Surviving Animal Rescue: Tails of the Nitty Gritty
We are foster based animal rescue organization out of western Wisconsin where we share educational animal ownership tips and tricks, discuss controversial subjects, welcome guest speakers experts in all things animal- behavioral, veterinary, other rescuers across the country, and share our experiences of running an animal rescue.
Episodes
26 episodes
From Paws to Mini Hooves- The History of Richard's Place
This week, we’re sharing a very special chapter in our rescue’s journey. What started with saving dogs has grown into something even more unexpected... welcoming mini horses into our Coco's Heart Dog Rescue family and community.In this e...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:06:31
Finding Furever, One Adoption Application at a Time
Behind every happily-ever-after adoption story is someone working tirelessly to make it happen. In this episode, we sit down with our amazing Adoption Applications Processing Coordinator, Tascha, the heart and soul who stays up late into the ev...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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1:07:48
Kim's Story: Italian Greyhouds, Quirky Dogs, and 230+ Foster Dogs
This week at Coco's Heart Dog Rescue, we’re thrilled to welcome Kim, a foster mentor, event rockstar, super foster, and one of the most dedicated volunteers of the Coco’s Heart family. From guiding new foster families, to working with quirky (o...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:07:15
A Heavy Heart- Behavioral Euthanasia and the Journey Through Grief in Rescue
This week on our Surviving Animal Rescue podcast here at Coco's Heart Dog Rescue, we open our hearts to the heaviest of conversations... one that sits at the intersection of love, limits, and loss. We talk about behavioral eut...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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50:38
From California to Wisconsin- Mary, The Coordinator Extraordinaire
We sit down with one of our rescue’s most dedicated and multi-talented volunteers and coordinators, Mary. From conducting references and background checks, to greeting potential adopters with a warm smile at Angel’s Pet World adoption events, t...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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59:00
The Crate Debate- All things Kennel and Crating for Your Dog!
In this episode of Surviving Animal Rescue, we’re diving into all things kennels and crates... from crate training tips to choosing the right crate for your dog. Whether you're fostering, adopting, or just want to improve your setup, we’...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:06:11
Understanding Adoption Fees: The Cost of Animal Rescue
Let’s talk adoption fees! We’re pulling back the curtain on how we determine our adoption fees and why they’re a crucial part of the rescue process here at Coco's Heart Dog Rescue. We dive into what they include, how they support our mission, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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54:39
Heart & Hustle: A Mother-Daughter Duo Making a Difference
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with an unstoppable mother-daughter team, Elena and Nola, whose impact ripples across generations and species alike. With a shared passion for advocacy, this dynamic duo champions animal rescue, uplifts yo...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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49:10
Fostering 101: Getting Started with Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue
New to fostering with Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue? You’re in the right place! In this special orientation episode, we sit down for a conversational walk-through of everything you need to know as you begin your journey as a foster. From what to expe...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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1:06:58
Whelping 101 and the X-ray of a (maybe) 2 Headed Puppy?!
In this episode, we dive into the world of whelping in a foster-based rescue with our Whelping Coordinator, Stephanie. Where midnight chaos is guaranteed, and the puppy count is anyone’s guess (especially when an X-ray looks like a puppy has 2 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:14:27
Out in the Wild- Sit Down with an OG at Coco's Heart Dog Rescue |Episode 15
In this special episode, we sit down with one of Coco’s Heart’s original fosters and foster mentors, Marissa—an “OG” who’s been part of the rescue’s journey since the early days. From helping shape the foundation of the organization to witnessi...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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58:40
The Pandemic: How Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue Adapted During COVID | Episode 14
When the world shut down, Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue stepped up. In this episode, we take a look back at the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it reshaped every corner of our rescue work. From a sudden surge in foster and adoption intere...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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54:28
1 Dog....14 Breeds. The Results are IN | Episode 13
Remington arrived to rescue needing a pediatric neck brace and a whole lot of medical attention from being shot in the neck and abused. He permanently joined the home of our Foster Coordinator, Kayla where an ongoing theory was running through ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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38:14
Everybody has a Bumper, Upcoming 5k Doggie Day| Episode 12
Sit down with our 5k committee as we approach our annual and super fun 5k Doggie Day held on June 7th, 2025 along the river in Hudson, WI. We talk about all the important details and things to know ahead of time, what the fun-friendly activitie...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:15:02
Black Dog Syndrome, 3-3-3 in Rescue, and Survivor Dreams | Episode 11
Meet our Behavioral Support Coordinator, Ashley L and listen in with our Foster Coordinators as we talk about Black Dog Syndrome and how black dogs are often overlooked in adoption programs. We discuss the 3-3-3 rule which is a guideline used w...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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49:59
Which breeds of dogs are tough to find fosters for?! | Episode 10
Sit in on one of our daily conversations between Foster Coordinators and our Daily Operations as discuss upcoming transport and intakes, numerous momma dogs with puppies needing help in just one small area of the country and how the overwhelmin...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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38:45
My Dog is Lost, HELP! Lost Dog Series Part 2
Join us for part 2 of our Lost Dog series where we sit down with our Foster Coordinators and talk about what to do when your dog goes missing, tips and tricks from our personal experience in getting your dog back safely, as well as local and na...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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55:26
Coco's Heart Goes to Texas | Episode 8
Coco's Heart Dog Rescue travels 1,300+ miles to see firsthand what the stray population looks like in the state with the largest numbers of animals being euthanized at kill shelters due to space. The beautiful state of Texas growing in animal s...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:12:44
Wait, what goes in the garbage?! - Vet Team Edition | Episode 7
Join us for a chit chat with some of our very own Coco's Heart Dog Rescue Veterinary Team members as we dive into the different veterinary days that are often changing depending on the animals in need of rescue. You may be surprised to hear wha...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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59:46
Oh No! My dog is lost. What do I do?! | Episode 6
In this two episode series, we discuss all things lost dogs! Episode 1 touches on a current and personal experience of a spirited but loyal chihuahua and her unsolved journey of escaping her foster to adopt home despite the large amount of effo...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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42:24
Love is Blind, Speeding Tickets, and A Corgi In Charge | Episode 5
Join us for an hour long chit-chat with some of our Coco's Heart Dog Rescue team as we reveal a long held secret that has to do with the Netflix series, Love is Blind. Get our thoughts on deciding to either clone your dog or consider taxidermy ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:00:36
A Day in the Life of a Foster Coordinator | Episode 4
Have you ever wondered what working at a dog rescue is like? What it's REALLY like? Learn more about being a Foster Coordinator for Coco's Heart Dog Rescue, a non-profit, foster based organization that does not have a shelter facility to house ...
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44:23
The Language of Rescue | Episode 3
This week we dive into the ever-changing and increasingly controversial language of rescue and some of the current "no-no's" and "icks" within the rescue community. Some may surprise you. Some you may or may not agree with. As a volunteer-focus...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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32:09
Episode 2 | Debunking Foster Myths
"I cannot foster because I will not be able to give them up!" "I cannot foster because I have children." "I cannot foster because I don't have a fenced in yard...."These are just some of the fostering myths we hear often. Listen ...
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50:26
Episode 1 | The Woman Who Started It All
We kick off our first episode talking to the woman who started it all, our Director and Founder, Ashley Kurtz. Discussing things rarely mentioned before on the history of Coco's Heart Dog Rescue and how the non-profit foster based animal rescue...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:00:04