The Human Side of Animal Care is a podcast that shares stories and insight from people dedicated to helping animals. We explore topics in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, and more.
https://humansofanimalcare.wixsite.com/humanside-animalcare
Saving Sea Lions: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Marine Mammal Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release
Found a stranded sea lion? Call the professionals!
Jennifer Levine (she/her) is the Stranding, Operations, and Animal Care Manager of the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI). She teaches us what to do if we encounter a stranded marine mammal on the beach: do not touch the animal or pour water over them, give them plenty of space, identify your location, call a marine mammal rescue hotline, and keep the public and pets away while waiting for the professionals to arrive. We talk about a typical rehabilitation shift at CIMWI, the impressive resilience of marine mammals, and how rewarding it is to see recovered patients thriving in the wild. We also discuss the impact of domoic acid on marine mammals as a result of harmful algal blooms in the ocean.
Sources
California Department of Public Health
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/pages/fdbprograms/foodsafetyprogram/domoicacid.aspx (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/pages/fdbprograms/foodsafetyprogram/domoicacid.aspx)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
https://www.noaa.gov/what-is-harmful-algal-bloom (https://www.noaa.gov/what-is-harmful-algal-bloom)
Music Credits
Glow by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley (https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley)
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com (https://www.free-stock-music.com)
Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
23 Jan 2026
Exotic Vet Med, Medical Ethics, and the Financial Reality of Working in Animal Care
Alex is a registered veterinary technician (RVT) in an emergency animal hospital. We explore the fascinating natural history of reptiles, as well as the dynamics of general and professional interest in exotic veterinary medicine. We discuss the financial reality of working as a veterinary nurse (compared to management positions and big corporations), such as low hourly wages and limited opportunities for raises. We touch on topics of medical ethics like recommending euthanasia, navigating diverse belief systems, and managing personal opinions when collaborating with clients. Alex also provides insight on getting started in the field, such as working your way up the totem pole, taking direction, working in a team, and asking all the questions!
Sources
AMA Journal of Ethics
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/physician-assisted-suicide-law-and-professional-ethics/2003-01 (https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/physician-assisted-suicide-law-and-professional-ethics/2003-01)
PBS
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kevorkian/chronology.html (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kevorkian/chronology.html)
Music CreditsGlow by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley (https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley)Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com (https://www.free-stock-music.com)Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
22 Oct 2025
From “Not College Material” to Veterinary Practice Owner: An Equine DVM’s Resilient Journey
Equine veterinarian Ingrid Wolff shares her resilient journey overcoming obstacles to practice ownership, highlighting the impact of disability services and offering encouragement to aspiring vets in this interview.
29 Sept 2025
Channel Island Foxes, Island Spotted Skunks, & Getting to Know Your Wild Neighbors
Mike Watling, President of Friends of the Island Fox, discusses Channel Island fox recovery, wildlife tracking, and citizen science, offering insights into local conservation efforts in an interview.
23 Sept 2025
Improving Access to Veterinary Care: Strides in Shelter Medicine
Chief Veterinary Officer Katie Marrie at Santa Barbara Humane shares insights on expanding veterinary services and mentorship programs to improve animal care access, particularly for new graduates in an interview.
18 Sept 2025
Wildlife Rehabilitation & Medicine: Healing Wild Populations, One Patient at a Time
Delaney Vail, a wildlife rehabilitator, describes her journey in wildlife medicine and highlights the importance of public education and individual animal care for population health in this interview.
21 Jan 2025
Sam Patera – Registered Veterinary Technician in Emergency Medicine
Sam Patera is a registered veterinary technician working in emergency medicine. We learn about Sam’s time working as a keeper aide at the Santa Barbara Zoo, how she took the leap to become an RVT, and how she manages imposter syndrome in the field. We discuss the tricky parts of her job, such as having to wear multiple hats on top of her primary role as a nurse, and presenting large financial estimates. We also hear about some of the wonderful animals Sam has worked with so far!
Check out our Instagram for photos accompanying Sam's story: @humansofanimalcare (https://www.instagram.com/humansofanimalcare/)
Music Credits: Intro – Coral by LiQWYD; Outro – Embrace by Sappheiros
15 Jan 2025
Gina Sunseri – Community Cats & TNR Program Director
Gina is a volunteer at ASAP Cats shelter, serving as their Community Cats & TNR Program Director. We learn about why it is important to spay female cats, why unfixed male cats can be a nuisance, and the lengths the shelter will go to socialize and find homes for cats that come in. Gina describes her career as a fire investigator/inspector, and how her perspectives allow her to work well with outdoor cats. We also hear two stories about kittens that Gina rescued!
Check out our Instagram for photos accompanying Gina's story: @humansofanimalcare (https://www.instagram.com/humansofanimalcare/)
Music Credits: Intro – Coral by LiQWYD; Outro – Embrace by Sappheiros
12 Jan 2025
Max Karp – Animal Care Specialist & Zoo School Graduate
Zoo school. What's it like? Max tells us about his experience in the Exotic Animal Training & Management Program at Moorpark College's Teaching Zoo. We learn about the day-to-day, and how the program led to Max's current work with marine mammals. We discuss the topics of animal training, finding your path in the animal care field, and dealing with euthanasia. We also find out Max's favorite animal he's worked with so far.
Check out our Instagram for photos accompanying Max's story: @humansofanimalcare (https://www.instagram.com/humansofanimalcare/)
Music Credits: Intro – Coral by LiQWYD; Outro – Embrace by Sappheiros
9 Jan 2025
Bret Checketts – Registered Veterinary Technician in Emergency Medicine
Bret is an RVT working in emergency medicine with goals to become a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care. We learn about the range of animals Bret has worked with (including a black panther and a baby giraffe), and what it takes to do well in the veterinary field. Bret describes the variety of paths he's interested in exploring with his RVT license. We discuss the hardships of working with animals, such as lack of recognition, euthanasia, and low pay (compared to human nursing). We also hear about Bret's involvement in a ferret rescue!
Check out our Instagram for photos accompanying Bret's story: @humansofanimalcare (https://www.instagram.com/humansofanimalcare/)
Music Credits: Intro – Coral by LiQWYD; Outro – Embrace by Sappheiros
17 Dec 2024
About the Podcast
Welcome to Humans of Animal Care :) Here's a little info on what this project is all about. Our first episode will launch in January 2025! Stay tuned.
Follow us on Instagram: @humansofanimalcare (https://www.instagram.com/humansofanimalcare/)
Website: coming soon
Music: Coral by LiQWYD
Who has been a guest on Humans of Animal Care
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Ingrid Wolff
Mike Watling
Katie Marrie
Delaney Vail
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
42
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
48
Social presence
90
YouTube
63
Engagement
0
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