For some shelters and rescues, “every dog every day” might only be an aspiration, but for Aimee Sadler, it defines her entire approach to canine enrichment. As CEO of Dogs Playing For Life, Aimee has traveled the country to introduce shelters to the idea of playgroups, a perfect way for dogs to get their ya-ya’s out; in doing so, Aimee has changed the experience of tens of thousands of shelter dogs across America.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Aimee talks about her winding journey through animal welfare, how playgroups allow shelter staff and volunteers to better work together, and why it’s just so important for shelter dogs to get some play into their lives.

For more from Aimee and Dogs Playing for Life, check out their website, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org

Wesley Swainston is on the run – literally – to help shelter dogs get the exposure they need to find their forever homes. You may have seen him on TikTok or Instagram, inviting you to join him on a run as he gives a dog a much-needed break from a kennel at a shelter. Wesley’s videos combine his lifelong passion for volunteering with his more recently found skills in dog training, and they’ve given plenty of views, and fresh air, to shelter dogs in need.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Wesley shares how he approaches amped-up dogs who need a good run, what he loves about volunteering at his shelter, and how he’s planning on running with his newfound audience to make dog training more accessible.

For more from Wesley, check out @ForTheDogs on TikTok and Instagram.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org

There’s beauty in everything, even a litter of rambunctious puppies, running through their own poop. And for videographer Thom McCallum, capturing the beauty and joy of fostering is just one part of the job – because ultimately, Thom’s role is to say farewell to as many pups as possible, so he can continue to make room for more little lives to come into his home.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Thom shares how fostering turned his neighborhood into a community, gives his tips on how to avoid foster-failing, and reflects on how embracing rescue has brought meaning, balance, and purpose back into his life.

For more from Thom and his fosters, follow him on Instagram.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org

Many people would gladly settle for a successful career in music, but for Sterling “TrapKing” Davis, rapping was merely a stepping stone towards his true calling: TNR and community cat management. After doing years of outreach and education, Sterling founded TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions in 2017. Today, his nonprofit continues to champion TNR and provide trapping resources to rescues and communities in need.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Sterling shares when he realized he was a Cat Guy, how he’s bridging the gap between Black communities and predominantly white welfare organizations, and how he’s truly leaning into his motto: “You don’t lose cool points for compassion.”

For more from TrapKing, follow Sterling on Instagram and visit TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions’ website.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org

Let’s be real: dog groomers are the unsung heroes of the pet industry. They’re the ones who battle through the matted coats, risk life and limb to clip nails, and make it look so easy to keep our pets well-maintained, happy, and healthy. And who better to talk about dog grooming than Jess Rona, groomer to the stars and a star in her own right?

As an aspiring comedian, Jess found her way into the world of pet grooming at a young age and used her creativity via social media to highlight how cool and creative the grooming industry can really be.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Jess talks about how the world of dog grooming has changed so much over the past 10 years, why she tells aspiring groomers to start as bathers, and why dog grooming – as messy and chaotic as it can be – sustains her.

For more from Jess, follow her on Instagram, visit her website, and check out her YouTube channel.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org

Sometimes, the rescue world can be heavy. But today’s guest – creator, filmmaker, and author Kelsey Darragh – somehow captures the most magical moments, especially with her ever rotating cast of foster dogs. Admittedly, Kelsey was a pro at saying goodbye… until Hippo came along. She shares how one dog seemingly changed her life for nothing but the best and how she continues to champion for her foster dogs with the help of one squatty, crop-eared nugget by her side.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Kelsey talks about why animal shelters are a great place to make friends, how fostering is good for your mental health, and why it took her so much longer than everyone else to realize that she and Hippo were meant for each other.

For more from Kelsey and Hippo, follow Kelsey on Instagram and TikTok and check out her book, Don’t F*cking Panic: The Sh*t They Don’t Tell You in Therapy About Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, & Depression.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org

Not all rescue stories are “love at first sight”; often, it’s simply about helping an animal in need, and the bond that grows from there. Sometimes that electric feeling is undeniable where you know that you and your pet-to-be are absolutely perfect for each other. That’s what happened when Vanessa Villela met her cat, Osita, here at PetSpace.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Vanessa describes her first meeting with Osita, how she knew she was ready to adopt a new pet, and why, when a breeder offered her a free puppy, she turned them down.

For more from Vanessa and Osita, you can follow Vanessa on Instagram, and you can also follow Osita on Instagram.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org

Our guest on today’s episode, Brett Yates, is involved in more pet-friendly initiatives than you can shake a stick at. Pet-inclusive housing? You’ve got it. Community outreach and support?

Throw it on the list. Research to incentivize and rapidly develop a single-dose, nonsurgical sterilant that would change spay/neuter practices forever? Yeah, why not? As the CEO of the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Brett oversees a bevy of truly incredible projects and measures, all aimed at improving the lives of pets and their people.

On this episode of the PetSpace Podcast, Brett explains how his desire for purpose-driven work led him to joining the team at Michelson Found Animals and diving into their philanthropic work headfirst. From funding state-of-the-art veterinary medical research to partnering with us at Annenberg PetSpace to train up groomers and other pet professionals, Brett’s contributions to MFA are changing the world of animal welfare for generations to come.

To learn more about everything that Brett and the team are cooking at Michelson Found Animals, visit their website, follow them on Instagram, and check out their Facebook.

The Petspace Podcast is:
Hosted by Catie Voglio,
Recorded & Edited by Roger Gomez,
Produced by Cameron Kell,
To learn more about Wallis Annenberg Petspace visit us at our website annenbergpetspace.org