Travelling to faraway places can create lovely memories but does it come at the expense of wildlife?
Connie Needham joins Anitha to talk about ways to enjoy your holiday without causing harm to animals.
The two chat about experiences such as elephant rides and photo-ops with wildlife and the harm these activities inflict on the animal and most likely their family and habitat.
Connie shares things we can all do to have fun on our holiday while increasing the likelihood that our actions don’t cause harm to another being.
A great episode for those who love to travel and love animals.
To learn more about ethical wildlife tourism you can follow Connie here:
As a thank you to Connie for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary, a registered charity founded in 1964. This charity is committed to protecting primates and habitats all over the world. To learn more about the work they do, check out their website:
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:
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:
Rachelle Hansen joins Anitha to talk about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, located in Ontario, Canada. Rachelle shares stories of the residents who currently live and have lived at the sanctuary. She talks about the friendships they have made, things they enjoy doing and how the folks at the sanctuary do their best to make the lives of the residents as happy and comfortable as possible, given they can never be returned to their natural homes in the wild.
Bob & ColletteNora & MojoNjeriMax under his blanketDarwinBoo & Gerdie
Of course, Rachelle talks about Pockets Warhol, the famous white-capped capuchin monkey who loves to paint. His art work is highly sought after.
Pockets
Rachelle also talks about the residents’ lives before coming to the sanctuary—many were victims of the pet trade, bio-medical experiments and zoos.
During their conversation, Rachelle shares the horrific plight of more than 6,000 endangered Cambodian macaques arriving in Canada for the past 19 months to be used in laboratory testing. These wild-caught primates, typically between one and two years of age, are illegally trafficked from Cambodia to Montreal, Canada in tiny crates, often without food or water. If they survive the trip, they then endure immense pain, suffering and terror as they are subjected to experiments, even though it is well documented that these drug experiments consistently fail to improve human health. This is such a tragedy, BUT there is something everyone can do to help. Rachelle, shared the following link, where folks can sign a petition and email the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin to urge her to stop the importation of long-tailed macaques into Canada.
Horrible things are happening in the world, but here is one instance where you can help. Please click on the link and sign the petition.
As a thank you to Rachelle for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Located in Sierra Leone, Tacugama is dedicated to enforcing wildlife laws, and rescuing and rehabilitating critically endangered orphaned Western chimpanzees. To learn more about Tacugama, check out their website. You can also listen to episode 55 of the Kindness Is Everything podcast, where Dr. Izzy Hirji, a veterinarian, talks about volunteering with both Tacugama and Story Book Farm.
Rick Wilks, the co-founder of Annick Press joins Anitha to talk about publishing children’s books. He shares his journey, memories and even his list of favourite books.
The two also talk about book banning—what it is, the harm it causes creators, publishers and children. Rick talks about how important it is for books to showcase all voices, especially those that have been underrepresented in the past, (LGBTQ+, black, indigenous, and people of colour).
Annick press is determined to advocate for books from underrepresented communities. One way is through their Mentorship Program, launched in 2021. This yearly program supports works in progress of emerging, underrepresented writers whose access to children’s publishing may have been limited. The application window is for the month of September 2025! Check out Annick’s website for all the details.
Of course, Anitha asked Rick what he is looking for in submissions—always a key question for writers. Here is link to their submission guidelines: Submission Guideline
A great conversation about books, diversity and how important it is for folks in positions of power and privilege to use their position to help others.
To learn more about Annick Press as they celebrate 50 years in publishing, check out their website. It’s full of information about books, sources for educators and for the month of September, the Mentorship Program!
Here’s Rick’s list of recommended books, which can be found on Annick’s website.
Nonfiction:
*More Than Money: How Economic inequality affects EVERYTHING
*Fatty Legs
Comics and graphic novels
*The Wolf Suit
Picture Books
*The Man with the Violin
*Abuelita and Me
*The Paper Bag Princess
As a thank you to Rick for sharing his story, Anitha donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). NCC is a non-profit organization that partners with individuals, corporations, foundations, Indigenous communities and other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect Canada’s plants and wildlife. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect more than 15 million hectares, coast to coast.
To learn more about the Nature Conservancy of Canada, check out their website.
Mary Lee Jensvold joins Anitha to talk about Fauna Foundation, a place of healing for chimpanzees used and abused in the medical research industry.
Mary Lee shares stories of the many primates rescued by Fauna Foundation. She speaks about the incredible capacity of these individuals to heal from years of painful and invasive experiments. And most remarkable of all—their willingness to forgive the very species who caused them so much harm.
Sue EllenMary Lee with Tatu & Louis
Though these chimpanzees can never return to their rightful home in Africa, Mary Lee talks about the ways Fauna provides residents with as much comfort and enrichment as possible.
Mary Lee and Anitha also talk about the many cruelty-free alternatives to animal testing and hope listeners will support companies who opt for these kinder alternatives.
To learn more about Fauna Foundation and fall in love with the chimpanzees, check out their website and YouTube channel.
Dr. Grace Gilbert joins Anitha to talk about what it was like growing up in a Christian Conservative home, being home-schooled and the obstacles she faced to go to college and eventually become a doctor.
She shares why she no longer adheres to Conservative Christian beliefs and instead uses her medical knowledge and social media platform to share how recent changes to Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, Immigration and other policies are negatively affecting the healthcare of her patients and the healthcare industry as a whole.
A timely and honest conversation about issues many folks are dealing with.
To follow Dr. Gilbert check out the following links.
As a thank you to Dr. Gilbert for sharing her story, Anitha donated to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support, including suicide prevention and crisis management, to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.
To learn more about The Trevor Project, check out their website: The Trevor Project
Otis, a coonhound, was born into the cruel world of animal testing and subjected to many invasive and painful procedures. But Otis is one of the lucky ones, he was rescued by Robert Sturman who joins Anitha to talk about Otis’ life—then and now.
Robert talks about the harsh world of animal testing that subjects millions of animals to painful procedures despite their being cruelty free alternatives.
But the majority of the conversation focuses on Otis, from his favourite things to do (car rides, running on the beach, and joining Robert on the yoga mat) to his immense capacity for forgiveness. Despite being harmed by humans, Otis loves people.
An incredible episode showcasing the healing power of love.
To learn more about Otis and follow him as he celebrates life while also raising awareness about the animal testing industry, check out his Instagram account:
As a thank you to Robert for sharing Otis’ story, Anitha donated to Gentle Jake’s Coonhound Rescue. This Ontario based not-for-profit is dedicated to the memory of the founder’s beloved Coonhound, Jake. This rescue is dedicated to helping homeless and abandoned Coonhounds find their loving and forever homes.
Claire Peters-Lunny, the founder of Wild By Nurture, joins Anitha to share stories about her Wildlife Rehab & Sanctuary.
Claire’s love for animals began at a very early age so it makes sense that she now spends her days and often nights, caring for orphaned and injured opossums, porcupines, groundhogs and many others.
The majority of animals come to her after being injured or orphaned from human activity, such as being hit by a car.
Claire shares heartwarming stories of some of the individuals whose injuries were too severe to be released back in the wild and who now call her home, their home. Animals like Hazel the groundhog and Bramble the porcupine. Claire also talks about how affectionate opossums are and how they are incredible mothers.
Did you know that baby opossums can survive in their mother’s pouch even after she has been struck and killed by a car? Many of the orphaned opossums who come to Wild By Nurture, were found by folks who were kind enough to stop and check on animals struck by a car, as some may still be alive or may have babies who are alive.
To learn more about Wild By Nurture, the many animals they care for, and what you can do if you come across an injured animal, check out the following links:
Kyle Moon joins Anitha to talk about his journey to becoming a wildlife photographer and guide at Yellowstone National Park. Kyle shares stories of photographing wild animals from birds to wolves to bison, including an incident when he accidentally found himself far too close to a grizzly mom and her cubs.
Having had the privilege of spending time with many animals in their natural habitat, Kyle talks about the ethics of trophy hunting.
Kyle also shares his interest in collaborating with others on environmental projects. To learn more about Kyle and browse through his gorgeous photos, check out the following links:
As a thank you to Kyle for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Yellowstone Forever, the official non-profit partner of Yellowstone National Park. This non-profit protects and preserves Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. To learn more about them, check out their website:
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 31st.
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 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:
Anitha Rao-Robinson 