We’re releasing this episode in time for International Rabbit Day – a celebration of our favourite floppy-eared lagomorphs. While rabbits do make wonderful companions, they are frequently released or dumped in the wild – and with an exceptionally quick gestation period, that can lead to a lot of domestic rabbits in the wild, really fast. Fortunately, there are incredible people who are working to find homes for rabbits and prevent the need for dumping – like Amy McLaughin of Amy’s Bunny Barn...

Finding community is an important part of being an advocate – and in a post pandemic world, that can be a struggle. Fortunately, opportunities like Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals bring together hundreds of likeminded people, sharing resources, ideas, and finding hope together. The 2025 Summit for Animals is taking place in Montreal, Quebec on April 27, 28 and 29 – and there’s still time to submit a proposal to present yourself! To learn more about the Summit, the range of subjects that...

Hundreds of black bears are killed in British Columbia every year; often, the issue leading to government agents killing bears is attractants such as unsecure garbage that bears may want to explore or eat. While there is much to be said and debated about this situation, one thing is clear: communities need solutions. And that’s where the Ursa Project comes in. Founded in Nelson, BC, in 2022, the Ursa Project was created by concerned citizens who wanted to see the bears of their community...

More than 5,000 wild species are at risk of extinction in Canada right now – it’s an overwhelming, staggering number, and it begs the question: what are we doing about it? Environmental journalist Sarah Cox explores this question with hope and curiosity in her new book, Signs of Life: Field Notes from the Frontlines of Extinction. Featuring interviews and experiences with advocates, researchers, Indigenous peoples, and even the Canadian military, Sarah explores several species at risk of...

What’s the world like for a Puma in California? What would they encounter, and what would they make of the humans acting strangely in the landscape? Scientist Dr. Tiffany Yap and artist Meital Smith put together what they think that may look like in the incredible Tales of the Urban Wild: A Puma’s Journey, now available from Reverberation Books. Dr. Yap, a conservation scientist, wrote the story of the puma named C-8 by local scientists who explores the world around him; Meital Smith, a...

Black bears in British Columbia face an impossible reality: find new places to live, without being near people, while we continue to remove habitat and ecological connectivity from the landscape. It’s a struggle that journalist and documentarian Paul Johnson wanted to profile – in hopes of making a change. Bears in our Backyards: The Struggle to Survive with Humans, is Johnson’s latest full-length documentary, and features extensive footage of black bears in British Columbia, along with...

Nakoda was a grizzly bear who lived in Yoho National Park. She was a well-known bear, having been tracked by Parks Canada as Bear 178, and popular with photographers and tourists who caught a glimpse of her famous blonde-white fur. Tragically, on the evening of June 6, 2024, Nakoda was struck by a vehicle on the Trans-Canada highway near the park, and was later found dead. This came only 12 hours after Nakoda’s two cubs were also struck and killed on the highway. Nakoda isn’t the first...

Mustachioed dog-nappers chasing animated pooches around the city may be what’s in some of our heads when it comes to animal control, but the important front-line officers in our communities go well beyond that trope. In Arlington, Virginia, the community knows they can rely on the Animal Welfare League of Arlington to help, whether it’s support for expensive veterinary procedures, getting an injured raccoon into care, or working with citizens to ensure that everyone’s dignity and welfare are...

Room to roam for wildlife is essential to their health, particularly as they face increasing pressures related to development and the climate crisis. But many communities aren’t planned with wildlife in mind – or ecological connectivity between neighbourhoods and boundaries. The California state assembly has passed the Room to Roam Act, which compels local governments to work with each other and state agencies to ensure resilient, sustainable ecosystems are connected to protect wildlife, the...

Traditional media has long portrayed coyotes in a negative light – and you don’t have to take my word for it. Nicole Murphy, a student at Peterborough’s Trent University took on the issue of how coyotes are perceived by undertaking a three-part project: she ran an analysis of media reporting on coyotes across the Greater Toronto Area, surveyed staff, faculty and students at Trent University to get their perceptions, and setup trail cameras around the campus to learn and showcase how coyotes...

Some days are hard. The world feels like it’s falling apart, forests are burning, ecosystems are breaking down, and hope can be a long, long way away. But you’re not alone in this feeling – and there are ways to manage and cope that not only support you but can make for a healthier community and planet. Climate Grief, From Coping to Resilience and Action is a new book from Dr. Shawna Weaver that dives into the realities of climate change, the grief so many of us are experiencing, and how...

Episode originally released September 2021. The idea of walking into a flat earth convention makes my tummy hurt. For Dr. Lee McIntyre, it was an exercise in curiosity explored in the introduction of his new book, How To Talk To A Science Denier. Dr. McIntyre is an author, a research fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University and an instructor in Ethics at Harvard Extension School. An award-winning teacher, McIntyre has penned several popular titles on...

The search for home is something most people can relate to, at some point in their lives. Regardless of circumstance, that need for the place that is yours, surrounded by the people you love, and the sense of wellness that comes with it, is a universal desire. And it’s not just for humans. Animals bred and kept as livestock – or farmed animals – have similar feelings and needs. And one incredible group of people is helping make sure that a forever home exists for those they can help. A Home...

Making an emotional connection to a non-human animal is a defining moment in many peoples’ lives. It could be the family dog, a squirrel who hops past a window every day, or a black bear known to meander through a local forest. It’s that connection that can help people understand the depth of non-human animal emotion and make changes in how they view the world around them. Dr. Marc Bekoff knows a thing or two about this connection – and has revisited a classic publication to show how far...

Investigations into farms by animal advocacy groups is an essential tool to exposing serious, systemic abuses of animals, failures to follow basic policy, and have led to criminal charges. But the Ontario government wanted to stop that – and introduced Bill 156 in 2020. The Bill, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, was challenged in court by Animal Justice, with applicants Jessica Scott-Reid (a journalist) and Louise Jorgensen (an advocate with Toronto Cow Save)....

A concrete laden Barton Street runs the distance of lower Hamilton, marking the transition from residential housing to commercial and industrial spaces – what many people think of when they hear Steel City. But along this busy street something magical is happening: swatches of concrete are vanishing, to be replaced by naturalized gardens. Flowers, native grasses, and plenty of shrubs and trees are establishing themselves in this urban core thanks to programs and the teams at Green Venture, a...

If you don’t already have passes to Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals May 5 to 7 in Halifax, you’re going to miss out on an awful lot! The annual event is organized by Humane Canada, the national federation of humane societies and SPCAs, and presenting sponsor PetSmart Charities of Canada. The Summit for Animals brings together people who work on the frontlines of animal welfare, the folks who strategize behind the scenes, people who run shelters, and those that seek legislative policy...

Simone Diamond is a Coast Salish artist who creates art pieces in the Coast Salish style. You may have seen Simone’s designs featured on products from companies like Native Northwest, on her popular Instagram account, or in The Fur-Bearers’ kids activity book. Simone joins Defender Radio to talk about how spirituality is infused with her art, the impact of colonization on the traditions in her family and culture, and how aspiring artists can find joy and inspiration around them. SHOW NOTES ...

Improving the lives of dogs across Canada and around the world is a hefty goal – but by talking about the lives of wild dogs, Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin is getting closer to reaching that goal every day. Dr. Fraser-Celin, who has worked with African wild dogs, dogs in Indigenous communities in Canada, and identifying how a one-health approach makes an impact, is breaking down misconceptions, providing resourecs, and creating community programs – all from an Instagram account,...

It’s grey, generally cold, damp, and rather unpleasant in early February across Canada. Fortunately, it’s a great time of year to get outside and start planting! Now, I know I’m out on a bit of a limb here, but late winter and early spring are actually ideal for sowing many vital, native plant species across Canada. To tie this into how it helps wildlife and the environment briefly, many of the species we’ll be talking about are essential to pollinators. SHOW NOTES: Cold Stratification:...

Killing neck snares are cruel devices that experts and scientists have shown to be ineffective and inhumane. Yet they remain common across Canada. A new documentary series, Trapped In The Past, is challenging why killing neck snares remain legal to use, what impact they have on wildlife, and how a lack of updated regulations puts wildlife, people, and pets at risk. The series, the result of a partnership between The Fur-Bearers and Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, features John E. Marriott and...

Eating a plant-based diet is a great way to be healthy and reduce your impact on the environment and climate crisis. Making the change can be intimidating, especially if, like me, you grew up on meat and potatoes. Fortunately, folks like Candice Hutchings are making it easier than ever to eat plant-based. Known by her millions of online followers as The Edgy Veg, Candice is a recipe designer and cookbook author who brings wit and levity to her channels. Beyond accessible, delicious recipes...

Are you an active gardener looking for ways to reduce your impact on the local environment? Rain barrels are a great, accessible place to start! Join me for a quick conversation about the known - and perhaps less known - benefits of using rain barrels around your home.  Have you had success with rain barrels, or created an innovative solution? Let me know at @HowieMichael on Instagram or by emailing [email protected]!  SHOW NOTES Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to...

Beavers are incredible animals who have complex social lives, engineer essential ecosystems, and can help us develop climate resilience. In Canada, beavers were nearly wiped out by fur trappers, but their populations slowly returned, though not to their pre-colonization levels. But in Britain, European beavers haven’t had the opportunity to return to the landscape. That’s what the Beaver Trust wants to change. A registered charity in England and Wales, Beaver Trust is seeking to restore...