wild animals think, feel, play, grow together, have families, and help maintain a healthy and harmonious environment; yet many human activities put wildlife at unnecessary risk of suffering. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally’s series on animal cruelty, Wild Animal Welfare Specialist Erin Ryan from the BC SPCA joins the…

All episodes Dogs have a meaningful place in many families across Canada; but what happens if a dog is deemed “dangerous”? In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally’s series on animal cruelty, animal law lawyer Rebeka Breder joins the Vancouver Humane Society’s Amy Morris and Chantelle Archambault to discuss “dangerous dog” laws, including…

All episodes Fishes think, play, form relationships, and feel pain; yet they are often overlooked both in animal cruelty legislation and in public discussions of animal cruelty. In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally’s series on animal cruelty, Vancouver Humane Society Executive Director Amy Morris and Communications Director Chantelle Archambault discuss cruelty laws…

All episodes Industrial animal agriculture has been called the biggest animal welfare crisis on the planet, with more than 70 billion land animals killed for food each year. The Sentience Institute estimates that 74% of farmed animals are currently on factory farms, which are characterized by large numbers of animals confined in cramped, barren and unnatural conditions.…

All episodes Millions of pet guardians across Canada consider our furry friends to be part of the family; but what happens when companion animals are the victims of cruelty? The first episode of the Vancouver Humane Society’s podcast, The Informed Animal Ally, explores companion animal cruelty, laws, and advocacy. Listen as we dive into this…

The Vancouver Humane Society is excited to announce the upcoming launch of The Informed Animal Ally, an animal ethics podcast sharing the ins and outs of topics like cruelty, legislation, and advocacy here in B.C. and across Canada! In the first series of the show, Executive Director Amy Morris and Communications Director Chantelle Archambault will…

What plant-based foods are produced in Canada? Do you have to farm animals to produce enough food for Canadians? Would our economy fail if we stopped slaughtering animals? What’s the deal with vegan junk food? Learn about all of this and more by listening to our interview with VHS’ Projects and Communications Director, Peter Fricker.…