Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Our animal welfare system is reaching a breaking point.Across the nation, stray populations are exploding, intake waitlists are stretching for months, and shelters are operating far beyond capacity. But how did we get here—and why has the rigid push for "no-kill" status made it harder for municipal shelters to serve their communities? In this episode, Cara Achtorberg breaks down the hiddencosts of judging a shelter's success strictly by its Live Release Rate (LRR). When open-intake safety nets close their doors or delay intake to protect a metric, animals, pet owners, and public health suffer. It's time to shift the narrative from arbitrary numbers to what truly matters: responsible sheltering, preventing animal suffering, and building a humane community. Key TopicsCovered in This Episode: · The Safety Net Cracking: Why municipal shelters were built for open admissions and how managed intake shifts the burden back onto the public. · The "No-Kill" Misconception: How the 90% LRR threshold creates unintended incentives to deter high-needs, sick, orbehaviorally complex animals. · Signs of a Broken System: The ripple effects of overloaded shelters, including rising stray populations, increased rabiesrisks, and a spike in dog bites. · Systemic Root Causes: How outdated facilities,deprioritized spay/neuter programs, and restrictive pet housing contribute to the crisis. · Redefining Success: Shifting the goal from simply "not killing" to active community care, owner support, and preventinganimal suffering. UpcomingWebinar Event Join us on Zoom for a live conversation about what it means to shelter responsibly to build a human community with special guests Lisa Milot (Director of Vermont’s Division of Animal Welfare) and Roxanne Hicks (Founder of The Shelter Shift ). · When: Sunday, September 20 at 7:00 PM Eastern · Registration: Register for the ZoomWebinar · Submit Questions: Email your questions in advance toCara@WWLDO.org. Learn more about our work and support us at WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

In this episode, host Cara Achterberg sits down with Suzy Hollenbach, Director of Memphis Animal Services (MAS), for a candid discussion on the animal welfare crisis in Memphis and across the nation. Suzy shares her journey from founding All Fours Rescue League—a grass-roots outreach program delivering free spay/neuter services, vaccines, and support directly to underserved neighborhoods—to taking the helm at MAS during one of its most challenging periods. Together, they dive into: The Reality of Community Outreach: How building trust and meeting pet owners where they are transforms neighborhoods and saves lives. The Stray Overpopulation Boom: The catastrophic impact of long-term limited intake policies, nationwide shelter capacity issues, and the critical need for open-intake accountability. Inside Memphis Animal Services: The heavy emotional toll on frontline staff and animal control officers dealing with dangerous pack sizes, parvo outbreaks, and an overwhelming daily call queue. Real Solutions: Why expanding spay/neuter access, building regional veterinary networks, and establishing true shelter stability are the only ways to break the cycle. Learn more about Who Will Let the Dogs out.

What actually happens when animal shelters turn away immediate surrenders? In this episode, we take an honest, unvarnished look at the reality of open intake versus managed intake shelters, and explore why the national shift toward restricted admissions may be doing more harm than good. In this episode, we cover: Defining Intake Models: Clear breakdowns of open intake, managed intake, and limited intake—and why the terms are often misused. The Post-2020 Pivot: How pandemic-era appointment systems became permanent policy and changed the landscape of municipal animal welfare. The Hidden Costs of Managed Intake: How waitlists and appointments lead to surges in roaming strays, abandoned litters, public safety risks, and human housing heartbreak. The Safe Harbor Approach: Why offering immediate, judgment-free surrender options protects vulnerable animals and families better than forced "pet owner accountability." Euthanasia vs. Warehousing: Facing the hard choices between overcrowding, abandonment, and humane open-door policies with complete public transparency. Actionable Steps for Advocates: How volunteers and citizens can gather community data—from reclaim rates to stray pickups—to advocate for real shelter reform. Whether you are a shelter worker, volunteer, or passionate animal lover, this conversation offers a candid roadmap for building a realistic, safe, and truly humane community for pets and people alike. Resources mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/@UGALawPAWS/videos WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

In this episode, Cara sits down with Tammy Fox, Executive Director of the Florida Keys SPCA, to unpack how animal welfare has dramatically shifted over the last three decades. With a career spanning back to 1994—including leadership roles in Austin, Texas, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania—Tammy brings a wealth of frontline experience to a tough but necessary conversation. Together, Cara and Tammy tackle: The Reality of Open Intake: What it truly means to be an open-admission shelter in today's climate. The Evolution of "No-Kill": How the language surrounding animal rescue has changed, and where it may have gone off track. Euthanasia vs. Warehousing: The heavy ethical questions rescue workers face when shelters stay overcrowded. Whether you are a seasoned rescue volunteer or simply love dogs, Tammy’s deep insights offer a powerful, honest look at the state of animal sheltering today. Connect with us: Contact Cara: Cara@WWLDO.orgLearn more about our mission at ⁠WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org⁠

After our last episode on the critical differences between public shelters and private rescues, we received a lot of... let’s call it reactive feedback. In this episode, we are backing up, slowing down, and clearing up the confusion because this misunderstanding is at the very heart of the animal welfare crisis we are facing today. Too many people are placing the expectations of a private rescue onto publicly funded municipal shelters. When we demand that open-intake public shelters act like "no-kill" rescues, they are forced to close their doors, turn away citizens, and warehouse animals. We dive deep into why every single community absolutely needs a publicly funded, open-intake safety net, including 5 undeniable reasons you might not have considered: Unplanned Owner Passing: What happens to pets when someone dies unexpectedly without a backup plan? Accidents: Who steps in for a dog when their owner is hospitalized in a car crash? Arrests: The tragic reality for animals when an owner is suddenly detained. Hoarding Situations: Why public services are vital when large groups of sick or unsocialized animals are discovered. Rescue Vulnerability: Why relying solely on private rescues—which can go bankrupt, fill up, or close down—is dangerous. We also tackle the reality of "hybrid" nonprofit shelters that take taxpayer dollars but still turn animals away by using waiting lists. Are they actually serving the community, or just the lucky few who make it through the door? It’s time to look closely at your own community. Is your local shelter truly acting as a public safety net, or is it operating as a rescue? Join the Conversation: Visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org to read our blog stories from over 220 shelter visits, download our free Animal Crisis FAQ, and learn how you can help create practical solutions. Connect with us and add your voice on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

Why are our animal shelters broken? It starts with a massive misunderstanding. Too many people judge a tax-funded municipal shelter by the exact same yardstick they use for a private rescue. But their core missions are completely different. In this episode, we break down why a shelter is not a rescue, how this confusion leads to finger-pointing, and how working together—instead of competing—is the only way out of the current animal crisis. Learn more, read our stories, and get involved at: whowillletthedogsout.org

Words matter. Decades ago, the term "no-kill" revolutionized animal welfare and ignited a movement. But today, has that very vocabulary become weaponized?In this powerful episode, we dive deep into how our language is fueling the current animal shelter crisis—leading to packed facilities, public confusion, and severe burnout for shelter workers. We are challenging the status quo and proposing a shift toward a new vocabulary: Responsible Sheltering .Tune in as we break down: Why the "no-kill" label creates false assumptions and divides the rescue community. The critical role of absolute transparency in building public trust. A raw, honest conversation about humane euthanasia, and why there are fates far worse for a dog than a peaceful end. It’s time to stop making humane euthanasia the enemy and start focusing on true community resources, education, and compassion. Listen now and join the conversation. What does responsible sheltering mean to you? Visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org for resources and tools.

A conversation with Meridith Perry , who inherited a Mississippi animal shelter on the brink of collapse. When she took over, the facility was broke, dangerously underequipped, bound by strict city intake contracts, and trapped in a legacy of long-term warehousing. Worse, the local community had no idea how dire the situation really was. In just two and a half years, Meridith completely turned the tide, transforming it into a high-functioning, community-first shelter. In this episode, she opens up about navigating those grueling structural shifts, learning to trust her gut, and leveraging her marketing background to save the shelter and its animals. To learn more about the animal crisis in the US and find resources and solutions for shelters and rescues, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org . Subscribe to this podcast and to the blog found on our website for more stories and solutions. We believe that together we CAN let the dogs out.

In this eye-opening episode of Who Will Let the Dogs Out? , co-founder Cara Achterberg tackles the escalating animal crisis with raw honesty and a glimmer of hope. While shelters innovate with new foster models, pet retention programs, and spay/neuter funding, a deeper issue is dragging true animal welfare backward. Cara boldly exposes how the standard "90% live-release rate" for no-kill status has been misinterpreted. This single metric has accidentally incentivized dangerous shelter practices, leaving countless dogs stranded on the streets or trapped in endless kennel confinement. It is time to look past the numbers and rebuild a system that offers real, responsible lifesaving care. Cara shares her own questions about what is happening in our shelters now, plus practical ideas to bring real change that fixes our crisis for good. Episode on Post Adoption programs referenced on this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nxGFnRFix9rgcZjqEL23G?si=UgebR67eT3OQiW105x8eng For more information visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

What happens when our "save them all" slogans collide with the heartbreaking reality of underfunded, overwhelmed animal shelters? After visiting over 200 shelters and hearing from thousands of workers on the brink of collapse, Cara pulls back the curtain on the "Impossible Task" we’ve handed our shelter staff. In this episode, we dive deep into the two worlds of animal welfare: the public advocates demanding change and the exhausted workers just trying to survive the day. We’re moving past the "us vs. them" headlines to explore why public shaming is failing our animals, what shelter staff really need when they say they need "everything," and how a simple shift from judgment to involvement can actually solve the crisis. Whether you’re a frustrated advocate or a burnt-out rescuer, this is a raw, honest look at why we must start saving the people who save the animals. If you've ever felt like the system is failing, this conversation will show you exactly how to help fix it. To learn more, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

The animal shelter world has shifted drastically since the pandemic, and we need to talk about the uncomfortable reality behind the headlines. In this episode, we share what we witnessed during our recent shelter tour—from the unintended consequences of the "No-Kill" label to the heartbreaking rise of animal warehousing. We dive deep into why the animal crisis is worsening, exploring the ripple effects of veterinary shortages, housing instability, and the explosion of backyard breeding. We also tackle the controversial policies of "managed intake" and "community sheltering," questioning if these national trends are truly saving lives or simply pushing the problem out of sight. Is keeping a dog in a kennel for years actually "sheltering," or is it something else? Join us for a candid conversation about the difficult choices shelters face and why transparency is the only way forward. Key Topics Discussed: The reality of "warehousing" and shelter stress. How the pandemic broke the spay/neuter system. The truth about the 90% No-Kill metric. The risks of community sheltering and managed intake. Why we can’t "adopt our way out" of this crisis anymore. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas on how we solve this. Reach out to us on social media or email Cara directly at Cara@WWLDO.org. Learn more about the work we do at WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

The animal crisis in our country is growing every day. The solutions we've used for decades are helping us tread water but make no real progress. We need new solutions. Here's one! Cara shares four ways to have a Post Adoption Program that helps adopters, dogs, and shelters/rescues. Plus 7 ways why you need to start doing post adoption programs on some level NOW. Visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org to learn more about the work we do. To reach care, email Cara@WWLDO.org

Utilizing local businesses and organizations can be a shelter's superpower when it comes to engaging its community. Here are five ways to invite them to help you, not only find the supplies and resources you need, but to get dogs (and cats) into homes faster, and create strong advocates who will make the shelter a beloved resource. To learn more about our work, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org Have thoughts about shelter or rescue work or the animal crisis in the US? Reach out. Cara@WWLDO.org

We just got back from our latest shelter tour. We've now made more than 200 visits to shelters in 16 states, yet I learn more with every tour. We were able to visit some remarkably successful shelters on this tour and I'm going to share 7 key takeaways from the places that are succeeding in not just saving lives but serving their communities. To learn more about our work, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org .

Explanation of the difference between different types of shelters (municipal, nonprofit, regional), examples of some exemplary ones, and how they function, plus ideas for funding any kind of shelter. This is Chapter Six of Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues. This book is available on Amazon or through our website. Book sales enable us to give the book out for free to shelters and rescues. If you have an idea for an episode or a guest, email Cara@wwldo.org. For more information about our organization and the work we do, visit our website: WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org Our mission is to raise awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them.

We just got back from a tour of shelters in southern states and some things were very clear. A shelter's intake practices can compound the crisis, but they can also force shelter leadership to make hard choices. This podcast shares some of what we saw and poses some of the questions we all need to ask if we want to solve our animal crisis. for more information, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org The mission of Who Will Let the Dogs Out is to raise awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them.

Stronger Together is a program to bring together all the players: rescue and shelter employees, volunteers, and advocates, plus government officials and change makers to solve the animal crisis in their community. Here's what it's about and what happens at these free events and why we host them. Free Registration for Memphis event on 10/25/25: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stronger-together-west-tennessee For more information on Who Will Let the Dogs Out, visit our website: https://whowillletthedogsout.org/

A brief episode explaining why we visit animal shelters, what our purpose is, and what happens when we go there - and afterward. For more information, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org If you have questions or would like to suggest a shelter we should visit, contact Cara@WWLDO.org

Shelters and rescues all over the country are overwhelmed. Our stray population is growing. More dogs are being surrendered. More dogs are being killed. Adoptions have slowed. Transports have slowed. And yet, some national animal welfare organizations say things are getting better. It's time for a frank conversation about the situation. To learn more about us, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org .

This episode dives into the critical pieces of veterinary access and community engagement for shelters and rescues. This is the second half of the chapter on Solutions and it's packed with ideas for programs and practices to help your organization engage your community, as well as, creative solutions to the struggle for veterinary access in the south. Learn more or get your copy of the book at: https://whowillletthedogsout.org/who-will-let-the-dogs-out-stories-and-solutions/ Have an idea for a podcast topic? Email Cara (cara@wwldo.org)