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The Rescue State

The Rescue State

By: Kim Moodey
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About this listen

 Welcome to The Rescue State Podcast—a powerful and compassionate space where we champion the voiceless. I am your host and animal advocate Kim Moodey, this weekly show dives deep into the realities of California’s shelter system and what it will take to become a true No Kill state.

Through compelling interviews with rescue leaders, shelter workers, and animal rights activists, along with my own personal stories from the front lines, each episode sheds light on the urgent issues facing vulnerable animals. From success stories to systemic challenges, we explore how supporting high-kill shelters can lead to lasting change.

Whether you're a rescue volunteer, a passionate animal lover, or just curious about how to make a difference—The Rescue State Podcast is your source for inspiration, education, and action. Together, we can turn compassion into a movement and California into a No Kill state.The Rescue State Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • A Letter to the Future: A Message to Our Community & Our Leaders

    A Letter to the Future: A Message to Our Community & Our Leaders
    Dec 30 2025
    In our season finale of The Rescue State, I’m taking a moment to pause, reflect and speak from the heart.

    As we close out 2025, I share my final thoughts on where we’ve been, where we are, and, most importantly, where we can go next. This episode is about choosing compassion over complacency, responsibility over convenience and community over division. It’s about how small, intentional actions can create meaningful ripple effects, not only for ourselves, but for our neighborhoods, our state and the animals who depend on us to speak up when they cannot.

    Together, we explore what it truly means to “do better” as humans, as advocates and as a collective community. The importance of our mindset can help spark lasting change in California’s homeless animal crisis.

    My hope is that this episode leaves you feeling grounded, inspired and empowered to move forward with purpose, thoughtfulness and, most importantly, with kindness.
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    10 mins
  • Interview with Lauren McCarron, Founder of Joyful Pets & Rehome With Love

    Interview with Lauren McCarron, Founder of Joyful Pets & Rehome With Love
    Dec 23 2025
    In this week’s episode with The Rescue State, I have the honor of sitting down with Lauren McCarron, founder of Joyful Pets and Rehome With Love service, for one of the most important and heartfelt conversations we can have as responsible pet owners.

    Together, we explore the incredibly difficult reality that sometimes, despite our best intentions, rehoming a beloved pet becomes the most responsible and loving choice. Lauren shares how her team leads with compassion, dignity and support for individuals and families navigating one of the hardest decisions they may ever face.

    This episode is a powerful reminder that responsible pet ownership doesn’t end when things get hard, it’s about making thoughtful, humane choices at every stage of the journey. If you care deeply about animals, ethics and doing right by the pets we love, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
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    41 mins
  • Reacting to John Stossel’s Puppy Mill Prohibition Video

    Reacting to John Stossel’s Puppy Mill Prohibition Video
    Dec 16 2025
    In this episode of The Rescue State, I respond to John Stossel’s video “Puppy Prohibition: Ban on Pet Store Sales Kills Pet Stores, But Hasn’t Stopped Puppy Mills.” I encourage listeners to watch the video and join me as I share what stood out and what was noticeably left out.

    We talk about the realities of puppy mills that often go unmentioned: large-scale breeding operations, puppy importation, loopholes that allow cruelty to continue and why banning these pipelines is critical to real change.

    I also offer insight from inside the rescue world and share tips for navigating conversations like this with clarity, compassion and confidence. If you’ve seen this video or find yourself in conversations similar to this and felt conflicted, curious or frustrated, this episode helps cut through the noise and get to the truth that actually saves lives.

    Listen now and join the conversation!
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    27 mins
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