As an organization we seek to promote the protection of fur-bearing animals. But we can’t do it alone. We partner with volunteers, donors, private companies and municipalities regularly to bring forward our vision. This week, we’re taking a look at the partnerships that make all of our work possible. We’ll be hearing from Brad Gates, owner of Gates’ Wildlife Control, who forms a partnership with every community, humane group and client he meets; Tricia Stevens of LUSH Cosmetics, who will share the story of the philanthropic company and highlight the teamwork APFA has accomplished with their assistance; and Fred Pattje, a Councillor in Nanaimo, who has helped to bring an end to trapping in his community.

Misinformation and lobbying has resulted in the return of Ontario’s spring bear hunt. The hunt was originally cancelled in 1999 after science and reports from the Ministry of Natural Resources showed no results in preventing nuisance bear calls and led to the known orphaning of over 270 cubs. But it seems politicians have short memories – or are desperate for votes. APFA, in conjunction with several other animal advocacy groups, are standing strongly against this hunt, noting that it will not solve any nuisance problems, that it will result in the orphaning of cubs, and that the baiting and hunting of bears is an unsafe practice.

In this week’s edition of Defender Radio, we are focused on this subject, bringing you two interviews with Mike McIntosh, President of Bear With Us Rehabilitation and Sanctuary, opinions from host Michael Howie on the media portrayal of the bear hunt, and expert analysis of a recent poll done by Paul Seccaspina of OraclePoll Research.

The written word is powerful. Be it a collection of ideas, a policy or a dire warning, words can change the world. In this week’s episode of Defender Radio, we bring to you interviews with Toronto City Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, who updated city policy to protect coyotes; Dr. Aysha Akthar, a medical doctor who has written a book warning the world of the consequences of continuing to abuse animals; and Dr. Marc Bekoff, who recently released a collection of his popular Psychology Today essays in a new book.

Whether it’s a cull, mistreatment of wildlife or environmentally unsafe decisions, we need to make our voices heard. But sometimes, it’s just as important to offer an alternative solution to address whatever potential problem exists.

On this week’s Defender Radio, we spoke with Rob Laidlaw of Zoocheck, who works with municipalities, zoos and aquariums to benefit the welfare of wild animals in captivity; Brad Gates of Gates’ Wildlife Control, whose business is not only based on humane care for wildlife, but on the health and safety of his employees and homeowners; and APFA’s own Adrian Nelson, who has successfully been providing coexistence solutions for managing beavers for more than four years.