Dr. Robertson on Maddie’s Conversations: Exploring Interdependence in Animal Welfare
For years, animal welfare has operated in its own space—focused on saving lives, improving shelters, and advocating for better policies. But true progress requires looking beyond traditional boundaries and recognizing the interdependence between animal welfare and broader societal structures.
In a compelling conversation with Maddie’s Fund Executive Leadership Team member Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson explores interdependence—the idea that animal welfare is deeply connected to sectors like education, healthcare, social justice, and environmental policy. She argues that lasting change comes from cross-sector collaboration and a systems-thinking approach.
“Animal welfare has been in a silo for a long time. But this is an opportune moment to step back, recognize systemic interactions, and explore cross-sector collaboration.” – Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson
Rather than focusing solely on animal-centered interventions, Dr. Robertson challenges us to ask:
- How can we apply insights from other fields to improve animal welfare?
- What partnerships can help address root causes rather than symptoms?
- How can policies acknowledge the interconnected nature of social and animal welfare challenges?
She points out that many of the challenges facing animal welfare—such as pet homelessness, access to veterinary care, and shelter overcrowding—are not isolated problems. They are symptoms of broader societal issues, including economic inequality, housing insecurity, and gaps in public health services. Addressing these root causes requires partnerships beyond the animal welfare sector.
“Caring for animals means caring for communities. Issues like owner surrenders, access to veterinary care, and shelter intake trends are deeply influenced by societal factors.”
Watch the full interview below.
Dr. Robertson highlights how embracing a broader perspective leads to more effective solutions. She encourages the animal welfare community to engage in new conversations—ones that acknowledge how different factors influence outcomes and impact the well-being of both animals and people.
This fresh perspective invites us all to think differently, work collaboratively, and move beyond isolated approaches toward a holistic, impactful vision for change.
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