Robin's Nest Podcast Summary: Episode with Dr. Richard Goldstein, Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis
Release Date: June 17, 2024
In this heartfelt and informative episode of Robin's Nest hosted by Dr. Robin Gansert, Dr. Richard Goldstein, Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis, joins the conversation to discuss critical aspects of pet preparedness, disaster response, and the profound partnership between Zoetis and American Humane. The episode delves into strategies for safeguarding our beloved animals during emergencies, the impact of their collaborative efforts, and the ongoing initiatives to promote humane treatment and education.
1. Introduction and Guest Background
Dr. Robin Gansert opens the episode by introducing Dr. Richard Goldstein, highlighting his commitment to enhancing animal welfare globally. As Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis, Dr. Goldstein plays a pivotal role in addressing diverse health challenges facing animals and supports American Humane’s mission through various initiatives, especially in pet preparedness for disasters.
2. Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Planning Ahead: Dr. Goldstein emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of pets during disasters. He advises, "Having a plan in advance is really, really important, just like we do for ourselves." (02:15) Preparing beforehand helps prevent panic-induced decisions that might compromise both human and animal safety.
Essential Supplies: A well-prepared disaster kit for pets should include:
- Food and Water: Sufficient for at least a week.
- Medical Supplies: Medications and records.
- Identification: Microchipping and clear tags to facilitate reunification.
- Bedding and Leashes: Extra for emergencies.
Dr. Gansert shares her personal strategy, maintaining a Rubbermaid tote stocked with bottled water, extra leashes, harnesses, medical supplies, and food bags to ensure readiness for a week (04:17).
Crate Training: Crate training is highlighted as a crucial aspect of preparedness. Dr. Goldstein notes, "Dogs like to have puppies or adult dogs like to have a relatively small, safe place where they can go when they need some time alone." (06:12) He advises starting crate training early, associating crates with positive experiences like feeding and treats to make them a safe refuge for pets.
Feline Preparedness: Addressing the unique needs of cats, Dr. Goldstein recommends keeping cats confined in a specific room with access to food, water, and a litter box during disasters to prevent them from getting lost (07:45). This strategy ensures that cats remain safe and can be easily located when needed.
3. Real-life Rescue Stories
Dr. Gansert recounts a poignant story from Hurricane Harvey, where American Humane's rescue teams successfully reunited a family with their senior beagle through the use of photographs. She shares, "We took pictures of all those dogs... and our team remembered... reuniting with that dog," highlighting the emotional and logistical significance of using photos for reconnection (10:02).
Dr. Goldstein appreciates the idea, stating, "It's such amazing work..." (12:16), acknowledging the profound impact these efforts have on both animals and their families.
4. Partnership Between American Humane and Zoetis
Donation of Medicines: Zoetis has been instrumental in providing life-saving medicines during disasters. Dr. Gansert mentions Zoetis' generosity in donating vaccines and other essential medications during Hurricane Harvey and the EF5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, which enabled American Humane to treat and save numerous animal lives (12:36).
Pet Wellness Clinics: The partnership extends to establishing Pet Wellness Clinics, which offer free medical care to animals, especially in disaster-stricken and remote areas. Dr. Goldstein explains, "These are places where people would have to travel a long way to get to a veterinarian... providing care and basic wellness support to those pets out there is just phenomenal" (18:32). These clinics ensure that pets receive continuous care, addressing chronic illnesses and preventive measures even amidst crises.
Dr. Gansert highlights recent successes, such as the clinic in Louisiana that treated hundreds of animals, reinforcing the vital role these clinics play in sustained animal welfare (16:57).
5. Supporting Humane Initiatives
Matching Donation Campaign: Zoetis has launched a matching donation campaign, pledging to match donations made on a special site to support American Humane’s initiatives. Dr. Goldstein remarks, "It's just a nice, really important part of what we can do as an animal health company," underscoring the significance of community support in these efforts (20:25).
6. Addressing Cruelty and Neglect
Beyond disaster response, the discussion touches on cases of cruelty, neglect, and hoarding. Dr. Gansert shares a recent harrowing incident involving the rescue of 100 kittens from a hoarding situation. She commends the rescue teams, mentioning, "Thank you for helping us in those cases as well," recognizing the challenging work involved (22:59).
Dr. Goldstein echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the moral imperative to rescue and provide basic support to abused animals, hoping such instances become less frequent (22:34).
7. The Importance of Humane Education
The conversation also highlights the Be Kind to Animals campaign, aimed at promoting humane education among children. Dr. Goldstein concurs, stating, "It will be a better society. When everyone treats pets and all species... just to be kind" (23:28). Educational initiatives are seen as foundational in fostering a more compassionate future for all species.
8. Conclusion and Final Advice
As the episode wraps up, Dr. Goldstein offers final advice on preparedness: "Think about everything in the future. Think about what might happen, you know, in the next few minutes if there's a big power outage or natural disaster." (24:00) He reiterates his support for American Humane’s long-term mission.
Dr. Gansert concludes by thanking Zoetis for their unwavering partnership and encourages listeners to visit americanhumane.org for more information and to participate in the matching donation campaign. She emphasizes the collective effort to save animal lives and strengthen the human-animal bond during times of crisis.
Key Quotes:
- Dr. Richard Goldstein: "Having a plan in advance is really, really important, just like we do for ourselves." (02:15)
- Dr. Richard Goldstein: "Dogs like to have puppies or adult dogs like to have a relatively small, safe place where they can go when they need some time alone." (06:12)
- Dr. Robin Gansert: "We have to make sure that all of their needs are kind of organized and taken care of." (03:18)
- Dr. Richard Goldstein: "It's just such an amazing opportunity to give back and to do something so meaningful." (17:41)
- Dr. Robin Gansert: "If an animal comes to us in a well condition, that means there are better outcomes as we face other issues that are beyond our control." (18:08)
- Dr. Robin Gansert: "We're making our community so much stronger by allowing them to heal in times of crisis and tragedy." (25:19)
This episode of Robin's Nest underscores the critical importance of preparedness, the profound impact of collaborative efforts between organizations like Zoetis and American Humane, and the enduring commitment to fostering a more humane world for all animals. Whether you're a pet owner, animal lover, or advocate for animal welfare, the insights shared by Dr. Goldstein provide valuable guidance on ensuring the safety and well-being of our furry friends in the face of adversity.