Who Will Let the Dogs Out

In this episode, I talk with Suzy Hollenbach of All 4s Rescue League in Memphis. We talk about how the HAAS model of sheltering being embraced by Memphis Animal Services and others, while excellent in theory, is creating a crisis of loose dogs in the city. All 4s has encountered packs of dogs roaming the city endangering not only themselves as so many are being hit by vehicles, but also the people of Memphis, particularly in the under-resourced areas.

Community engagement is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to creating a shelter that is sustainable, successful, and saving every savable animal. Cara shares ideas for how any shelter can engage their community and help them see their shelter as an important part of their community offering not only animals for adoption and a safe place for unwanted animals, but as a resource for pet owners, a place to volunteer and meet other animal lovers, and a place where they want to donate their time and the money.

Mentioned in this episode:

Three elements that hold the key to making a municipal shelter a life-saving resource for its community.

Referenced in this podcast:

Visit Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter in Mississippi where they are saving thousands of animals even as the roof falls in on them. A remarkable couple has led this shelter to save 12,000 dogs in the last nine years since taking over. With no real dog laws or public shelters, Mississippi is inundated with unwanted dogs and unplanned litters. Here is one bright spot that could use help to be even brighter.

Life and death decisions are made on a daily basis at MARL (Mississippi Animal Rescue League) in Jackson, MS which handles over ten thousand animals every year. They are the only 'open intake' shelter for a 100-mile radius. 

A visit to a market in Mississippi where puppies and dogs are sold alongside Chinese-copy sunglasses, t-shirt closeouts, and pork rinds. 

Travel with us on our rescue road trip to TN, MS, and MO. Our first stop was an unexpected one, but we're glad we made it. We stopped in Lebanon, Tennessee at the emergency shelter of Animal Rescue Corps. ARC rescues thousands of dogs from natural and man-made disasters using a massive army of volunteers from all over the country, smart practices, and just four paid staff members. You'll be amazed at what ARC is doing - we were! Maybe you'll be inspired to get involved with ARC too.

Introducing a new podcast to share stories of dogs and the heroes who fight for them. Travel with writer Cara Achterberg and photographer Nancy Slattery as we visit the shelters, rescues, and dog pounds where thousands of dogs suffer and sometimes die while waiting for adoption or rescue. Convinced the problem is not that people don't care but that they don't know, Who Will Let the Dogs Out seeks to share the stories that will inspire all of us to figure out how we can finally let all the dogs out.