Sarien welcomes Michael Howie from The Fur-Bearers to the podcast to discuss everything the organization does, and wildlife coexistence in both urban and rural communities. Michael Howie is an award-winning journalist whose passion for nature and solution-focused communication led him to the non-profit sector. He is the Director of Communications at The Fur-Bearers, and host of the popular Defender Radio and The Switch podcasts. Michael's work for The Fur-Bearers focuses on education and strategic communication support for campaigns. Outside of The Fur-Bearers, Michael enjoys volunteering, watching and participating in comedy, and spending time with his family. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario, the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. Other Resources Mentioned Defender Radio | Episode 426: Science for the Win (Defeating Depredation) Open Sanctuary Project | Compassionate Wildlife Practices At Your Animal Sanctuary
Sarien welcomes Amber Barnes, Tara Hess, Julia Magnus, and Mckenzee Griffler from the Open Sanctuary Project to the podcast for a conversation about microsanctuaries, how we are stronger together, and the importance of planning ahead. AMBER BARNES MSc - Research Specialist With a background as an Anti-Exploitation Animal Welfare Scientist, assessing welfare in a variety of species, Amber Barnes join the Open Sanctuary Project in 2019. Since then, Amber has been using her previous experiences as care staff at animal sanctuaries and accreditation support for the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, along with her academic research skills to develop resources aimed at providing sanctuaries with well-researched information on best care practices and sustainable operational practices. She lives with Bammers, arguably the cutest dog in the land. TARA HESS Senior Advisor With a background in farmed animal care, and shelter management, Tara joined the Open Sanctuary Project as Senior Advisor in 2019. She hopes to use her hands-on experience as a caregiver and her experience as a frequent presenter at Farm Sanctuary’s Farm Animal Care Conference to help create resources that are accessible and reflect the many nuances of sanctuary work. She shares her home with cat Juju, house rooster Cantaloupe, and two humans. JULIA MAGNUS Nonprofit Specialist With a background in environmental, animal and nonprofit governance law, Julia joined the Open Sanctuary Project as Nonprofit Specialist in 2021. She hopes to use her professional, rescue and microsanctuary operator experience to create resources that facilitate sanctuaries’ and rescuers’ navigation of governance and organizational issues. She shares her home with four parrots, a dog, two cats, a turtle, a human, and rescued and foster chickens, including roosters Galileo and Fuego. MCKENZEE GRIFFLER Executive Director With a background as a journalist and as an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Mckenzee joined Open Sanctuary Project as the founding Editor in 2018. Since then, she has been visiting and working with members of the worldwide sanctuary community to research and publish resources that best represent the unique challenges of sustainable sanctuary operation and the diverse solutions to the issues sanctuary operators face each day. Mckenzee holds a certification in Animal Sanctuary Management from the University of Utah’s School of Professional Education. OSP RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST Fostering Positive Relationships Between Animal Sanctuaries Sharing Your Home With Chickens Creating An Effective Set Of Contingency Plans For Your Animal Sanctuary The Open Sanctuary Project’s Contingency Planning Workbook Succession Planning: A Necessary Component Of Responsible Animal Sanctuary Management A Founder’s Guide To Organizational Change At Animal Sanctuaries
Sarien welcomes Jessica Harris from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuary (GFAS) to the podcast for a conversation about keeping the dream alive and creating a sustainable sanctuary. Jessica Harris joined GFAS in 2021 after working in multiple capacities with the Farm and Equine programs since 2019. She is a lifelong animal advocate with over 15 years of experience in the animal welfare and veterinary fields. Her first shelter experience was at a municipal shelter in the Southeast United States: it forever solidified her dedication to homeless animals and improving their lives. Since then, she has worked in a variety of roles with both municipal and private shelters, including managing a cat shelter in the Greater Boston area, with a particular interest in shelter medicine and effective shelter models. Jess furthered her impact on animals as a veterinary technician for over 12 years in general, specialty, and shelter practices. Pivoting to the issues facing farmed animals, she spent several years doing grassroots and statewide advocacy with both HSUS and The Humane League. However, her connection to the animals led her to extern and volunteer with both Farm Sanctuary, NY and Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, NC and instilled a deep appreciation for these unique spaces for mutual healing, support, and learning. Jess holds a BA from North Carolina State University and a MS in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Other Resources Mentioned The Open Sanctuary Project | Determining Your Animal Sanctuary’s Capacity For Responsible Care Shelter Medicine | Calculating Capacity Shelter Medicine | Capacity Calculator GFAS | Reputational Risk Assessment GFAS Required Documents GFAS Standards GFAS Accreditation
Sarien welcomes Jimmy Videle to the podcast for conversation all about veganic farming, wildlife, sanctuary manure considerations, and more! Jimmy Videle is an organic farmer, activist, consultant and researcher. He has been a consultant and volunteer with A.U.M Films (producers of Cowspiracy and What the Health), Humane Party, USA and the Animal Protection Party, Canada. He lives with his wife, Mélanie Bernier and five rescue cats on a small-scale veganic market farm in Boileau, Québec. He has been growing his own food and homesteading for over 25 years and became a professional full-time organic farmer in 2005. From 2010-2014 he worked and consulted on 11 vegan, organic and permaculture farms throughout Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, South America and Québec before settling at his current home in 2014. Other Resources Mentioned YouTube | Jimmy Videle - Veganic Grower La Ferme de l’Aube The Open Sanctuary Project | Introduction To Manure Management For Farmed Animal Sanctuaries The Veganic Agriculture Network Learn Veganic Vegan Organic Network
Sarien welcomes Alastor Van Kleeck to the podcast for conversation about how awesome chickens are, what a microsanctuary is and all the possibilities, the ongoing dilemma with backyard egg and egg hatching, and so much more! Alastor (Justin) Van Kleeck (they/them) has a Ph.D. in English and lives with their partner, Roz, near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They spend most of their time working at the Triangle Chicken Advocates sanctuary, which Alastor and Roz founded in 2014, and which inspired them to start The Microsanctuary Movement together later that year. Alastor has presented at the Animal Rights National Conference, the Conscious Eating Conference, and the Humane Hoax Online Summit, and have been interviewed on podcasts such as Our Hen House, the Hope for the Animals Podcast, The Bearded Vegans, and others. Much of Alastor’s writing is available at strivingwithsystems.com. Other Resources Mentioned Facebook | Vegans With Chickens Facebook | Vegans With Fishes