Episode 127: Kindness Is Wild By Nurture—One woman’s dedication to opossums, porcupines, foxes and many animals often neglected when it comes to rescue.

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:

Facebook: Wild By Nurture 

Instagram: Wild By Nurture

Website: Wild By Nurture

As a thank you to Claire for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Wild By Nurture. 

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 111: Kindness Is Being Ben Kennedy

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 87: Kindness Is Blankets For Baby Rhinos

September 22 is World Rhino Day and to mark this special day when the world recognizes these incredible beings who are critically endangered, Anitha chatted with Elisa Best.

16.11.20 – Mirror Animal Hero Awards 2020 – Picture shows Elise Best at her workplace Rowe Vet Hospital in Bristol.

Elisa is originally from South Africa and works as a small animal veterinarian in the UK. Elisa talks about the plight of rhinos and her desire to help them, and how this evolved into the creation of Blankets For Baby Rhinos (BFBR).

This lovely group began by knitting blankets for orphaned rhinos, who are often both emotionally and physically traumatized when their mothers are killed by poachers. Rhino rescue groups discovered that baby rhinos find comfort when wrapped in these blankets.

BFBR has now grown to provide blankets for other animals such as injured and rescued pangolins, lions, leopards, as well as the dogs and humans who are part of anti-poaching units. These dogs and humans work bravely to protect rhinos from poachers.

To find out more about Blankets For Baby Rhinos and how you can support this incredible group, check out their website and their Facebook Page:

Website: Blankets For Baby Rhinos

Facebook: Blanket For Baby Rhinos FB

Elisa talked about an amazing place called Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary. This is one of the rhino rescue groups, Blankets for Baby Rhinos supports. Care For Wild rescues, rehabilitates, releases, re-wilds and protects orphaned rhinos. In 2016, Anitha’s daughter had the privilege to volunteer at this sanctuary. Her daughter’s experience with the baby rhinos at Care For Wild inspired Anitha’s debut picture book, A Family For Faru. Care For Wild will always hold a special place in Anitha’s heart.

To learn more about Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary, please click on this link:  Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary

Elisa also mentioned the importance of the anti-poaching unit to protect rhinos and the personal risk these brave men, women and dogs face every day. She mentioned a feature length documentary called RHINO MAN. This film focuses on the life of Anton Mzimba, who was the Head of Ranger Services at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Anton dedicated his life to protecting and conserving South African wildlife, and made great sacrifices to himself and his family to do so. Sadly, he was murdered in July of 2022. To learn more about this film, check out the following link:

Rhino Man

As a thank you to Elisa for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Blankets For Baby Rhinos.

To hear the full episode, click here: