Episode 507: Pete Paxton on Undercover Investigations

This week Mariann talks to “Pete Paxton,” which is not his real name but the alias he goes by due to the undercover nature of his incredible investigative work. He talks about his new book Rescue Dogs, the heartbreaking story of Daisy the rescued dog, his history of undercover investigations, how adopting a dog in New York City can save a puppy mill dog’s life in Missouri, and the cultural, government, and legal connections between puppy mills and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Pete has done undercover investigations in the animal protection movement since 2001, investigating factory farms, slaughterhouses, puppy mills, pet stores, and commercial fishing. His work has been in the HBO documentaries Dealing Dogs, Death on a Factory Farm, and the Nat Geo documentary Animal Undercover. Throughout his life and over the course of his career he’s done organized and impromptu rescue of stray animals, abused animals, puppy mill dogs, animals abandoned at shelters, and animals in a disaster area.  His work related to dog rescue and dog cruelty investigations, as well as information on how to rescue and advocate for dogs, are detailed in the book Rescue Dogs, written with authors Gene Stone and Nick Bromley.

In the intro to the show, Jasmin and Mariann talk about Jasmin’s recent NYC fundraiser, Jasmin’s vegan adventures in the British Isles, and Mariann and Jasmin at their area climate strikes. Later in the episode, Mariann brings us more Rising Anxieties.

As always, the award-winning weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer.

This week’s episode is brought to you in part through a generous donation from BetterHelp. Use the promo code “henhouse” for a listener discount on BetterHelp’s services.



This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

Our Hen House is now part of the iROAR podcast network.

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The Our Hen House theme song is written and sung by the incredible Michael Harren, who is also OHH’s Director of Communications! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.