Smart Talk Radio

Since 2001, Animal Radio® has been America's "most-listened-to" pet show. Over a 350,000 pet lovers tune in weekly on 130 AM and FM radio stations, XM Satellite Radio, iHeart Radio, and the Animal Radio® Smartphone App for iPhone & Android.

The two-hour celebration of our pets is hosted by veteran air talents Hal Abrams and Judy Francis. The Animal Radio® Family includes veterinarian Dr. Debbie, news director Tammy Trujillo, groomer Joey Villani, and a cast of hundreds. Frequent guest hosts include Jenna Fischer (“The Office”), Glenn Close, and Cesar Millan.

Through education and awareness, together we're helping animals live healthy, happier lives.

“Animal Radio” goes out over the SmartTalk Radio Network every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central.

There are so many ways to listen to “Animal Radio.” We're on 133 AM/FM stations, the “Animal Radio” App for iPhone and Android, iHeart Radio, iTunes, and more! Click to find more ways to listen to Animal Radio. Also check out the LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE section below.

COMING UP
(11/20 - 11/22)

The Raw Debate
Chef Kevyn Matthews, also known as the Dog Chef (Dogs 101/DOG-TV) is doing a booming business cooking for dogs in the Northeast. He makes nutritious meals that focus on healing certain ailments. He'll debate the pros and cons of a raw diet with Dr. Debbie.

Mercury In Your Pet Food
Postdoctoral scholar Dr. Sarrah Dunham-Cheatham randomly sampled 100 pet foods;16 of those samples had mercury concentrations that were well above the maximum tolerable limit. That's not the only thing she found.

Regulating Groomers
Hot on the heels of fatal grooming incidents at Petsmart and Petco, legislators are fast-tracking groomer certification for the unregulated business. Animal Radio's very own groomer, Joey Villani is helping to push this legislation through. He'll explain what is currently happening in New Jersey and how that will become a model for the nation.

When Are Puppies The Cutest?
Everyone knows puppies are cute, but did you know that people find puppies at their cutest stage at eight weeks of age? Experts at Arizona State University's canine-science laboratory now say they have discovered that Peak Puppy Cuteness serves important purposes and might even play a fundamental role in the bonding between a puppy and its adoptive owner.

Tesla Offering Unique Dog Friendly Features
One of Tesla's new car features includes a computer program that stops the car's interior from exceeding a certain temperature. A future update to it may include a special Dog Mode, which would display a message warning passers-by not to panic if they see a pet inside a parked vehicle. That future update could also include a display of the current interior temperature so that well-meaning strangers don't break the car's window to rescue your pup. The temperature-regulating feature is called Cabin Overheat.

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Hal Abrams is a major-market radio veteran turned operations manager of Animal Radio Network™ and co-host of “Animal Radio”®. He's been a long-time animal advocate, spending weeks inside doghouses (literally) to raise money for SPCA's throughout the U.S. In 1999, Hal left a 17-year morning radio routine to create animal radio programming. He lives with his wife, cats, dog, and two fish in central California.

Judy Francis had a love for animals before she ever became involved with radio. Her interest led her to the world of animal care as a veterinary technician, where she found herself intrigued by simple surgeries like spaying and neutering. Since the world of vet medicine wasn't lucrative, she found herself doing whatever necessary to pay the bills, including delivering phone books and waiting tables. In 1999 she joined Animal Radio Network™ as a secretary. Through hard work and determination she was able to learn the ins and outs of producing a radio show. Now she is the executive producer (some say the mastermind behind ARN) for “Animal Radio”®, as well as the co-host, with Hal Abrams, of the number one animal show in America, “Animal Radio”®.

Read about “Animal Radio” regulars like groomer Joey Villani and Dr. Debbie here.

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SHOW #1093 FOR 11/13 - 11/15

14-Year-Old Pet Product Inventor
Brooke Martin is only 14, but she sounds more intelligent than many adults. She also is the inventor of a device that allows you to have visual contact between you and your dog using a tablet or mobile phone. It also dispenses treats. Brooke believe this is an answer to separation anxiety.

New Worm Threat
Imagine a 6-inch worm coming out of your pet’s skin. Sounds like something out of the latest horror movie. Unfortunately, it's a real new worm that poses a threat to your pets. Parasitologist Araceli Lucio-Forster explains this new discovery.

Buzzfeed Beastmaster
What the heck is a Beastmaster? Jack Shepard is a self-proclaimed Beastmaster at the Buzzfeed website. He gets paid to surf "animal-related" fodder and make it go viral on the incredibly popular website.

My Bionic Pet
Amputee Jennifer Robinson worked at a prosthetic manufacturer. Now she's showing off how artificial limbs are being used on dogs, cats, birds and even sea-life. She's a part of a PBS show called “My Bionic Pet.”

Dog Sells for $2,000,000
Only in China would a dog be sold to a 56-year-old property developer for a cool 2 mil. This isn't even the first time. The 200-pound Tibetan Mastiff is treasured like the panda in China. Some say it was all hype and that cash never actually changed hands.

SHOW #1092 FOR 11/6 - 11/8

Faking It!
A new trend is the unfortunate and fraudulent use of "Service Dog" credentials for owners wanting to bring their dogs into restaurants, airlines and hotels. Pawtopia's Colleen Demling explains the problem and why the disabled suffer.

Aspirin and Pets
Did you know that aspirin can be toxic to your pet? Dr. Debbie dispels the myths about pain relief for your pet.

Josh Duhamel Guests
Besides a flourishing acting career, Josh Duhamel spends a lot of time speaking for the animals. He has a Web series and he's back to talk about it, and to flirt with the ladies.

A Shot To The Tail
Don't be surprised if the next time your cat gets an injection, it's in the tail. Recent concerns have come up over treating rare but potentially deadly injection site sarcomas. Some vets then shifted the site to the hind legs, since an amputation, if necessary, would be easier and more successful.

Pet-Only Apartments
Octogenarian and landlord Judy Guth only allows tenants with pets in her apartment complex. Is this discrimination? Judy doesn't care. And if one of her tenants loses their pet, she'll even take them out to dinner and then the shelter to find another roommate.

Pet Spending At All-Time High
The American Pet Products Association reports we're shelling out nearly $60 billion a year on our animals. Research shows empty-nesters are now spending more on their four-legged children.

SHOW #1091 FOR 10/30 - 11/1

Using High-Tech To Find Homes 
Adi Pinhas is using facial recognition technology in his new iPhone app. You'll upload a picture of the pet you want and it'll tell you all the adoptable animals that look like the original picture. The Verge magazine uploaded a picture of Lady Gaga and got back an adoptable hamster.

Purina Compensates Victims Of Recalled Treats 
Just a few weeks ago, both Petco and Petsmart said they would stop selling pet treats made in China. For the past seven years, dogs and cats have been getting sick, and many have died after eating imported chicken and jerky treats. Now, Purina Petcare and Waggin' Train have set up a $6.5 million fund to compensate pet guardians whose animals suffered.

Pets In The Classroom 
New research says kids learn better when their classroom has a pet. Even truancy is down. We all remember the class pet. And if you were lucky, the teacher let you take the guinea pigs home for the summer. Brent Weinmann of the Pet Care Trust is making sure all kids get an opportunity to have pets in their classroom.

Cure For Parvo? 
Researchers may have literally stumbled on a way to treat the usually fatal Parvo virus. It happened when a pharmaceutical was looking for a way to save flocks of geese that were mysteriously dying. They discovered an antibody that's harvested from the yokes of geese eggs that can stop the Parvo virus in as little as two days.

Calf Gets Prosthetic Back Legs 
Kitty Martin loves her calf so much that she's put more than $40,000 into rescuing the steer after its back legs were amputated because of frostbite. She's our Hero Person this week with a great story to tell about the human-bovine connection.

Sharing Your Bed With Your Pet Leads to Bad Sleep Quality 
If you have a cat or dog, chances are he or she sleeps with you in bed. But new research says that sharing your bed with your pet can lead to bad sleep quality. Recently, at the meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, data was presented that showed at least 30 percent of pet owners say their pets wake them up at least once per night.

SHOW #1090 FOR 10/23 - 10/25

Parrots Helping Veterans with PTSD 
Dr. Lorin Lindner founded Serenity Park, a unique sanctuary on the grounds of the Los Angeles Veterans Administration Healthcare Center. She noticed that the veterans she treated as a clinical psychologist and the parrots she had taken in as a rescuer quickly formed bonds. Men and women who had been silent in therapy would share their stories and their feelings more easily with animals. 

Are Americans Too Attached To Their Pets? 
Psychological scientist Dr. Clay Routledge believes young adults may be bonding with animals at the expense of vital human relationships. While the “Animal Radio” team may be divided on the health aspects of loving your pet "too much," there is one empirical fact: some of us have trouble prioritizing humans over animals. 

Filthy Pet Food Facility 
Mars markets canned dog and cat foods under the Pedigree, Cesar, Whiskas, Nutro and IAMS brands. Problems over the past two years at their pet food production facility in Columbus, OH, are now becoming public. Food Safety News has revealed that the facility was crawling with an infestation of German cockroaches. Pet food from the plant also generated consumer complaints about finding hard plastic pieces in the pet food. A recall of the affected foods was issued, but inspections of the facility to check on how they remedied the problem found the company had not completed repairs as promised. 

Gone to the Birds 
We often celebrate our cats and dogs, but today it'll be about the birds. We'll focus on bad bird behavior and training your parrot or cockatoo. Dr. Debbie breaks the myths about bird food and explains the nutritional value of seeds vs. pellets.

SHOW 1089 FOR 10/16 - 10/18

Boy's Mission To Pet A Million Dogs
Gideon Kidd has a goal to pet a million dogs for his "pet project." So far, this teen has pet more than 750 dogs. He's chronicled his journey on Twitter, garnering over 160,000 followers. He'll tell us how it's going since we last spoke to him in June.

Please Don't Repo Fido - Lawmakers Ban Pet Leasing
Puppies sold in pet stores, most of which are sourced from puppy mills, are often accompanied by soaring sticker prices. To make the puppies appear more affordable, private lending companies are offering leasing plans. Miss a payment and they can repossess your pup. Bill Ketzer, from ASPCA Government Relations, is asking lawmakers to end this predatory practice.

Millennials Chose Pets Over Children
Millennials are less likely to become parents of "human children" because they are instead focusing on their pets. Apparently 44 percent of millennials are unsure if they want to have children, but their rate of pet ownership continues to rise. These animals are acting as a substitute for children, according to psychology professor Jean Twenge. This generation is half as likely to be married than the generations preceding it.

Convicted Deer Poacher Ordered to Watch "Bambi" Every Month For a Year
A Missouri judge has ordered a convicted deer poacher to watch "Bambi" at least once a month during the year he will be spending in jail. The man is actually one of four family members implicated in a three-year hunting operation that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of deer. The prosecutor said the family mainly stalked their prey at night, killing the deer and taking their heads and antlers, and then they abandoned the carcasses. The state's Department of Conservation called it a thrill and kill sport for the men. By the way, the one-year jail sentence was initially suspended in favor of a two-year probationary period. But the guy who now has to watch "Bambi" quickly violated the terms of his probation, leading the judge to reinstate the original one-year sentence with the additional "Bambi" twist.

SHOW 1088 FOR 10/9 - 10/11

Pet-Friendly Housing 
Standard Pacific Homes knows the $60 billion pet industry has a place for homebuilding. Twenty-seven of their developments now include pet accoutrements, including a pet spa and TV exclusively for Fido. Standard Pacific's Danielle Tocco explains what they're doing to cater to pet owners.

Heartworm Medication Causes Deaths 
There are more worries about the dog heartworm medication Trifexis. So far, 965 complaints about dogs dying after taking Trifexis have been filed with the FSA over the last three and a half years. The drug's maker, Elanco, says it has sold 70 million doses and has found no link between the pill and any dog deaths.

Pet Oxygen Masks 
Does one size fit all? This week’s Animal Radio Hero Person, Debra Jo Chiapuzio, helps supply fire departments with life-saving oxygen masks for dogs and cats. She loves her job and has a great passion to teach others pet first-aid.

No More Pet Piercing 
Assemblyman Carmela Garcia (Dem. N.J.) has written legislation that would outlaw piercings and tattoos on cats and dogs. Inspired by a lady that pierced her "gothic kittens," Garcia feels this ban would stop a burgeoning fad.

Moving With Pets Can Be Pricey! 
Apartments.com did the math in its Pet-Friendly Renting Trends Survey. It found that close to 80 percent of renters had to pay a deposit to have a pet and it was more than $200 per year in more than half the cases. About 64 percent of the people asked said they had a hard time finding an apartment that allowed pets even with a deposit. 

SHOW #1087 FOR 10/2 - 10/4

The Dog Park Phenomenon 
Boston Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert investigates the dynamics of dog parks. He didn't like dogs. In fact, he was afraid of them until his spouse introduced him to a dog that would forever change his view. Matt shares stories about the nutty fellow canine-lovers at his dog park.

Flea Wars 
“Animal Radio” vets Dr. Marty Becker and Dr. Debbie are armed with flea-ridding tactics. Did you know that there are over a dozen different kind of fleas? There's a difference between cat fleas and dog fleas. Most importantly, how do we get rid of them for good? We've got answers.

Muffin's Halo 
Our Hero Person this week invented a bumper, better described as a “halo,” that protects blind dogs from bumping into furniture and other obstacles. Sylvie Bordeaux was tired of seeing her blind dog bash into stuff. With needle and thread in hand, she created a genius product that is helping vision-impaired pups from being discarded to shelters.

New Uses For Unwanted Fur 
Now a national organization called Born Free USA has come up with a fantastic idea. It collected unwanted furs and sent them to wildlife rehab centers in Texas, California and Missouri where they were cut into small pieces and used for orphaned babies and injured animals to snuggle in.

Declawing Is Major Surgery 
The American Veterinary Medical Association has amended its policy to clarify that declawing is a major surgery that should only be performed as a last resort to prevent destructive clawing, but it stopped short of suggesting a ban on it. The new policy stresses the importance of educating cat guardians about normal feline scratching behavior, alternatives to declawing, and that declawing is actually the amputation of the first digit of the cat's toes.

SHOW #1086 FOR 9/25 - 9/27

Pets In Space 
Celestis Pet will shoot your pet's cremains into deep space, or to the moon, or even into orbit around the earth. The rocket and space technology company has been launching satellites and human remains for over a decade. Now, they want a piece of the $58 billion pet industry. Top Dog Stephen Eisele explains what you get for your $1,000. It's pretty impressive!

The Language of Dogs 
TV dog trainer Justin Silver is back with his really funny friend Dave Donnenfeld. Together they're “righting” canine “wrongs” wherever bad dogs and bad guardians need them. "Their book is the Rosetta Stone of Doglish," says “Animal Radio” host Hal Abrams.

Woman Does CPR on Bearded Dragon 
When you love your pet, you love your pet, no matter what breed or species he or she is. That explains the actions of a woman in Oregon. Sherrie Dolezal runs a bearded dragon rescue and came home the other day to see one of the lizards, named Del Sol, floating unconscious in the pool. She got him out, started doing chest compressions. She finally started CPR and he started breathing again. Del Sol and Sherrie are now doing just fine.

Big Choices For This Week's Hero 
When his agent asked, "Do you want to act or do you want to save animals?" after he kept missing auditions, he chose to dedicate his life to the creatures. That makes Leo Grillo, the founder of DELTA rescue, our “Hero Person.” He has over 1,500 animals on 115 acres. He doesn't adopt-out any of these animals because his statistics say owners keep their animals only 2.5 years on average.

SHOW #1085 FOR 9/18 - 9/20

Bob Barker Back For Lucky 13 
America's most recognized animal advocate, TV host Bob Barker, is back on “Animal Radio” for his 13th time. This time he's Animal Radio's Hero of The Week.

Day 30 Eating Dog Food 
Dorothy Hunter made it to day 30 of eating dog food. It was all to prove a point about human-grade pet foods. “Animal Radio” checked in on her throughout her stunt. Now we find out what she ate on day 30. While Dorothy’s first human meal was a big, fat cheeseburger, she admits to a shinier and healthier coat.

Do Pets Feel Jealousy? 
From the "Duh" Department, a new study reveals that dogs are indeed capable of feeling jealousy. Who paid for the study? You did. What's next? A study to determine if dogs dream? Anyone who lives with animals knows that they are capable of many of the same feelings humans encounter.

Getting Rid of Tear Stains 
Joey Villani brings his years of expertise to help you get rid of your pet's tear stains with stuff from your pantry. The Dogfather unselfishly shares the groomer's tips you can do inexpensively at home — much to the disappointment of your other groomer.

Divorce in a New Age 
Divorce these days not only means splitting belongings and custody of the kids, it may also include visitation for the pet. In fact, that is now often the case when pet families are split up. Vinnie Penn can't keep his mouth shut about this topic . . . or any other topic, for that matter.

Dog and Baby 
Bringing a human baby into your home requires lots of prep if you have pets. Dr. Debbie has what you need to know about introducing dog to baby so that your furry-friend will think of the screaming blob as a good friend. After all, you don't want your dog getting jealous.

SHOW #1084 FOR 9/11 - 9/13

Hero Behind Bars 
This week's Hero People are in prison. Female inmates are teamed up with a dog 24/7. Their mission is to train these shelter dogs to help autistic children. It's a second chance for the inmates, the dog and the child. Program director Janette Thomas explains how the Pups in Prison initiative is a win, win, win!

Banning Hybrids 
Animal Defense League's Daniel Lutz is petitioning the courts to outlaw exotic hybrids of wild-cats. He says cats have been responsible for 14 percent of all the world's extinctions since 1600. Will legislation make a difference in our ecosystem?

Evaluating Pet Insurance 
Can pet insurance save you in a pinch? You don't have to go very far to find differing opinions on pet insurance. We'll give you two real-life cases involving pet insurance. You decide. California will be the first state to regulate pet insurance.

Animal Bloodmobile 
Oh sure, you've seen the mobile blood banks that routinely troll for human blood. But you've probably never seen a mobile blood bank for dogs. Kim Marryott saw the need and now she manages a program in Pennsylvania that collects the 12 different canine blood types for transfusions and other life-threatening procedures.

Who's Your Daddy? 
If you have a mixed breed dog, you might consider getting him or her a DNA test. Not only will you find out just what combination of breeds went into your best friend, but Dr. David Linzey of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association says you might find out some valuable health information. But are these tests accurate? “Animal Radio” tested them, with different results.

SHOW #1083 FOR 9/5 - 9/7

Pound for Pound 
Shannon Kopp spent the good part of a decade with an eating disorder. She would eat large amounts of food and then vomit 20 times a day. No therapist, doctor, or even rehab could cure her. She didn't find relief until she met a dog.

Pet Insurance Company Fined $150,000 
Washington state's insurance commissioner has fined a pet insurance company, American Pet Insurance, which goes under the name Trupanion, $150,000 for violating state laws. The violations include a failure to cancel policies in a timely manner in cases such as a pet's death, after a customer no longer owned a pet, and when the pet owner canceled a policy. 

TSA Rejects 
Alan Kabel tells us about dogs that were trained to work for TSA but ended up failing their certification. Now these animals are finding new homes through a unique adoption program. 

Do Dogs Love Us or Do They Just Want Our Food? 
In an experiment further investigating the relationship between humans and dogs, researchers wanted to find out if it is a true bond or a love of food. They found most dogs anticipate the praise of their owner as much or more than a food reward. 

Catty Wagon 
Aimee Gilbreth comes up with some pretty unique ideas to raise money for her animal welfare organization. On the heels of the successful “6 Packs & 9 Lives” calendar featuring buff men with cats, now she's unleashed the Catty Wagon, adopting felines from a converted food truck that looks like an orange kitty.

When To Change Your Vet 
Just like any business, there are always people that give it a bad name. Same with veterinarians. “Animal Radio” veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has a list of red flags you should look out for. If you see one, you need to re-think your vet.

SHOW #1082 FOR 8/28 - 8/30

Eating Pet Food 
Dorothy Hunter is so confident the food she sells in her store is healthy that she's eating nothing but pet food for 30 days. We'll find out the inspiration for this stunt and exactly how she is faring 13 days in. So far, the only issue seems to be a mild case of flatulence.

Woman Finds Wedding Ring After 6 Years — Thanks To Her Dog! 
A woman in Wisconsin is happily wearing her wedding ring again, six years after it disappeared.  Lois Matykowski was devastated when her ring first disappeared and even checked her dog's poop for a couple of weeks with no luck. The mystery was solved after Tucker ate a popsicle stick. You'll have to listen to find out how this ends.

Top 10 Bird Dangers 
Who would've thought it could be so easy to accidentally kill your bird. If you own a bird, or maybe planning to get one, you'll need to hear the Top 10 Bird Dangers from Dr. Laurie Hess. You might be surprised at the hazards lurking within your household.

14-Year-Old Hero 
This week's Hero Person is 14-year-old Nicholas Nash. He helps find homes for adoptable animals and is building a shelter on his family land. A young person so passionate about the health and happiness of our four-legged friends serves as a great model for future generations.

CBS's Lucky Dog 
Brandon McMillan comes from a family of circus performers and is the host of CBS's new Saturday morning show "Lucky Dog." Each week Brandon takes a shelter dog and trains them for a prospective new home. The program follows the entire process until the dog gets into his/her new forever home.

SHOW #1081 FOR 8/21 - 8/23

Pets for Vets 
Clarissa Black is this week's Hero Person. She created a service that matches returning soldiers with adoptable dogs. Some of our servicemen suffering from PTSD find the dogs to be extremely comforting and an important part of their recovery and rehabilitation.

Haatchi & Little B 
Owen and his dog Haatchi have gone viral on YouTube. It's the story of a little boy who overcomes his disease with the help of a dog. Owen's father, Will Howkins, tells the intriguing story behind the boy and his dog.

Does Phone Warranty Cover Pet Damage? 
Recently there was a study done to see how many pet owners have had their dog or cat damage or destroy one of their electronic gadgets. The study found that male dogs are 86 times more likely than a female dog to wreck a gadget. So the question is, does an extended warranty cover pet damage? Turns out in many cases, they do.

Man's Best Hero 
Prolific author Ace Collins entertains with warm and fuzzy conversation about his latest book that celebrates exceptional dogs. And as Lassie's biographer, he has stories. Not only is Lassie alive, but she is now ten generations old.

Lady Gaga Under Fire From PETA 
Do you dress up your dog? What about accessorizing your dog with a little jewelry? Pop star Lady Gaga has come under fire from PETA for putting some bling on her dog.

SHOW #1080 FOR 8/14 - 8/16

Pet Inventions on Shark Tank 
Abe Geary pitched his pet-related idea to the sharks on ABC's “Shark Tank.” He ended up turning down an offer that required too much equity. Now he's on “Animal Radio” to share his Pet Paint with listeners. Abe tells us what it was like for him on the prime-time blockbuster show. His mere appearance on the TV show has driven sales.

The Prince Returns 
Prince Lorenzo Borghese is back. This time we clear up any confusion about his being related to Napoleon. Since being on the TV reality show “The Bachelor,” almost a decade ago, he's been actively involved with his high-end boutique pet line, and he's been advocating for our furry-friends.

Dangerous Dog Registry 
Orange County, California officials are proposing a website, similar to the Sexual Offender Registry for humans, except for "Dangerous Dogs." Proponents say there are approximately 150 dogs in the city that have either maimed or killed people. A database would let neighbors know if there is a dangerous dog living in their area.

Cowboy Poet Veterinarian 
Perhaps you've already had a chance to hear Baxter Black on NPR or “The Tonight Show.” A former veterinarian turned poet, entertainer and philosopher, you will be thoroughly entertained by this unique character and his turkey tribute.

Mints for Fido? 
Vinnie Penn was in line at Petco and saw "Doggie Mints" as an impulse purchase item. Which led him to thinking, why? Who is the person that is feeding their dog mints for their breath? Aren't they supposed to have bad breath?

SHOW #1079 FOR 8/7 - 8/9

Animal Madness 
Can our pets suffer from the same psychological illnesses as humans? How did Prozac find its way into veterinarians’ offices? What good is anthropomorphizing? Laurel Braitman has answers to these burning questions.

Pet Food Myths 
With our pet-store shelves stocked to the ceiling with a confusing array of pet foods, does it really make a difference if you feed your dog something cheap off the shelves of Walmart? You might be surprised at the answer. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker reveals the truth behind pet foods.

Hero People 
Our new segment celebrating those who do good for the animals is getting high acclaims. This week we're spotlighting Linda Spurlin-Dominik. She helps care for pets of deployed military personnel. 

Fish Oil and Coat 
Joey Villani wants to dispel the rumor that fish oil will make your dog's coat shiny. In fact, it could have damaging effects because it clogs pores. The Dogfather will help you determine what supplement, if any, you really need.

SHOW #1078 FOR 7/31 - 8/2

Dating for Pet Owners 
Kris Rotonda created an online dating website specifically for dog owners. He says if he's going to date anyone, they've got to love his dog. And let's face it, single dog guardians have a rougher time of it because of their furry-children.

Saving Pit Bulls One at a Time The “Animal Radio” Hero Person this week spends his mornings outside the Los Angeles Coliseum giving out free training to dog owners, and especially pit bull parents. At times Cornelius Austin "The Dog Man" will have up to 50 people at his free clinic. Cornelius wants you to know that pit bulls are getting a bad rap! His goal is to train the owners because he believes they can make a difference with their dog's temperament.

Safety Guidelines For Pet Harnesses 
The Center for Pet Safety is behind this first scientific approach to pet product safety in the U.S., providing guidelines for vehicular pet-restraint systems. The Center has even created a series of crash test dogs, just like the crash test dummies that are used by automakers to check out the effectiveness of safety features in cars.

Pet- Friendly Homes 
Standard Pacific Homes is building and selling homes with amenities that not only cater to people but to dogs in 27 of its 190 developments from Florida to California. The most lavish features a 170-sq. ft. pet paradise with a step-in wash station, handheld sprayer and leash lead, tile walls and floors, a drying area with a commercial-sized pet dryer, a water station, automated feeders, bunk-style bed, cabinets for toys and treats, an attached puppy run and, of course, a flat-screen TV.

SHOW #1077 FOR 7/24 - 7/27

Blacklisted Breeds By Insurance Companies 
Dr. Stanley Coren is back! This time he's toting his research about the breeds of dogs that are being blacklisted by homeowners and liability insurance. Allstate claims one third of their claims last year included a dog.

Thriller Author Hero of the Week 
Author Stan Yocum is the Hero Person this week because he spends countless hours training & fostering service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence. After bonding with these awesome animals for 18 months, Stan must say goodbye when they go to their forever home.

More Companies Offer Pet Insurance 
Health insurance is an important benefit at work; now one in every three Fortune 500 companies is offering pet insurance. Those companies include Chipotle Mexican Grill, Delta Airlines, Microsoft, T-Mobile and UPS. Some of the companies even pay 100 percent of their employee's pet insurance premiums.

Laser Pointers Can Cause Psychological Problems 
Most dogs and cats love to chase laser pointers, but they could have some unintended consequences on your pet's psyche. Dr. Nicholas Dodman says that if you use a laser pointer too often, your dog can get so obsessed with chasing the light that they develop behavior problems. Never getting to the point of actually catching the “prey” can drive a dog slightly nuts.

New Pet Mixers To Meet Your Mate 
If you're single and ready to mingle, you can attend one of the pet-friendly mixers being hosted by Petsmart Charities and Match.com. They're being held all over the country this summer.

SHOW #1076 FOR 7/17 - 7/20

What Your Dog Isn't Telling You 
Dogs and cats generally don't exhibit pain. This is a trait developed mostly to protect themselves in the wild. However, research now shows that when they are alone in a room they do show signs of pain, until someone enters the room. Dr. Annie Forslund tells us how to recognize pain in our pets.

Stores Stop Selling Chinese-Made Treats 
You've probably heard about the toxic treats from China that have been recalled. The FDA says the treats have been linked to reports of over 5,000 cats and dogs getting sick and over 1,000 dogs dying. Now, both Petco and Petsmart say they're going to stop selling Chinese-made treats.

Pilots n' Paws 
Over 3,000 volunteer pilots fly 250-mile jaunts to bring adoptive animals to new homes or hospitals. This nonprofit agency regularly moves animals, from dogs and cats to donkeys. Kathleen Quinn Charleston explains the Pilots n' Paws mission.

Spike Bite 
Great invention or insane idea? You decide if Johnny Dumas has a sensible solution to prevent dogs from attacking your dog. He's designed a spike-filled coat of armor that protects the vital organs against bites. 

Find The Right Pet Match With Your Smart Phone 
Superfish, a Palo Alto-based startup, created an app called PetMatch that lets you look for adoptable pets in your area based on photo technology. You upload a picture of the pet you wish you could find (it might be a dog you see at the park or a cat just like one you used to have).  PetMatch then does an image recognition search of similar, adoptable pets in your area.

SHOW #1075 FOR 7/10 - 7/12

Introducing the Lickibrush . . . OMG! 
Have you ever wanted to lick your cat? We all know grooming has incredible bonding effects. Tara O'Mara and her hubby Jason invented an over-sized tongue shaped brush that humans may put in their mouth and then groom their kitties, just like their mom. They've almost raised the $36,000 in a Lickstarter . . . we mean Kickstarter campaign.

Stopping Cancer Early 
”Animal Radio”'s Pet World Insider Robert Semrow lost two of his furry companions to cancer. He may have been able to avoid the disease if he had caught it at an earlier stage. On this episode he will be sharing tips that could help you tackle cancer before it becomes a menace.

Summer Swimming Our dogs love the water! Summertime usually means lots of chances to go swimming in the ocean, lakes and swimming pools. But each one has inherent risks, especially lakes. DogfatherJoey Villani will tell you what you need to know before your dog takes the dive.

Meet Justin Beaver 
Brigette Brouillard lives in Kentucky where she rescues and rehabs wild animals. At any moment you could see an opossum scurrying through the house or 'Justin Beaver' building a dam out of toys and household furniture. One of her two human children are on-board, even following in her footsteps. The other wants nothing to do with mom’s hobby. Brigette tells her story like any proud rodent mama would!

Spay/Neuter Timeline - Jury Still Out Lori Brooks reports on a new study published in the journal Veterinary Medicine and Science that finds that neutering or spaying German Shepherds before one year of age triples the risk of one or more joint disorders, particularly for cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL, tears. Another study revealed a four-times-greater increase for joint disease is also true for Golden Retrievers spayed or neutered before one year old, and a two-times increase for Labs.

SHOW #1074 FOR 7/3 - 7/5

Esther The Wonder Pig 
What happens when you adopt a 'micro-pig' without telling your spouse? And what happens when that pig turns out to weigh 600 lbs? Well, you raise $450,000 on Indiegogo to buy a ranch, of course. That's Steve Jenkins’ story. He tells all this week on the BIG show.

Robots That Clean Up After Your Pet 
The makers of the Roomba robot vacuum have come up with a robot mop. It makes cleaning up after your messy pets as easy as pressing a button. Melissa O'Dea from iRobot is here to explain. She's even going to give away a Braava Jet! Do you need one?

Boy Caught Stealing Hugs From Dog 
Did you hear about the little Louisiana boy who went to great lengths to give some love to his neighbor's dog? Every day when he left for school he would ride over to his neighbor's house and put his bike down in the driveway. He would then run into the open garage to play with and give hugs to the dog that lives there. Funny that the dog's owner had a video camera in the garage and saw this going on. She wasn't upset at all and posted the video. 

Cat Whiskers 
What happens if you cut, trim or groom your cat's whiskers? Please don't. Dogfather… er, we mean Catman Joey Villani, has more information than you probably need to know about whiskers. But you should listen anyway.

Pet Bees 
Everyone has a different idea of what the perfect companion animal is.  There are dogs and cats, fish, birds, reptiles, spiders and bees. Yep. There's a guy in Henderson, Nevada, outside Las Vegas, who is being sued by his next-door neighbor who wants him to get rid of his "pet" bees.

SHOW #1073 FOR 6/27 - 6/28

"Making Bank" Taking Selfies With Animals 
Allan Dixon won the best job in the world. He gets paid to take pictures with animals. Allan has an uncanny ability to “talk” animals into posing for a selfie with him. This might sound like the most privileged, millennial job in the world, but Dixon worked for this role. He'll explain to “Animal Radio” listeners. 

Breed Specific Legislation Isn't Working 
There's a new study out by researchers in Denmark on the impact of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), which is often a city or even country's attempt to ban dog breeds it deems as vicious. The results showed that BSL there had no effect on hospitalizations for dog bites.

People Cuddle More With Pet Than Significant Other 
According to a new survey, nearly half of pet parents cuddle with their pooch more than their significant other. The report also found that 24 percent said they took more pictures with their dog than with friends or family members. One in three pet parents take their dog along on dates. Why? Respondents said it's because their dog is a good judge of character. More than half said they would consider ending a relationship if their partner didn't like dogs or was severely allergic. 

Tails From A Celebrity Pet-Sitter 
Have you ever considered quitting your stupid job to become a pet-sitter? Laura Vorreyer shares stories about her bustling Los Angeles dog-walking business. She'll dole out advice for the aspiring pet-sitter. 

National Weather Service Issues 'Small Dog Warning' 
The National Weather Service is typically pretty stoic with its forecasts and advice, but on one day earlier this month a satellite office of the weather service in Ohio issued an "unofficial Small Dog Warning" on Twitter due to strong winds gusting to 50 mph in parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Tweet said "Hold on to your pooch! Be sure to make sure both your trash can and your dog don't blow away!" 

Australia Bans Cosmetic Testing On Animals 
The Australian government has passed a bill that effectively bans animal testing for cosmetics sold in the country. Australia will no longer accept results derived from animal experimentation as evidence of a product's safety or effectiveness. This means cosmetic brands will be required to show that their products are safe with non-animal testing methods. A majority of Australians, 85 percent, are against animal testing for cosmetics. Lori Brooks reports. 

SHOW #1072 FOR 6/20 - 6/21

Instructions To Make Your Dog Laugh Dr. Stanley Coren is back on “Animal Radio” to give us specific and detailed instructions on how to make your dog laugh. Don't be a skeptic until you've heard about the research. Some breeds are more likely to laugh than others. Dr. Coren will share the science behind dog laughter and other body signs. 

Hong Kong Tightens Animal Laws 
Too much government oversight or good laws for pet welfare? Either way, new changes are coming to Hong Kong for pet owners and businesses that deal with animals. People there could soon be punished failing to take care of their animals if they don't walk their dogs, take sick pets to the vet or have them vaccinated, under a plan to tighten Hong Kong's animal protection laws.

Making Happier and Healthier Pets San Diego Humane Society's Top Dog Dr. Gary Weitzman helps animal lovers find the answers to common questions, curiosities, and perplexing puzzles. He'll focus on how veterinarians have changed the way they think about vaccines.

Puppy Mill Pet Shops Under Fire Animal Kingdom Pet Shop, which has a small chain of stores in Central California, is facing yet another lawsuit. This one is from a woman who bought a Golden-Doodle from one of the stores for $2,100. She claims that soon after she got her new pet, it started having major medical issues, including bilateral hip dysplasia. Her medical costs have totaled more than $17,000. The pet store has reimbursed her for only $2,900, so she is taking the owners to court, asking for $10,000 in damages. The pet store is also facing a lawsuit filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and another organization alleging involvement in a "puppy laundering scheme." 

SHOW #1071 FOR 6/13 - 6/14

Does Your Dog Really Love You?
Are our dogs trained to show affection in order to get food and treats? Do they really unconditionally love you, or would they “kick you to the curb for bacon?” Animal researcher Marc Bekoff answers these burning questions, and more. He says we can “unleash our dogs,” metaphorically speaking, by allowing them to roll in dead worms.

Combining Passions For The Pets 
You're lucky if you get to work with your pet. You're even luckier if you can combine your passions for the ideal job. Merebeth Veit has two passions: wanderlust and a love for animals. She dumped her real estate job for transporting pets nationwide. She's driven hundreds of animals to their destination while sightseeing the country. And yes, it pays the bills.

Cracking Down On Emotional Support Animal Claims 
Many people claim their pet is an emotional support animal to get out paying certain deposits when moving into a new rental home.  In Florida, State Senator Manny Diaz has spearheaded a bill that aims to crack down on those falsely calling their pets emotional support animals.  Those who break the law could be fined up to $500 with possible jail time.

Swim Trunks For Your Dog 
A company called Kove that specializes in recycled plastic garments has now created swimming trunks or shorts for dogs. Each pair of swim trunks is made out of eight plastic bottles. It also includes Spandex for some stretch, which is also a quick-drying material. The company also makes a men's swimsuit made of identical fabric.

SHOW #1070 FOR 6/6 - 6/7

18-Year-Old Hero 
Born with muscular dystrophy, Tabitha Bell was told she would need a wheel chair by the time she was 12. Instead, she got a balance and brace service dog. The human-dog partnership was so successful that she decided to start her own nonprofit to help match service dogs with those that may not be able to afford the $10,000 entry level. Tabitha tells us that she's working on matching a 6-year-old diabetic with a dog that can alert someone when blood sugar spikes. 

Does Your Dog Get Enough Exercise? 
You know your dog needs exercise, but is it getting enough? The average adult dog needs at least 30 minutes of exercise each day to stay fit and healthy. A study by the dog food company Forthglade reveals that less than half of dog owners walk their dog on a daily basis, with the average weekday walk being under 20 minutes. 

Cat Inherits Fashion Designer's Fortune 
After fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away, his cat, Choupette, is expected to inherit at least some of the designer's fortune. Prior to his passing, the 85-year-old Lagerfeld told a French magazine that his cat is an heiress. Lagerfeld had an estimated net worth of up to $300 million and his cat will likely inherit at least a portion of that. 

Rocky Kanaka Isn't Just A Cool Name  
Emmy-nominated TV host Rocky Kanaka is on a mission to find hard-to-adopt rescue dogs their forever home — all while creating a day of fun doggie activities most could only dream of. He chronicles his adventures in a YouTube series called “Dog's Day Out.” 

Traveling With Pets Is Big Business 
It's estimated that 68 percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, have a pet. When those 85 million pet parents hit the road, they can either take their pet with them or have someone else take care of the furry family member either in their home or a boarding facility.  That's where "pet resorts" or high-end kennels come in, like the D Pet Hotels in Los Angeles. They offer boarding, daycare, grooming, and even chauffeur and boutique services. For boarding, your dog might enjoy the Uber suite, a 12' x 22' room with a queen bed and 42" TV. 

Home Grooming Kits 
Animal Radio's “Dogfather,” Joey Villani, warns against casual use of the popular grooming kits available at your pet store. Joey says that if improperly used — besides giving your dog a bad haircut — you can easily burn their skin. "Take your pets to the groomer instead." Is Joey trying to drum up business for professional groomers nationwide? 

SHOW #1069 FOR 5/30 - 5/31

From Caped Crusader to Canine Crusader 
Actor Burt Ward was the original Robin on the hit series “Batman.” Now he’s devoted to giant breed dogs and runs the Gentle Giant Rescue. He tells “Animal Radio” that as many as 25 Great Danes share his bed with him and his wife, Tracy. 

The Secret Life of Mac 
Inspired by the viral videos of cats stealing clothes and other items, author Melinda Metz weaved a story about a Klepto-kitty named Mac who will steal your heart. Why is it some cats, left to their own devices, choose to abscond with everything from lingerie to money? 

EMTs Can’t Treat Animals … Yet 
Police in Boston are praising proposed legislation that would allow emergency medical service workers to treat police dogs injured in the line of duty. Currently, Massachusetts' laws penalize EMTs if they assist an animal in an emergency. 

Can Our Pets Become Addicted To Opioids? 
The opioid crisis isn't just impacting people. A new study in Pennsylvania says there's been a big increase in the amount of pain medication being prescribed for pets in the state. The new research shows opioid prescriptions for animals in the state are up 41 percent over a 10-year period. It's unclear why there's been such a dramatic increase. But if opioids are so addictive for humans, are they addictive to pets?

SHOW #1068 FOR 5/23 - 5/24

Training Bees for Movies and TV 
Apiculturist Dr. Norman Gary (pictured) has devoted his 83 years to bees. He's even trained them for TV and movies. Dr. Gary holds two Guinness World Records for bee stunts. Oh, and he plays the clarinet . . . covered in bees. 

Understanding Your C.B.D.s It's the latest phenomenon in pet medicines, claiming to cure everything from allergies to pain. While there may be some benefits in this marijuana derivative, veterinarians are hard-pressed to recommend the use, mostly because the unregulated product may be sub-par. But if you're still determined, you should examine the Certificate Of Analysis (COA). Dr. Debbie and Lori Brooks help parse the confusion between brands. 

Does Your Cat's Breed Really Matter 
A simple DNA test can make it easier to identify which traits are linked to health conditions like heart disease and obesity. Anna Skaya is the CEO of Basepaws, the world's first-ever cat DNA test. A lucky listener will get a free DNA test for their cat. 
Woman Gets Stuck In Tree After Trying To Rescue Cat A woman who climbed a tree to rescue her cat ended up having to be saved by firefighters after she also got stuck in the tree. She was stuck for 45 minutes before firefighters eventually helped her down with a ladder. 

SHOW #1067 FOR 5/16 - 5/17

Clint Eastwood's a Chihuahua Kind of Guy 
Alison Eastwood, daughter of actor Clint Eastwood, is back to tell us more about her animal advocacy efforts. She's created a website to link foster animals with foster parents. She also says her dad just adopted a Chihuahua — not necessarily the breed most people expect the gruff actor to befriend.

Has Your Pet Food Ever Been Recalled? 
Dave Baker created a website that contains a database of pet food recalls. You can check to see if your pet food has ever been on a recall list, or if it's one of the few that has never had any issues. Knowing if your pet's food is safe is crucial.

Tattoo Memorializes Dog Using Its Ashes 
You know the bond you have with your own pets. Can you imagine the bond that would develop if you worked for years in a war zone with a bomb detection dog? A veteran who served in Afghanistan understandably formed a strong bond with Treo, a black lab who worked by his side in the British military. When they both retired, the handler adopted Treo and the two enjoyed their lives in peace until, at the age of 14, Treo passed away. His handler, Dave, decided to get a tattoo of Treo's paw print and a poem. But that wasn't all. Dave asked the tattoo artist mix some of Treo's ashes in the ink so Treo would forever be a part of him.

Family Sues and Wins $885,000 After Police Shoot Dog 
When two Hartford, Connecticut police sergeants got a bad tip about illegal weapons on the Harris family's property, they should have obtained a warrant. Instead, the family says they came onto their property, guns out of their holsters. As the officers were leaving, the daughter of the family let one of their Saint Bernards out the back door. The dog approached the unfamiliar officers in his territory and one of the officers shot the dog ... twice, in front of the girl. The Harris family then sued the police, starting a legal battle that went on for 11 years.  After multiple trials, the city of Hartford has finally agreed to settle the case for $885,000.

SHOW #1066 FOR 5/9 - 5/10

Mayim Bialik Guests 
After starring as Blossom in the hit TV series, Mayim Bialik went on to get a Ph.D. in neuroscience. But the stage called her back for “The Big Bang Theory” and working overtime for the animals. She'll talk about CatCon and break the "Old Cat Lady" myth.

When To Change Your Vet 
Just like any business, there are always people that give it a bad name. Same with veterinarians. Animal Radio veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has a list of red flags you should look out for. If you see one, you need to rethink your vet. 

Dog Treats As Healthy As Donuts Some of the most popular treats given to cats and dogs contain more calories than human junk food! New research shows that a few pet treats have as many as 415 calories, more than a glazed donut.

Therapy Dog Loses Certification After Wearing Costume 
A Pet Partners-certified therapy dog has lost that certification because the organization says it found the Boston Terrier's biker costume to be a "safety concern." Five-year-old Chopper has put in several years volunteering in San Diego-area hospitals and senior centers on his mini-motorcycle.

Holy Cow Boze Hadleigh put together the ultimate book describing the origins of animal phrases. Did you ever wonder where the saying "there's more than one way to skin a cat" comes from? Boze will enlighten and make you laugh at our language.

New Law Allows You To Break Into Cars Providing greater protection for animals is the premise behind a new bill introduced in New York that would allow a person to take necessary steps to remove an animal from a hot vehicle if a police officer cannot be located.

SHOW #1065 FOR 5/2/20-5/3/20

The Incredible Dr. Pol Nat Geo Wild's Dr. Pol (pictured) returns to Animal Radio® airwaves with stories from his intriguing life. He'll talk about how surreal it is to see his face on comic books and a gaming app.

Saved In America Actress Kim Sill took a camera and went under cover to show America the two biggest and nastiest lies about the pet welfare industry. She'll explain where pet stores get their animals and what the big welfare agencies, like the ASPCA, HSUS, AHA and Best Friends, do with your donations.

JFK Building Animal Terminal JFK Airport broke ground on a new $48 million terminal specifically for animals. It'll boast a canine hotel where you can board your dog for $100 a night. It includes a flatscreen TV and a bone-shaped swimming pool. Doc Halligan has the latest on the 178,000-square-foot facility.

Crash Test Dogs Test Crates & Carriers The latest crash-test research on pet carriers and crates has been released. The Center for Pet Safety and Subaru worked together with a NASA engineer to create specially designed crash-test dog dummies for the study. Fourteen products in all were tested and Lori Brooks reports on the three that performed the best.

New Regulations for Pet Store Puppies Illinois is the first to enact laws where pet store owners must disclose to prospective customers actual pictures of the mother of the pet for sale as well as the facility where the animal was born and raised AND the number of animals kept by that kennel. Penalties for violations of the ordinance can be up to $1,000 for the first offense.

SHOW #1064 FOR 4/25/20-4/26/20

Lorrie Morgan Guests 
Outspoken country artist Lorrie Morgan is our guest. She walks the walk when it comes to the animals. From putting on fundraising concerts to helping in the shelter, she's involved with supporting her local animal welfare organization, New Leash on Life. Lorrie has pit bulls at home and thinks they're so misunderstood.

Animal Storm Squad 
Karissa Hadden chases natural disasters rescuing thousands of animals that have been injured, trapped or displaced as a result of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and other catastrophes. Her life is documented in the new NatGeo Wild television show “Animal Storm Squad.” 

Lessons From A Blind Kitty 
Homer was a blind, black cat that never knew sight. His owner, Gwen Cooper, realized this precious ball of fur was filled with lots of life lessons. Gwen's second book about Homer will leave you delighted to have shared in his journey through words. She'll talk about the impact of handicapped pets in her life.

Rescue Dogs Become "Ball Boys" at Tennis Tournament 
Four shelter rescue dogs were employed as "ball boys" at the Brazil Open Tennis Tournament. It was a brilliant move on the part of Brazilian dog lovers who trained them to feel at home on the tennis court by getting them used to the noise of the crowds and the high speed of the balls.

Doggy Dentist Fits Dogs with Braces 
A Michigan veterinarian has earned the title of "doggy dentist" for his practice of fitting dogs with braces and performing root canals. Dr. Jim Moore says while it may be unusual to see a dog wearing braces, he stresses the importance of animals' dental health and says, "Orthodontia in pets is normally not for aesthetic purposes, but because of health concerns."

Show #1063 for 04/18-04/19

Judy Gold is Funny For Fido 
Comedian Judy Gold joins us to talk about her burning desire to own a dog. She wants a big dog that sleeps with her and looks her in the eye. She minces no words when it comes to dressing up the dog.

Drone is a Game Changer for Lost Pets 
Hobbyist Kenneth Hendrick specifically bought his flying camera drone to look for lost pets in Florida. Teaming up with a Loxahatchee Lost and Found Pets Inc, they search for up to 95 animals a month. He says he reunites pet parents with cats, dogs, pigs, turtles and even calves.

Richest Acquisition in Internet History Chewy, the online pet product retailer that rocketed to nearly $1 billion in reported sales in only five years, has more than likely set a record for the richest acquisition in Internet history after Chewy was bought by the PetSmart pet store chain. Sources familiar with the deal say the price is $3.35 BILLION. For PetSmart, it is all part of the company's transformational journey.

Training Cats - Yep! Steven Applebaum is our guest. A former dog-trainer, he now heads up the Animal Behavior College. This institution trains humans for the pet industry. He wants to tell us about his new program training people to train cats. Oh, and yes, they are trainable.

Anthropomorphizing Your Pet Is Not "Stupid" Dr. Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago, says, "Historically, anthropomorphizing has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity." But he claims it actually makes humans smarter and no other species has this tendency. 

show #1062 for 4/11 - 4/12

Are Dogs Right or Left Pawed? 
Comedian Jo Anne Worley reveals new research that answers the age-old question, Can dogs have a preferred paw just like humans are left or right handed? 

Your Pet's Bucket List 
Lauren Watt created a bucket list for her terminally ill dog. She posted it on Yahoo and never expected the response. It went viral. Simon & Schuster asked her to write a book about her dog, 160 lb Mastiff Gizelle. She has advice on preparing a bucket list for your pet when the time comes.

Day Care Uses Shock Collar Without Owner's Permission 
A Chicago man says he was concerned to find an electric shock, anti-bark collar around his dog's neck when he picked her up from pet daycare. The owner of the Posh Pet Day Spa stated "it was put on the dog by accident because he and his daughter both use the collars on their own dogs." Apparently the daycare center also sells the collars.

Pit Bull Service Dog Helps Fainter 
It's not often that you see the much-maligned Pit Bull as a service dog. In fact, while the breed is banned in Denver, the American Disabilities Act makes Rachel McClennan's Pit Bull, Sally, exempt from the ban. Rachel has a neurological disability that makes her faint. Generally, these kinds of service animals can smell chemical changes in a person’s body that indicates a seizure or loss of consciousness may occur, giving the patient time to prepare.

Scammer Asks For Ransom To Return Lost Pets 
Can you even imagine losing your pet, then getting a ransom note? Detectives in Hot Springs, Arkansas are tracking a person who has tried to collect ransom payments from three pet owners who lost their animals. The scam's first victim was a woman who trains horses. Her cat, Orange, disappeared from the racetrack in the middle of February. After five weeks of waiting for a response to all of her lost and found ads and posters, she received a text message from a man claiming to have their cat. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks has the story and tips to avoid being scammed.

SHOW #1061 FOR 4/4/20 - 4/5/20

Goats of Anarchy 
Leanne Lauricella traded her Mercedes in for a Chevy, gave up her fast-track career and moved to a farm to raise goats. She's now the proud guardian of 50-plus goats, including "Polly," the goat that wears a duck costume. Her viral video has people up in arms asking why she's dressing her goat in a duck costume. She has a pretty good reason.

I Talk To Dead Pooches 
When Brent Atwater was five years old she became aware of her power to talk to dead pets. Oftentimes, the pet would reveal embarrassing things about their previous owner. Brent says she loves being a clairvoyant: "You never know what an animal is going to say. They will tell you if you drink or smoke too much, have flatulence problems or your spouse is cheating on you."

Pets Reduce Obesity in Babies 
A study at the University of Alberta in Canada finds that being exposed to pets early in life may reduce the risk of developing not only allergies but obesity too! Researchers found that babies from families with pets, especially dogs, had higher levels of two types of microbes that are known to lower risks of allergies and obesity. 

Cat-Man Trend 
The Pet Food Manufacturing Association is reporting a 25 percent rise over the past year of men with cats. That's a full one million more cat-owning men. The study found that undergraduate students rated photographs of men labeled as cat people less masculine than images of men labeled as dog people or not labeled at all.

USPS Bite Rankings Released 
The U.S. Postal Service has released its dog bite rankings, saying more than 6,700 mail carriers were bitten by dogs nationwide last year. Los Angeles topped the list with 80 reported bites, followed by Houston with 62 bites; Cleveland at 60; San Diego at 57; Detroit at 48; Denver at 47; Chicago at 46; Indianapolis at 44; and Minneapolis at 43 bites.

SHOW #1060 FOR 3/28/20 - 3/29/20

John Salley Brings His "A" Game 
The incredibly talented and charismatic John Salley was the first NBA player to win four championships with three different franchises, Detroit, Miami, and the L.A. Lakers. But did you know he's also a vegan and has an affinity for kittens? He'll be co-hosting Hallmark Channel's 'Meow Madness' Kitten Basketball Championship. John is our special guest this week. Find out what it's like to be a top athlete and abstain from all meat and dairy.

Just How Well Can Your Cat Smell? 
Dr. Marty Becker is doing research on smells your cat likes. It's all in the name of science. He wants your pet's environment to be "Fear Free." While we all know about catnip, did you know silver-vine and honeysuckle will also appeal to your feline friends? But stay away from the Glade and Aroma plug-ins. They could really annoy your pet — even make them sick.

Animal Abusers Barred From Owning Pets in RI
People convicted of abusing animals would be barred from owning a new pet in Rhode Island under a new law being considered in the state's General Assembly. It would create a statewide registry of animal abusers barring animal shelters, pet stores, and breeders from allowing the sale or adoption of an animal to someone listed on the registry. Under the proposal, anyone convicted or pleading no contest to animal abuse would have to register and abusers who fail to register, or who are caught owning another pet, would be subject to up to one year in prison plus a $1,000 fine.

Firefighter Finds Lost Blind Dog 
Firefighter Dan Estrada is being called a hero after he took a casual stroll into the woods and came back with a beloved blind family dog, who had been missing for eight days, slung over his shoulders. The dog, 12-year-old Sage, had been reported missing from his family's home in San Lorenzo Valley, California. The family had searched everywhere, put up posters, and even hired a dog tracker but still had no clue what happened to Sage. It turns out Dan the firefighter and his friend were out hiking through the redwoods when they saw Sage lying down by a river, but he wasn't moving. The firefighter slung the lab across his shoulders and carried him back to town. You can imagine how happy Sage's family was. They threw a big neighborhood party to celebrate and offered Estrada a $1,000 reward, which he turned down and suggested that they donate the money to an animal charity.

And more!

Show #1059 for 03/21/20 - 03/22/20

This week comedian Paula Poundstone (“Wait, Wait…Don't Tell Me!”) is back to explain why she's not a "crazy cat lady," despite her menagerie of 14 cats. While there aren't a lot of "sure things" in this world, Paula is pretty sure she won't be getting her deposit back when she moves out.

Then, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and wife of Michael McDonald, Amy Holland is our special guest along with her pup, Tulip.  

We talk about a bill introduced in the Oregon Senate that would allow a tax credit of up to $100 for someone who adopts a dog or cat from an animal rescue facility. Senate Bill 326 would provide a credit for qualified adoption expenses, including adoption fees, vaccinations, spaying or neutering and micro-chipping.

We discuss a new study that indicates that our cats and dogs also grieve after the loss of a furry-sibling.

And the Labrador is no longer the top dog in Britain; it's now the French Bulldog, which is a celebrity favorite for David Beckham and Lady Gaga. The Lab has been the most popular dog breed in the U.K. since 1990, the year it overtook the Yorkshire Terrier.