Better Life for Animals

About Better Life for Animals

Better Life for Animals is your go-to podcast for powerful stories from animal sanctuaries, vegan activists, and animal welfare changemakers. Each episode dives into real-life journeys of rescuing farmed animals, building compassionate communities, and living a cruelty-free, plant-based lifestyle. Hosted by animal advocate Cheryl Moss, the show highlights how rescue sanctuaries across the globe give abused and abandoned animals a second chance at life. You'll hear from nonprofit founders, vegan thought leaders, and animal rights experts who are creating a better world—one animal at a time. Whether you're passionate about ethical living, run a small sanctuary, or simply want to support animal rescue efforts, this podcast will inspire and empower you to take action. Tune in and discover how you can help create a better life for animals everywhere.

Publisher

Cheryl Moss

Category

kids & family · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Mar 2025

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

86 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   085: Is Cage Free Really a Win for Animals?

   Is cage-free really a victory for animals when hens are still being used as part of the same food system? Dan Shannon, CEO of The Humane League, joins Cheryl Moss to explore why the answer isn't as simple as yes or no. Dan explains what life is like for hens confined in battery cages, how cage-free systems can reduce suffering, and why incremental reforms can provide a strategic foundation for much bigger changes. The conversation also explores corporate accountability, the Farm Bill, protecting hard-won animal welfare laws, and why giving more people ways to participate can strengthen the animal protection movement. Dan also shares his perspective after approximately 30 years as a vegan, discusses Betty Goes Vegan, and talks about the transformational impact animal sanctuaries can have on the way people view farmed animals. Sometimes a small win isn't the destination. It's what makes the next win possible. Full show notes: https://www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/085-Dan-Shannon Betty Goes Vegan: https://amzn.to/4xTAZcA The Humane League: https://www.TheHumaneLeague.org

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   084: Five Rescued Pigs Became Twelve in Just Two Months: Kathy Cullen's Journey of Compassion

   Five rescued pigs became twelve in just two months. For Kathy Cullen, founder of Jolene's Retreat, that unexpected turn was the beginning of a much bigger journey. Kathy spent 25 years as a teacher before animal advocacy changed the direction of her life. When five pigs suddenly needed somewhere safe to go, she wasn't prepared to take them. But when she learned they could otherwise go to slaughter, she said yes. Soon she discovered two of the females were pregnant. Five pigs quickly became twelve. In this episode of Better Life for Animals, Cheryl Moss talks with Kathy about what happened next and what she has learned from creating a sanctuary for rescued animals. Kathy discusses why sanctuaries are not petting zoos and why respecting an animal's boundaries is so important. Living with rescued pigs has given her a firsthand view of just how different their personalities, preferences and relationships can be. Kathy also opens up about the emotional realities of animal advocacy and why having ways to reset is essential when doing difficult work. She shares what it is like operating a sanctuary in the heart of an animal agriculture area and why that can be particularly challenging. At the center of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: animals are individuals. Through Jolene's Retreat, Kathy hopes to give people opportunities to meet rescued animals, learn their stories and begin seeing farmed animals in a very different way. https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/084-Kathy-Cullen

3. 

   21 Sept 2026

   083: Animal Photojournalism and Vegan Advocacy: Learning to Truly See Animals with Diana Hulet

   What does it mean to truly see an animal rather than simply look and move on? Writer, animal photojournalist, and activist Diana Hulet joins Cheryl Moss to explore how photography and storytelling can help people recognize animals as individuals with full lives, relationships, and experiences of their own. Diana shares how her childhood connection with photography eventually became part of her animal advocacy. After decades of teaching yoga, meditation, and philosophy, she could no longer reconcile teachings about nonviolence with the exploitation of animals she saw around her. She returned to the camera and began documenting animals in factory farms, slaughterhouses, rodeos, aquaculture operations, sanctuaries, and wildlife settings. The conversation examines the ethics of photographing animals in exploited settings, why beauty can help audiences remain present with difficult stories, and how thoughtful writing can give powerful images greater context. Diana also discusses the healing and educational role of animal sanctuaries, her study of ahimsa and engaged Jain Studies, and the meaning behind her Substack, The Lateral Line. This episode invites listeners to slow down, notice the animals who are often overlooked, and consider how food, entertainment, spiritual practices, and everyday choices affect other beings. Listen and learn more: https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/083-Diana-Hulet

Who has been a guest on Better Life for Animals

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Robin Singh
• Kaleel Sakakeeny
• Dana Wilson
• Heather Ripley
• Deborah Blum

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

86

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Better Life for Animals

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Better Life for Animals