Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Cara Achterberg
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated Weekly

Telling the stories of shelter dogs, the heroes who fight for them, and what you can do to help.

  1. Jul 13

    The Missing Safety Net for Our Pets

    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!

  2. Jul 6

    Shelter vs. Rescue: The Misunderstanding Breaking the System

    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

  3. Jun 24

    Is it time to retire the phrase 'no-kill'?

    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.

  4. Jun 18

    Tackling Warehousing, making the hard decisions and turning a shelter around

    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.

  5. Jun 5

    A Larger Lens on this Animal Crisis

    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

  6. May 11

    The Impossible List: Why Shelters are Set up to Fail

    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

  7. Apr 28

    Shelter Crisis: No-kill, Warehousing, and the Impact of the Pandemic

    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

  8. Mar 20

    New Idea for Shelters and Rescues: Post Adoption Programs

    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

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5
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About

Telling the stories of shelter dogs, the heroes who fight for them, and what you can do to help.

Information

  • Creator
    Cara Achterberg
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Cara Achterberg
  • Show Website
    Who Will Let the Dogs Out

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