The Lifeline Podcast: Pet Lifesaving

Jennifer Jones: Behind the Scenes with Lifeline: Founder's Journey and Challenges

In this inspiring episode of The Lifeline Podcast, Caroline sits down with Jennifer Jones—co-founder of Lifeline of Galveston County—for a heartfelt conversation about how a small idea turned into a lifesaving nonprofit. 🐾
You’ll hear never-before-shared stories about Lifeline’s humble beginnings, including how Jennifer and her daughter helped design the very first logo, and how the name “Lifeline” was chosen. Jennifer also opens up about navigating chronic pain while staying deeply committed to the mission—saving community cats through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), rescue, and adoption.
🎧 What you’ll learn in this episode:
How Lifeline grew from a passion project into a vital community resource
The early challenges of launching a nonprofit animal rescue
Why sustainable TNR programs are critical for reducing feral cat populations
How personal struggles and community support go hand-in-hand in rescue work
Whether you're passionate about animal welfare, starting a nonprofit, or just love a good origin story—this episode is for you. Tune in for real talk, powerful insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build something that saves lives.

Paula: From Zookeeper to Lifesaver: Building Trust, Enrichment, and Hope in Animal Rescue

In this inspiring episode of The Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Paulina, a former zookeeper turned full-time animal care technician at Lifeline of Galveston County. With a background in zoological management and a heart for rescue, Paulina brings a fresh perspective to the front lines of animal welfare.
🎧 Tune in as we explore:
How trust is the true currency in animal training and care
Why fostering and fast adoptions are critical tools in fighting disease
The surprising parallels between zoos and rescue environments
How mental and physical enrichment transforms the lives of animals in need
Whether you're a rescue advocate, animal lover, or just curious about life behind the scenes, this episode offers powerful insights into what it takes to care for—and connect with—animals of all kinds.
🐾 Don’t miss this conversation that blends science, compassion, and boots-on-the-ground experience. Hit play now and get inspired to make a difference.

Officer's Amy & Leah: Inside Animal Control w/ Bayou Animal Services

In this powerful episode of The Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Amy and Leah—dedicated animal control officers serving the City of Dickinson & Bayou Animal Services. With backgrounds in animal sheltering and boarding facilities, these two women share their transition into the world of municipal animal control and what it truly takes to protect both animals and communities.
🐾 Discover how training, education, and community outreach play a critical role in their daily work. Learn about common challenges such as managing stray cats, the importance of spay/neuter programs, and how teamwork and strong leadership help them navigate difficult situations with compassion and grit.
Whether you're an animal rescue advocate, shelter worker, or simply curious about how animal control works, this episode sheds light on the often-misunderstood field of animal welfare enforcement.
🔗 Tune in now to hear real stories, real solutions, and how collaboration is saving lives—one animal at a time.

Fox Maisel: From Foster Hero to Animal Advocate: A Conversation with Fox from Galveston Island

In this inspiring episode of The Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Natalie Fox Maisel, a dedicated animal welfare advocate and volunteer with Galveston Island Humane Society, who has fostered over 65 dogs in just two years.
Fox shares her incredible journey into the world of animal rescue, offering behind-the-scenes stories of emergency rescues, the unique challenges of fostering large breed dogs, and the day-to-day realities of managing multiple fosters. Hear firsthand how her work with various animal shelters and rescue groups has shaped her mission to create a better world for pets in need.
We also dive into important topics like:
Why fostering dogs saves lives and how you can get started
Using social media to promote pet adoptions
The power of grassroots advocacy to influence pet-related legislation
The importance of community support in driving change
Whether you're a current foster, an animal lover, or someone looking to get involved, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt stories that will leave you motivated to take action.
Subscribe, listen, and share to help us spread awareness and support ethical pet rescue efforts.

Pets Before Profits: The Story of Sea Dog Inn & Sea Dog Saves

🐾 In this episode of The Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Howard Haskell, founder of Sea Dog Inn Pet Resort and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Sea Dog Saves, to explore the incredible story of a pet boarding facility that’s been quietly saving lives for over 30 years.
What started in 1992 as a small hobby kennel in League City, Texas, has grown into one of the largest pet boarding facilities in the area — and a lifeline for local rescue organizations. Howard shares how Sea Dog Inn puts pets before profits, why he created Sea Dog Saves to support overwhelmed rescues, and the heartwarming stories of military reunions, first responder support, and thousands of animals given a second chance. If you’re passionate about animal welfare, community, or just love a story full of heart — this one’s for you. ❤️
📍 Learn more: 🔗 www.seadoginn.com
🔗 www.seadogsaves.com
📧 manager@seadoginn.com
✨ Hosted by Caroline McKenna, Executive Director of Lifeline of Galveston County
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to hear more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of animal rescue.

From Police Officer to Animal Welfare Leader: Kim Schoolcraft's Journey

In this episode of the Lifeline podcast, we delve into the inspiring journey of Kim Schoolcraft, the board chair for Lifeline of Galveston County and former animal shelter manager of League City Animal Control. Join us as Kim shares her transition from a police officer to a leading figure in animal welfare, spearheading two municipal shelters and advocating for transparency and change. Discover the challenges and triumphs in shifting from high-kill to no-kill policies, the importance of community involvement, and the realistic approaches needed to improve animal sheltering systems. Kim provides invaluable insights into balancing compassion with logic, drawing on her extensive experience to highlight the evolution in animal advocacy and the crucial role young people play in shaping its future. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation filled with hope, practical advice, and a call for humane, thoughtful action in the world of animal welfare.

From Tube Feeding to Triumph: All About Fostering Kittens

Welcome back to the Lifeline Podcast, where this episode features Andi Tavarez, an inspiring foster mom and volunteer. Join us as we dive into Andi's remarkable journey in animal rescue, showcasing her dedication to saving lives. Hear about Texas, a foster kitten who made a miraculous recovery thanks to Andi's unwavering commitment. Through bottle feeding, tube feeding, and lots of love, Texas went from the brink of death to a thriving, playful kitten.
Andi shares her experiences in fostering spicy kittens and cats, along with her unique methods and heartfelt stories. Discover the joys and challenges of fostering, the support of a loving family, and the satisfaction that comes with each adoption. Whether you're an animal lover or considering fostering, this episode will inspire and motivate you to make a difference in animals' lives.

No-Kill Requires Spay & Neuter w/ Tiffany Hill from SNIP

In this powerful episode of the Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Tiffany Hill, founder and force behind SNIP of League City—the Spay-Neuter Initiative Program that's making waves in Galveston County animal welfare.
Tiffany shares her inspiring journey from devoted animal advocate to launching a lifesaving program rooted in her experience with a dog named Chip. What began as a personal mission evolved into a transformative initiative tackling pet overpopulation and providing affordable spay and neuter services for both owned and feral cats.
Learn about the challenges Tiffany overcame to get SNIP off the ground, the innovative strategies driving their community cat program, and the ambitious expansion plans aimed at increasing access to veterinary care and reducing shelter intake across the region.
If you're passionate about animal rescue, TNR (trap-neuter-return), or building sustainable solutions for pet homelessness, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt storytelling you won’t want to miss.
Tune in and discover how accessible spay and neuter programs are not only reducing overpopulation but creating healthier, happier communities for people and pets alike.

Inside the Life of a Municipal Animal Shelter Manager w/ Nina Baker

Join us for an eye-opening episode of The Lifeline Podcast, where we sit down with Nina Baker, Shelter Manager at Bayou Animal Services in Dickinson, TX, a municipal shelter and one of our partner organizations. Alongside host Caroline McKenna, Executive Director of Lifeline of Galveston County, we dive into what it truly takes to run a high-performing animal shelter and save lives every day. From managing daily chaos to implementing life-saving protocols, Nina shares her journey from an adopter to shelter manager, the challenges of municipal shelters, and the incredible transformations she’s witnessed.
🔹 Topics We Cover:
✔️ What a “typical” day looks like for a shelter manager (spoiler: there isn’t one!)
✔️ The importance of intake protocols & behavior assessments for adoptable pets
✔️ Misconceptions about municipal shelters and the "No-Kill" conversation
✔️ How community programs like Snifari walks and foster initiatives are changing lives
✔️ The biggest challenges municipal shelters face and how to overcome them
✔️ How YOU can support shelters and rescues like Bayou Animal Services & Lifeline of Galveston County
🐶🐱 If you love animal rescue, shelter management insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from dedicated animal welfare workers, this episode is for you!
👉 Follow & Support Bayou Animal Services:
🌐 BayouAnimalServices.org
📲 Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BayouAnimalServices
💡 Support Lifeline of Galveston County & Our Mission:
🌐 LifelineTx.org
📲 Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @LifelineGalvestonCounty
💬 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Leave a comment! 🔔 Subscribe & Stay Tuned for More Real Animal Rescue Stories!

The Heart of Fostering: Neonatal Kittens, Rescue Stories & Lifeline’s Mission w/ Kathy Aven

In this episode of The Lifeline Podcast, host Caroline McKenna sits down with Kathy Aven, Lifeline’s dedicated Foster Coordinator and Board Member, to discuss the reality of fostering neonatal kittens, the challenges of animal rescue, and the incredible impact of fostering on pets and people alike.
🐱 Topics covered in this episode:✅ The challenges and rewards of fostering neonatal kittens 🍼✅ The high mortality rate of orphaned kittens & why keeping them with mom is crucial✅ How Lifeline is growing its foster mentorship program to support new fosters✅ The inspiring rescue story of Bubba, a feline leukemia-positive cat who found a forever home ❤️✅ Overcoming the emotional toll of fostering & dealing with loss✅ Why fostering is a flexible, rewarding alternative to pet ownership✅ How YOU can get involved—even if you can’t foster!
🎧 Whether you're a seasoned foster, a first-timer, or just an animal lover, this episode is packed with insight, heartwarming stories, and practical advice for anyone looking to make a difference in animal rescue.
🔗 Get involved with Lifeline of Galveston County:📍 Visit us: 100 E NASA Pkwy, Suite 55, Webster, TX🌐 www.LifelineTX.org📩 Foster inquiries: foster@lifelinetx.org📅 Next Foster Huddle: March 9th—Join us!
🐾 Subscribe & Share to help spread awareness about fostering and saving lives! 💙