So You Want to Run a Dog Rescue? A Podcast

09/17/2025

When fan girling pays dividends! In cased you missed it, there's a *very big* announcement in Episode 3.1. We're a little bit excited.

Listen here --> https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/dgs-podcast/episodes/3-1---Spay-Aborts-The-No-Brainer-No-Kill-Cant-Handle-e38144e/a-ac59ner

09/10/2025

We’re kicking off the season with a hot-button topic everyone pretends is complicated: spay aborts. Spoiler: it’s a no-brainer…unless you’re drinking the Austin Pets Alive Kool-Aid. Yep, we said it. Dirty-deleted videos, twisted “No Kill” logic, and all—the truth needs saying, and we’re here for it.

Also on the docket:
🐾 Not Your 9 to 5: Strep Zoo (add it to the growing list of rescue risks) + a 3 a.m. VEG adventure with a happy ending.
📂 Crazy Folder: Tammy vs. Juliana. Ashlyn puts on her HR hat to kindly tell Tammy to f**k off.

🎧 Listen here:

Season Three, LFG! In episode 1, hosts Jenny Nordin and Ashlyn Kauh dive straight into a hot-button topic: spay aborts. Why so controversial? In today’s rescue climate, it should be a no-brainer. But with big names like No-Kill Austin Pets Alive pushing a twisted, delusional narrative (and dirty-d...

09/02/2025

Kissy Küsse is out. Ringworm Sally is in.
Season 3 Episode 1 will be dropping in the next 48 hrs. LFG!!!

08/28/2025

We 👏 are 👏 back 👏
Tonight we hit the record button and we can't wait to catch y'all up on all the CRAZY.

08/25/2025

🚨 We’ve really missed the podcast, and SO MUCH has happened since the last season. Honestly, we don’t even know where to start. But buckle up—Season 3 Episode 1 is coming very soon! 🎙️🐾

Just a few ramblings while we get ready to hit record:
👉 It’s been a few years since I’ve been bit, and while this little Level 2 chomp is nothing compared to what some of the big dogs handed me back in the day (whenever this happens I hear Jonathan saying "you’re not supposed to get bit" 🙃), it’s a good reminder that even a cute 10lb scruffy can pack a punch.
👉 We added 9 chickens to the rescue pack 🐓 Shadowfax is rocking it 👊
👉 Ran our first Barnhunt at the community center (shoutout to Monty and Margot!) 🐀
👉 Survived Vegas in August with 3 kids for SuperZoo 😅

We’ve got a ton of topics lined up, but we’d love your input—what should we tackle first?

1️⃣ Controversial spay/abort shelter & rescue policies
2️⃣ Navigating adoptions with elderly folks
3️⃣ Ringworm (and why it’s really not a BFD)
4️⃣ Current behavioral euthanasia considerations
5️⃣ Why the “No Kill” movement needs to be dismantled & rethought

Or… something else you’re dying to hear us dig into? Drop your vote below ⬇️

08/20/2025

Today we officially registered the microchip for Koda (aka Captain Destructo) — our husky with (GASP!) separation and containment anxiety, plus some truly next-level determination. I mean, let’s give him some credit: he destroyed a stationary Impact Crate. Skills!

We always hold off 30 days before finalizing an adoption and registering the chip, since that first month is often the hardest. If a dog is going to bounce back, it usually happens then — especially with dogs like Koda. No matter how much we prep adopters, the transition can be rough, and it takes a special kind of human to stick it out.

With Koda, we were cautiously hopeful. His new person even went out and invested in a High Anxiety Impact Crate right after adoption (serious commitment 👏). Still, we were a little butt-puckered through that first month.

But here we are: Koda made it past the 30-day mark! He’s still with his awesome adopter, rocking a fully color-coordinated Fort Knox setup. We’d say Koda hit the jackpot — let’s celebrate this happy ending! 🎉🐾

In case you missed it, listen to Koda's story, plus learn all about Megaesophagus, on Episode 2.28:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KAelUNeYn3fIpdHdi4gA4?si=XjiMwRKaQVqr58yPhj6GSg

08/19/2025

Imagine you take in a large male dog to foster and he doesn't know you from Adam, when suddenly - scrotal hematoma! - and you are responsible for icing his giant swollen empty ball sack around the clock. This is just another day in the life, and we're here for it!

Hear all about it in the Season 2 Finale and let us know what you think in the comments!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0e12gA0fzhqeY3kIhFdlJF?si=io6Z459NQ6eFHoHo7EFOAA

07/21/2025

In 2.27 we finally let Jonathan Nordin on the podcast. (There was a probationary period after the whole Sinister filter fiasco). We sort of regret asking him about his least favorite foster, and he had a lot to say -- about Brigid.

But we want to know: Is she actually ugly? Or was it just the trauma memory from thousands of dollars in destruction, saintly nurse care, dog aggression and separation anxiety that rivaled Rolex? You be the judge.

Full episode here --> https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/CH9rBPsv7Ub

07/12/2025

Episode 2.27 Coming soon(ish) 2.5 hrs with Jonathan Nordin who has the most inside scoop from the very beginning of the rescue, including and unfiltered opinions. This one will be worth the wait...

07/08/2025

In Episode 2.25, we react to a deeply troubling “training” video recently shared by our former partner Amy Pishner of Valor K9. What’s shown is not just inappropriate—it’s abusive. This kind of handling harms not only the dog involved, but the credibility of ethical, balanced trainers and rescues who believe in humane rehabilitation.

Having worked with Valor K9 over the years, we never expected to see something like this. When we reached out for comment, Amy’s response was even more disturbing. Rather than acknowledging the emotional, aggressive handling of a shut-down puppy as a serious mistake—one that never should have happened, much less been posted—she doubled down. Her defense leaned on the old "lack of context" excuse, suggesting the ends justified the means, with no accountability or insight.

For what it’s worth: the dog’s owners have since removed the puppy from her care.

We talk through what happened, why it matters, and what everyone—rescues, trainers, and dog owners—should take away from this moment. Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZiQedkAAoeFEnihJPMvtI?si=QfSoAwy_RhWOSMq3o34iaQ

06/03/2025

In Episode 2.21, we wax poetic on the Great Pyrenees and also, fire a foster.
Spoiler alert: Jenny has Jon's buy in for a foster fail and that is very special.

Listen here --> https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FRoHwqtkHPt9vVAiUCBnL?si=Qr3rXTxmR82XfJGP7putZA

06/02/2025

You guys... check this out and let us know what you think! For Episode 2.21 we have a video! All the clips we intend to share on social (but usually don't get around to) are now available to watch along with the pod! You can still listen as usual on Spotify.

  Hello and welcome to season two, episode 21 of, So You Want to Run a Dog Rescue? I'm Jenny Nordin. And I'm Ashlyn Kauh. And together we run the largest foster based rescue in the Pacific Northw