Underdogs w/ Andrew Rowan

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We’re honored to welcome Andrew Rowan, DPhil, to the podcast this week for a critical conversation about companion dogs and poverty. Dr. Rowan has a long tenure in the animal protection movement and is currently the President of WellBeing International, an NGO dedicated to achieving optimal wellbeing for animals, people, and the environment. He joins us today for a discussion about a recent book that he co-authored with Arnold Arluke, Underdogs: Pets, People, and Poverty. Based on a study that involves two communities, one in the United States and one in Central America, Underdogs examines the role that income inequality plays in how people relate to their companion animals across countries and cultures. Dr. Rowan discusses the realities of accessing veterinary care and outlines the barriers members of low-income communities often face when seeking medical care for their companion animals. Plus, Dr. Rowan shares how different organizations in the US and abroad are working to improve the lives of animals living in poverty. 

 

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Andrew Rowan.*

Andrew Rowan founded the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy and started the first graduate degree in the world on animals and public policy in 1995. He is the founding editor of Anthrozoos and author and editor of numerous books on human-animal issues, including the four-volume State of the Animals series. He is president of WellBeing International, a new NGO seeking solutions for people, animals, and the environment.

 

“Poverty affects not just people, but the animals they share their homes with.” – Andrew Rowan

 

Highlights for Episode 658: 

• Key contrasts between the lives of animals when they live with wealthy guardians vs. guardians living in poverty
• Underdogs’ focus on two specific locations, one in the US and the other in Costa Rica, and fundamental aspects of poverty such as limited access to affordable, basic vet care
• Why pets in low-income communities are less likely to be sterilized
• How the shelters El Refugio in Costa Rica and the Humane Society of Charlotte, NC are funded to support low-income guardians
• How shelters have changed the way Costa Ricans deal with their companion animals in interesting and helpful ways
• Some of the barriers, in addition to finances, that keep people from going to an animal shelter
• The importance of modeling gold standard care for companion animals 
• Why one of the goals of the animal protection movement should include protection from eviction and how that would help animals 
• Why being secure in one’s ability to care for an animal properly can help people value animals more
• Wellbeing International, why Andrew and his wife founded it, and why it is essential to see people, animals, and the environment as intertwined systems
• Ways that Wellbeing International is seeking solutions for people, animals, and the environment

 

Resources:

• Register for Eat Plants, Save the Planet
• Stop horsing around: Advocates demand end to carriage industry after Midtown horse collapses
• Swiss factory farming ban to be decided at the ballot box
• Miyoko’s Creamery is offering our listeners 15% off!

Connect with Andrew Rowan:

• WellBeing International Website
• Underdogs: Pets, People, and Poverty by Arnold Arluke and Andrew Rowan
• Animal Voices Book Series

Connect with Our Hen House:

• Our Hen House Website
• Our Hen House on Facebook
• Our Hen House on Instagram
• Our Hen House on Twitter

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Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

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This episode is brought to you in part by Miyoko’s Creamery. From their humble beginnings with 4 employees in Miyoko’s home kitchen, to a 30,000 sq ft. state-of-the-art facility in Sonoma, Miyoko’s Creamery is leading the way in transforming the future of the creamery. Miyoko’s Creamery is changing perceptions of vegan food, to inspire people from all walks of life to enjoy a phenomenally vegan lifestyle and right now our listeners can get 15% off by visiting their website and checking out with code HENHOUSE15.

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This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.