Humane Talk

Learn more about the serious threats facing gray wolves today--animals who were nearly eradicated in the continental U.S. by trapping, hunting, and poisoning. Tracie and Wayne also talk about why protecting wolves is sometimes controversial.

Tracie and Wayne explore the serious health problems caused by breeding dogs for their appearance instead of well-being, highlighted by a New York Times Magazine article on bulldogs. Find out more about calls to prioritize the dogs' health and welfare.

Cute puppies for sale over the Internet may win over unsuspecting consumers, but a recent investigation linked a major puppy broker to inhumane puppy mills. Hear more about the investigation and how to avoid supporting puppy mills when getting a dog.

Learn about the problem of gestation crates, where many breeding pigs are confined on factory farms for most of their lives without being able to turn around. This episode discusses how animal advocates are campaigning to phase out these cruel crates.

Tracie and Wayne talk about some of the biggest victories for animals in 2011, such as an agreement between The HSUS and a major egg industry group to phase out barren battery cages for hens, as well as good news on pet rescue, shark finning, and more.

As we approach the new year, listen to an encore episode about how the choices we make when we sit down to eat make a big difference for animals. Choosing to join in Meatless Mondays or buy cage-free eggs can make great New Year's resolutions.

HSUS's Pets for Life programs in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other cities reach out to underserved communities to host free pet health clinics, strengthen the bond between people and their pets, and more.

The Shelter Pet Project, a project of The HSUS, the Ad Council, and pet foundation Maddie's Fund, is promoting shelter adoptions through a national ad campaign. Hear more about this groundbreaking project and how it's helping pets.

Tracie and Wayne celebrate this year's ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, a province in northeastern Spain, and highlight the ongoing campaigns to end this blood sport elsewhere.

Hear the latest on the pressing topic of wild, dangerous animals being kept as pets in Ohio. Dozens of tigers, lions, and other animals were recently killed after being released by a Zanesville man, just the latest example of why stronger laws are needed.

With the federal government focused on reducing huge budget deficits, Wayne and Tracie discuss four ways that Congress can cut hundreds of millions in wasteful spending while helping chimpanzees, wild horses, animals in research, and wildlife.

When can donkeys fly? When The HSUS, veterinarians, and others came together to help free-roaming donkeys in Hawaii, we airlifted more than 100 of them to sanctuary on the mainland. Hear the unusual and uplifting story of these special equines.

Learn about the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case on a California law spurred by HSUS's Hallmark/Westland slaughterhouse investigation, which found horrific abuse of downer cows and led to a massive meat recall because of human health concerns.

Wayne and Tracie discuss state ballot initiatives that allow voters to decide directly on important issues. The animal protection movement has used initiatives to outlaw cockfighting in Oklahoma, battery cages in California, and more.

Boa constrictors, tigers, chimpanzees, lions, and other exotic animals are legal to keep in homes and backyards in much of the United States. Learn why keeping large constrictor snakes and other exotic animals is harmful for the animals and for people.

This episode explores the disturbing practice of "horse soring," using painful methods to make show horses have an exaggerated, high-stepping gait. Tracie shares her personal experiences with show horses. *Please note: some descriptions are graphic.*

Tracie and Wayne chat about fur-free fashion and the great news about O, the Oprah Magazine, embracing fur-free alternatives. More people are recognizing that fur is cruel and unnecessary with so many modern alternatives for consumers.

Learn more about how intensive factory farming is not only inhumane for animals, but contributes to contagious diseases that threaten people. Wayne and Tracie discuss the new movie "Contagion" and how our treatment of animals affects human health.

Did you know that the choices you make when you sit down to eat can make the biggest difference to help animals? Hear how campaigns like Meatless Mondays and cage-free eggs can benefit millions of farm animals.

Wayne describes how the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox has used an infamous animal testing method to make batches of the product. But recently, Botox maker Allergan announced that it has developed a new, alternative test that doesn't use animals.