Advertise on podcast: Surviving Animal Rescue: Tails of the Nitty Gritty

Whew… did you miss us? Because we missed YOU! ❤️ We’ve been a little MIA over the latter part of the summer after returning from Texas with our Out of the Heat rescue dogs and, well, we’ve been busy rescuing, caring for deserving dogs, and doing all the things in between! Now we’re back and ready to catch you up! Join us as we sit down with some of the some of the folks who went with and get all the details on our Out of the Heat Rescue Effort—from the journey to Texas to bringing these dogs home and everything that happened along the way. Grab a seat and catch up with us—we’ve got stories to tell! Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

🔥 Out of the Heat🔥  A Mission of Hope in Texas☀️🤠 Out of the Heat is almost here! In this week's episode of our Surviving Animal Rescue podcast 🎙️, we're taking you behind the mission that has captured so many hearts and sharing what Out of the Heat is all about. We talk about the "why" behind this lifesaving effort, why we're heading back to Texas, and what it means to step into communities where resources are limited and the summer heat makes an already difficult situation even more urgent for countless dogs. You'll also hear about some of the incredible dogs we've learned about... dogs who are waiting for a chance, fighting to survive, and hoping someone will say "yes" before it's too late. Every story is a reminder of why this mission matters. As we prepare to hit the road next week, we need your help more than ever. Foster homes are the heartbeat of rescue, and every foster who opens their home creates space for another life to be saved. If you've ever considered fostering, now is the time. One "yes" can change everything. Join us as we share the heart behind Out of the Heat, the challenges, the hope, and how you can be part of giving these deserving dogs the second chance they deserve. We can't wait to bring you along on this journey and we hope you'll help us make this year's mission our biggest impact yet! Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

There’s a lot happening at the rescue, and we’re taking this episode to catch you up on all of it! From exciting new tools like FiNano Trackers that are helping us keep our dogs safer, to our transition from Google Drive to ShelterLuv to better organize and support our rescue operations, we’re sharing the behind-the-scenes changes that are making a big difference. Stay tuned for our next episode about our Out of the Heat rescue effort, what it means for the dogs we'll be helping, and how our community can get involved. Plus, we'll share plenty of other updates, wins, and stories from the rescue that we can't wait for you to hear. Whether you've been following along from the beginning or you're just joining us, this episode is packed with exciting news and a look at what's ahead for the rescue. Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie J, a valued member of our veterinary clinic team and the coordinator of our internal rescue transport program. Stephanie wears many hats, helping care for animals in our clinic while also organizing the complex network of fosters, volunteers, and transporters that keeps our rescue moving. Whether it's arranging a ride to a routine veterinary appointment or coordinating long-distance transportation to specialty hospitals, Stephanie helps make sure every dog gets where they need to be safely and on time. Join us as we discuss the challenges, rewards, and heartwarming moments that come with coordinating lifesaving care. Stephanie shares what inspires her, the importance of teamwork, and why compassion is at the center of everything she does. This episode offers a glimpse into the dedication that powers animal rescue every day and celebrates one of the incredible people helping make a difference behind the scenes. Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

Some of our leadership team recently traveled to Utah for an animal welfare convention. In this episode, the three of us reflect on the experience, the unexpected lessons we took away, and the conversations that emerged afterward...some educational, some interesting, and some potentially controversial. This episode is about exploring perspectives honestly and asking questions without pretending to have all the answers! Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

Stephanie wears many hats within the rescue world and at Coco's Heart- Intake coordinator, Rescue Advocate, Creative Mastermind, and Unapologetic American Bully fan! In this episode, we chat about the realities of intakes in animal rescue, the stereotypes surrounding bully breeds, and why education and advocacy matter so much. Stephanie shares her perspective on the incredible dogs she fights for every day, plus the unexpected viral social media moment in her life that had everyone talking. It’s an honest chat, funny, inspiring, and full of love for rescue dogs and the people who give them a second chance! Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

In this episode of Surviving Animal Rescue here at Coco's Heart, we sit down with some of the original volunteers and dedicated dog care team who helped shape the dog care program at the rescue from the ground up. What started as a small group of passionate animal lovers quickly grew into a structured, compassionate system focused on giving every animal the safety, enrichment, and individualized attention they deserve. We dive into the early days... what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. From daily routines and behavioral challenges to emotional burnout and big wins, this conversation offers an honest look at what goes into the day to day within our dog care program. Whether you’re a volunteer, foster, rescue leader, or just someone who cares deeply about animal welfare, this episode highlights the people and purpose behind the scenes and why strong dog care programs are the backbone of any rescue. We are always looking for more volunteers to join our dog care team as well. Head over to our cocosheartdogrescue.org website to submit your volunteer application today!  Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

Ever wonder what a casual “how’s it going” conversation sounds like at the animal rescue after a week of chaos?  Come sit in with us on the Surviving Animal Rescue podcast as we unpack the real, unfiltered moments behind the scenes, where being “busy” doesn’t quite cover it. From a late-night colic scare with our rescued one-eyed mini horse, to somehow becoming master-level Jenga champions while loading cargo vans with just the right mix of kennels… it’s been that kind of week. It’s the kind of conversation where exhaustion meets laughter, where the hard moments sit right next to the wins, and where every story is a reminder of why we keep showing up... for them. Because in rescue, “how’s it going?” is never a simple question… and the answer is always worth hearing. ❤️ 🎧 Tune in and survive the week with us. Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

In this special episode, we sit down with Laurie, a long-time supporter, advocate, and true cheerleader of Coco’s Heart. Laurie has dedicated her life to helping others, and her compassion has left a lasting mark on our organization. From the early days to where we are now, her support, guidance, and unwavering belief in our mission have helped shape Coco’s Heart into what it is today. This episode is a celebration of the people behind the scenes... the ones whose love, dedication, and quiet impact change lives every single day. We also give a heartfelt shoutout to her sister, Linda, whose unwavering support and commitment to fostering and volunteering has been a true backbone every step of the way. Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

In this episode, we sit down with the one and only Connie... a true force behind the scenes at Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue. If there’s a hat to wear, chances are Connie has worn it (and probably three more at the same time). From jumping in wherever help is needed to going above and beyond for the animals and the people who love them, Connie’s dedication is nothing short of incredible. Join us as we talk about her journey with Coco’s Heart, the many roles she plays, and the passion that fuels the volunteer spirit that keeps rescue moving forward. Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

What happens when you put two longtime dog-loving small businesses in a room together? Stories, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. In this episode, we’re joined by John Ketzner of Windwalker K9 Consulting, a longtime supporter and friend of Coco’s Heart to reminisce about the early days, share behind-the-scenes memories, and talk about what it’s like growing alongside one another in the Twin Cities dog community. John is always a joy to talk to and even better to listen to. If you’re in the Twin Cities and looking for top-notch boarding or training, he’s someone we trust and recommend wholeheartedly. Season 2 of the podcast is all about our partnerships we have developed over the years so stay tuned for others to come on and share their stories! Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

In this episode, we sit down with our Cat Coordinator, Kassie and talk all things cats and kittens! But wait, aren't we JUST a dog rescue? Nope! Coco's Heart Dog Rescue has been welcoming kittens since our doors opened in 2010. This year we have some fun program updates and changes in the works and we sit down with Kassie to share some of that as well as what fostering cat and kittens is all about. We also touch on some controversial topics with felines both in rescue and the community environments.  This episode is the cat's meow!  Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

We got all the way through season 1 and realized, we never formally introduced you to our host of the show, JoHanna! She has been with Coco's Heart Dog Rescue since 2014 where she started volunteering in small ways that overtime with lots of hard work and commitment emerged into the role she is today as Daily Operations & Adoptions Program Manager, Webmaster, Barn Boss of our mini horse program, and Podcast Host. Wearing multiple hats is sort of her thing...  Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

We are jumping into 2026 full of excitement for season 2 of our Surviving Animal Rescue podcast here at Coco's Heart Dog Rescue. Welcoming new guests including authors, professionals in the animal welfare industry, partner organizations of ours across the country, all with stories to tell! This will be a fun and engaging season and we cannot wait to share it all with you! Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram

We’re wrapping up season 1 by gathering around the team table with our Foster Coordinators and Behavioral Support Coordinator to talk all things 2025! Tune in for unforgettable rescue moments, standout animals, honest conversations about some challenges, lots of laughs, and even some surprisingly great burger recommendations from our transport journeys!  Support the show View our Coco's Heart rescue merch swag HERE! We are social on both Facebook & Instagram