Pawareness Podcast Episode 17 | Dr. Zarah Hedge (San Diego Humane Society)

On this episode of the Pawareness Podcast, we welcome Dr. Zarah Hedge, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Shelter Medicine for San Diego Humane Society. Dr. Hedge shares a bit about her role in the Humane Society, how she got to where she is today, and the big goals she has for San Diego Human Society. She also describes a few of the programs and initiatives their running, the difference between shelter medicine and general practice, and the obstacles in animal welfare she’s seeing and facing head on in San Diego County.
“It’s been a really great time to see all of animal sheltering come together and look for new and innovative ways to really change the way we operate as animal shelters.”
- Dr. Zarah Hedge
Tune in to learn how San Diego Humane Society is making a powerful impact in Southern California’s animal welfare and how you can join the movement!
Volunteer with San Diego Humane Society: www.sdhumane.org/support-us/volunteer
Visit their website: www.sdhumane.org
Connect with them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SanDiegoHumaneSociety
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sdhumanesociety
Follow them on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sdhumanesociety
Check out Animal People: www.sdhumane.org/about-us/news-center/animal-people
Visit our website: www.pawareness.org
Where to find the Pawareness Podcast: www.linktr.ee/pawareness
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/pawareness_official
Submit for Pet of the Week: www.pawareness.org/pet-of-the-week
Episode Timeline

[00:31] Introducing Dr. Zarah Hedge
[01:40] What does your average day overseeing the medical departments of San Diego Human Society look like?
[02:46] What is it like to train veterinary students?
[03:50] What is the difference between shelter medicine and general practice?
[05:50] How they work with the local Humane Law Enforcement Team
[06:43] What is your Community Cat Program?
[08:23] What obstacles in animal welfare are you seeing in Southern California?
[11:15] How can people help and volunteer with San Diego Human Society during covid-19?
[14:11] Big goals for the future of San Diego Human Society
[17:03] Do Humane Societies work together?
[18:50] Dr. Zarah Hedge’s path to becoming a Chief Medical Officer
[23:26] How to contact San Diego Humane Society