Animal Radio®

Poo From Lil Bub Leads To Discovery Microbiologist and TV Host Jennifer Gardy has been collecting cat poop as part of a biome-mapping project. Viral sensation Lil Bub even donated a sample that led to the discovery of 22 new microorganisms. Jennifer will explain what that means to you and me. Speaking Baby Talk To Your Pet It has long been known that talking to a baby improves bonding between parent and child. But, since so many pet parents view their pets as their own children, scientists were wondering does talking to your dog in the same way as you would a human infant have the same bonding effect? A recent study suggests it does. From The “I Wish I Had Thought Of That Department” There’s a new dog treat headed to store shelves and the name alone might make you NOT want to buy it, but I bet dogs will love it. A woman in Kansas has a patent pending on the new treat called, “Mickey And Moe’s Butt Flavored Dog Treats.” Engineering for Cats Aerospace Engineer Mac Delaney addresses the quirks of cat behavior. He’s developed 10 DIY solutions for typical cat issues. During the day he’s building aircraft parts. By night he’s solving your cat’s furniture scratching problem. Veterinarian Suicide Rate Over The Top Santa Barbara, California is dealing with a crisis in its animal care community, which is a problem happening all over the country. The problem is the high rate of suicide among veterinarians. In fact, vets have the highest rate of suicide among all professional groups, four times higher than the national average. Shock Collars Banned in England A ban on so-called pet “shock collars” will be enacted in England, under plans confirmed by the government. The shock collars, used to control pets, are usually controlled via a remote control and are already banned in Wales. Scotland has announced it is following England’s lead with a ban of its own. This is similar to political battles that are happening in the US. It’s important to note that shock collars are often marketed as a harmless quick-fix solution or training aides, but animal experts say shock collars can easily cause more problems than they seek to fix.

Who Is Happier? Dog or Cat Guardians? Do dogs or cats make you happy? The dog vs. cat argument will probably go on forever. But now there’s a new survey that says dog owners are officially happier than cat owners, but not by much. Dog owners are only happier by a mere 4%. An Alternative To Pet Insurance? Dr. Allen Kamrava believes he has invented a better way to cover the costs of a catastrophic health event. According to Kamrava, advances in technology allow for a community-based model that can replace typical pet health insurance. More Animals Being Used For Therapeutic Purposes Dogs, miniature horses, cats, rabbits and even llamas are increasingly being used to help heal and cheer the sick in hospitals, cancer clinics and other settings. However, research to support the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy is largely in its early stages. A team led by scientists at UC Davis published a study about interactions between family house cats and children with autism. It found that cats in families with a child with autism-spectrum disorder “ often provided valuable bonding, attention and calming affect to the child.” Get Your Licks On Route 66 Animal Radio is proud to be a part of the 10th Annual Fido Friendly Adoption Tour. Susan Sims is traveling the famed Route 66 matching up adoptable dogs and cats with great homes across the country. She’ll check in with us from St. Louis. Yes, This Was Happening In The United States For years, animal lovers and animal welfare organizations have been working to end dog and cat meat sales. There has been a big step toward that goal, as the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation named the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act. The Act makes it “illegal to knowingly slaughter, ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell or donate a dog or cat or his or her parts for human consumption, and authorizes a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation” in the United States.

Celebrating Halloween With Your Pet A mere 16% of us dress our pets for Halloween. This year, there are more choices than ever for unique costumes. Costume maker Allison Albert shares her latest and greatest designs. Dr. Debbie has tips for those pets that just aren’t into this scary holiday. Common Flea Meds Causing Seizures The FDA has issued a warning that flea medications in the Isoxazoline class such as Bravest, Credelio, Nexgard and Simpatico may do more than just combat flea or tick infestations. It turns out they all have the potential of causing seizures, muscle tremors or other neurological problems in pets. ASPCA Fighting Predatory Lenders The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey on behalf of two sisters who unknowingly entered into a pet leasing agreement so they could purchase an 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy from a pet store. Both the lender and the pet store are targeted in the lawsuit. Pop Up Pee Pads Bill Klein (TLC’s The Little Couple) invented a pee pad with a pop-up fire hydrant. He says it cured his dog’s inappropriate urination and it can help other dogs. L.A. Bans Sale Of Furs Los Angeles will become the largest city in the U.S. to ban the sale of fur. The city council has voted unanimously to move forward with the ban, which will take effect 24-months after final language is passed. The ban will prohibit the sale of coats, handbags, shoes, hats, jewelry, accessories and other products made in whole or in part of fur.

Accidentally Sickening Your Pet The Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline wants you to know what household toxins can fatally sicken your pets. Dr. Ahna Brutlag warns that pesticides and bait traps can kill more than bugs and mice. She also says even pet safe anti-freeze can be harmful. Psychologist Tells Us What Pets Want From Their Owners Ever wonder how your pet sees the world? There’s an entire branch of science devoted to figuring that out. Psychologist Dr. Zazie Todd has been studying the techniques guardians use to better their relationship with their pets. Toxoplasmosis Could Actually Improve Your Life According to a new study, a mind-controlling parasite found in cat feces increases a person’s likelihood of studying business and going into entrepreneurial-related careers. The parasite Toxoplasma Gondii has long been associated with impulsive behaviors leading to an increased risk of car accidents, road rage, mental illness, neuroticism, drug abuse and even suicide. Researchers believe T. Gondii exposure might push people toward higher risks and higher reward activities. The experts found that people infected with the parasite were about 1.5 times more likely to major in business and 1.7 times more likely to pursue a management and entrepreneurship major. Animal Crackers Have Been Freed For over a century, the box of Barnum’s Animals Crackers showed a caged circus boxcar with lions, elephants and other animals inside. The new box design has no cage and the animals on it are finally free, or at least not behind bars. All of the circus imagery is gone, in favor of a wildlife scene. The crackers themselves have not been changed. Hope you sleep better knowing this. Pop Diva Sheena Easton Flashback Singer, songwriter and actress Sheena Easton provides one of the most memorable celebrity interviews on Animal Radio. Sheena is cra-cra about her kitties, no holds barred when she divulges how she spoils her cats and dogs.

Dog Is My Co-Pilot Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Peter Rork quit his thriving practice to create “Dog Is My Co-Pilot,” a non-profit organization dedicated to flying dogs and cats from kill-shelters to rescues that can re-home them. So far Dr. Rork has transported 10,000 animals, much of it at his expense. He explains why this is more rewarding than orthopedic surgery. What Days Do People Spend More On Their Pets? Wimple’s science team analyzed transactions from 4,400 local pet businesses on all 365 days of the 2017 calendar year in all 50 states to identify consumer-spending patterns. The top-five sales days of the year are all in December with an average expenditure of $113.89. Company Offers “Fur-Ternity” Leave A Minneapolis marketing company announced it has adopted a company-wide policy of allowing employees to work flexible hours from home for one week when welcoming a new puppy or kitten into their homes. “Part of embracing employee satisfaction as a business priority means recognizing important life events that happen outside of the office,” Nina Hale CEO Donna Robinson said. “If we want to continue to set the example as a top workplace, it is crucial to offer innovative benefits that help to preserve the work-life happiness of our employee owners.” Project Breath Program Donates Pet Oxygen Masks The Invisible Fence Company created the Project Breathe Program, which donates pet oxygen masks to first responders. Since the program’s inception in 2006, 23,500 masks have been donated to first responders and now the company is giving more. Invisible Fence will equip 45 additional fire departments across the U.S. and Canada with these lifesaving devices. What Are Animals Saying To Us In English? Brian Jones is a self-proclaimed audio-psychic. He tapes animals, including dogs and cats, and slows the tape down to reveal words. He believes the animals are trying to talk to us and we need to listen. We’ll let you be the judge.

Turning Animals Into Drones And Helicopters In 2012, Bart Jansen’s cat was unfortunately struck and killed by a car. Instead of cremating or burying “Orville” (named after the Wright Brothers), he turned him into a drone. Despite outrage from cat-owners, he defends the action as a tribute to his furry-friend. Many other pet owners have asked for his services since. Now he plans to turn a cow into a helicopter. What Vaccines Does My Pet Really Need? There’s no need to over-inoculate your pet with potentially harmful vaccines. Dr. Jean Dodds is considered one of the foremost veterinary experts on vaccinosis. She tells us what injections are necessary and how often. Dr. Dodd’s also discusses the downside of over-vaccinating your pet. Pet Owner Harming Pets For Opioids Researchers at the University of Colorado recently conducted a survey of nearly 200 veterinarians in the state about how opioid abusers may be using veterinary clinics to get drugs. The results revealed that 13% of veterinarians believe, or have suspected, that they have seen a client who purposefully injured their pet, made their pet sick or appear to be sick, just so they could get an opioid prescription. The World’s Richest Pets Topping the 2018 Richest Pets List, compiled by a pet insurance company, the wealthiest pet is a German Shepherd named Gunther IV, worth over 375 million dollars. Gunther, who lives in Germany, inherited his wealth and has his own personal maid and butler, eats steak and caviar and has several multi million-dollar homes. Taylor Swift’s and Oprah’s pets also top this list. Home Shoppers Buying For Pets Pets are part of our family. So much so, that, according to a report, even if we found our perfect home and it wasn’t right for our pets, we would pass on it. The survey for Realtor.com showed 75% of pet parents would say “no thank you” to their dream home if it weren’t a fit for their animals.

Animal Radio Episode 978

Pets Cause 1000 Fires Per Year “Unattended pets often set their homes on fire and pets can’t call 911,” according to Zsolt Sapy, the COO of Smoke Alarm Monitoring. Just how does this happen? What can you do to stack the odds in your pet’s favor? Should You Trust Pet DNA Tests? Dr. Lisa Moses says there is a place for DNA tests, but only as a novelty. While these tests may show a predisposition towards breed specific diseases, she warns against making medical decisions based on a DNA swab or blood tests. What We Know About Our Cat Food A new study of 2,000 cat owners reveals many of them are oblivious about what foods could be harmful to their cat’s health. More than 50% of those questioned did not know that milk, grapes, raisins, garlic and onions are hazardous to a cat’s health. A fifth of owners don’t even know their cats are carnivores, with one in 10 feeding them raw vegetables and another one in 20 serving up salad leaves. Kids Prefer Rats Over Cats Or Dogs RightPet.com, which is an online resource for pet owners, has announced the findings of its 8-year pet ownership study that used the data of nearly 17,000 pet owners across 113 countries. The biggest revelation is that children between the ages of 10 and 17 years old say they get more satisfaction owning pet rats rather than cats or dogs. Cat Lovers Dream Job If you’ve ever thought of quitting your job and living out your life saving cats on a picturesque Greek island, here’s some great news. A cat rescue in Greece, called God’s Little People Cat Rescue, is looking for a new caretaker. They’re looking for a part-time caretaker to look after 55 cats with free lodging in the form of the sanctuary manager’s house that overlooks the Aegean Sea. Ed Asner Loves Himself Some Kitty! Iconic Actor Ed Asner is our flashback to 2010. Bet you didn’t know Ed is a “cat” guy? His satirist banter and love for his personal kitties makes this one of most memorable moments of Animal Radio.

Charleston Airport’s Newest Employee Russ Kennedy holds down security at Charleston’s Yeager Airport. He’s also the handler for Greg, a border collie that clears runways from geese and other wildlife that could cause a fatal aircraft accident. The Truth About Dog-Lick Bacteria A Wisconsin man made headlines after a dog lick led to a rare infection resulting in the amputation of part of his legs and arms. This has set off unwarranted alarm. While the bacterium is extremely common in dogs and cats, the risk posed by being licked is infinitesimally low. Dog Fraud Dogs can communicate through scent, leaving their mark everywhere. New research finds that smaller dogs “cheat” by using higher raised-leg angles to leave higher urine marks, thus exaggerating their size to other dogs that would come along and sniff later. Counting Cats A coalition of animal groups in Washington, D.C., have started the D.C. Cat Count, which will try to create a more accurate estimate of the city’s entire cat population, including both feral cats and pet cats. The project is expected to take three years and cost $1.5 million. The groups hope the information will help improve efforts to manage the cat population. The project will use many different strategies to arrive at a total population count, including an app allowing residents to snap their own images of cats they encounter. Is It A Dog Or Ball A dog groomer in Japan is literally turning dogs into fluff balls. York Hamachiya is clipping usually small dogs into a ball. He does this by cutting their hair so they look like a soft, fluffy round ball, a ball with legs. Bart’s Voice Loves Animals The voice of Bart Simpson is our flashback guest. Nancy Cartwright really loves animals. She has an entire menagerie at her L.A. ranch. Her prized pet is a fiberglass cow. Nancy felt that because she’s always saying, “don’t have a cow man,” that she should have one. She also has seahorses.

Who Is Smarter? Dog Or Cat? Scientific American Senior Editor Josh Fischman translates the results from current research on the brains and neurons of cats, dogs, raccoons, bears and humans. You may be surprised by the results. Cat lovers - brace yourself. Has Your Pet Restricted Your Travel Plans? According to a new study of 2,000 American pet parents, half of them have never traveled outside of the country since owning their pet. The main reason pet owners struggle to take a vacation without their pet is likely due to the 68% who felt especially guilty when they leave their pets behind. Your Cat May Be Giving Away Your Home Address. Identity theft has been a big concern for years. Now those photos you post of your pet could lead strangers straight to your home. The meta-data hidden beneath those cute furry photos include your geo-location. And one website, IKnowWhereYourCatLives.com, actually highlights just that. Two KONGs For Every Dog In America. The KONG is the most ubiquitous dog toy in existence. The name KONG has become a part of the vernacular, just like Kleenex and Band-Aid. So, you’ll be quite amused when KONG creator Joe Markham tells us how the toy was invented by accident. This is the last installment in the Fear Free Expert Series. Bucket List For Shelter Dog. An animal shelter in Arlington, Virginia, is helping a dying dog with cancer live his best life. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington hopes that a family will adopt Smoke, a 10-year-old hound with terminal cancer, in the last weeks or months that he has left. But, until that time, the shelter has created a bucket list for Smoke that is still growing. On the list already are entries such as riding in a fire truck, eating ice cream, going to the beach, riding in a police car and howling with the sirens, and getting a full body doggy massage.

Turning Your Pet Into A Viral Sensation Kelly Lund and Loki, his Husky - Wolf mix, didn’t intentionally become a viral Internet sensation. Kelly casually posted a picture on Instagram that was picked up by Reddit, Bored Panda and Buzzed. Now Loki has a half-million followers and a new book. Kelly will give us tips on making your pet a star. Pit Bulls Aren’t Getting A Fair Shake Fiona Gilbert has Multiple Sclerosis. a degenerative neurological condition that affected her ability to walk. Without her service dog, she cannot function or work. The only problem is that Koda, her service animal is a pit-bull mix. As a frequent flyer on Delta Airlines, she is no longer welcome because her service dog is banned on the carrier. Social Media’s Top 10 Pet Influencers Forbes came out with multiple lists on social media influencers. On the list of Pet Influencers, probably the best-known Internet pet that still commands the most eyeballs and makes money to match her fame, is Grumpy Cat. Why are these animals so engaging and why are they so valuable to advertisers? Collectively, the top 10 Pet Influencers have 50 million followers. Parrots Change Traffic Pattern Kea parrots are big and about 18 inches long. They’re native to New Zealand where they can be a pest, but they do attract the tourists. These big parrots have been caught on camera shifting traffic cones into active traffic lanes. Why? The New Zealand Transportation Agency thinks they know why. Pentobarbital Horse Meat Used In Evanger’s Pet Food Through the freedom of information act, some new information has come to light in last year’s case of Evanger’s pet food company having pentobarbital tainted horse meat in some of its canned food. Evanger’s was in compliance and had a license to use horse-meat at that time. However, it turns out they had been processing horse-meat as early as 2015 without a license. Records show an inspector found it on the premises of the Evanger’s processing plant during an inspection that was made as a result of complaints over health concerns and unsanitary conditions at the facility.

High Tech Dog Kennel If Rebecca Eyre gets her way, you’ll never again see a dog tied up outside a retail or food establishment. She says “Dogipot,” a climate controlled parking spot for your dog, is being rolled-out across the country. Using the smartphone app, you’ll gain access to a safe and secure dog locker fitted with UV lamps and cameras. So many questions, so little time. Ikea Recalls Pet Water Dispenser After Dog Deaths Ikea’s new Ludvig water dispenser seemed like a great idea until two dogs died after getting their heads stuck in the device. Ikea has issued a global recall and is warning that it can become a deadly trap if your small pet inserts its head up the dome-shaped water container. The water dispenser is made up of two components. Its bottom serves as a water bowl and the base for a transparent container that holds water and ends in a dome sitting on the base. The $7.99 water dispenser was one of the 75 pet products introduced by Ikea last October. It’s one of several recent strategic steps Ikea has made towards transforming itself from a furniture company to a lifestyle brand. What’s So Important About Blood Tests Has your veterinarian ever recommended an expensive battery of blood tests for your pet? Dr. Fred Metzler explains why these blood tests are needed to really understand your pets health, even when they’re healthy. Since our pets cannot speak English, veterinarians rely upon blood to tell the story. Dr. Metzger is our next speaker in the Fear Free Pets Expert Series. Petsitter To The Stars Speaks Laura Vorreyer has become a petsitter for celebrity pet owners and their furry companions. She says that some of her clients have large requests when it comes to pet are. Laura will tell us about a popular singer who tests her songs on her dogs to see if they’ll be a hit. Potatoes and Lentils in Dog Food Linked To Heart Disease There’s some new information from the Food and Drug Administration’s that says potatoes, legumes, peas and lentils used as protein sources in many dog foods may be linked to canine heart disease. The agency is researching dogs that developed dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, which is a disease of a dog’s heart muscle and often results in congestive heart failure.

Planning A Pet Trust What happens to your pet if something happens to you? Did you know your pet is considered “property” in the eyes of the law? Estate Attorney A.J. Fudge has prepared a simple plan for your pets should you punch the clock before they do. It’s important to have a pet-trust legally documented so that your furry-family member doesn’t end up in the shelter and possibly euthanized. What’s Trending In The Pet Sector? On the heels of the industry’s largest pet product show, Robert Semrow reports on the latest and greatest stuff for your pets. This year has seen an explosion of CBD type supplements, a bi-product of marijuana, for moderating your pet’s pain. Also, a large number of major companies are launching their products on Kickstarter. If the product doesn’t gain traction through crowd-funding, then it’s shelved. This new technique saves thousands in market research. Another Major Pet Food Buyout The Wall Street Journal tells us Nestlé, the huge food and beverage conglomerate, is in talks to buy a majority stake in Canada’s Champion Petfoods for $2 billion. Champion makes super premium, high quality, Orijen and Acana dog and cat foods… for now. Major Stock Photo Suppliers Remove Unnatural Primate Pictures Recently, PETA made a major push in its efforts to stop what it calls harmful portrayals of primates and has successfully lobbied a number of stock photo organizations to remove images that depict primates in an “unnatural” way. They have also asked that they restrict their photos to those taken in zoos or other natural environments. Stock photos are used in everything from advertisements to greeting cards, to websites and newspapers. While this may be a move that seems favorable for animals, isn’t it tantamount to censorship? Flight Attendant Saves Dog In a news cycle that seems to portray a lot of airline vs. animal issues, it’s a breath of fresh air to hear about a quick thinking flight attendant that saved the life of a French Bulldog on a JetBlue flight. The 3-year-old French Bulldog, named Darcy, was on a flight from Florida to Massachusetts with her human parents when her tongue began to turn blue and she started having difficulty breathing.

Supermodel Chicken Model Summer Rayne Oakes dispels common stereotypes. A Cornell graduate in Etymology, she has no problems feeding her best friend live meal-worms, something that would make most models squirm. Of course, her best friend is a chicken named Kippy. The two are inseparable. You might see them together on a N.Y. Subway. Kip has even appeared in several photo shoots. Does Your Pet Dream? Have you seen you pet twitch, move or mumble while they sleep. Could they be dreaming? Harvard Professor and Dream Researcher Dr. Deirdre Barrett shares what she knows about pet dreams. Dealing With Noise Phobias Some pets can be alarmed or startled by noises like thunder, cars and fireworks. It’s not uncommon. Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. E’Lise Christensen tells us about ways we can desensitize our furry friends. Our pets deserve to be Fear Free Pets. What Would You Give Up To Take Your Dog To Work? As part of last month’s Take Your Dog to Work Day, Ollie, a human-grade dog food company, polled animal lovers who currently cannot take their dog to the office to see what they would be willing to do to gain that privilege. One in four said they would give up three vacations days if it meant their dog would be allowed in the office. Additionally, 70% of pet parents said they would show up to work earlier if it meant they could bring their dog and 68% said they would stay later. Two-thirds of those polled said they would be willing to switch to another company if it meant getting pet-friendly perks. Former President Gets Service Dog George H.W. Bush is welcoming a new member of the family, a yellow Labrador retriever named Sully who will be his first service dog. The 94-year-old has been hospitalized several times in the last few years and Sully can open doors, pick up items and summon help. The nation’s 41st president currently uses a wheelchair and an electric scooter to get around since developing a form of Parkinson’s disease. You can follow Sully on his own Instagram account. Airlines Want To Ban Support Animals Two major air carriers, American and Southwest Airlines, are urging the Federal Government to no longer require them to allow Emotional Support Animals on board. The Transportation Department is reconsidering its rules for traditional service animals and comfort pets. The flight industry group, Airlines for America, which represents American and Southwest, has told the Transportation Department that it should narrow the broad definition of “service animals” to only quote, “trained dogs that perform a task or work for an individual with a disability.”

Making Chicken Clothes Earns $50,000 Yearly Julie Baker accidentally started a chicken clothing company by making fashionable-looking diapers for pet chickens - but now her company, Pampered Poultry, has gone on to add tutus, sweaters and dresses. She earns about $50,000 yearly. Research Shows Your Dog May Share Your Personality Traits Your dog's behavior has more to do with yours than you might think. Dogs can develop all kinds of personality issues, and new research shows that their humans might have something to do with it. Dr. Nicholas Dodman says your craziness can rub off on your dog. Finding Pet Friendly Vacation Spots Television host Ashley Mengwasser is traveling the country looking for the best places to take your pets. She'll show you, not the spots that just tolerate pets, but the locations that roll out the red carpet for Fido. Check out her program called Pets Welcome Here TV. Delta Bans "Pit-Bull Style" Dogs Delta has added its name to the growing list of airlines that have unveiled new, stricter policies about animals on airplanes. Delta says its new rules are driven by safety considerations and intended to ensure that service or emotional support animals are traveling only with passengers who truly have disabilities. The airline also announced it would prohibit all “pit bull-type dogs” as service or support animals due to safety concerns following recent incidents in which several employees were bitten. Mars Petcare Food Linked To Incurable Disease The Australian division of the global pet food company Mars Petcare has been dealing with a sad and difficult to understand mess involving one of its foods, Advance DermoCare, which has been implicated in more than 100 Australian dogs being diagnosed with megaesophagus. As a result of all the negative attention, Mars is now the first major pet food company to support Australian pet food regulation after years of the industry down under insisting there was no need for formal oversight. Owners of dogs with megaesophagus have criticized Mars for recalling the product three months after it first learned of a potential problem.