Telling the stories of shelter dogs, the heroes who fight for them, and what you can do to help.
Who Will Let the Dogs Out
Claim This Podcastby Cara Achterberg
5.0(2 reviews)
38 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Telling the stories of shelter dogs, the heroes who fight for them, and what you can do to help.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/7/2020
1 verified contact email on file for Who Will Let the Dogs Out
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Recent Episodes
July 13, 2026
The Missing Safety Net for Our Pets
<p>After our last episode on the critical differences between public shelters and private rescues, we received a lot of... let’s call it reactive feedback. </p><p>In this episode, we are backing up, slowing down, and clearing up the confusion because this misunderstanding is at the very heart of the animal welfare crisis we are facing today.</p><p>Too many people are placing the expectations of a private rescue onto publicly funded municipal shelters. When we demand that open-intake public shelters act like "no-kill" rescues, they are forced to close their doors, turn away citizens, and warehouse animals.</p><p>We dive deep into why every single community absolutely needs a publicly funded, open-intake safety net, including 5 undeniable reasons you might not have considered:</p><ol><li><strong>Unplanned Owner Passing:</strong> What happens to pets when someone dies unexpectedly without a backup plan?</li><li><strong>Accidents:</strong> Who steps in for a dog when their owner is hospitalized in a car crash?</li><li><strong>Arrests:</strong> The tragic reality for animals when an owner is suddenly detained.</li><li><strong>Hoarding Situations:</strong> Why public services are vital when large groups of sick or unsocialized animals are discovered.</li><li><strong>Rescue Vulnerability:</strong> Why relying solely on private rescues—which can go bankrupt, fill up, or close down—is dangerous.</li></ol><p>We also tackle the reality of "hybrid" nonprofit shelters that take taxpayer dollars but still turn animals away by using waiting lists. Are they actually serving the community, or just the lucky few who make it through the door?</p><p>It’s time to look closely at your own community. Is your local shelter truly acting as a public safety net, or is it operating as a rescue?</p><p><strong>Join the Conversation:</strong><br>Visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org to read our blog stories from over 220 shelter visits, download our free Animal Crisis FAQ, and learn how you can help create practical solutions. Connect with us and add your voice on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!</p>
July 6, 2026
Shelter vs. Rescue: The Misunderstanding Breaking the System
<p><strong>Why are our animal shelters broken? It starts with a massive misunderstanding.</strong> Too many people judge a tax-funded municipal shelter by the exact same yardstick they use for a private rescue. But their core missions are completely different. In this episode, we break down why a shelter is not a rescue, how this confusion leads to finger-pointing, and how working together—instead of competing—is the only way out of the current animal crisis.</p><p> <strong>Learn more, read our stories, and get involved at:</strong> whowillletthedogsout.org</p>
June 24, 2026
Is it time to retire the phrase 'no-kill'?
<p>Words matter. Decades ago, the term "no-kill" revolutionized animal welfare and ignited a movement. But today, has that very vocabulary become weaponized?In this powerful episode, we dive deep into how our language is fueling the current animal shelter crisis—leading to packed facilities, public confusion, and severe burnout for shelter workers. We are challenging the status quo and proposing a shift toward a new vocabulary: <strong>Responsible Sheltering</strong>.Tune in as we break down:</p><ul><li>Why the "no-kill" label creates false assumptions and divides the rescue community.</li><li>The critical role of absolute transparency in building public trust.</li><li>A raw, honest conversation about humane euthanasia, and why there are fates far worse for a dog than a peaceful end.</li></ul><p>It’s time to stop making humane euthanasia the enemy and start focusing on true community resources, education, and compassion.</p><p>Listen now and join the conversation. What does responsible sheltering mean to you? Visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org for resources and tools.</p>
38 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Who Will Let the Dogs Out?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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