Episode 18: Nora Smith and the work of the USPCA

Episode 18: Nora Smith and the work of the USPCA

Author: maryvy November 22, 2024 Duration: 1:03:22
In this episode we focus on the work of the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, otherwise known as the USPCA.  Established in 1836, the USPCA is the second oldest animal welfare charity in the world, and we were delighted to have the chance to talk to Nora Smith, Chief Executive.  The USPCA work across many different areas of animal welfare including rehoming, working with wildlife, providing veterinary care, animal cruelty investigations, community support and campaigning, particularly around the illegal puppy trade and badger baiting, amongst other things.  There are lots of challenges in animal welfare, but you'll hear many examples of how the USPCA is influencing, supporting, campaigning and improving the lives of animals and people across Northern Ireland.  Find out more about the work of the USPCA here  Speaker Biography Nora Smith, is the Chief Executive of the USPCA, she has been in post since January 2023.  As CEO her role is to lead the staff team to grow and extend the charity’s services across Northern Ireland.  Prior to working with the USPCA, Nora was the Chief Executive of a membership-based charity providing leadership support for Charity Chief Executives, a post she held for eight years.  She has experience of working across the public, private and third sectors, leading change and growth strategies.  Advocacy and campaigning have been a central function of her experience.  Nora lives with her partner Michael, alongside their eight-year old cat called Eamonn and Cooper a three-year energetic Labrador.

What does it truly mean to care for an animal, whether it's a beloved pet at home or a species on the brink in the wild? Animal Welfare Conversations digs into that question through candid, often surprising discussions with the people on the front lines. Hosted by maryvy, each episode brings you directly into dialogue with veterinary surgeons and nurses making critical medical decisions, conservationists designing field interventions, and animal owners navigating daily ethical choices. The scope is deliberately broad, covering pets, domestic animals, farm residents, zoo inhabitants, and wildlife, because the principles of compassionate care connect them all. You'll hear concrete stories about decision-making and the realities of providing a good life, not just abstract theory. This is a podcast built on curiosity and a willingness to re-examine what we think we know, challenging assumptions about standard practices and long-held beliefs in the pursuit of tangible improvement. It’s for anyone-families, science enthusiasts, or nature lovers-who believes animal welfare is a complex, evolving conversation worth having. Tune in for perspectives that are both deeply personal and rigorously practical, reminding us of our shared responsibility toward the creatures in our care.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 41

Animal Welfare Conversations
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 7:35
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Dr Paula Boyden - The Links Group and Freedom Project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:32
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Episode 20 - Dr Paula Boyden - Dogs Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:22
In this episode we catch up with Dr Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, to find out more about their work. Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare organisation in the UK, rehoming 14,000 dogs a year and many o…