The Animal Wellness Podcast

The Humane Economy Under Fire: 10 Years Later | Episode 91

Ten years ago, Wayne Pacelle, head of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, made a disruptive case in “The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of Animals.” He argued that the biggest gains for animals would come not just from laws, but from the marketplace—through corporate pressure, consumer demand, and economic incentives.   Today, that vision is being tested in a far more adversarial landscape.   In this episode, host Joseph Grove speaks with Pacelle about the state of the “humane economy” amid intensifying political and corporate pushback. While companies have made high-profile commitments on cage-free systems and alternatives to animal testing, powerful industry interests are now working to unwind those gains.   At the center of the fight: federal efforts to override state laws like California’s Prop 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3—voter-approved measures designed to curb extreme confinement of farm animals. These battles raise a critical question: can market-driven progress endure when political forces intervene to reverse it?   They discuss:   * The growing backlash against animal welfare laws in Congress * Corporate follow-through—and where companies are retreating * The role of multinational corporations and consolidation in shaping outcomes * Whether consumers are driving change—or being priced out of it * Breakthroughs in plant-based innovation and non-animal testing * Why voluntary corporate action has limits—and where regulation is indispensable   Pacelle also addresses a central tension: if the humane economy is working, why are we seeing such aggressive efforts to dismantle its gains?   This is a candid, high-stakes conversation about power, policy, and the future of animal protection in an era of competing economic interests.   The Animal Wellness podcast is produced by Animal Wellness Action [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] and the Center for a Humane Economy [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]. It focuses on improving the lives of animals in the United States and abroad through legislation and by influencing businesses to create a more humane economy. The show is hosted by veteran journalist and animal-advocate Joseph Grove [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephgrove/].   www.animalwellnessaction.org [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction [https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWAction_News [https://twitter.com/AWAction_News] Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter [https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter]   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/ [https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/]    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ]

Rethinking Human Exceptionalism | Episode 90

What if the idea that humans stand above all other animals isn’t a scientific truth—but a cultural myth?   In this episode of the Animal Wellness Podcast, host Joseph Grove is joined by primatologist and NYU professor Christine Webb, author of “The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why It Matters,” for a wide-ranging conversation about how deeply ingrained beliefs about human superiority shape our relationship with animals—and the consequences of getting that relationship wrong.   Drawing on her research into the cognitive, emotional, and social lives of nonhuman animals, Webb challenges the notion that humans are categorically different from other species. Instead, she makes the case for “continuity”—the idea that differences between humans and other animals are differences of degree, not kind.   Together, they explore:   * How anthropocentric thinking shapes science, language, and culture * Why the belief in human superiority persists—even in the face of evidence * What we gain—ethically and existentially—by rethinking our place in the natural world   If we are to build a more humane and sustainable future, it may begin with a simple but profound shift: seeing ourselves not above the animal world, but within it.   LEARN MORE The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why It Matters is available for purchase here [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-arrogant-ape-christine-webb/1146839124?ean=9780593543139] and wherever books are sold. To learn more about Christine Webb, visit her website here [https://www.cewebb.com/].   The Animal Wellness podcast is produced by Animal Wellness Action [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] and the Center for a Humane Economy [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]. It focuses on improving the lives of animals in the United States and abroad through legislation and by influencing businesses to create a more humane economy. The show is hosted by veteran journalist and animal-advocate Joseph Grove [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephgrove/].    www.animalwellnessaction.org [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction [https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWAction_News [https://twitter.com/AWAction_News] Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter [https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter]   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/ [https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/]    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ]

The Hidden Crisis Facing Military Working Dogs | Episode 89

Military working dogs are among the most highly trained and loyal members of America’s armed forces. They detect explosives, patrol bases, and protect U.S. service members in some of the world’s most dangerous environments. Their work saves lives. But what happens when these animals, who serve alongside our troops, are failed by the very system responsible for their care? In this episode of the Animal Wellness Podcast, host Joseph Grove examines troubling findings from a new investigation by Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, raising serious concerns about lapses in veterinary care, oversight failures, and reports of preventable suffering and deaths among military working dogs on U.S. bases. Joseph is joined by two leading experts who bring a critical perspective to this issue: Dr. Thomas Pool, a veterinarian and former commander of the U.S. Army Veterinary Command, draws on decades of experience to explain the role of military working dogs, the standards of care they require, and where systemic breakdowns may be occurring within military veterinary systems. Kate Chupka Schultz, an experienced animal cruelty prosecutor and attorney, provides a legal lens — examining accountability gaps, the evolving status of military working dogs under the law, and what reforms may be necessary to ensure these animals are treated as sentient partners, not expendable equipment. Together, they explore urgent questions about responsibility, transparency, and reform — and what it means to honor the service of animals who serve in uniform. To learn more, read the full report and press release at Helping Animals Helps Us All. ABOUT The Animal Wellness podcast is produced by Animal Wellness Action [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] and the Center for a Humane Economy [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]. It focuses on improving the lives of animals in the United States and abroad through legislation and by influencing businesses to create a more humane economy. The show is hosted by veteran journalist and animal-advocate Joseph Grove [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephgrove/].    www.animalwellnessaction.org [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction [https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWAction_News [https://twitter.com/AWAction_News] Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter [https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter]   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/ [https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/]    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ]

Thoroughbred Racing and the Impact of HISA | Episode 88

In this episode of The Animal Wellness Podcast, host Joseph Grove examines the rapidly changing landscape of American horse racing—an industry facing growing scrutiny over safety, doping, and the welfare of racehorses. A series of high-profile breakdowns and medication scandals, including the troubling spike in horse deaths at Churchill Downs during the 2023 Kentucky Derby week, intensified national concern about the sport’s oversight and long-term viability. Joseph explores how the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) — the most sweeping regulatory reform the sport has seen in generations — created a national authority to enforce uniform safety and anti-doping rules across Thoroughbred racing. But major tensions remain. A high-stakes dispute between regulators and Churchill Downs Incorporated, a company operating roughly 30 racing and gaming properties across 14 states, raises questions about compliance, enforcement, and the future of interstate wagering. Joining the program is Fred Hudson, CEO of the U.S. Harness Racing Alumni Association and director of equine protection for Animal Wellness Action. Hudson provides an insider’s perspective on whether HISA’s reforms are improving horse welfare, the persistent challenges facing the sport, and what additional protections are still needed for racehorses during and after their racing careers.   Together, they discuss the causes of fatal breakdowns, the culture of medication in racing, the implications of industry resistance to federal oversight, and what meaningful reform could look like over the next decade.   The Animal Wellness podcast is produced by Animal Wellness Action [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] and the Center for a Humane Economy [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]. It focuses on improving the lives of animals in the United States and abroad through legislation and by influencing businesses to create a more humane economy. The show is hosted by veteran journalist and animal-advocate Joseph Grove [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephgrove/].    www.animalwellnessaction.org [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction [https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWAction_News [https://twitter.com/AWAction_News] Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter [https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter]   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/ [https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/]    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ]

Lead Ammunition, Wildlife Poisoning, and Public Health: Science and Policy at a Crossroads | Episode 87

In this episode of the Animal Wellness Podcast, host Joseph Grove examines the mounting scientific and policy concerns surrounding lead ammunition — a persistent environmental toxin with consequences that extend far beyond the hunt. Each year, tons of lead from spent bullets and shotgun pellets are discharged into America’s landscapes. On impact, that lead fragments into carcasses and gut piles, where scavenging wildlife — including bald eagles, golden eagles, condors, hawks, ravens, and foxes — ingest toxic shards. The results are often acute poisoning, neurological impairment, reproductive failure, and death. But this is not solely a wildlife conservation issue. Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe level of exposure. It does not biodegrade, and it can contaminate meat intended for human consumption while persisting in soil and ecosystems for decades. Joseph is joined by two leading voices at the intersection of science and policy. Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, discusses the documented toll of lead poisoning on raptors and other wildlife, federal policy debates surrounding National Wildlife Refuges, and the proposed LEAD Act — legislation aimed at reducing toxic ammunition on public lands. Dr. Aisha S. Dickerson, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, brings critical scientific insight into how lead behaves biologically, why even low-level exposure can cause lasting neurological harm, and what environmental neuroepidemiology tells us about risks to both wildlife and humans. Together, they explore: * The biological mechanisms of lead toxicity * Why there is no safe level of exposure * The documented scope of wildlife mortality linked to ammunition fragments * Public health implications for communities and families * Policy pathways and practical alternatives available to hunters This episode challenges listeners to consider tradition, science, and stewardship — and the responsibility we share in protecting both wildlife and public health. TAKE ACTION Go here [https://animalwellnessaction.org/soaring-not-suffering/] to learn more about the effects of lead ammunition and to support the LEAD Act referred to in the show. ABOUT The Animal Wellness podcast is produced by Animal Wellness Action [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] and the Center for a Humane Economy [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]. It focuses on improving the lives of animals in the United States and abroad through legislation and by influencing businesses to create a more humane economy. The show is hosted by veteran journalist and animal-advocate Joseph Grove [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephgrove/].    www.animalwellnessaction.org [http://www.animalwellnessaction.org/] www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org [http://www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction [https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWAction_News [https://twitter.com/AWAction_News] Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter [https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter]   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/ [https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ [https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/]    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ]