Who Will Let the Dogs Out – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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

A brief episode explaining why we visit animal shelters, what our purpose is, and what happens when we go there - and afterward.

For more information, visit

WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

If you have questions or would like to suggest a shelter we should visit, contact Cara@WWLDO.org

Shelters and rescues all over the country are overwhelmed. Our stray population is growing. More dogs are being surrendered. More dogs are being killed. Adoptions have slowed. Transports have slowed. And yet, some national animal welfare organizations say things are getting better. It's time for a frank conversation about the situation.

To learn more about us, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org.

This episode dives into the critical pieces of veterinary access and community engagement for shelters and rescues. This is the second half of the chapter on Solutions and it's packed with ideas for programs and practices to help your organization engage your community, as well as, creative solutions to the struggle for veterinary access in the south.

Learn more or get your copy of the book at:

https://whowillletthedogsout.org/who-will-let-the-dogs-out-stories-and-solutions/

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Email Cara (cara@wwldo.org)

Why do volunteers matter and why truly great shelters have them at the heart of their program. This episode offers inspiration and practical ideas for developing a volunteer program at your animal shelter or rescue.

Learn more at:

WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

Cara Achterberg, cofounder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, shares the new program, InstaSnip, for easy and accessible spay and neuter funding available to our shelter partners and to anyone.

To learn more about our work, visit WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

With questions or to talk more about this idea, contact Cara (cara@wwldo.org)

If you're one of our shelter partners and would like to participate in InstaSnip, contact Patty@wwldo.org.

The first half of chapter five of Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues shares stories of leaders who are finding ways to save lives. Includes actionable ideas for putting in place right now and inspiration for leaders.

Click here for more information on Who Will Let the Dogs Out, what we do and how we help shelters.

Click here to purchase a copy of the book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues (or look for it on Amazon)

We just completed a shelter tour of six shelters and rescues in North Carolina and Georgia. Here's what happened, who we visited, and what we learned.

To read the blog post this episode is based on (and see pictures of the places we visited), click here.

To learn more about us and the work we do, visit our website:

www.WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

This is the fourth chapter from the book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues.

Learn more or get a copy for yourself at:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out