Top Dog Podcast with Kerri Burns | Why Animal Welfare Leaders Must Stop Working Alone

Top Dog Podcast with Kerri Burns | Why Animal Welfare Leaders Must Stop Working Alone

What happens when a police officer, disaster responder, and animal welfare executive all become the same person? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Kerri Burns, CEO of Santa Barbara Humane. With nearly three decades in animal welfare, Kerri shares how experiences in law enforcement, disaster response, shelter leadership, and community service shaped her philosophy of compassionate leadership. In this conversation, we discuss: • Lessons learned from disaster response and emergency animal rescue • Why collaboration matters more than competition • Building a culture of trust and mentorship • Supporting staff in high-stress environments • The importance of listening as a leader • Creating community-centered animal welfare programs Kerri also shares why she believes animal welfare organizations can achieve far more when they set aside ego, work together, and focus on the shared mission of helping animals and people. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Alexis Fine | Why Strong Teams Create Stronger Shelters

Saving animals starts with supporting the people who care for them. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Alexis Fine, Operations Manager at Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Texas. With more than 20 years in animal welfare and 15 years at the same organization, Alexis shares how investing in staff culture, leadership development, and community engagement creates better outcomes for both animals and people. In this conversation, we discuss: • Building a healthy shelter culture • Preventing burnout and compassion fatigue • Developing future leaders in animal welfare • Community engagement during times of crisis • Managing large-scale shelter operations • Why caring for staff improves animal outcomes Alexis also shares lessons from working nearly every position in a shelter and explains why leadership is ultimately about supporting people so they can do their best work for animals. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Kate Hurley | The Shelter Medicine Pioneer Changing Animal Welfare

What happens when veterinary medicine finally shines a light on animal shelters? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Kate Hurley, Founding Director of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and one of the pioneers who helped create the field of shelter medicine. Starting her career as an animal control officer, Dr. Hurley witnessed firsthand the challenges shelters faced without proper veterinary guidance, disease prevention, or operational support. Determined to change that, she became the first person in the world to complete a shelter medicine residency — helping launch an entirely new field focused on improving outcomes for shelter animals. In this conversation, we discuss: • The origins of shelter medicine • Reducing disease and euthanasia in shelters • Capacity for care and shelter operations • Using data and AI to improve animal outcomes • Community cat programs and lifesaving innovation • Supporting shelter staff and sustainable systems Dr. Hurley also shares how small operational changes, better science, and stronger systems can dramatically improve lifesaving efforts across animal shelters nationwide. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Zach Skow | Prison Dogs, Recovery, and Second Chances

What happens when the unconditional love of dogs becomes the reason to keep living? In this powerful episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Zach Skow, founder of Marley’s Mutts, to talk about recovery, redemption, and the life-changing impact of the human-animal bond. After being given just 90 days to live due to end-stage liver failure, Zach found hope through his dogs — a turning point that ultimately led him to create Marley’s Mutts and groundbreaking prison rehabilitation programs that have transformed thousands of lives. In this conversation, we discuss: • Zach’s journey through addiction and recovery • How dogs became the foundation for healing • The creation of Marley’s Mutts • Prison dog programs and rehabilitation • Why empathy and service change lives • The power of the human-animal bond Zach also shares how prison dog training programs help both incarcerated individuals and rescue dogs find second chances — proving that recovery and redemption are possible for everyone. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Chris Bush | How Communities Can Solve Cat Overpopulation

What does it take to build a community-wide solution for homeless cats? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we talk with Chris Bush, Vice Chair of Chatham Animal Rescue & Education (CARE), about the growing need for community cat programs in rapidly expanding communities — and why collaboration is the key to long-term change. With decades of rescue experience, Chris shares how Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), affordable spay/neuter access, and local partnerships can dramatically reduce cat overpopulation while supporting both animals and the people who care for them. In this conversation, we discuss: • The realities of community cat overpopulation • Why TNR works long-term • The importance of affordable spay/neuter programs • Building sustainable community partnerships • Compassion fatigue and supporting rescue volunteers • Creating a community cat program from the ground up Chris also shares powerful stories from the field and explains why solving animal welfare challenges requires communities to work together — not just shelters and rescues alone. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.