Episodes

Celebrating the American eagle In honor of American Eagle Day we begin with a discussion about how the bald eagle became part of the Great Seal of the United States, and how its extinction was averted. Bald eagle populations are now strong. Then, Lori continues with more fascinating facts about both bald and golden eagles. […]

As the summer temperatures rise, you may come across a situation where an animal, typically a dog, has been left alone in a car that is too warm for comfort or safety. Even though it’s no secret that leaving dogs in hot cars is dangerous and often illegal, it continues to happen too frequently. So, […]

Is blue-green algae harmful to dogs? In 2019, there were a number of reports of dogs becoming sick and dying after exposure to ponds harboring the so-called blue-green algae. In fact, guardians should exercise caution about algae during each warm weather season. This spring, it’s been especially warm in Florida and the algae blooms have […]

Highlights of the animal rights movement. Lori begins with something any animal advocate ought to know about: the history of the animal rights and welfare movements. From the practices of ancient spiritual teachers of India, to the ideas of modern philosophers, Lori hopes this condensed history will inspire you to continue learning on your own. […]

How animals think and feel This show features Professor Temple Grandin of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Services at Colorado State University. For decades, Dr. Grandin has been writing and speaking about how her having autism has helped her obtain a deeper understanding into the minds of animals. Her main insights are that animals, […]

How to keep your pets safe and happy during the coronavirus The well being of our pets (at least most of them) demands adequate mental and physical stimulation. This show begins with Lori’s tips and ideas on how to keep your pets safe and happy and stimulated during the unusual restrictions placed upon us all […]

Pet adoptions and fostering during COVID-19 Lori begins by welcoming Larissa Wohl, resident pet rescue expert of Hallmark Channel’s “Home and Family.” Is now, during the pandemic quarantine, a good time to adopt and/or foster pets? Larissa emphatically answers yes, but there is a concern that as life normalizes and people return to school and […]

US funding Chinese virus labs! We begin by welcoming Justin Goodman from White Coat Waste, where he serves as vice president of advocacy and policy. The US Government is the world’s largest funder of animal experiments, estimated at 20 billion dollars per year. Tens of millions of dollars go overseas yearly. White Coat Waste is […]

When someone wants to go to a shelter or a rescue group to adopt a dog, what must the organization disclose about the history of the dog? Specifically, if the dog is believed to have a history of biting, does this need to be disclosed? What should shelters tell potential adopters about dogs who have […]

Can pandemics be avoided? Lori’s guest for this show is Dr. John Pippin, Director of Academic Affairs at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, is a nationwide organization of physicians, scientists, educators, and laypersons that promotes preventive medicine, especially good nutrition, and addresses controversies in modern medicine, including ethical […]

Can pets get the coronavirus disease? Lori kicks off this show beginning with Leigh Hofmeister, DVM, who addresses questions all pet guardians have been wondering about during the Covid-19 viral pandemic including if pets can become ill from the virus and if they can transmit the virus to people and make them ill. They also […]

China has banned the trade and consumption of wild animals We begin with hot animal news stories from around the world. At long last, we are excited to hear the positive news that China has banned the trade and consumption of wild animals. This was a temporary suspension initially, but once the Coronavirus ( or […]

Animal rights and welfare – a condensed history. Lori begins with something any animal advocate ought to know about: the history of the animal rights and welfare movements. We discuss the practices of ancient spiritual teachers of India, as well as the ideas of modern philosophers, plus much more. Lori hopes this condensed history will […]

Is breeding dogs unethical? Lori begins with a detailed exploration into the ethics of dog breeding. The purebred dog industry not only creates innumerable animals with genetic defects, causing dogs to have a lifetime of medical problems and diseases, but also interferes with the adoption of healthy dogs confined in shelters by enticing people to […]

Why is the egg industry cruel? Lori begins the show with a discussion of the substantial cruelty that’s part of modern industrial egg production. France and Germany are leading Europe’s drive to improve industry practices, and we hope other countries will follow. Virtually all chickens start off life at industrial hatcheries. Male chicks, who will […]

How zoos harm elephants. Lori begins by welcoming back to the show Will Anderson with the elephant program at In Defense of Animals (IDA). Will and Lori discuss IDA’s 2019 review of the worst North American zoos for elephants and the cruel realities of keeping these majestic creatures in captivity. It’s a pretty bleak picture. […]

Stolen dog reunited with family We begin with animal news from around the world including how a stolen dog is reunited with his family thanks to a 2000 mile volunteer-led transport. This is a genuine heart-warming story of survival, determination and cooperation! Meth in horse racing We reveal the scandalous problems with meth in horse […]

2019 was an exceptional year for animals, with many achievements promoting the welfare and rights of nonhuman animals around the world. One example is California becoming the first state to go fur free, banning the sale and manufacture of new fur items! In this important Animals Today episode, Lori counts down her list of the […]

Donald Trump Jr killed rare endangered sheep in Mongolia We begin with animal news stores from around the world including ten grizzlies welcomed at Colorado’s Wild Animal Sanctuary, Donald Trump, Jr. kills protected argali sheep in Mongolia, NY violinist soothes shelter dogs, fallen elderly woman rescued due to actions of pit bull, Simba, and more. […]

Passing the PACT Act Lori begins with news of President Trump signing and Passing the PACT Act – the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act into law, providing long overdue penalties for animal cruelty and torture on the federal level. The Passage of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act was welcomed by Kitty Block, […]

Why breed-specific legislation is not the answer Lori begins the show by discussing why breed-specific legislation is not the answer and the various laws and regulations which restrict ownership of certain dog breeds, collectively known as breed-specific legislation (BSL). Many cities and municipalities have enacted such restrictions, believing they will decrease dog bites and promote […]

Whales released from Russian whale jail Lori’s first guest is Charles Vinick, Executive Director of the Whale Sanctuary Project. Vinick and his colleagues, which included Jean-Michel Cousteau, were instrumental in persuading Russian officials to get 87 whales released from Russian whale facility. Amongst the whales were beluga whales and 10 captive orca whales, all housed […]

Sea turtle poachers busted! We begin the show with animal news from around the world including NYC establishes its Office of Animal Welfare, the first sighting in decades of the diminutive mammal called the silver chevrotain in Vietnam, turtle poachers arrested in Florida, an endangered lemur stolen from a Santa Ana zoo is recovered, and […]

Should animals be used in dangerous jobs? The highly publicized raid which resulted in the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi again raises the question of whether it is ethical or justifiable to use non-human animals in military and police operations, where the animals face great risks of injury and death. In this instance, Conan, the […]