The Foster Files - Stories about Animal Rescue and Welfare

Healing a Broken Heart - A New Foster's Journey

Losing a beloved pet can feel devastating — and yet, for one woman, it became the catalyst to save even more lives. Susan never imagined she’d open her heart again so soon, but after Schuyler's sudden passing, she found an unexpected purpose in fostering. In this heartfelt episode, Susan shares her raw journey from grief to growth, revealing how fostering helped her heal her own broken heart, one dog at a time. Foster Spotlight: Wagtopia: Adopt Dogs, Cats, Register Pet Microchip, Geo Tags [https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=2738235&name=Jessica+] Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679 [https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679] https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast] https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast] Email Me: thefosterfilespodcast@gmail.com Now on YouTube: The Foster Files - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefosterfilespodcast] Meet Kelly Motter – CanvasRebel Magazine [https://canvasrebel.com/meet-kelly-motter/]

Setting Boundaries in Animal Welfare - Beyond Compassion Fatigue

This week's episode is a conversation Kelly had on the podcast, Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Make Your Passion for Helping Animals Sustainable with Jennifer Blough. This time she's the one being interviewed about the way she and her husband approach fostering, setting boundaries, and maintaining her sanity in animal welfare. You can find Jennifer's podcast and website below!  Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Make Your Passion for Helping Animals Sustainable! - Podcast - Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-compassion-fatigue-make-your-passion-for-helping/id1819040006] Home | Jennifer Blough [https://www.beyondcompassionfatigue.com/] Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679 [https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679] https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast] https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast] Email Me: thefosterfilespodcast@gmail.com Now on YouTube: The Foster Files - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefosterfilespodcast] Meet Kelly Motter – CanvasRebel Magazine [https://canvasrebel.com/meet-kelly-motter/]

Heat Stroke

Kelly dives into the rapid temperature rise inside vehicles—just five minutes in an 85-degree day can turn a car into an oven dangerous enough to cause heatstroke or death. She reveals how even tinted windows and open vents do little to slow the deadly heat. But more than that, she unpacks the specifics of Pennsylvania’s Libre’s Law, explaining crucial regulations that every animal advocate must understand—like how long a dog can be tethered outside in extreme weather, or what actions are legally protected if you see a suffering animal. PA Humane Officer Search Tool: PA Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Service [https://www.pda.state.pa.us/BAHDS/HSPO/HSPOSearch.aspx] Report Cruelty/Neglect - Humane Animal Rescue [https://humaneanimalrescue.org/resources/report-cruelty/] Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679 [https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679] https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast] https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast] Email Me: thefosterfilespodcast@gmail.com Now on YouTube: The Foster Files - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefosterfilespodcast] Meet Kelly Motter – CanvasRebel Magazine [https://canvasrebel.com/meet-kelly-motter/]

What NOT to Say to Fosters

This solo episode uncovers the often-overlooked impacts of foster language on morale, public perception, and animal welfare. Kelly shares powerful insights from her own experiences and discusses common phrases like "keeping them" or "giving them up" that may reinforce guilt and confusion. You'll discover practical alternatives—like asking “what's the best home for this animal?”—that foster clearer, more positive conversations around adoption. Foster Spotlight: Wagtopia: Adopt Dogs, Cats, Register Pet Microchip, Geo Tags [https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=2738237&name=Kelly+] Join the Pack: https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679 [https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679] https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast] https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast] Email Me: thefosterfilespodcast@gmail.com Now on YouTube: The Foster Files - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefosterfilespodcast] Meet Kelly Motter – CanvasRebel Magazine [https://canvasrebel.com/meet-kelly-motter/]

SPECIAL EPISODE: Tragedy and The Fight to Ban Carriage Horses

The tragic death of a carriage horse in Central Park has ignited a fire under the fight to end NYC's horse-drawn industry—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With footage of the heartbreaking incident circulating widely, the urgent question is: how many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken? In this gripping episode, Kelly sits down with Julie Cappiello, president of Voters for Animal Rights, to unpack the harrowing realities behind the carriage horse industry in New York City. Just days after a horse collapsed and died from ingesting poisonous plants in Central Park, an entirely new incident occurs—this time involving a spooked horse that bolted and fatally injured a teenager. As emotions run high and communities demand change, Julie reveals the behind-the-scenes efforts to ban horse carriages in NYC—and what it truly takes to protect animals and humans alike. Sign The Petition to Ban Horse Carriages in NYC - Voters For Animal Rights [https://vfar.org/carriagehorses/] Donate - Voters For Animal Rights [https://vfar.org/donate/] NYC Residents: Demand Your NYC Council Member Ban Horse Carriages NOW [https://secure.everyaction.com/e11suSEcvEqxUxn2HTZJww2] Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679 [https://the-foster-files-podcast.kit.com/220e069679] https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thefosterfilespodcast] https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thefosterfilepodcast] Email Me: thefosterfilespodcast@gmail.com Now on YouTube: The Foster Files - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefosterfilespodcast] Meet Kelly Motter – CanvasRebel Magazine [https://canvasrebel.com/meet-kelly-motter/]