Nova Scotia SPCA PAW'dcast

Hosted by Nova Scotia SPCA

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Have you ever wondered what happens at the Nova Scotia SPCA? Well, we have the answers. Our PAW’dcast guests will cover all topics from shelters, hospitals, college and more. Join us twice a month on Sundays to hear about the behind-the-scenes, learn about animal welfare, and of course, to enjoy all the puns, because we don’t joke when it comes to paw-ns.

Listen to episodes

48 recent

June 4, 202624 min

Find Your New BFF (Best Furry Friend) with the Nova Scotia SPCA

Hill’s Adoption Weekend is happening on June 6 and 7. Because of this fun event, Sarah Lyon and Taylor Huestis decided to match potential adopters with their new BFF (Best Furry Friend). We had potential adopters send in their lifestyles and what they were looking for in a pet. Taylor and Sarah matched them with pets that would fit their lifestyle and offered a few tips to help them navigate bringing a new pet into their home. They discussed the 3-3-3 rule, the importance of microchipping your pet, what you can do if your pet is more active than you anticipated, and more!

May 24, 202628 min

The Nova Scotia SPCA’s Newest Adoptee – The Petszel App

Join our host Sarah Lyon as she chats with Matt Russell, the co-founder and CEO of Petszel. The Petszel app offers adopters different resources to help them navigate the post-adoption phase. While adopting a pet is an exciting time, the aftermath can be overwhelming. This easy-to-use app is one way to help smooth the transition of welcoming a pet into your home. Sarah and Matt chatted about how Petszel came to be, how Petszel will help adopters, how the app is free for adopters and the SPCA, and more!

May 10, 202628 min

Continuing a Loved One’s Mission – A Chat with Dale McIsaac

Join our host Creston Rudolph as he chats with Dale McIsaac about what it means to leave a legacy. Dale created a memorial fund for his late son Ben, a Nova Scotia SPCA Board Member who cared deeply about animal welfare. Dale discusses Ben’s love of animals, the causes that were important to him, and the way the fund aims to support as many of these causes as possible. If you’re looking to leave a legacy, visit www.novascotiaspca.ca/leave-a-legacy/.

April 28, 202620 min

Exploring the Role of Enforcement – An Interview with the Chief and Deputy Chief Inspectors.

In this episode, Anya Zub, the Regional Manager for our Thrift Stores, sat down with the Nova Scotia SPCA’s Chief Inspector Kevin Strooband and the Deputy Chief Inspector Sarah Palmer to learn more about the role of Enforcement. Kevin and Sarah define what the Five Freedoms are, what happens when we receive a report of cruelty, what Enforcement’s primary goal is when responding to a report, and more! Click this link if you need to make a cruelty report, https://www.novascotiaspca.ca/who-we-are/animalcruelty/.

April 5, 202627 min

Shopping Sustainably – The Benefits of Thrifting.

Join us for a chat with Anya Zub, Regional Manager for our Thrift Stores. Throughout the month of March, the Nova Scotia SPCA Thrift Stores participated in Sustainability Fairs across the province. Anya sat down with us to discuss the ways that thrift stores are a simple and great way for someone to begin their sustainability journey. We touched on a variety of topics, from how many goods they prevent going to landfills to how thrift stores are a great alternative to fast fashion. For more information on our thrift stores, visit www.novascotiaspca.ca/thriftstores/.

March 8, 202623 min

More Than Shelters Part 2 – A chat about the Nova Scotia SPCA’s Programs.

This is part two of our two-part More Than Shelters series. In this episode we discuss our Paws & Support program and our Palliative Care program. Heather and Sarah discuss why these programs exist, the value of fosters, and more! After listening to this episode, if you want to know more about our programs or apply, you can visit https://www.novascotiaspca.ca/. **Trigger Warning: This episode includes mentions of domestic violence when discussing our Paws & Support Program.

February 22, 202624 min

More Than Shelters – A chat about the Nova Scotia SPCA’s Programs.

The Nova Scotia SPCA is more than shelters. Join us for a chat with Heather Woodin, Chief Animal Operations at the Nova Scotia SPCA, to learn about some of the programs that we offer. This is part one of a two-part series. In this episode we discuss our Pet Pantry and the P.U.P. Program (Accidental Litters). Learn why these programs exist, who can access these programs and more! After listening to this episode, if you want to know more about our programs or apply, you can visit https://www.novascotiaspca.ca/.

February 8, 202621 min

Exploring Different Animal Care Careers with the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare

Join our host Jennifer Welshman for a chat about our Animal Care Career Exploration Program. Created by the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare, the program aims to educate BIPOC youth about the various animal care careers and address the lack of diversity in the field. Jennifer sat down with a coordinator and a student of the exploration program to discuss the benefits of the program and learn what they enjoyed most about it. The Animal Care Career Exploration Program is made possible by a TELUS Community Board grant. The grants are funded by the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and support initiatives from Canadian registered charities that focus on local, grassroots community-based health and education programs that help youth reach their full potential. For more information or to register for the spring session of the Animal Care Career Exploration Program, please email: college@spcans.ca

January 25, 202630 min

The Pawllywood Walk of Fame – Adina MacRae explains pets in the film and television industry

Join us for a chat with Adina MacRae, an animal coordinator in the Nova Scotia film and tv industry. She has over 20 years of experience handling animals, specializing in dogs. We touched on how Adina became an animal coordinator, what does an animal coordinator do, safety regulations for animals, what have been her favourite projects, and more!

January 12, 202623 min

Pawse and Reflect Part One – Where we were, where we are, and where we are going.

Join us as we chat with Elizabeth Murphy, the CEO of the Nova Scotia SPCA, about her reflection on the organization. We touched on the reason for her reflection, the demands of working in animal welfare, and how the Nova Scotia SPCA is adapting to better respond to the needs of Nova Scotians. This is part one of a four-part series where Elizabeth will offer some insights into the inner workings of our organization. To read Elizabeth’s full reflection, visit: www.novascotiaspca.ca/2026/01/08/reflecting-on-where-we-were-where-we-are-and-where-we-are-going/.