Episode Details

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan cover a range of stories at the intersection of animal rights, activism, and culture. They dive deep into the ongoing Ridglan Farms beagle rescue situation — with a planned April 19th action drawing thousands — and the support from Congressman Mark Pocan, who pushed back on Ridglan’s request for protection from activists. The hosts also revisit the largely forgotten history of the Hegins pigeon shoot, celebrate Ann Esselstyn’s Guinness World Record dead hang at age 90, share a heartwarming story about Poland’s Citizen Frog Patrol, discuss the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade’s latest victory against Visa’s sponsorship of Milan Fashion Week, and review World Animal Protection’s Moving the Menu report grading fast food chains on plant-based options.

• Ridglan Farms beagle rescue — Activists plan a mass rescue on April 19th; Congressman Mark Pocan publicly urges Ridglan to prioritize rehoming dogs under their court settlement
• Hegins pigeon shoot history — A look back at one of the animal rights movement’s defining moments of open rescue and direct action in 1990s Pennsylvania
• Ann Esselstyn’s Guinness World Record — The 90-year-old plant-based advocate sets a dead hang record, highlighting the power of a whole-food, plant-based diet
• Poland’s Citizen Frog Patrol — Community volunteers carry migrating frogs across dangerous roads each spring, a ritual that Mariann connects to the need for meaningful community practices in animal advocacy
• Fast food & fur industry accountability — World Animal Protection’s Moving the Menu report gives nearly all major U.S. fast food chains failing grades on plant-based options; CAFT wins another major victory as Visa drops its sponsorship of Milan Fashion Week

RESOURCES

• • • • • Save the Ridglan Beagles
        • Ridglan Farms activists plan return amid increased security measures
        • Ann Esselstyn’s World Record
        • Citizen ‘Frog Patrol’ helps amphibians survive a dangerous road journey in Poland

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