The Rescue State

Kim Moodey
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Non-Profit
  • Weekly

Welcome to The Rescue State, a podcast dedicated to creating a more compassionate world for all animals. Our mission is built on three pillars of animal welfare: Rescue, Educating about the detriments of Factory Farming and Ending Animal Testing. Through powerful stories, educational episodes and meaningful conversations with animal rescuers, activists and advocates, we shine a light on the suffering animals face and the people working tirelessly to change their lives. From shelter overcrowding, adoption and spay and neuter initiatives to the realities of factory farming and the fight to end animal experimentation, we explore the challenges, celebrate progress and focus on real solutions that create lasting change. Together, we can turn compassion into a movement and create a future where every animal matters.

  1. 3d ago

    How to Help Shelter Animals This Holiday Season | 2026 Cozy Paws Winter Drive

    The holiday season is a time for gratitude, generosity and giving back. But while many of us are celebrating with loved ones, thousands of shelter animals are still waiting for the warmth, comfort, and security of a forever home. In this special holiday episode of The Rescue State, we're talking about meaningful ways you can make a difference for animals this season, whether it's fostering, adopting, volunteering, donating or simply spreading awareness. I'm also excited to officially announce our 2026 Cozy Paws Winter Drive! 🐾❤️ From November 1st through November 30th, The Rescue State will be collecting new and gently used blankets and towels for the dogs and cats at the Devore and Big Bear Animal Shelters in Southern California. Our goal is to deliver these donations during the first week of December, helping keep shelter animals warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. How to Donate: 📍 Drop-off Location: Country Kennels in Murrieta, California 📅 Donation Dates: November 1–30, 2026 🐶 Items Needed: New or gently used blankets and towels You can also contact the Devore or Big Bear Animal Shelters about donating directly. Every blanket, every towel and every small act of kindness can bring a little more comfort to an animal waiting for their second chance. Follow along for drive updates and more information: ❤️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_rescue_state/ 🌵 Website: https://www.rescue-state.com Together, we can turn compassion into a movement and create a future where every animal matters.

  2. Oct 27

    Backyard Breeders Exposed: The Hidden Dangers of Irresponsible Dog Breeding

    Behind every adorable puppy is a story but what happens when breeding practices put profit before animal welfare? In this episode of The Rescue State, host Kim Moodey explores the hidden consequences of backyard breeding, from inherited genetic diseases to the growing burden on overcrowded animal shelters. Through two personal stories, a black Pomeranian affected by Alopecia X and Maggie, a rescued Doberman who required testing for von Willebrand disease before surgery, Kim sheds light on why responsible breeding, genetic health testing and ethical practices matter. Whether you're considering purchasing a puppy, looking for a specific breed or simply want to become a more informed animal advocate, this episode is for you. Please share this episode with someone considering bringing a new dog into their family. Awareness can change decisions and those decisions save lives.

  3. Oct 20

    [Revisit] From California Shelters to Second Chances with Kristi Young

    This week on The Rescue State, we're taking a little trip down memory lane and revisiting a conversation that will always hold a special place in my heart. For our very first interview, I had the honor of sitting down with Kristi Young of Loved At Last Dog Rescue. Not only is Kristi a passionate advocate for animals but she's also a very dear friend of mine and someone whose compassion and dedication to rescue I deeply admire. This conversation marked the beginning of something incredibly meaningful for The Rescue State. It was an opportunity to shine a light on the people behind rescue, the hearts that keep this work moving forward and the extraordinary difference that kindness and compassion can make in the lives of animals. As we continue to grow this podcast and our community of animal advocates, I wanted to revisit the conversation that helped start it all. Whether you've been listening since the beginning or have only recently joined us, I hope you'll enjoy this special episode and get to know someone who means so much to me. Because at the heart of rescue is something beautifully simple: people choosing to care, to show up and to make a difference. Together, we can turn compassion into a movement and create a future where every animal matters.

  4. Oct 13

    Dog Adoption, Shelter Overcrowding & the Truth About Rescue Dogs

    In this week's episode of The Rescue State, we're answering three important questions about dog ownership, adoption and the growing challenges facing animal shelters. How can we help our dogs live longer, healthier lives? Is adopting a shelter dog the right choice for your family, especially when you don't know their history? And are more dogs entering shelters today than before the pandemic? From making informed decisions about welcoming a dog into your family to understanding why shelters continue to struggle with overcrowding, we're breaking down the facts, challenging common misconceptions and exploring what it really means to be a responsible, compassionate dog owner. Whether you're considering adopting your first dog, already have a house full of rescues or simply want to better understand the animal welfare crisis, this conversation is for you. Because the more we understand, the more lives we can change. ❤️🐾🎙️  Sources & Further Reading 🐾Los Angeles Times — L.A. Mayor Vowed to Save Shelter Animals. More Dogs and Cats Are Dying. An investigation into overcrowding, euthanasia rates, and the challenges facing Los Angeles animal shelters, including comparisons with pre-pandemic shelter populations. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-11-22/la-animal-shelters-more-dogs-and-cats-are-dying 🐾 Shelter Animals Count — 2025 Annual Data ReportA nationwide look at animal shelter intake, adoptions, euthanasia, and the ongoing challenges facing shelters and rescue organizations. https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/2025-report

  5. Oct 6

    Why Are So Many Dogs in Shelters? Understanding the Overpopulation Crisis

    California’s animal shelters are overcrowded but how did we get here? In this episode of The Rescue State, we go back to the basics and take a closer look at the growing shelter crisis affecting dogs across California and throughout the country. We break down what’s happening behind shelter doors and explore the many factors contributing to overcrowding: high intake numbers, owner surrenders, housing and financial pressures, limited access to affordable veterinary care, spay and neuter challenges, declining transfers, longer shelter stays, and rescue organizations that are already stretched to their limits. The numbers help put the scale of the problem into perspective. Shelter Animals Count estimates that 2.8 million dogs entered shelters and rescues nationwide in 2025, while approximately 2 million dogs were adopted and 320,000 were euthanized. But overcrowding isn't only about how many dogs come through the front door it's also about how quickly shelters can safely move animals back out. UC Davis reports that nearly 60% of shelters lack a veterinarian or are critically understaffed, and when veterinary care is limited, dogs stay an average of 27.5 days longer. Every additional day matters when kennels are already full. Most importantly, this episode is about what happens next and why every one of us can be part of the solution. Sources & Further Reading • Shelter Animals Count — 2025 Annual Data Report • UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health — Capacity for Care

  6. Sep 29

    Animal Advocacy Without Hate: Why Kindness Matters in the Fight for Animals

    Animal advocacy is fueled by compassion, but sometimes, we forget to extend that same compassion to each other. In this episode of The Rescue State, we’re talking about kindness, curiosity and the way we communicate when advocating for animals. It’s easy to become frustrated when someone doesn’t see an issue the way we do but lasting change rarely comes from shame, judgment or tearing people down. We’ll talk about the importance of meeting people where they are, asking questions instead of making assumptions and remembering that there is room for all of us in this movement. From animal rescue and fostering to factory farming, animal testing, consumer choices and the ways animals are treated around the world, advocacy can bring up difficult and emotional conversations. But if our goal is to create a kinder world for animals, kindness has to be part of how we get there.We don't have to agree on everything to work toward something better. Because compassion isn't just what we're fighting for. It's how we move the movement forward.

  7. Sep 22

    I Could Never Foster, I’d Get Too Attached | The Truth About Fostering Rescue Dogs

    “I could never foster, I’d get too attached!” It’s one of the most common reasons people give for not fostering a shelter or rescue dog. But what if getting attached isn’t the problem? What if it’s actually the point? In this episode of The Rescue State Podcast, Kim talks honestly about the emotional side of fostering from foster failing with Daphne to successfully saying goodbye to dogs she deeply loved, including Bergy, whose incredible story you can hear in Parts 1 & 2 of Season 2. Because fostering isn’t about learning how not to love them. It’s about giving a dog safety, stability and love during one of the most uncertain chapters of their life and sometimes loving them enough to let them go. We’ll also walk through what first-time foster parents can expect, how fostering helps dogs outside of the shelter environment and why saying goodbye can ultimately make room to save another life. If you’ve ever thought, “I could never foster because I’d get too attached,” this episode is for you! You aren’t losing your foster dog. You’re completing the rescue. 🐾 Together, we can turn compassion into a movement and create a future where every animal matters.

  8. Sep 15

    What Does 'Rescue Only' Really Mean? | Understanding “Rescue Only” Dogs in Animal Shelters

    What does it really mean to rescue a dog and what happens when a shelter labels an animal “Rescue Only”? In this episode of The Rescue State Podcast, Kim takes a closer look at the often misunderstood “Rescue Only” designation used in animal shelters, what it can mean for a dog’s future and why the notes and labels attached to shelter animals matter so much. Kim explores the complicated reality behind shelter assessments and reminds us that an animal’s behavior inside a stressful shelter environment may not always tell their entire story. We’ll also talk about what members of the public can do when they fall in love with a 'Rescue Only' dog, how rescues and fosters can become the bridge between the shelter and a second chance and why advocating responsibly for these animals matters. Because rescue isn't simply getting an animal out of a shelter, it's taking the time to understand the animal in front of us, giving them the support they need and recognizing that sometimes the animals who need us most are the ones who are hardest to save🐾 Together, we can turn compassion into a movement and create a future where every animal matters.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Rescue State, a podcast dedicated to creating a more compassionate world for all animals. Our mission is built on three pillars of animal welfare: Rescue, Educating about the detriments of Factory Farming and Ending Animal Testing. Through powerful stories, educational episodes and meaningful conversations with animal rescuers, activists and advocates, we shine a light on the suffering animals face and the people working tirelessly to change their lives. From shelter overcrowding, adoption and spay and neuter initiatives to the realities of factory farming and the fight to end animal experimentation, we explore the challenges, celebrate progress and focus on real solutions that create lasting change. Together, we can turn compassion into a movement and create a future where every animal matters.

Information

  • Creator
    Kim Moodey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Rescue State
  • Show Website
    The Rescue State

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