#bekindtoanimals – Anitha Rao-Robinson

Episode 134: Kindness Is Zoocheck— Advocating to end the abuse, neglect & exploitation of wild animals.

Published on September 17, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Rob Laidlaw, the founder of Zoocheck joins Anitha to talk about his journey into animal activism. For over 40 years, Rob has been speaking up for wildlife. From his initial efforts to close down horrific roadside zoos to helping three elephants, who spent their lives in captivity, find a sanctuary, there is no limit to the kind and compassionate actions Rob has taken for the benefit of wildlife.

Despite witnessing the many atrocities animals are subjected to at the hands of humans, Rob shares why he is still optimistic for the future of wildlife.

An episode full of hope and kindness, and one you don’t want to miss.

To learn more about the amazing work Zoocheck is doing, check out the following links:

Zoocheck – website

Zoocheck on Facebook

Zoocheck on Bluesky

Zoocheck on Twitter/X

As a thank you to Rob for sharing his story, Anitha donated to the New Cat City Rescue & Sanctuary. This small animal rescue located in Toronto, Ontario is a permanent home for animals with special needs and requirements. To learn more about their work, check out their website:

New Cat City Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 125: Kindness Is PETA KIDS—How PETA is showcasing kids & their compassion for animals.

Published on July 16, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Samantha Crowe, PETA’s associate director of science education, joins Anitha to talk about the ethical treatment of animals, providing teachers humane alternatives to dissection, and so much more, including some really super kind kids.

Samantha also announces PETA’s upcoming ALL STAR FOR ANIMALS contest. This contest is for kids 12 and under. If you know a compassionate kid, nominate them to win some awesome prizes! Deadline is July 31^st.

Go to the PETA Kids website to find out more about the contest and also some kid friendly ways to be kind to animals: PETA Kids website

To follow PETA Kids check out their Instagram account: PETA kids Instagram

To find out more about Harvey and the Lightning Herd, the children’s book Samantha recommended, click here: Harvey and the Lightning Herd

As a thank you to Samantha for sharing her story, Anitha donated to PETA’s Global Compassion Fund. This fund helps animals around the world by sponsoring vital rescue work, spay/neuter programs, innovative outreach, and educational campaigns.

To learn more about PETA’S Global Compassion Fund, check out their website:

GLOBAL COMPASSION FUND

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 112: Kindness Is Helping Horses

Published on April 2, 2025 by anitharobinson1 Comment

Theresa Nolet and Eva Shortt from the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) join Anitha to talk about the terrible fate many horses face and what their organization is doing to stop the transport of live horses to slaughter.

Instead of providing hard-working horses such as race horses to show horses to those used for carriage rides a kind a loving place to retire when they can no longer provide humans with a source of income, these majestic animals are often sold to be slaughtered

The CHDC is dedicated to banning the slaughter of equines for human consumption in Canada, as well as the live export of horses from Canada to other countries to then be slaughtered for meat.

Theresa and Eva talk about the traumatic conditions these horses endure during transport. They also share their frustration at being so close to getting a Bill passed which would finally make this cruel practice illegal, but then coming up short.

Fortunately, these two women continue to work hard to advocate for horse welfare and raise awareness about the inhumane plight of horses who no longer earn income for humans.

Theresa and Eva talk about the many caring individuals who are also dedicated to helping horses, including celebrity Jann Arden. Arden started the HORSESHIT campaign to help fight against the live horse shipments to Japan.

To learn more about CHDC, the important work they are doing and how you can join the effort to help horses, check out their website. Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

To learn more about Jann Arden’s campaign, click here: Horse Shit

As a thank you to Theresa and Eva for sharing their story, Anitha donated to the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 111: Kindness Is Being Ben Kennedy

Published on March 19, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Anitha is joined by Ben Kennedy who helps care for animals from kittens to wildlife, and also helps humans by raising awareness for the trans community, all while working on his PhD.

Ben shares heartwarming stories of fostering kittens, dogs and getting married at the humane society. He also talks about the social media post that went viral (and not in a good way) when he shared Cross Fit’s new anti-trans policy. Ben also generously talks about going through fertility treatments.

An open and honest conversation with an incredibly open and kind person.

To learn more about Ben, check out his Instagram account: Ben Kennedy

As a thank you to Ben for sharing their story, Anitha donated to the San Diego Humane Society. This organization started in 1880 and has grown to provide many services including taking in abandoned dogs and cats and working to find them new and forever homes, community spay and neuter programs, community pet pantry and more. To learn more about the San Diego Humane Society, check out their website: San Diego Humane Society

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 105: Kindness Is Animal Justice

Published on January 22, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Anitha is joined by Rhea Badhwar, a law student at Lincoln Alexander School of Law. Rhea talks about navigating her love of animals and the world of law.

Rhea is the President of LASL Animal Justice club. Animal Justice, which was founded in 2008, legally fights for animal protection laws in Canada. They offer a student program which gives students such as Rhea opportunities to get active in helping animals while still in law school.

Members of LASL and Osgoode Hall’s Animal Justice Club visiting the cows at Farmhouse Garden Animal Home

This episode provides hope that compassionate students like Rhea are dedicated to protecting animals now and in the future.

To learn more about Animal Justice and the Lincoln Alexander School of Law’s Animal Justice club, check out these links:

Instagram LASL Animal Justice Club

Website Animal Justice

As a thank you to Rhea for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Farmhouse Garden Animal Home. This animal sanctuary was originally the site of a cattle ranch, owned by farmer Mike Lanigan. In 2016, after spending time with a calf, Mike decided to stop raising animals for slaughter and converted his property into an organic vegetable farm and animal sanctuary.

To learn more about Farmhouse Garden Animal Home, click this link:

Website Farmhouse Garden Animal Home

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 103: Kindness Is Jamie’s Corner

Published on January 8, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Animal activist, YouTuber and podcast host, Jamie Logan joins Anitha, as we continue to celebrate Veganuary—the month of January where folks from all over the world explore veganism and plant-based diets.

A vegan since 2018, Jamie shares how she found a way to help and raise awareness for animals— from her yoga practice to her creative animal rights campaigns.

Jamie also talks about the anger she feels at companies who make billions of dollars from the suffering of billions of animals, and how she takes this anger and uses it to fuel her actions of kindness and empathy.

An in-depth conversation with an incredible activist.

To learn more about Jamie and all the work she is doing to help animals, check out these links:

Instagram itsjamielogan

Instagram itsjamiescorner

Website

As a thank you to Jamie for being a guest on the podcast, Anitha donated to Compassion Kind. This charity is dedicated to ending the suffering of all beings through compassion.

To learn more about Compassion Kind, check out their website:

Compassion Kind

Episode 99: Kindness Is Being Kate

Published on December 11, 2024 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Long-time friend, Kate Thompson joins Anitha to talk about the many animals Kate has helped from squirrels to raccoons, from cats to cats to more cats.

Kate also shares her cancer diagnosis in hopes of raising awareness about cancer and early detection.

An incredible episode about an incredibly kind and brave person.

You can follow Kate through Instagram:

Kate’s personal instagram

Kate’s Hair Salon Instagram

As a thank you to Kate for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Courage Rock. This therapeutic riding centre established in June 2017 is a non-profit 501c3 organization that provides free services to veterans, first responders, and qualified family members.

To learn more about Courage Rock, click here: Website

Click here for the full episode:

Episode 92: Kindness Is Creating Freedom Farmhouse

Published on October 23, 2024October 23, 2024 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Emily Bott joins Anitha to talk about purchasing a property in 2018 that turned out to house a colony of 16 feral/barn cats. Emily and her partner, Dylan decided not only to allow the cats to remain on the property, but worked hard to gain the trust of the cats so they could be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Life for the cats was so good, they eventually chose to live inside with Emily and Dylan!

These cats now enjoy being warm, safe, lounging on soft beds and so much more!

In the six years since moving to the property, Emily and Dylan have expanded their rescue journey to include farm animals such as donkeys and goats.

The farm’s mission is to provide compassionate care, rescue and sanctuary for animals in need. Emily shares some really heartwarming stories of the animals on the farm.

To learn more about Freedom Farmhouse, check out the following links:

Freedom Farmhouse Website

Freedom Farmhouse Instagram

As a thank you to Emily for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services.

This emergency veterinary hospital is fundraising to set up a new location to help more communities and more pets. To learn about what they do and what they are fundraising for, check out their website: REVS Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 83: Kindness Is Katy Brink & the dodo

Published on August 21, 2024 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

The incredible, Katy Brink from the dodo joins Anitha to talk about her love for animals, fostering dogs, and being a part of an amazing organization all about animals.

Katy shares what it’s like working as an executive editor at the dodo, (which may be Anitha’s dream job) The dodo is a wonderful organization that highlights heart-warming stories about animals . . . and the stories always have happy endings.

In addition to working as an editor, Katy generously devotes a lot of her time to fostering dogs. She talks about the devastating overcrowding situation at animal shelters and how fostering literally saves lives.

Katy has some wonderful stories about the dogs who are and have been in her life, including her current foster, a sweet girl named Cartier.

To learn more about Katy, Cartier and the dodo, click on the following links.

Katy’s Instagram

Dodo Instagram

Cartier’s story

Cartier’s adoption profile

As a thank you to Katy for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Mr. Bones & Co.— a volunteer-run animal welfare non-profit. They specialize in helping dogs who face extraordinary challenges, such as extensive emergency veterinary care/surgery, unfair breed discrimination or those languishing in municipal shelters with behavioral issues that make them harder to place.

To learn more about this rescue, click here:

mrbonesandco

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 82: Kindness Is Our Honor

Published on August 14, 2024 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Dr. Crystal Heath, a veterinarian and animal rights activist joins Anitha to talk about the surprising dichotomy that exists holding both of these spaces.

Like a lot of listeners, Anitha assumed that folks who go into veterinary medicine are also strong advocates for animal rights, but that may not always be the case.

Dr. Heath shares her experience of what it was like speaking out for animals during veterinary school and why this inspired her to create Our Honor, a non-profit that supports veterinary students, veterinarians, and other animal professionals in speaking their conscience to create more ethical systems that consider the best interests of all species.

She was named one of Vox’s 2023 Future Perfect 50, which honors the scientists, thinkers, scholars, writers, and activists working on solutions to today’s (and tomorrow’s) biggest problems.

She is also on the board of LEAP – Leaders for Ethics Animals and the Planet, known as the humane alternative to 4-H and FFA, which aims to transform today’s youth into the humane leaders of tomorrow who advocate for and work towards an equitable future for all living beings and the planet.

Well respected in her field, Dr. Crystal Heath is quoted and featured in numerous articles about animals including: