Episode 26: Paws Around The World - How Different Cultures See Pets
Have you ever judged someone for how they treat their animals? In this episode, Andrea is joined by a very special guest — her 8-year-old son Lincoln — for a warm, curious, and surprisingly wise conversation about how different cultures around the world view pets and animals.
From the companionship cats offer in Canadian homes, to the deep bonds farmers in Bangladesh and Nigeria form with their livestock, to India's pioneering animal protection laws that predate Canada's by decades — this episode challenges us to examine our assumptions and lead with curiosity instead of judgment.
Along the way, Lincoln shares his vision for the perfect low-maintenance cat, the two hosts debate mosquitoes as pets, and Sage the tabby makes a live cameo. Plus, stick around for the Canadian Salad Pop Quiz — you might be surprised which pet tops the charts in Canada!
Episode Sources
International perceptions of animals and the importance of their welfare - Frontiers International
Good to Pet and Eat: The Keeping and Consuming of Dogs and Cats in South Korea - Journal of Social Issues
Do people really care less about their cats than about their dogs? A comparative study in three European countries - Frontiers International
Brazil revokes decree privatizing three Amazonian rivers after Indigenous protests - Mongbay News
Perceptions of animal welfare and exotic pet ownership in China - Cambridge
Quiz Sources
Pet Ownership Statistics - Made In Canada
Lion Eyes: Why Don’t They Look Like Cat Eyes? - AZ Animals