Humane Talk: Recent Episodes
The Humane Society of the United States
Hosted by author and radio show host Tracie Hotchner, "Humane Talk" is a weekly, 15-minute conversation with Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the nation's largest animal protection organization, The Humane Society of the United States. Tune in to the podcast every Friday for the latest on animals in our world.
The HSUS' mission statement is Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty. The HSUS addresses the most egregious forms of cruelty against animals, but also celebrates the human-animal bond and animals that go above and beyond.
The HSUS recently released its 2012 annual report, showing the huge accomplishments of the organization for the year.
Wayne and Tracie discuss gas chambers, an antiquated and inhumane method of euthanizing shelter animals.
All 50 states have laws that ban animal fighting, however a dangerous loophole exists in federal law that prevents spectators from being arrested or prosecuted.
The conditions our rescue team witnessed at a recent puppy mill raid in Mississippi were nothing short of appalling. It was, in a word, a nightmare for the animals.
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, has proposed an amendment to the Farm Bill that would nullify any standards approved at the state level to regulate agriculture.
Wayne and Tracie discuss the recent developments in the ongoing struggle to keep dolphin-safe tuna labeling requirements intact.
Assembly Bill 711 seeks to ban the use of toxic lead ammunition in California. Lead bullets continue to kill wildlife long after being discharged into the environment.
Thousands of baby seals are clubbed to death during the Canadian seal slaughter each year. Although there is little demand for seal fur, the Canadian government continues to buy up the excess pelts.
Michigan Senate Bill 288 would allow the repeal of one of the most popular ballot measures in Michigan history, which outlawed the target shooting of mourning doves.
Tracie and Wayne discuss Wayne's recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he talked about the dangerous Tennessee anti-whistleblower bill that is making its way to Governor Bill Haslam's desk.
The second largest school district in the country, Los Angeles Unified, recently made a commitment to go meat-free on Mondays.
Wayne and Tracie discuss puppy mills, the AKC, and the recently introduced PUPS Act – federal legislation that would close a loophole that allows puppy millers to sell over the internet without regulation.
Starting in the 1990s, there was an effort to reintroduce wolves in the Northern Rockies. Many people were quick to label the effort a success, but that was a premature judgment.
The FTC has taken action against several big name retailers that falsely advertised real fur as faux fur. The HSUS has conducted many investigations exposing falsely labeled or falsely advertised fur garments.
Wayne and Tracie discuss the issues surrounding horse slaughter and horse meat, and the recent developments in the EU and the U.S. regarding meat contamination, welfare concerns, and food safety problems.
Wayne and Tracie discuss all the ways in which The HSUS helps animals - particularly in terms of direct care. Contrary to the claims of many opposition groups, The HSUS is the No. 1 organization in the nation for hands-on animal care.
One of the only methods of bringing individuals and companies who engage in serious animal cruelty offenses to justice is to videotape or photograph them engaging in the illegal act.
Recently, the National Institutes of Health set up a working group to determine whether or not research on chimpanzees is necessary. They found that all but 50 chimps should be permanently retired and research discontinued.
Billy was a puppy mill dog whose video turned into an overnight internet sensation. The years of neglect Billy suffered were too much, and sadly, he passed away in December.
Street dogs make up nearly half of the world's population of canines. Wayne talks about HSI's innovative program to spay/neuter and vaccinate street dogs, bringing the population down to a more manageable level.
Wayne and Tracie talk about his recent trip to India and the animal protection issues that Humane Society International is addressing in the newly opened offices in the country.
Wayne discusses his experiences on the ground in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and how disaster preparedness and response with regard to animals has changed in the years since Katrina.
Part 2 of 2: Tracie and Wayne continue their conversation about progress made for animals by The HSUS in 2012.
Part 1 of 2: Every year The HSUS works tirelessly to create a more humane world for animals. Listen as Wayne and Tracie discuss the major milestones reached in 2012 state by state.
Less than a year after the USFWS de-listed wolves in the Great Lakes region, Wisconsin and Minnesota open wolf hunting and trapping seasons. Tracie and Wayne discuss the implications of this tragic development and how The HSUS is responding.
Eighteen beluga whales who were captured in Russian seas are set to be put on display at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. If the permit for their import is approved, it will set a precedent that will have devastating consequences for wild belugas.
Listen in as Wayne and Tracy discuss how and why we should phase out medical research on chimpanzees and retire those currently living in labs to sanctuaries.
The HSUS conducts undercover investigations at factory farms, research labs, slaughterhouses, and other places where animal cruelty is often hidden behind closed doors. Hear more about the courageous work of investigators and how they help animals.
The HSUS rescues thousands of pets and runs a network of sanctuaries, but we also protect animals by reforming policies in Congress, at the state level, and in the courts. Learn more about how these efforts are improving conditions for so many animals.
Was the shampoo you use tested on animals? Did your toothpaste or lipstick cause suffering for animals in labs? We've made great progress in phasing out animal tests for many products, but recently several companies backslid on their cruelty-free pledges.
Hear about Wayne's recent tour of farms in rural America, and more about how The Humane Society of the United States is working with farmers to phase out cruel confinement and work together to advance animal welfare.
It's illegal to sell products containing domestic dog or cat fur in the United States, thanks to legislation supported by The HSUS more than a decade ago. But in 2012, our investigators found domestic dog fur for sale in the U.S.
Hear more about major moments for the animal protection movement in recent years. In this continuation, Tracie and Wayne discuss the Hallmark-Westland undercover investigation of a dairy cow slaughter plant, and how people can seek out more humane food.
Learn more about five of the most important events in the recent history of animal protection, including the rescue of pets after Hurricane Katrina, the arrest of Michael Vick for dogfighting, and the ban on extreme confinement of farm animals in Calif.
A recent HSUS investigation uncovered shocking abuse of Tennessee walking horses. Learn more about horse soring, the intentional infliction of pain to produce a high-stepping gait, and the aftermath of this investigation.
Why is it a bad idea to keep a Bengal tiger or a chimpanzee in your backyard, basement, or living room? Find out more about the problems with the exotic pet trade, including a tragic incident recently in Zanesville, Ohio.
The American Kennel Club says it stands for responsible breeders and the welfare of dogs. Yet it has opposed dozens of laws to set basic standards for puppy mills. Listen to this episode to learn why, and for an update on a USDA proposal to protect dogs.
Tracie and Wayne discuss the recent rescue of more than 120 neglected parrots from a supposed sanctuary in Ohio. Though some types of birds make wonderful pets, parrots are intelligent, social, can live many decades, and need specialized care.
An HSUS undercover investigation showed Tennessee walking horses having caustic chemicals applied to their legs as well as being whipped, kicked, and shocked in the face. Learn more about the public awareness and criminal indictments that followed.
The issue of keeping dangerous wild animals in backyards or substandard roadside zoos continues to be in the news. Hear about a recent rescue of tigers, leopards, and other animals from an Oklahoma roadside zoo with poor conditions and safety risks.
Countless puppy mill dogs are sold over the Internet with little oversight because of a legal loophole. Before July 16, please comment to support requiring large-scale breeders selling dogs online or directly to the public to meet basic standards of care.
The HSUS works with law enforcement officials to help rescue pets, crack down on animal fighting, protect wildlife, and much more. Find out how this cooperation takes place in this week's episode of Humane Talk.
Find out how you can go to school for animals at Humane Society University, with classes online and in Washington, D.C. The university has a wide range of courses and offers undergraduate degrees, graduate certificates, and master's degrees.
Hear about the ongoing project in Bhutan, a small county in Asia, where Humane Society International is helping street dogs and communities by sterilizing tens of thousands of free-roaming dogs.
This episode looks into how competitive horse racing leads to the injury and death of far too many horses. A recent series in the New York Times brought more attention to the serious problems with injuries, drugs, and overbreeding in the industry.
Although Californians banned hunting mountain lions with dogs two decades ago, the president of the state Fish & Game Commission recently traveled to Idaho to corner and kill a cougar with a pack of dogs. Wayne and Tracie discuss the controversy.
Learn more about how to make a difference for animals by signing up for our Taking Action for Animals conference this July, offering workshops and a wealth of information. Animal care professionals, please join us for our Animal Care EXPO this May.
Learn about the growing momentum to stop the commercial slaughter of baby harp seals in Canada. More and more countries are closing their borders to the seal fur trade, and animal advocates are speaking out against the killing.
Wayne and Tracie discuss the little-known problem of Class B dealers, who acquire pets from shelters, "free to good home" ads, and other sources, then sell them to be used in experiments. Hear about how these random-source dealers are on their way out.
Wild horses are an iconic part of the U.S. landscape, but the government rounds up thousands annually. Find out how a safe contraceptive vaccine for these animals can help manage their populations, and learn about the history of wild horse protection.
Hear about McDonald's taking action to move toward ending the use of gestation crates for breeding pigs. More and more restaurant chains, pork producers, and food service companies are making similar announcements to phase out this cruel confinement.
An Atlantic City business recently scrapped plans to re-open a "horse diving" act. This dangerous spectacle became popular in the 1920s, with horses forced to walk up to an elevated platform that drops and plunges them 30 or 40 feet into a tank of water.
Hear more about the good news for hens: Federal lawmakers have introduced a bill to phase out barren battery cages for egg-laying hens and give these birds more space. Wayne and Tracie explain the details and the efforts to pass this important bill.
The U.S. government poisons and traps many coyotes and other wild animals, often in cruel ways. Find out why The HSUS is working to stop this taxpayer-funded killing program, and to replace it with effective nonlethal methods.
Invasive Burmese pythons are killing native animals in Florida, while pythons and other large constrictors kept as pets have killed several people. Learn about stopping the pet trade in large constrictor snakes to protect animal welfare and public safety.
Hear about the intriguing investigation called Operation Cyberwild that found products made from tiger skin, elephant skin, and other wildlife parts being sold online. HSUS volunteers helped federal officials uncover this illegal trafficking.
Find out why The HSUS gave the Obama administration a C-minus grade for 2011, looking at important animal welfare issues such as wild horses, chimps in research, puppy mills, protection of farm animals, trophy hunting of wolves, and more.
This episode uncovers the dealings of PR front-man Richard Berman and his involvement with a new group, the so-called "Humane Society for Shelter Pets," attacking The HSUS. Berman has formed many front groups to try to discredit public interest charities.
Learn more about the amazing lives of chimps and some recent good news for these animals, such as a federal study concluding that biomedical research on them is unnecessary.
Learn more about the serious threats facing gray wolves today--animals who were nearly eradicated in the continental U.S. by trapping, hunting, and poisoning. Tracie and Wayne also talk about why protecting wolves is sometimes controversial.
Tracie and Wayne explore the serious health problems caused by breeding dogs for their appearance instead of well-being, highlighted by a New York Times Magazine article on bulldogs. Find out more about calls to prioritize the dogs' health and welfare.
Cute puppies for sale over the Internet may win over unsuspecting consumers, but a recent investigation linked a major puppy broker to inhumane puppy mills. Hear more about the investigation and how to avoid supporting puppy mills when getting a dog.
Learn about the problem of gestation crates, where many breeding pigs are confined on factory farms for most of their lives without being able to turn around. This episode discusses how animal advocates are campaigning to phase out these cruel crates.
Tracie and Wayne talk about some of the biggest victories for animals in 2011, such as an agreement between The HSUS and a major egg industry group to phase out barren battery cages for hens, as well as good news on pet rescue, shark finning, and more.
As we approach the new year, listen to an encore episode about how the choices we make when we sit down to eat make a big difference for animals. Choosing to join in Meatless Mondays or buy cage-free eggs can make great New Year's resolutions.
HSUS's Pets for Life programs in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other cities reach out to underserved communities to host free pet health clinics, strengthen the bond between people and their pets, and more.
The Shelter Pet Project, a project of The HSUS, the Ad Council, and pet foundation Maddie's Fund, is promoting shelter adoptions through a national ad campaign. Hear more about this groundbreaking project and how it's helping pets.
Tracie and Wayne celebrate this year's ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, a province in northeastern Spain, and highlight the ongoing campaigns to end this blood sport elsewhere.
Hear the latest on the pressing topic of wild, dangerous animals being kept as pets in Ohio. Dozens of tigers, lions, and other animals were recently killed after being released by a Zanesville man, just the latest example of why stronger laws are needed.
With the federal government focused on reducing huge budget deficits, Wayne and Tracie discuss four ways that Congress can cut hundreds of millions in wasteful spending while helping chimpanzees, wild horses, animals in research, and wildlife.
When can donkeys fly? When The HSUS, veterinarians, and others came together to help free-roaming donkeys in Hawaii, we airlifted more than 100 of them to sanctuary on the mainland. Hear the unusual and uplifting story of these special equines.
Learn about the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case on a California law spurred by HSUS's Hallmark/Westland slaughterhouse investigation, which found horrific abuse of downer cows and led to a massive meat recall because of human health concerns.
Wayne and Tracie discuss state ballot initiatives that allow voters to decide directly on important issues. The animal protection movement has used initiatives to outlaw cockfighting in Oklahoma, battery cages in California, and more.
Boa constrictors, tigers, chimpanzees, lions, and other exotic animals are legal to keep in homes and backyards in much of the United States. Learn why keeping large constrictor snakes and other exotic animals is harmful for the animals and for people.
This episode explores the disturbing practice of "horse soring," using painful methods to make show horses have an exaggerated, high-stepping gait. Tracie shares her personal experiences with show horses. Please note: some descriptions are graphic.
Tracie and Wayne chat about fur-free fashion and the great news about O, the Oprah Magazine, embracing fur-free alternatives. More people are recognizing that fur is cruel and unnecessary with so many modern alternatives for consumers.
Learn more about how intensive factory farming is not only inhumane for animals, but contributes to contagious diseases that threaten people. Wayne and Tracie discuss the new movie "Contagion" and how our treatment of animals affects human health.
Did you know that the choices you make when you sit down to eat can make the biggest difference to help animals? Hear how campaigns like Meatless Mondays and cage-free eggs can benefit millions of farm animals.
Wayne describes how the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox has used an infamous animal testing method to make batches of the product. But recently, Botox maker Allergan announced that it has developed a new, alternative test that doesn't use animals.
Hear the unique story of a new pet shelter inside the Dixon Correctional Institute in Louisiana, which takes in homeless animals and offers them for adoption. This project is helping inmates, pets, and the community.
Hear about some of the latest books that celebrate animals, including "The Art of Racing in the Rain," "Alex and Me," Pacelle's book, "The Bond," and a wide variety of fascinating reads.
Learn more about the issue of horse slaughter, including the closure of U.S. slaughter plants in recent years and the continuing efforts to stop the export of American horses to Canada and Mexico to be killed for human consumption.
Tracie and Wayne talk about the idea of a "humane economy" where businesses reflect humane values--such as whale watching instead of whale hunting, pet stores supporting adoption instead of puppy mills, or ecotourism instead of seal killing.
Get the latest on the important agreement between The HSUS and United Egg Producers to phase out barren battery cages, give egg-laying hens more space, and improve labeling to help consumers make informed decisions.
Hear more about a rescued puppy mill dog recently adopted by a U.S. Congressman, and why pet adoption is so important. Tracie and Wayne also talk about new federal legislation to crack down on puppy mills.
Learn more about puppy mills, where breeding dogs typically live in small cages for their whole lives without proper care. These mills sell puppies through pet stores and over the Internet. Tracie and Wayne discuss the campaign to help these dogs.
Wayne and Tracie talk about the intense controversy over GoDaddy.com CEO Bob Parsons' killing of an African elephant in Zimbabwe. Learn more about the issue of wasteful trophy hunting, and how to support companies that are friendly to animals.
In the first episode of Humane Talk, hear Wayne Pacelle and Tracie Hotchner discuss the day-to-day work of animal protection. Wayne shares how he became an animal advocate and what motivates him as president of The Humane Society of the United States.