Free Daily Podcast Summary
the Intake: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
Conversations in Animal Welfare
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago49 min
Did You Miss The Network Live?
Recently, animal welfare leaders from across the countrygathered for The Network Live, an event designed to bring together big ideas, honest conversations, and practical solutions for some of our profession's most pressing challenges. But as many of our listeners know, not everyone can attend every event. In fact, Katherine wasn't even in the room herself. Today, Katherine is joined by Lily Yap, Executive Director at the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency and a current AAWA Board Member. Lily attended the Network Live, contributed to the conversations, gave the keynote address, and had a front row seat to all the themes, discussions, and moments that really stood out. Today she'll help bridge the gap between the people who were there and those of us who weren't.
- 2 weeks ago36 min
Community Cats with Stacy LeBaron
Stacy LeBaron has spent more than three decades helping cats and the people who care for them. Previously, she led the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, where innovative programs helped more than 100,000 cats and kittens. Today she is the founder of Community Cats Central, formerly known as the Community Cats Podcast, a platform that has educated and connected thousands of animal welfare professionals, volunteer and advocates through podcast conferences, certification programs, and online learning opportunities. Stacy has dedicated her career to helping communities develop practical, humane solutions for cats while building a stronger network of support for the people doing the work.Community Cats website: https://communitycatscentral.com/CommunityCat Pyramid: https://communitycatscentral.com/community-cat-pyramid/Paper Collar: https://communitycatscentral.com/paper-collar/Community Cat Calculator: https://communitycatscentral.com/community-cat-calculator/
- Apr 27, 202647 min
Why Pet Insurance Matters More Than We Think: A Shelter Leader’s Perspective
Pet health insurance can be confusing—for pet parents and animal welfare professionals alike. Terms like pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, and medical records often create uncertainty at the very moment families are trying to do the right thing for their pets. In this episode of The Intake Podcast, Katherine Shenar is joined by Brad Watkins, Director of Animal Welfare at MetLife Pet Insurance, and Matt Pepper, CEO of Michigan Humane, to unpack how pet insurance really works—and why it matters for shelters and adopters. Together, they explore how timing and documentation impact coverage, the role shelters can play in educating adopters, and how pet insurance can support long-term pet retention by helping families manage unexpected veterinary costs. If your organization is focused on keeping pets in homes—not just placing them—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
- Apr 1, 202639 min
It’s Not Just About Asking, It’s About Connecting: Rethinking the Day of Giving in Animal Welfare
In this episode of The Intake Podcast, host Katherine Shenar sits down with Rhett Lindsay and Lydia Krupinski from Anti-Cruelty in Chicago, alongside TrueSense Marketing’s Alison McCarty, to unpack how their 125th anniversary campaign became one of their all-time most impactful fundraising efforts.Come meet Chanel, the rescue dog who became the face of the campaign, and explore the role that data and real-time optimization and authentic partnership played in Anti-Cruelty’s fully integrated, multi-channel experience.You’ll learn: How to create cohesive campaigns across email, direct mail, social, and media Why storytelling is your most powerful fundraising tool How to balance creative ideas with data-informed strategy What it really takes to retain and engage donors over time Whether you’re leading a campaign or rethinking your approach to donor engagement, this episode will challenge and inspire.
- Dec 11, 202545 min
The Fundraising Reset: Retention, Reactivation, Results
What does it take to stabilize your donor pipeline, re-engage lapsed supporters, and grow fundraising revenue—without burning out your team?In this episode of The Intake, host Katherine Shenar is joined by Kendall Paul, CEO of the Vanderburgh Humane Society, and Kristin Serrano, Vice President and Managing Director at TrueSense Marketing, for a candid, data-driven conversation about building a smarter, more resilient fundraising program. Since 2022, Vanderburgh Humane Society and TrueSense have partnered to design and execute an integrated fundraising strategy rooted in strategic segmentation, donor retention, reactivation science, and disciplined acquisition modeling.The results are striking: the highest active donor count in five years, the successful reactivation of long-lapsed donors, and record-breaking fundraising revenue. Together, Kendall and Kristin walk through how the partnership worked, the decisions that mattered most, and what animal welfare organizations of any size can apply to strengthen their own fundraising efforts.If you’re a fundraiser navigating donor fatigue, retention challenges, or pressure to “do more with less,” this episode offers real-world insight—and a roadmap forward.
- Dec 5, 202556 min
Adoption Trends Uncovered: Insights from the 2025 Report
Are shelter adoptions changing — and what does that mean for pets, people, and the future of animal welfare?In this episode, we dive into the 2025 State of Shelter Adoptions Report, one of the most comprehensive snapshots of what shelters are experiencing right now.Join host Katherine Shenar of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement alongside industry leaders Ellen Taylor (Humane Society of Charlotte), Chris Ramon (Pasadena Humane), and Meghan Lehman (Hill’s Pet Nutrition) as they unpack the trends shaping today’s shelter landscape.You’ll hear candid insights and real-world strategies on:• Why intakes are rising nationwide• What’s driving longer stays for large dogs• How financial barriers are impacting adoption outcomes• The encouraging rise in cat adoptions• The growing importance of foster programs and post-adoption supportWhether you’re a shelter professional, industry partner, policymaker, or passionate pet advocate, this episode offers a thoughtful, data-driven look at where we are — and where we can go if we work together.Access the full 2025 State of Shelter Adoptions Report at The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement’s website. https://theaawa.org/hills-2025-shelter-report/Listening to this episode is one small step toward improving outcomes for pets and the people who love them. Press play and join the conversation.
- Jul 23, 202531 min
Pet Insurance & Peace of Mind: A Shelter’s Secret Advantage
Pet insurance might not be the flashiest topic—but what if we told you it could be the secret ingredient to boosting adoptions, supporting your staff, and building long-term trust with pet parents?In this episode of The Intake, we’re joined by two passionate leaders who know the power of partnership: Maggie McSchaefer, Executive Director of Foothills Animal Shelter, and Brian Jorgensen, CEO of MetLife Pet Insurance. Together, they unpack how a simple benefit—30 days of pet insurance—can make a lasting impact on both adopters and animal shelters.We dive into:How Foothills integrates pet insurance into the adoption journeyThe training they provide to their staff to talk confidently about coverageWhat it’s like to partner with MetLife and the unique support shelters receiveReal-life stories of pet insurance saving the day for new adoptersAnd yes—we ask the ultimate curveball: If pet insurance were a dog breed, what would it be? (Their answers may surprise you—and just might be the most accurate breed comparisons you’ve ever heard.)Whether you’re in animal welfare, vet med, or just want to learn how to give adopters more peace of mind, this episode delivers insight, heart, and practical takeaways.Listen now and discover why pet insurance might be the next big thing your shelter needs.
- Feb 4, 202533 min
Alleviating the Licensing Burden & Getting More Pets Home
If you’re an animal welfare professional looking to reduce intake, increase RTO, and provide faster solutions for lost pets and worried families, this episode is for you. Katherine Shenar hosts Front Street Animal Shelter’s Phillip Zimmerman and Jackie Rose of DocuPet.
Get the Intake summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle
Explores the bond between humans and animals through stories of rescue, veterinary advances, and pet technology.
Vet Candy – Veterinary Lifestyle, News & Learning
Veterinarians and vet students discuss animal health, career advice, and industry trends in casual, informative conversations.
Hunt-Find-Alert: K9 Search and Rescue Community
Examines K-9 search and rescue operations, working dogs, and their roles in emergency response and detection missions.
The Zooquarium Podcast
A biologist and artist answer questions about animals and ecosystems, combining science and art for all ages.
Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show
Parents discuss challenges and share advice on raising children from toddlers through teens.
Animal
A writer travels the world exploring human connections with animals through intimate encounters and philosophical reflection.
Next Question with Katie Couric
Katie Couric interviews political insiders and journalists to cut through the noise and highlight what truly matters in current events.
Nonprofit Hub Radio
Interviews with nonprofit leaders and experts offering practical insights to help organizations improve and grow.
Nonprofit Everything
A bi-weekly Q&A podcast covering topics related to nonprofits.
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle discuss personal struggles and emotional resilience in honest, open conversations.
Money Making Conversations Master Class
Successful entrepreneurs and leaders share strategies for building businesses and creating wealth.
Two Parents & A Podcast
Two parents navigate raising kids, building a relationship, and tackling topics from entrepreneurship to dental industry critiques.
About the Intake
Conversations in Animal Welfare
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from the Intake in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's the Intake daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of the Intake as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the the Intake podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official the Intake product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does the Intake release new episodes?
the Intake publishes occasional. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does the Intake cover?
the Intake covers topics including Kids & Family, Animals, Family, Pets & Animals. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting the Intake summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.