95 percent of dogs used in U.S. biomedical research are purpose-bred beagles, chosen for their gentle nature and compliance. But what if the solution to this outdated system lies in a profound shift in how we view all animals? On episode 015 of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss welcomed Marc Bekoff, PhD – renowned ethologist, prolific author, and longtime collaborator with Jane Goodall – to dive deep into the rights of animals, the failures of current welfare systems, and why sanctuaries play a vital role in redefining care.
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Welfare Isn’t Enough, Why We Must Shift to Well-Being
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Animal welfare laws are often little more than a salve for human guilt. Bekoff explains that welfare is based on a utilitarian calculus – if human gain outweighs animal suffering, the suffering is
often dismissed. “It’s a band-aid,” he says, “not a solution.” What’s needed is a move toward the science of animal well-being, where each individual animal’s life is recognized as having inherent value.
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Freedom, Agency, and the Right to Choose
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Sanctuaries are most successful when they offer animals true agency – the ability to make choices about where they go, who they’re with, and when they want solitude. Bekoff calls this “common sense freedoms” – freedom to move, to avoid unwanted interaction, and to simply be. “Even an enclosure is just a bigger cage if the animal can’t choose what to do,” he says.
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Dogs as the Gateway to Empathy
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Many people are disturbed by images of suffering farmed animals, but feel helpless to act. That’s where companion animals come in. “Would you do it to your dog?” Bekoff often asks. Dogs, he says, are the gateway species – the bridge to closing the empathy gap. If people truly care about their dogs, it should lead to greater care for pigs, cows, chickens, and beyond.
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Redefining Captivity, Even at Home
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Even well-loved dogs live under a form of captivity. They eat when we say, walk when we say, and have limited freedom of movement. Bekoff isn’t being critical, but reflective. “Recognizing that
helps us ask better questions,” he notes. Are we offering enough agency? Do we give them opportunities for consent? Just acknowledging this shifts our responsibility as guardians.
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The Silent Tragedy of Reintroduction Programs
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Bekoff discusses the recent wolf reintroduction efforts in Colorado, where wolves from Oregon and British Columbia were captured and relocated. Though well-meaning, the emotional and physical toll on the animals is immense. “We break up families, we transplant them into strange lands,” he says. The focus is often on species preservation – but not individual well-being.
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From Object to Individual, Changing Language, Changing Minds
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Instead of asking “what’s for dinner,” Bekoff encourages people to ask “who’s for dinner.” Words like who and whom are intentional – they remind us that animals are not objects. “They are beings with desires, preferences, and the will to live,” he says. Using language that reflects that truth is a powerful first step toward systemic change.
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Compassionate Conservation, Every Life Counts
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Traditional conservation focuses on populations and ecosystems. But Bekoff urges a shift toward compassionate conservation – where the individual matters. “If we accept that each life has intrinsic worth, then our decisions change,” he says. This includes how we manage sanctuaries, research, and even wild animal relocation efforts.
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Hope, the Heart of Advocacy
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Despite the grim realities, Bekoff remains an optimist. His latest works, including The Emotional Lives of Animals, aim to create a paradigm shift in how we see and treat other species. “When we help animals, we help ourselves,” he says, referring to the One Health movement that links animal, human, and environmental well-being.
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What You Can Do, Start Where You Are
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You don’t need to run an organization to make a difference. “Act locally, think globally,” Bekoff advises. Help a neighbor walk their dog, volunteer at a shelter, or simply speak up. Silence, he says, is the enemy of change. “Follow your heart and don’t let anyone tell you that your efforts don’t matter.”
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The Compassion Footprint, Look to the Next Generation
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One of the most hopeful parts of the interview was Bekoff’s emphasis on youth. Through his work with Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program, he’s seen kids launch apps, lead campaigns, and speak boldly for animals. “They’re uninhibited and passionate,” he says, “and they’re our future.”
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Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[03:50] Washington Post article on animal welfare reveals the truth people ignore.
[06:00] The Goal: From research labs to forever homes.
[12:00] Reforms for animals need to happen.
[17:00] The slippery slopes of pack animal reintroductions.
[22:00] Steps virtually anyone can take for the animals.
[25:40] The Global Impact of people realizing we are all in this together.
[31:00] Compassion happens when you listen to your heart.
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About Marc Bekoff
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Marc Bekoff is a Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and one of the world’s most respected voices in animal behavior and ethics. With a career spanning decades, Marc has authored 31 books and hundreds of essays on topics ranging from cognitive ethology and animal emotions to compassionate conservation and animal protection.
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A former Guggenheim Fellow, Marc works closely with Dr. Jane Goodall as co-chair of the Ethics Committee of the Jane Goodall Institute. His contributions to science and advocacy have earned him numerous honors, including being named a Hero by the Academy of Dog Trainers in June 2022.
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Marc is known for asking a simple yet powerful question, “Would you do it to your dog?”—a call to extend the golden rule to all animals and a reminder of their capacity for emotion, agency, and individuality.
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His most recent works include Dogs Demystified: An A to Z Guide to All Things Canine, the newly revised The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy—and Why They Matter, and Jane Goodall at 90: Celebrating an Astonishing Lifetime of Science, Advocacy, Humanitarianism, Hope, and Peace. He is also a longtime contributor to Psychology Today, where he shares ongoing insights on animal sentience, ethical issues, and the evolving relationship between humans and other species.
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Through his writing, research, and public outreach, Marc Bekoff continues to inspire a global movement for greater compassion and respect for all living beings.
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About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
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Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books,
Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
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When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, show jumping, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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