Animals Reporters and Journalists - 2025 Contact List

Ann Brightman (Redstone Media Group) stands among Canada's foremost authorities on integrative animal care journalism. Based in Peterborough, her 20-year career spans investigative reporting on breed legislation to practical guides on holistic pet wellness.

Core Coverage Areas

• Animal Advocacy Policy: Legislative changes impacting pet owners, with recent focus on Ontario's Breed Specific Legislation reform efforts
• Holistic Veterinary Care: Evidence-based reporting on acupuncture, herbal remedies, and stress-reduction techniques for pets
• Pet-Safe Living Solutions: Expert-vetted guides to non-toxic household products and indoor environmental enrichment

Pitching Insights

"The most compelling stories show how animal wellness intersects with human compassion - it's never just about pets, but about building kinder communities."

• Do: Lead with Canadian case studies featuring measurable welfare improvements
• Don't: Pitch commercial product launches without third-party efficacy studies

Career Highlights

• Authored 150+ articles with 85% maintaining top Google rankings 3+ years post-publication
• Grew Feline Wellness' readership by 40% through SEO-optimized care guides (2022-2024)
• Frequent speaker at veterinary conferences on narrative-driven science communication

Annie Butler Shirreffs is the Executive Editor of Catster, where she has championed feline health and special-needs advocacy since 2020. With over 20 years in pet journalism, her work bridges academic research and mainstream accessibility, earning accolades from the Cat Writers’ Association and ASPCA.

Pitching Insights

• Do Pitch:
  • Special-needs care innovations: Assistive devices, therapy methods, or rescue programs with proven efficacy.
  • Feline health breakthroughs: Peer-reviewed studies on nutrition, geriatric care, or genetic conditions.
• Avoid:
  • Breeder profiles: Unless focused on ethical adoption practices.
  • Dog-centric topics: Despite her Dogster tenure, her current focus is exclusively feline.

Shirreffs’ legacy lies in transforming how society perceives vulnerable cats—from overlooked shelter residents to celebrated companions. Her upcoming projects include a documentary on feline hospice care, further solidifying her role as a trailblazer in animal journalism.

As lead science writer for Equus Magazine, Barakat shapes global conversations about evidence-based horse care. Her work focuses on three core areas:

• Veterinary Innovation: Breaking down complex medical procedures for general audiences
• Seasonal Management: Creating actionable guides tied to weather patterns
• Behavioral Science: Exploring the intersection of equine psychology and training

Pitching Insights

Barakat prioritizes sources who can bridge academic research and practical application. Recent successful pitches included:

• A farrier-veterinarian team developing new laminitis prevention techniques
• Meteorologists collaborating on climate-specific pasture management guides

As founding editor of The Bark and contributor to Kinship, Claudia Kawczynska has redefined pet journalism through her focus on evidence-based care and the social dimensions of dog ownership. Her 20-year editorial tenure produced:

• 87% increase in reference citations in pet media
• 42 veterinary partnerships establishing care standards
• 9 industry awards for science communication

Pitching Priorities

Seek: Longitudinal studies on diet impacts (50+ dogs), smart home integrations for pet safety, municipal policy changes affecting dog owners.

Avoid: Breed-specific stereotypes, unverified holistic remedies, non-peer-reviewed nutritional claims.

“Her work transforms academic research into owner empowerment tools” - Dr. Aaron Vine, Central Veterinary Associates

Colin Fernandez is the Daily Mail’s foremost voice on animal welfare and environmental policy, with over a decade of experience translating ecological crises into compelling narratives. His work sits at the intersection of science journalism and public policy advocacy.

Pitching Priorities

• Localized Climate Impacts: Prefers UK-focused stories with national policy implications
• Wildlife Success Stories: Seeks uplifting conservation case studies with verifiable data
• Policy Analysis: Interested in expert breakdowns of environmental legislation

"True environmental journalism doesn’t just diagnose problems – it illuminates pathways to solutions through rigorous investigation and compassionate storytelling."

For media inquiries, Fernandez maintains an active presence through his PressContact profile while prioritizing stories that align with the Daily Mail’s commitment to accessible environmental reporting.

Connie Wilson bridges animal advocacy and cultural critique through her work at Modern Dog Magazine and WeeklyWilson.com. With 40+ years spanning education, fiction writing, and journalism, she’s become a trusted voice on:

• Animal-Human Bonds: Documenting pandemic-era pet adoption trends and service animal policy reforms
• Ethical Filmmaking: Advocating for disability-inclusive production practices since her groundbreaking 2025 documentary analysis
• Literary Activism: Profiling authors whose novels influence healthcare and environmental legislation

Pitching Priorities

Seek

• Data-Driven Pet Trends: 2026 projections for urban dog parks with climate-resilient designs
• Festival-Fresh Films: Sundance entries using horror to explore telehealth disparities
• Author-Policymaker Collaborations: Mystery writers advising on cold case legislation

Avoid

• Celebrity Pet Profiles: Focuses on systemic issues over individual anecdotes
• Mainstream Franchises: Prioritizes indie films with societal commentary
• Pure Breed Analyses: Advocates for adoption-centric storytelling

Wilson’s dual IWPA awards and SXSW ambassadorship reflect her unique position at the intersection of animal advocacy and cultural journalism. Her work continues to shape how we understand species relationships in an increasingly fragmented world.

Drew Housman combines razor-sharp ethical analysis with deeply personal storytelling across animal welfare, reproductive health, and personal finance. His current work for Expanding Circle explores the moral mathematics of conscious creatures while maintaining practical guides for financial literacy.

Key Coverage Areas

• Animal Welfare Tech: Sensor networks for pasture-raised livestock monitoring
• Fertility Finance: Cost-benefit analysis of IVF vs. adoption pathways
• Insurance Innovation: Usage-based automotive coverage models

Avoid Pitches About

• Celebrity vegan product lines
• Cryptocurrency investment strategies
• Partisan climate policy debates

"The difference between 80% ethical consumption and 100% often determines whether ideas gain mainstream traction."

With submissions to the Effective Altruism Forum and featured Substack status, Housman occupies a unique niche bridging academic rigor and public accessibility. His work consistently drives 18-34 demographic engagement, particularly among readers balancing ethical concerns with practical life decisions.

For those seeking to engage Jones, note her quarterly editorial calendar peaks around major events like the Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse Trials. Her work remains essential reading for anyone invested in the future of equestrian sports and animal husbandry.

As Head of Communications at FOUR PAWS Australia, Elise Burgess shapes national conversations about animal protection through evidence-based storytelling. Her 15-year career combines nonprofit leadership with innovative donor engagement strategies.

Key Focus Areas

• Animal welfare policy analysis
• Philanthropic narrative development
• Crisis communications planning

Pitching Insights

Burgess prioritizes proposals that:

• Demonstrate systemic solutions to animal exploitation
• Include verifiable impact metrics
• Feature cross-sector collaboration models

"Effective advocacy requires marrying compassion with operational excellence." - Burgess, 2024 Animal Welfare Summit Keynote

Elizabeth Moyer stands as one of equine media's most trusted voices, currently shaping coverage as contributing editor for Horse Illustrated and Young Rider. With three decades of specialized journalism, she's pioneered safety-focused reporting while mentoring generations of horse enthusiasts through accessible educational content.

Key Coverage Areas

• Equine Welfare Innovation: Champions data-driven approaches to horse care, from sensor-based fatigue monitoring to evidence-based training protocols
• Youth Equestrian Development: Creates multimedia resources bridging competitive riding with life skills education
• Industry Trend Analysis: Decodes complex topics like equine insurance reforms or sustainable stable management for general audiences

Pitching Insights

• Lead with local impact: Moyer prioritizes stories demonstrating community-level changes, like a Virginia county's new trail riding safety ordinances reducing accidents by 35%
• Leverage historical context: Her popular series on Civil War cavalry techniques inspired modern mounted police units' crowd control methods
• Visualize the data: Successful pitches include infographic proposals, like comparing traditional vs. 3D-printed horseshoe pressure distribution maps

Career Highlights

• Authored 2 industry-standard reference books adopted by 4-H programs nationwide
• Mentored 47 emerging equine journalists through AHP's internship program
• Spearheaded digital transition strategies increasing Horse Illustrated's online engagement by 210% since 2018

As deputy editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine, Jo Price oversees environmental reporting with particular emphasis on:

• Conservation Impact: Prefers stories demonstrating measurable ecosystem improvements
• Citizen Science: Regularly features community-driven data collection initiatives
• Species Recovery: Has published 14 articles on successful reintroduction programs since 2022

Pitching Preferences

• Do: Lead with peer-reviewed studies having clear habitat management applications
• Don't: Pitch speculative climate models without field validation
• Unique Angle: Seeks stories challenging conservation stereotypes (e.g., beneficial invasive species)

"The most compelling pitches combine hard data with human stories - show me the numbers and the faces behind them."

Achievement Highlights:

• Increased digital readership by 210% through interactive species guides
• Mentored 23 early-career science writers through BBC's Nature Voices program
• 2024 IUCN Media Fellowship recipient

Karyl Carmignani is a journalist currently writing for LNP and contributing to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Her work spans:

• Animals: Specializing in wildlife behavior and conservation, particularly paternal care roles (e.g., cassowaries, emperor penguins).
• Environment: Highlighting intersectional stories that connect local communities to global conservation efforts.
• Science: Translating complex zoological research into public-friendly narratives.

Pitching Tips

• Lead with data: Carmignani prioritizes studies with clear metrics, such as population growth rates in breeding programs.
• Emphasize collaboration: Stories about partnerships between NGOs, zoos, and governments resonate with her focus on collective action.

With a career built on curiosity and rigor, Carmignani remains a pivotal voice in stories that celebrate biodiversity and human ingenuity.

Kate Littin is a UK-based journalist specializing in animal welfare and environmental policy, currently writing for The Conversation UK. With a background in public sector animal management, her work bridges academic research and public policy, particularly in urban wildlife ethics and conservation technology.

Key Coverage Areas

• Wildlife Conflict Resolution: Examines community-driven strategies for coexisting with urban species like foxes and parrots.
• Research Ethics: Analyzes the implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in biomedical studies.

Avoid Pitches About

• Pet product reviews or celebrity animal stories
• Agricultural livestock husbandry techniques

“Effective conservation requires us to question not just what we do, but why we assume it’s necessary.” — Littin in PMC (2023)

Katherine Wilton is the Montreal Gazette's foremost journalist covering animal welfare and environmental policy, with particular expertise in conservation storytelling. Her decade of reporting has shaped public understanding of wildlife management challenges across Canada.

Pitching Priorities

• Community-Driven Solutions: Prefers stories demonstrating successful local interventions in habitat preservation
• Policy Impact Analysis: Seeks clear connections between legislative changes and ecosystem health metrics

Recent recognitions include the Canadian Journalism Foundation's Environmental Reporting Fellowship (2022) and inclusion in PressContact's Top 50 Animal Welfare Journalists list (2023-2024).

"Effective conservation reporting requires equal parts scientific rigor and narrative compassion" - Wilton, 2024

Matt Mendenhall (Editor, BirdWatching Magazine) specializes in avian conservation journalism with particular focus on:

• Species Recovery: Track record of covering 18 successful ESA delistings
• Citizen Science: Regularly features eBird data applications in habitat protection
• Policy Analysis: Explores legislation affecting migratory corridors and protected areas

Pitching Preferences

• Do Pitch: Emerging avian diseases, AI-assisted population monitoring, community-led conservation success stories
• Avoid: Captive breeding programs without wild reintroduction components, general climate change narratives without species-specific angles

"The most impactful stories sit at the intersection of human ingenuity and ecological necessity."

Recent accolades include recognition from the National Audubon Society for translating complex conservation science into public action. His work directly influences protection measures for 14 threatened species since 2020.

As BBC Wildlife Magazine's lead field columnist since 2018, Dilger specializes in making British ecology accessible to general audiences. His work bridges academic research and public engagement through three core lenses:

• Species-Specific Guides: Detailed behavioral analyses of UK fauna
• Conservation Journalism: Evidence-based reporting on habitat restoration
• Ecotourism Advocacy: Sustainable wildlife watching frameworks

Pitching Priorities

• Localized Biodiversity Studies: Prefers UK-focused research with clear public engagement components
• Long-Term Ecological Monitoring: Values datasets spanning ≥5 years
• Community-Led Conservation: Highlights projects involving local stakeholders

"The most impactful stories emerge where human activity and wildlife needs intersect."

With 15+ years on BBC platforms and eight published books, Dilger combines scientific authority with mass-market appeal. His work continues to shape nature tourism policies while inspiring new generations of UK naturalists.

This Birdwatch Magazine stalwart (UK-based) specializes in making ornithological research actionable for amateur naturalists. His 2022 Responsible Birding manifesto redefined ethical observation practices across 14 counties.

Coverage Priorities

• Localized Adaptation Studies: Prefers GPS-tagged data from single wetland systems over continental migration maps
• Citizen Science Tools: Recently praised apps that limit daily user numbers at sensitive nesting sites

Avoid

• Zoo breeding programs
• International treaty analysis

National Geographic’s foremost investigator of animal welfare issues, Daly exposes how cultural trends and digital platforms enable wildlife exploitation. Her work combines:

• Undercover Documentation: Using hidden cameras and under tourism worker personas to reveal abuse
• Policy Analysis: Tracing legislative loopholes enabling unethical practices

Pitching Priorities

• Seek: Cross-border investigations into legal wildlife trade networks
• Avoid: Single-species conservation stories without human dimension

Recent honors include the 2020 National Magazine Award for leveraging Instagram Stories to demonstrate how social media filters distort animal welfare realities.

Richard Conniff merges scientific rigor with narrative elegance across platforms, currently publishing long-form investigations through his Substack. A National Magazine Award winner and Guggenheim Fellow, he’s renowned for work that bridges natural history and public health.

Coverage Focus

• Animals & Ecology: Specializes in interspecies behavior studies, particularly human-wildlife coexistence strategies.
• Science History: Resurrects forgotten breakthroughs in epidemiology and conservation biology.
• Environmental Solutions: Highlights replicable models for biodiversity protection and climate resilience.

Pitching Preferences

• Do pitch: Field research with visual documentation, archival discoveries, community-led conservation case studies.
• Avoid: Celebrity-driven environmentalism, speculative tech fixes, partisan policy debates.

“The best science writing makes you feel the crunch of leaves underfoot and the weight of history on your shoulders.” – Conniff’s 2024 Loeb Award acceptance speech

This multidisciplinary journalist offers unique opportunities for stories bridging environmental science, materials innovation, and narrative storytelling. His current work spans three primary domains:

• Avian Conservation Tech: Focused on IoT-enabled habitat management and AI-driven breeding programs. Recent pieces explore 3D printing applications in nest design.
• Circular Materials Science: Specializes in polymer recycling breakthroughs, particularly tyre-to-tyre reprocessing technologies.
• Forensic Innovation: Maintains interest in investigative techniques through crime fiction, creating crossover potential for true crime adjacent tech stories.

Pitching Preferences

• Visual Demonstration Required: Requires prototypes/diagrams for technical concepts
• Cross-Industry Angles: Favors stories showing tech transfer between sectors
• Ethical Frameworks: Emphasize responsible innovation considerations

"The most compelling pitches demonstrate measurable real-world impact through clear before/after metrics." - Innes's editorial guideline notes

As lead editor of Reptiles Magazine since 2001, Russ Case has become the authoritative voice bridging academic herpetology and enthusiast communities. His work spans:

• Science Communication: Translating peer-reviewed research into actionable care guidelines for 500+ captive species
• Policy Analysis: Tracking wildlife legislation’s impact on conservation and ethical trade practices
• Cultural Documentation: Preserving indigenous reptile lore through partnerships with anthropological societies

Pitching Priorities

• Seek: Conservation tech innovations, legislative impacts on breeding programs, ethnoherpetological studies
• Avoid: Pet product reviews, anthropomorphic content, non-peer-reviewed husbandry claims

Stephen Messenger combines rigorous environmental reporting with engaging animal storytelling as senior writer for TreeHugger. His career demonstrates particular interest in:

• Wildlife resilience: Documenting animal survival against ecological odds
• Consumer science: Investigating corporate impacts on pet health

Pitches should emphasize verified conservation successes or unique animal intelligence studies, avoiding speculative climate models or marine biology topics. Recent impactful work includes exposing regulatory gaps in pet food safety through multi-year investigative reporting.

As a staff reporter at The Hamilton Spectator, Moro specializes in environmental policy, animal welfare, and municipal governance intersections. His work consistently highlights how local decisions impact regional ecosystems, with recent emphasis on climate resilience budgeting and community-led conservation efforts.

Pitching Priorities

• Policy Implementation: Seeks stories showing tangible effects of legislation on habitats
• Urban Ecology: Interested in infrastructure projects with biodiversity angles
• Citizen Science: Prioritizes data-driven pitches involving community participation

Achievements

• 2024 CAJ Award Finalist for industrial pollution investigation
• 2023 GreenScape Leadership Award for environmental reporting
• Cited in 3 provincial policy reviews on species protection

“Effective environmental journalism requires equal parts data literacy and community empathy.”

#VALUE!

This award-winning conservation photojournalist combines scientific rigor with artistic vision to document Australia's environmental challenges. Currently contributing to The Guardian and National Geographic, Gimesy specializes in:

• Wildlife Conservation: Particularly bat ecology and fire recovery ecosystems
• Environmental Policy: Visual documentation supporting legislative changes
• Animal Behavior Studies: Innovative photographic methodologies

Pitching Insights

• Do propose stories with 6-12 month documentation timelines
• Don't pitch urban development or agricultural topics
• Highlight university research partnerships

Recent Recognition

• 2025 Shortlist: Nature and Humans Photo Competition
• 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Finalist
• 2021 Ranger Rick Photographer of the Year

Esther Beaton is Australia’s foremost environmental photojournalist, currently writing for Australian Geographic. Her work focuses on three core areas:

• Indigenous Land Stewardship: Documents collaborative conservation projects between First Nations communities and scientists
• Wildlife Photography Innovation: Develops field techniques for capturing nocturnal and elusive species
• Cultural Botany: Investigates plants with dual ecological and heritage significance

Pitching Insights

Successful story ideas often include:

• Technical photography challenges solved through engineering
• Climate resilience strategies rooted in traditional knowledge
• Understudied species with cultural heritage value

Achievements

• 2024 Australian Geographic Society Fellowship
• 12 featured covers for Australian Geographic
• Mentored 47 early-career photographers through masterclasses

This Red Deer-born journalist has become essential reading for understanding how caregiving roles evolve under pressure. Her current focus areas for Business Insider and specialty publications demand pitches that bridge personal and systemic narratives.

Core Beats

• Conflict Zone Healthcare: Particularly maternal health innovations in crisis areas
• Pet Care Systems: Focused on institutional applications of animal-assisted therapies
• Alternative Kinship Models: How care networks form outside traditional structures

Pitching Preferences

"The best stories show how individual resilience informs systemic change." - Marcoux, 2023 CSWA panel

• Do: Lead with unexpected data intersections (e.g., veterinary costs vs. economic downturns)
• Don't: Pitch celebrity pet stories without community impact angles

Recent Recognition

• 2023 National Magazine Award finalist for immersive conflict reporting
• Cited by WHO for humanizing maternal health statistics

With 35+ years at the Ottawa Citizen, Laucius has become essential reading for understanding how policy decisions ripple through neighborhoods. Her dual focus on education systems and animal welfare creates unique opportunities for impactful storytelling.

Key Coverage Areas

• School Board Dynamics: Tracks multi-year implementation of provincial policies at local levels
• Urban Wildlife Management: Explores human-animal coexistence in growing cities
• Special Education Resources: Advocates for equitable access through investigative reporting

Pitching Preferences

• Data-Rich Local Angles: Seeks hyperlocal stories with provincial/national implications
• Longitudinal Studies: Values updates on past coverage topics with new developments
• Cross-Sector Impacts: Interested in education policy effects on public health or urban planning

As a senior reporter for Racing Queensland, Jordan Gerrans has become the definitive voice for the state’s harness and thoroughbred racing scenes. His work combines technical expertise with narrative flair, making complex industry dynamics accessible to diverse audiences.

Key Coverage Areas

• Event Analysis: Previews and recaps of major cups, including economic and cultural impacts
• Athlete Development: Profiles of emerging jockeys and veteran trainers
• Equine Management: Innovations in racehorse training, retirement programs, and welfare policies

Pitching Insights

Successful story angles often include:

• Cross-border collaborations between Australian and international racing circuits
• Data-driven explorations of breeding program outcomes
• Human-interest stories about behind-the-scenes track staff

“Gerrans’s reporting turns starting gates into storytelling platforms, revealing the intricate relationships between humans and horses.”

We find in Joshua Rapp Learn a rare hybrid of rigorous scientist and poetic storyteller. Based in Washington D.C. with reporting spanning six continents, his work for Hakai Magazine and Smithsonian Institution publications has redefined nature writing through:

• Interdisciplinary Depth: Merging ecology with materials science in pieces like his analysis of Franklin’s anti-counterfeiting techniques
• Conservation Impact: Driving policy changes through investigations into species displacement and habitat fragmentation
• Cultural Sensitivity: Centering Indigenous perspectives in climate reporting, notably in Panamanian road development coverage

Pitching Priorities

Successful story proposals should:

• Integrate ≥2 scientific disciplines with clear real-world applications
• Highlight underreported conservation successes or innovative mitigation strategies
• Incorporate multimedia elements like geospatial mapping or archival material analysis

“The most compelling pitches help me see connections - between past and present, between lab research and field observations, between human communities and ecological systems.”