What happens when an animal sanctuary becomes more than a place of rescue?

In this episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss talks with Simone Scampoli, Executive Director of Capra Libera Tutti, an animal sanctuary in Italy where rescued farmed animals are given the opportunity to make choices, form relationships and live as individuals.

Simone shares the remarkable story of how a former farm became an animal sanctuary and why animal agency is central to the work of Capra Libera Tutti.

They discuss farm animal rescue, animal rights, vegan education, sanctuary life and animal advocacy, including why sanctuaries are not petting zoos and how simply observing animals can transform the way people see them.

Simone also shares how the sanctuary educates children and non-vegan visitors through storytelling, builds a community of supporters, approaches fundraising and manages the emotional demands of animal advocacy.

It's a powerful conversation about rescued animals, compassion and the important role sanctuaries can play in creating a different future for animals.

Full Show Notes

www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/086-Simone-Scampoli

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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

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