Regular listeners of this podcast may know that I have a special affinity for cats—house cats, certainly, but also the magnificent wild cats that still roam the American West. So when I learned recently that in my home state of Colorado, it’s still legal for trophy hunters to shoot hundreds of these beautiful creatures every year, I was horrified. Thankfully, Colorado’s big cats have a formidable champion in their corner: longtime animal welfare activist and author Wayne Pacelle. Wayne is one of the people behind a ballot initiative (Cats Aren’t Trophies) that will be put before voters this November to outlaw this practice, along with the trapping of bobcats for fur. When I found out about this initiative in a conversation with Wayne last Spring, I offered my support and immediately asked him to come on the podcast to talk about it, as well as his other work around the country.

When it comes to the evolution of human culture—an overarching theme on this podcast—there are few things that speak as loudly as our treatment of other sentient beings and the wild ecosystems of the planet we share. It’s a topic that is very close to my heart, and I can think of few people as well versed in this conversation than Wayne. He has had a remarkable career fighting for better treatment of animals—whether in our homes, in our agricultural systems, or in the wild, leading several animal rights organizations, and authoring two bestselling books, The Bond and The Humane Economy. Enjoy this conversation, spread the word, and if you live in Colorado, vote Yes on Prop 127 in November!