Rephonic
Artwork for The Animal Advocate
Animal Shelters
Philadelphia, United States
Animal Welfare
Animal Advocacy
Cat Declawing
Public Policy
Social Media
Texas
Animal Control
Animal Sheltering
Underdogs Of Philly
Animal Control Funding
Open Intake Shelters
Adoption Over Purchase
New York City
Dog Importation
Public Opinion
Puppy Mills
Volunteer Work
Housing Policy

Welcome to The Animal Advocate, the podcast for animal lovers who want to become effective animal advocates. Whether you want to start your own nonprofit, inspire your community to adopt more animal-friendly practices, or push for legislative change, this podcast is here to arm you with the knowledge and inspiration you need. With over 20 years of experience in animal law and advocacy, your host, ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes56Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationKids & FamilyPets & Animals

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Artwork for The Animal Advocate

Latest Episodes

Looking for a job helping animals that doesn't require a veterinary degree? Animal law, cruelty investigation, grassroots organizing, and shelter communications are all paid careers in animal advocacy.

Some pay well and some don't, and entry-level ... more

What does it mean to be an animal advocate, and how do you get started in animal advocacy? In this episode, Penny explains how ordinary people can help animals through volunteering, fostering, rescue work, professional skills, community advocacy, and... more

Ask Kelly Motter what fostering a dog is like and she'll tell you about the moment a dog decides they're safe. Sometimes it's the first tail wag. Once it was a terrified boxer mix who sat with her on the kitchen floor for half an hour before he final... more

A USDA licensed breeder can legally keep a dog in a cage six inches longer than her body, for her entire life.

A puppy mill is a commercial breeding operation where the needs of the dogs aren't met. Size doesn't settle it, which is one reason "just... more

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Recent Guests

Kelly Motter
Host of The Foster Files, dog fostering advocate
The Foster Files
Episode: Is Fostering a Dog Right for Me? A Foster's Honest Answer
John Goodwin
Senior Managing Director for Puppy Mills and Equine Protection at Humane World for Animals
Humane World for Animals
Episode: What Is a Puppy Mill? How to Spot One and Help Shut Them Down
BJ Adkins
Founder of Animals Angels, advocate building upstream prevention in Alabama
Animals Angels
Episode: How to Reduce Shelter Intake: What One Advocate Is Building
Allie Taylor
Founder/leader of VFAR (Voters for Animal Rights), focused on political advocacy for animals in NYC and NY State
Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR)
Episode: Why Animal Advocates Need a 501(c)(4): Allie Taylor of Voters for Animal Rights
Jessica Shelton
Representative from Animal Protection New Mexico
Animal Protection New Mexico
Episode: How to Fund Spay/Neuter Programs: Lessons from States That Got It Done
Janet White
Founder of Carriage Horse Freedom
Carriage Horse Freedom
Episode: From Protest to Policy: Ending Horse-Drawn Carriages in Philadelphia
Shelby Bobosky
Executive Director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network
Texas Humane Legislation Network
Episode: How Animal Protection Laws Really Get Passed: Lessons from Texas
Suzanne Gonzalez
Co-founder of Pennsylvania Voters for Animals
Pennsylvania Voters for Animals
Episode: How to Start an Animal Advocacy Group and Get Results: Lessons from Pennsylvania Voters for Animals
Joanna Miller
Deputy Director, Office of Animal Welfare, Delaware
Delaware Office of Animal Welfare
Episode: How Delaware Created a Statewide Office of Animal Welfare- A Model for Advocates

Host

Penny Ellison
Host of The Animal Advocate

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Excellent animal and youth advocacy knowledge!

    If you care about animal advocacy and want to learn how to help protect animals in your community then this is a great place to learn. Learn how to make an impact through local laws and help to strengthen your local animal community!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ben Norig
    United Statesa year ago
  • Dr. Alexis Walsh, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP, C-AAIS

    Penny has been an excellent and intellectual advocate for both vulnerable youth and animals for years. Her dedication to her full-time work in addition to volunteering time is admirable. Her knowledge, time spent, and investment to this cause is unmatched. Her knowledge in the field has had a tremendous impact on animals and humans, alike.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lkw6789
    United States2 years ago
  • Expanding Knowledge

    The Animal Advocate podcast is eloquent and digestible. You can hear the passion for this work through its precision to detail and organization.

    As someone who practices sustainability as much as possible and maintains a vegan lifestyle,  I found myself eager to have my knowledge tested regarding farming practices, animal agriculture, and its impact on our environment. It is also refreshing to hear current updated federal and state regulations and policies on dog breeding and state cruelty laws... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cheryl Anne D
    United States2 years ago
  • Making sense of “legalese”

    You can’t win at advocacy if you don’t understand the rules (laws) of the game. For a concerned citizen with no legal training, this podcast is a great way to understand what laws protect animals and how you can use them in your community. It’s a wonderful resource to begin your action plan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cildara
    United States2 years ago
  • Better than other animal-related podcasts!

    It’s so refreshing to hear a podcast addressing real issues concerning the animal welfare/wellness communities. If you’re an animal lover, this is a great listen. If you want to learn more about and explore opportunities for making your love for animals your career, this is a must-listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AngelaM413
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are described as knowledgeable experts who translate legal concepts into actionable steps for communities.
Listeners value the practical, policy-focused guidance and real-world case studies.
The host is praised for thoughtful advocacy that bridges law and humane outcomes.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is Fostering a Dog Right for Me? A Foster's Honest Answer
Q: Tell me what motivated you to start The Foster Files and how it intersects with your fostering work.
Kelly explains that a friend's encouragement showed her the impact storytelling could have, leading her to start The Foster Files to educate people about animal welfare and foster dynamics beyond her own home.
How Animal Control Really Works: An Advocate's Guide
Q: I see that my local shelter is euthanizing healthy animals. How can I help if I can't adopt?
Focus on non-adoption actions like fostering, volunteering, and spreading informed, specific posts about the animals' descriptions to increase visibility and exits through rescues, rather than repeatedly asking for a safe exit from staff.
When Advocacy Brings Backlash: Dr. Crystal Heath on Standing Strong
Q: What are the biggest challenges you've faced advocating for farm animals, and how do you handle them?
She describes intense professional and personal backlash, including social media bans, misinformation, and threats to her license, which she counters by staying factual, building press support, and highlighting the broader public health and welfare implications.
When Advocacy Brings Backlash: Dr. Crystal Heath on Standing Strong
Q: How did your path lead you to become a veterinary activist with a focus on farm animal welfare?
Her lifelong love of animals, early exposure to environmental and welfare concerns, and education in veterinary medicine and public policy converged to push her toward reform, despite the veterinary establishment's resistance to animal rights perspectives.
Understanding Retail Pet Sale Bans: What They Do and Why They Matter
Q: Today's question comes from Michael, who asks if these laws go too far by punishing responsible small-scale breeders who might partner with a pet store.
I explain that genuine responsible breeders who health test, carefully plan litters, and prioritize matching puppies with families do not want to sell through pet stores because the retail environment undermines their ethical standards and ongoing breeder-buyer relationships.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Animal Advocate

What is The Animal Advocate about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A results-focused show about animal protection, law, and policy that features practical, step-by-step guidance for advocates. Episodes explore how to reduce shelter intake, fund and implement spay/neuter programs, and push for local and state laws, often through coalition-building, smart messaging, and careful use of public policy tools. Noteworthy are the concrete case studies from cities and states, founder-led advocacy frames, and a strong emphasis on actionable approaches over rhetoric. Listeners likely include civic-minded animal lovers, policy volunteers, and nonprofit professionals seeking to convert passion into effective advocacy and legislative wins.

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How many listeners does The Animal Advocate get?

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How many episodes of The Animal Advocate are there?

The Animal Advocate launched 2 years ago and published 56 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Animal Advocate?

Recent guests on The Animal Advocate include:

1. Kelly Motter
2. John Goodwin
3. BJ Adkins
4. Allie Taylor
5. Jessica Shelton
6. Janet White
7. Shelby Bobosky
8. Suzanne Gonzalez

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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