What does it take to create real, lasting change for animals? In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss talks with Amber Canavan, Associate Director of Vegan Campaigns at PETA, about more than two decades of animal advocacy, vegan activism, corporate campaigns, animal rescue, legislation, and the persistence required to challenge industries that profit from animal exploitation. Amber shares how a high school paper first opened her eyes to the realities of animal suffering and ultimately helped set the direction for her life's work. Since then, she has been involved in campaigns ranging from corporate negotiations and public demonstrations to legislative initiatives and hands-on animal rescue. Cheryl and Amber discuss PETA's campaign challenging Starbucks' surcharge on plant-based milk and why making vegan choices affordable and accessible matters for animals. Amber also takes listeners behind the scenes of the Hell on Wheels campaign, designed to bring the hidden realities of animals being transported to slaughter directly into public view. One of the most moving parts of the conversation is Amber's experience helping coordinate the rescue of approximately 435 hens from an Oregon egg facility. Their condition challenged common perceptions surrounding the term "cage-free" and offered Amber a firsthand look at the resilience and individual personalities of chickens once they were given the opportunity to experience safety, sunlight, and grass. The conversation also explores PETA's work exposing forced monkey labor in Thailand's coconut industry, campaigns surrounding foie gras, corporate accountability, legislation, and the importance of combining individual action with institutional and policy change. Perhaps most importantly, Amber reminds us that successful animal advocacy rarely comes down to one person or one dramatic action. Change is often the result of many people doing their part over time. Some victories make headlines. Others happen quietly behind the scenes. What matters is that animals are spared suffering because someone was willing to speak up. Listen to the episode and learn more: https://www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/077-Amber-Canavan-PETA

Most animal sanctuaries begin with compassion. Shy 38 Animal Sanctuary began with a single cow. She wasn't known by a name. She was simply Number 38, one of dozens of cows grazing in a neighboring pasture. Yet by quietly observing her and the rest of the herd, founder Chris Taylor and her young children witnessed something that would forever change the course of their lives. They saw mothers form deep bonds with their calves. They watched friendships develop within the herd. And each autumn, they witnessed the heartbreaking grief that followed when calves were taken away from their mothers. Those moments revealed a simple truth: these animals were not products. They were thinking, feeling individuals with unique personalities and emotional lives. That quiet cow became the inspiration behind what is now Shy 38 Animal Sanctuary. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss welcomes Chris Taylor and educator Elizabeth Wallace to share the remarkable story behind the sanctuary and its mission to rescue animals while changing hearts through humane education. Together they discuss the innovative Hatching Kindness Project, an ethical alternative to classroom chick-hatching experiments that allows students to explore science, empathy, and compassion without harming animals. They also share the realities of operating a sanctuary for nearly 200 rescued animals, why rescued roosters deserve a second chance, and how one compassionate decision can create ripple effects that extend far beyond the sanctuary gates. Whether you're passionate about animal rescue, humane education, or simply believe one person can make a difference, this conversation offers hope, inspiration, and practical examples of compassion in action. Learn more about Shy 38 Animal Sanctuary and this episode at:   https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/076-shy-38 

What does it really take to create a no-kill community and save more animals in shelters? In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss talks with Tawny Hammond of Best Friends Animal Society about the leadership, policies, partnerships, and community involvement needed to transform animal shelters and save lives. Tawny shares lessons from decades in public service and animal services leadership, including her experience in Austin, Texas, where the city achieved a 98 percent save rate for more than 17,000 animals in a single year. Cheryl and Tawny explore what no-kill actually means, why nonprofits and animal shelters need to work together, innovative foster programs for dogs struggling in shelter environments, and the connection between animal welfare, social justice, and underserved communities. They also discuss why all animals matter, the complexities of working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, and how each of us can help create meaningful change for animals. This conversation offers a deeper look at the road to no-kill and why lasting change requires leadership, collaboration, better systems, and communities willing to get involved. Listen and learn more: https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/075-Tawny-Hammond

What happens when you meet a pig and begin to see someone instead of something? Suki Player, founder of Little Pigs at Home Animal Sanctuary in West Wales, shares how one pig changed the direction of her life and led to a mission of rescue, education, and changing hearts one pig at a time. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Suki talks with Cheryl Moss about the intelligence, emotional lives, and distinct personalities of pigs. She shares stories of pigs who arrived frightened, grieving, disabled, overweight, in pain, or simply unwanted, and what it takes to help them feel safe and learn to trust again. Suki also reveals a reality few people know about. Because pigs are primarily classified as food animals, access to specialized medications, procedures, and emergency veterinary care can be extremely limited. The conversation explores the truth behind the micro pig myth, what it really takes to care for a pig, daily life at the sanctuary, and the financial challenges of providing lifelong care for animals with specialized needs. You will also hear how meeting pigs face to face can change perceptions, challenge long-held assumptions, and sometimes change the choices people make. Because changing how people see animals often begins with something very simple: meeting them. Learn more about the episode and Suki's work: https://www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/074-suki-player  

Why do an estimated 95% of drugs that pass animal testing fail in human clinical trials? If animal experimentation often produces poor results for people, why is it still widely used in medical research? In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss speaks with Meredith Blanchard, Senior Manager of Advocacy and Policy at the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), about the science, ethics, and future of replacing animal testing with human-based research methods. Meredith explains why animal models frequently fail to predict human outcomes and discusses innovative alternatives that are already transforming biomedical research. These include organ-on-a-chip technology, organoids, artificial intelligence, computational modeling, and other human-relevant research methods designed to improve both scientific accuracy and animal welfare. The conversation also explores why change has been slow despite advances in technology, how legislation and public policy can accelerate the transition away from animal experimentation, and what individuals can do to support more humane, effective science. Whether you care about ending animal cruelty, improving medical research, or advancing innovative scientific methods, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most important shifts happening in modern medicine. Listen now: https://BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/073-meredith-blanchard Topics discussed include: • Why animal testing continues despite its limitations • The 95% failure rate of drugs that pass animal tests • Human-based research methods and non-animal testing alternatives • Organ-on-a-chip technology and organoids • Artificial intelligence in medical research • The role of the National Anti-Vivisection Society • Humane science and biomedical innovation • Legislative efforts to reduce animal experimentation • How students, parents, scientists, and advocates can help end animal testing

Foxes are intelligent, emotional individuals who form bonds, experience grief, express joy, and have unique personalities. Yet foxes continue to be bred and exploited for the fur industry and exotic pet trade. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast, host Cheryl Moss talks with Nicole Navarro, founder and executive director of Pawsitive Beginnings, a fox sanctuary in Key Largo, Florida. Nicole shares how meeting two surrendered foxes changed the direction of her life and eventually led her to create a sanctuary for foxes rescued from fur farms and the exotic pet industry. She discusses the hidden reality of fur farming in the United States, the complex emotional lives of foxes, and why these animals deserve to be seen as individuals rather than products. Nicole also shares moving stories about the sanctuary's work with children and adults recovering from trauma and the powerful connections that can form between people and rescued animals. This conversation explores fox rescue, fur farming, the exotic pet trade, sanctuary care, animal advocacy, ethical consumer choices, and the simple actions each of us can take to help protect foxes. Listen and learn more: https://www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/072-Nicole-Navarro

For more than four decades, Gail Eisnitz has gone where few people are willing to go. As Chief Investigator for the Humane Farming Association, she has spent her career documenting the hidden realities of factory farms and slaughterhouses, exposing cruelty that most consumers never see and many industries would prefer remain hidden. In this powerful episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss sits down with Gail to discuss her extraordinary journey, the emotional cost of bearing witness to animal suffering, and the resilience that has allowed her to continue fighting for animals despite enormous personal challenges. The Humane Farming Association's Fight for Farm Animals As Chief Investigator for the Humane Farming Association (HFA), Gail has spent decades exposing cruelty within industrial animal agriculture. Through investigations, public education, and advocacy efforts, HFA has worked to shine a light on conditions inside factory farms and slaughterhouses while promoting greater accountability and compassion for farmed animals. The organization is also home to Suwanna Ranch, a 7,000-acre sanctuary in Northern California that provides lifelong care to more than 1,000 rescued farm animals. For Gail, the sanctuary serves as a reminder that while exposing cruelty is essential, creating safe and loving environments for animals is equally important. More at: www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/071-Gail-Eisnitz

Most people never see what happens behind the walls of animal testing facilities. In this powerful episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss sits down with animal advocate Pamela Smith to discuss her involvement in the widely publicized open rescue at Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin facility that breeds beagles for laboratory testing. Pamela shares her personal journey from becoming an ethical vegan to taking direct action on behalf of animals. She offers a firsthand account of the rescue effort, the emotional reality of helping beagles destined for experimentation, and why she believes public awareness is one of the most powerful tools for creating change. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why beagles are commonly used in laboratory testing • What an open rescue is and how it differs from other forms of activism • What Pamela experienced during the Ridglan Farms rescue effort • Why many animal advocates believe animal testing is outdated • How modern alternatives to animal experimentation are changing the conversation • The importance of public awareness in advancing animal welfare • How Compassion Without Borders helps street dogs and families in Mexico • Practical ways individuals can get involved in animal advocacy This conversation is both educational and inspiring, offering a closer look at the realities of animal testing while highlighting the growing movement working toward a more compassionate future for animals. Learn more: https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/070-Pamela-Smith

Most people think animal advocacy begins and ends with awareness. But according to Amit Dhuleshia, lasting change for animals requires something much bigger: political action, grassroots organizing, and long-term strategy. In this episode of Better Life for Animals, Cheryl Moss sits down with Amit Dhuleshia, co-founder of Strategic Action for Animals and creator of the Action for Animals app, to discuss how advocates can move beyond reacting to crises and begin building systems that create lasting protections for animals. Amit shares his journey from the software industry into animal advocacy and explains why he believes local political engagement may be one of the most overlooked tools in the movement today. Together, Cheryl and Amit discuss the importance of influencing legislation, organizing communities, building relationships with elected officials, and empowering people to take meaningful action for animals. The conversation also explores current issues impacting animal welfare, including opposition to the EATS Act, protecting Proposition 12, local ballot initiatives, and creating scalable grassroots models that communities across the country can replicate. Amit also discusses the Action for Animals app, a platform designed to make advocacy simple and accessible by helping users quickly contact elected officials and stay informed on important animal protection issues. This episode is both inspiring and practical for anyone who wants to create real change for animals through organized, strategic action. Listen and learn more: https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/069-Amit-Dhuleshia  

What if the animals in our lives are here to teach us how to heal? In this episode of Better Life for Animals, Cheryl Moss welcomes author, animal communicator, Reiki practitioner, and podcast host Stephanie Stephan for a powerful conversation about the emotional wisdom animals carry and the lessons humans can learn from them. Stephanie shares deeply personal stories about rescue animals, sanctuary experiences, energy healing, and the profound impact animals have had on her spiritual and emotional journey. Through her work and her book, The Path to Unconditional Love: Lessons in Heart-Centered Living from Our Animal Teachers, Stephanie explores how animals naturally embody presence, gratitude, empathy, resilience, and unconditional love. During this inspiring discussion, listeners will learn: • Why animals may be more emotionally present than humans • How sanctuary animals teach resilience and healing • What heart-centered living really means • The role of Reiki and energy healing with animals • How humans can deepen communication with animals • Why slowing down and listening matters • The healing power of unconditional love Stephanie also shares moving stories involving her rescue dog Spikey, traumatized sanctuary animals who found healing through compassion, and her experience helping an injured deer transition peacefully through loving presence and Reiki. This episode is a beautiful reminder that animals are not beneath us. They are alongside us, helping guide humanity back toward compassion, connection, and healing. Learn more and listen to the full episode: https://betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/068-Stephanie-Stephan