Animal Radio®

Catcade Christopher Gutierrez decided to create a cat café in Chicago. Not just any regular cat café though. He filled it with video and arcade games. He said the niche is working. His mission is to rescue cats from life-threatening situations and find quality homes through his adoption program. Massaging Your Pets Craniosacral Therapist Tracy Vroom works hard to help animals feel better through massage. As an instructor at the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage, she’s sharing what she knows about her healing touch. She’ll get us started with massage techniques for our pets. A Message To Veterinarians Veterinarian Dr. Julie Reck says that turning her office into a Fear Free certified clinic helped her to practice better medicine. She opened her clinic in 2011 and now she has a bustling practice with four vets and an new attitude. The pets are the big benefactors. Dr. Reck is next up in the Fear Free Expert Series. Commemorating A Pet Yes, all dogs go to heaven. But what you do with their earthly bodies is up to you and now you have options. There is cremation, burial at a pet cemetery and even taxidermy. You can also turn their ashes into synthetic diamonds, which is pretty expensive and starts at about $2,500 for the smallest size diamond. However, there is another option. Now you can have your pet composted. Lori Brooks reports. Dog Owners Are Healthier There are literally thousands of studies saying pets are good for your health but this latest one has a lot of people talking. This research was 12 years in the making, studying 3.4 million people, and found that adult dog owners are less likely to die than their non-dog owning peers. Emotional Support Squirrel Faces Eviction A man in Florida is facing eviction from his condo because he refuses to part with his ESA, or Emotional Support Animal, which in this case is a squirrel. The man says he rescued the female squirrel, now named Brutus, shortly after Hurricane Matthew last year. He says she’s just like a cat that hides nuts. He even has the required doctor’s note saying he suffers from anxiety related to a car accident more than ten years ago.

Bionic Animals Twenty-years ago, if an animal lost a limb, they might be considered for euthanasia. Not anymore. With the advent of 3D printing, doctors are able to create appendages, from legs to tails. Nancy Furstinger went deep undercover to see who is making these prosthetics, what animals are wearing them, and who is buying them. She says these animals seldom notice the handicap, and are mostly Unstoppable. Starting A Rescue More people are quitting their job to open animal rescues. This may seem pretty straightforward from the outside, but there is a maze of laws and hoops to jump through to avoid being shut down by Johnny Law. Sandra Pfau England has created the long-awaited step-by-step guide to starting a pet rescue and she’ll share some her finest tips on this week’s show. Bionic Animals Twenty-years ago, if an animal lost a limb, they might be considered for euthanasia. Not anymore. With the advent of 3D printing, doctors are able to create appendages, from legs to tails. Nancy Fvrstinger went deep undercover to see who is making these prosthetics, what animals are wearing them, and who is buying them. She says these animals seldom notice the handicap, and are mostly Unstoppable. Pet Care Innovation Awards The five finalists for this year’s Pet Care Innovation Awards have been announced. They include the Fetch My Pet Life Management app; Animal Biome, a micro biome-based pet health diagnostics and supplement company; Bare it All, a pet food company that uses the invasive Asian carp as a primary protein source; Barkly a personalized dog walking app; and Pup Joy, makers of the customizable subscription box for dogs. More than 85 companies from 9 countries applied for this year’s honor. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks reports. Holiday Hazards Animal Radio’s Pet World Insider Robert Semrow counts down the top 5 Holiday Traditions That Can Land You and Your Pets on the Naughty List. Don’t be one of the thousands that find themselves in the Veterinary office over the holidays. Believe It Or Not Edward Meyer of Ripley’s is back with his yearly round-up of strange and unusual animals. Topping the list for 2017 is a dog with two noses, conjoined fish, and a bird that wears flip-flops. We’ll have giveaways of this year’s incredible coffee table book, Shatter Your Senses.

A Real Animal Singer/Songwriter Eric Burdon (The Animals/War) guests this weekend on Animal Radio. He’ll talk about his affinity for Elephants, and what he’s doing about it. Eric will also share his experience living in a zoo. Creating a Fear Free World for Your Pets When two competing radio hosts get together, they must have something really important to talk about. Sure enough, Steve Dale and Hal Abrams team up to talk about the Fear Free movement and how it can benefit your pet. Fake Service Dogs on the Rise 19 states have now enacted laws cracking down on people who try to pass off their pets as service animals and Massachusetts is now considering a similar proposal. The toughest of the anti-fake service dog laws already in existence is in California, where the maximum penalty is a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Whole-Family Pet Cemeteries You will be hearing more from the Green Pet-Burial Society as our love of pets continues to grow. The group advocates for “whole-family cemeteries,” places where the whole family, pets included, can be buried together. The burial of pet remains in cemeteries designated for humans is illegal in many U.S. states. What It’s Like To Be On Shark Tank A dozen Animal Radio listeners were the first to get to try out the Brilliant Pad self-cleaning automatic dog potty. Last week, Brilliant Pad creator got his shot on the ABC hit show Shark Tank. With a half-million dollars in shark backing, Alan Cook tells us about the surreal experience of introducing Brilliant Pad to a prime time TV audience.

Chickens As Pets The “Chicken Chick” is back with her backyard chicken stories and tips on raising your own chickens. Trained as a lawyer, Kathy Shea-Morino is taking on cities all across the U.S. to allow chickens in city settings. Tackling Pet Diabetes Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has 5 Things You Must Know About Pet Diabetes. The disease is becoming more prevalent as more pets are becoming obese. This is just another reason to keep your pet fit and eating properly. Controlling Pet Stress You may think your pets are living the spoiled life. But did you know they actually could be stressed, causing undue strain on their immune system? Dr. Elizabeth DeLomba is back with details on the silent killer. She’ll tell us the signs to look out for - and what to do if your pet is stressed. Okay, That’s A Little Weird A new survey shows a large percentage of pet owners are going out of their way to do things for their pets, that other less animal friendly people may consider weird. But who cares, right? This new survey revealed that a 33% of us let our pets into the bathroom with us. The poll of 2,000 dog and cat owners also found a third shared a bath or shower with their pet! 3 in 10 sign their animal’s name in birthday cards. More than 6 in 10 admit they are closer to their pet than they are to some of their family members. But 9 in 10 owners said they don’t care what people think of their relationships with their pets. Fake Delta Airlines Website Scamming Pet Owners An elaborate, but bogus pet-shipping website that makes people believe they are dealing with Delta Air Lines has also been linked to a puppy selling scam, offering smaller dogs like Chihuahuas and poodles for sale. Delta filed a lawsuit against the website DeltaPetTransit.com in federal court because it is designed to look like the real Delta site and uses the airline’s logos and even pictures of its planes. According to Delta, the fake website operators collect thousands of dollars without ever shipping or delivering any pets.

The Science Behind Loving Our Pets Anthropologist John Bradshaw says our love for pets is in our DNA. It’s likely that if our parents carried the gene, you’ll inherently love pets. John explains why humans are genetically encoded to enjoy companion animals. The Importance of Pet Enrichment It isn’t enough to supply food, shelter and health care for your pet. They need more. Your pet needs enrichment. This could mean anything from food puzzles to exercise. Dr. Marty Becker explains in the next segment of the Fear Free Expert Series. Facebook Data Reveals Differences Between Cat and Dog Owners Facebook is all about the data. Facebook combed through its user base collecting information from 160,000 users in the United States who shared photos of cats or dogs (or both). They used object recognition technology to identify photos. They found dog people have more friends and more likely to be in a relationship. 30% of cat people are not in a relationship, compared to 24% of dog people. This is just the tip of the data iceberg. Another Supposedly Euthanized Pet Found Alive A New Jersey woman who thought her dog was dead believed that her 15-year-old Mini Pinscher named Caesar had been euthanized 5 months earlier at her vet’s office.  However, she recently found out that the dog had actually been living with an employee of the vet. Caesar’s owner had even picked up his collar, paid the bill and received a letter from the staff with their condolences.  The woman received an anonymous tip from someone who told her that her dog was still alive and in the care of a vet technician that worked at the hospital but that the veterinarian no longer worked there. Puerto Rican’s Must Leave Pets Over 20 lbs. on the Island Puerto Ricans who want to get off the island after Hurricane Maria are having to leave their pets behind due to a new federal restriction. The federal government has taken custody of cargo compartments on planes in order to transport supplies and the feds are not allowing animals larger than 20 pounds to fly. It’s estimated that already about 2,000 locals left their pets behind because of the new restriction.

Does Your Cat Have Mojo? Cat-daddy Jackson Galaxy has a house-full of his own cats (news flash), plus dogs and a turtle. So does he have the same problems as us common folk? You bet he does. Find out how he keeps harmony in his household. Blessing Your Animals Dr. James Capers is here to bless your animals. Grab your pets and bring them around the radio for this special ceremony. This is the next best thing to a visit from St. Francis of Assisi. California Pet Stores Can Only Sell Rescue or Shelter Dogs California Governor Jerry Brown has signed the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act into law, making California the first to have such a law that is statewide. Starting January 1st of 2019, dogs, cats, and rabbits will arrive at pet stores in the state already vaccinated and spayed or neutered. The biggest opposition to the law came from The American Kennel Club and the California Retailers Association. Woman Wins Sick Pay to Care for Pet An Italian college professor and dog owner has won the right to sick pay from her employer, after she took time off work to care for it. She only asked for two days leave because the dog needed constant medical supervision before it could be taken into surgery. When her employer refused her request, she appealed, demanding her right to paid leave as a public servant. Italy’s Penal Code prohibits the abandonment of pets and that keeping an animal in conditions that may cause it to suffer is a crime in the country. Each is punishable with jail time or a hefty fine. So, the university reconsidered the case and ruled in the woman’s favor, granting her the leave, which is traditionally granted only for workers dealing with serious personal or family problems. Does Your Pet Wear A Halloween Costume? Chances are good that you’ll be dressing your pets up for Halloween, whether they like it or not. Collectively, we’ll spend almost a half-billion dollars on costumes for our pets. Our Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has 5 Reasons Halloween is the Scariest Holiday for Pets.

Cocktails for Pets Taryn Nahm wants you to kick back a few cocktails with your pet. She says you can bond with your pet while you relax with a beverage. Taryn created pet cocktails that look just like the human adult versions, except without alcohol. Fear Free Tips You Can Use Do you have trouble getting your pet to the vet? You’re not alone. Certified Trainer Mikkel Becker has some great ideas for making a vet visits easy and enjoyable. Check out our Fear Free Expert Series. Antibiotic Resistant Virus Outbreak There has been a Campylobacter outbreak associated with puppies sold at Petland stores and it’s the humans that have handled these puppies that are getting sick. So far, more than 55 people in 12 states have now been diagnosed in this outbreak, which is so serious that at least a fourth of the patients have been hospitalized. If Your Pet Is Unwell - You Might Be Unwell Too New research shows that if your pet is unwell, it can make you unwell, leading to depression, anxiety and a poorer quality of life. It’s the same problem that was previously found in the human world. Millennial Choosing Pets Instead Millennials, or Generation Y, are those born between 1982 and 2004 and they are quickly changing the world of pets. According to the American Pet Products Association, Millennials are now the largest segment of pet owners. They found Millennials invest more time in their pets, evaluating their needs more thoroughly and spending more money.

George The Skateboarding Dog Nadine Singel never tried to train her bulldog to skateboard. When you see him surfing the concrete with such passion and skill, it’s hard to believe that he picked up the sport by watching neighborhood kids skateboarding. You’ll love George’s story. Why You Should Adopt A Senior Pet Senior pets are often the most undesirable pets to adopt. But seniors actually make great pets. So says Kim Skarritt, founder of the Silver Muzzle Cottage, a rescue and hospice for older dogs. She’s committed to making the last months of a pet’s life comfortable and happy. The Lucrative Pet Treat Business Anyone looking to cash in on the booming pet products business would be smart to investigate making pet treats, which have outpaced both dog and cat food in the last five years in the US. New research shows that pet treat sales increased by 29% between 2012-17 growing to more than 4 billion dollars of the retail pet products industry. What You Need To Know About Rabies Pet World Insider Robert Semrow says many pet parents have heard of, but may not truly understand what Rabies is or how it can affect our pets and us. Rabies is a serious illness that can have fatal consequences. This is one of those illnesses that you can be very proactive with. Have a strategy and understanding of the risks to you and your pets. Most Popular Pet Costumes for 2017 If you are one of the many people who just love Halloween, you may already have your pet’s costume. But if you don’t, we have your list of the top ten costumes for pets this year. It turns out that this year you’ll likely be seeing a lot of cats that look like dogs and dogs that look like cats. About 20% of pets will be parading around in costumes this Halloween.

Let Dogs Be Dogs Brother Christopher of the Monks of New Skete is our special guest. He says we’re treating our animals too much like humans. He’ll teach us to respect the true nature of dogs and become a pack leader. He’ll also help us deal with Halloween, a truly troublesome time for many dogs. How to Baby Talk to Pets Dr. Debbie says it’s important to learn how to “baby talk” to your pets. She uses baby talk for her patients and it makes a big difference. She’ll teach us the nuances behind this special conversation. If you don’t kn0w how to talk like a baby to your pet, today is your lucky day! The Pet Hoarder Disorder Hoarders are people with a disorder that causes them to collect objects. But people who collect things and objects are not the same as people who collect animals. A new study, published in the journal Psychiatry Research, takes a look at the motivations of people who hoard animals. This latest study suggests that animal hoarding should be classified as an independent disorder with the hope of developing specialized treatments to help these people cope with the compulsion to collect critters. Finding a Fear Free Veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Primm describes what it’s like to be the first certified “Fear Free” vet. She says it has made a world of difference for her practice, and especially the animals that come to see her. Listen to hear explain in our continuing Fear Free Expert Series. Actress Helps Rescue Dogs from Hurricane Aftermath The heartbreak of the recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida has shown us a lot of animal heroes. The founder of Houston Pets Alive says one busy morning after the Harvey struck, someone tapped her on the shoulder and said, “Just so you know, Renee Zellweger is over there cleaning kennels and doing your laundry.” Sure enough, she turned around to see the actress (who is also a native Texan) quietly cleaning kennels. And it wasn’t just a photo op for publicity. The rescue says Zellweger “was here four days literally cleaning crates, doing laundry and walking the dogs.”

What’s It Like To Be A Dog? Neuroscientist Gregory Berns managed to put several dogs into an MRI machine to scan their brains and try to understand how they think and feel. Do dogs have emotions? Do they have empathy? Do dogs have a sense of humor? You may be surprised at some of these answers. Counterfeit Flea Medication The latest break in the counterfeit investigation came after a California man admitted in federal court that he had been selling unregistered and smuggled animal pesticides online for 15 years. The phony products were sold at pet shops in every state. Authorities say the phony products were labeled with well-known brand names, such as Frontline and Advantix, and entered the legitimate pet pharmaceutical marketplace without any detection whatsoever. The counterfeit medication even ended up in some big name chain stores as well. Dog Friendly Breweries The website TripsWithPets.com has unveiled its brand new list of dog-friendly breweries across America. It joins their lists of dog-friendly restaurants, beaches and other attractions, along with airline and car rental policies for pets and pet friendly vacation activities. For example, did you know there are whale-watching trips, excursions mining for gems, wine tastings and apple picking activities for you and your pet? Bill Forces Pet Stores To Only Sell Shelter Pets California is looking to take a stand against puppy mills. If Assembly bill A.B. 485 is passed, the bill would enact a statewide ban on the sale of puppy mill pets in pet stores, allowing only adoptable pets from legitimate shelters and nonprofit rescues groups. Animal advocates say by passing the bill, it will enable California to cut off the supply of inhumanely bred puppies and prevent consumers from unwittingly supporting puppy mills. I Spent A Night At A Dog Hotel What’s it like to be the only human staying at one of the most luxurious dog exclusive resorts in the United States? Cathy Alter finagled her way into an 8 million dollar pet hotel for the night. She reveals her experience to us.

My Big Fat Pet Makeover Animal Planet host Travis Brorsen begins a four-month weight loss and behavior modification journey with pet owners and their overweight animals. Is your pet tipping the scale? Don’t take it personally. Over 60% of American pets are obese. Why Is Understanding Your Pet’s Body Language Vital? Licensed Veterinary Tech and Certified Professional Dog Trainer Debbie Martin is here to help us decode our pet’s body language She says there are some common signs of distress or anxiety that people miss. This is part of our Fear Free Expert Series Pot and Pets A new study out of Colorado shows a four-fold increase in pet cannabis-related medical cases and much of that is simply pets getting into their owners’ stash.  The active chemical in marijuana called THC (it’s what gives users the high) is toxic to pets. Veterinary experts say that cannabis can damage the neurological system in pets and can sometimes be fatal. Also, many of the marijuana desserts and sweets are made using Xylitol and artificial sweeter which is also extremely toxic to dogs. Getting Pneumonia from Guinea Pigs There’s a new discovery that’s just hit the world of guinea pig lovers. Dutch researchers say the cute furry rodents may carry germs tied to a very serious type of pneumonia. It’s caused by the same bacteria the causes pink eye in guinea pigs and three people in the Netherlands have wound up hospitalized for pneumonia after contact with guinea pigs. Missing Cat Reunited With Family After 10 Years. Pets seem to go missing all the time, but it’s not every day that they are reunited with their families. Jack the cat and his family was incredibly lucky! Ten years ago Jack went missing but because Jack had been micro-chipped as a kitten the Sanctuary where Jack eventually ended up was able to find his family after all that time.

Strange Animal Laws David Rosengard, a Staff Attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) explores the 10 Weirdest Animal Laws on the Books. He’ll also share some of the important work the ALDF does for animals worldwide by being a voice for the voiceless. How Much Would You Spend to Save Your Pet? More and more pet parents these days are willing to go the financial distance for their pets to give them the best. Americans dog owners spend $2,033 toward their pets on average each year and cat owners about half that at $1,042. But when pet owners are forced to choose between big vet bills and the life of their furry friends, dog owners are willing to pay around $7,000 more than cat owners according to a new survey. So what’s the actual number? Those who have dogs say they’re willing to spend up to $10,725 to save their pets, while cat owners say they’re willing to spend up to $3,454. But for those people who had both cats and dogs, they’d be willing to spend up to $10,200 on average for either their cats or dogs. Spare Fido the Advil Ibuprofen is the #1 medication about which the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives calls. Never, ever, give a dog ibuprofen without first consulting a veterinarian. Pets metabolize ibuprofen differently than humans and even small amounts of the human pain reliever can be dangerous to animals. Giving your dog ibuprofen can cause vomiting and gastric distress and could also lead to seizures, coma and death. APCC’s annual report breaks down the most common pet toxins across the nation. Popular brands of ibuprofen include Advil, Motrin and Midol. Man Dies Rescuing Cat After Hurricane Harvey The stories of heroes keep coming out of Texas and Louisiana after Hurricane Harvey. One mother has shared the story of her 25-year-old son who was electrocuted in Houston floodwaters. Andrew Pasek died while trying to save his older sister’s cat. He was an animal lover who had just started out in chest deep water to walk the five blocks to the sister’s house to check on the cat who had been left behind, when he stepped on a live electrical wire. Owner Leaves $300,000 to Her Cats A couple of cats in New York will be living a better life than many of us after their elderly, wealthy owner passed away and left them $300,000 in her will. A health care aide who worked with their former owner is now caring for the cats, Troy and Tiger. Now they are trust fund cats.

Katherine and Maverick Katherine Schwarzenegger (daughter of Arnold and Maria) is an ASPCA Ambassador and bestselling author. She has a new children’s book, which will empower young readers to help dogs who find themselves in shelters and animal rescues. She’s our guest this week. To Kiss Your Dog or Not To Kiss Your Dog A USA Today article cited lots of research and experts both for and against dogs licking humans on the lips. For example: There are more than 700 different types of bacteria in a healthy dog’s mouth. One doctor researching this subject says she’s heard many personal stories from people on both sides of the spectrum, including one who claimed their dog’s kisses healed them from skin cancer and another who believes dog saliva caused a family member’s death. Millennial Make Pets’ Lives Better Millennials are behind the idea of pets as family members and making animals’ lives better. A new survey shows that for Millennials (those between the ages of 18 and 36) pets really are like their children with one-third of them, who purchased their first home, doing so because it had a yard and was a better space for their dog. Only 25% of Millennials bought their first home because they got married and 19% because they had children. Buy a Salad - Get a Pet! A southern California woman has a new pet frog after finding the distressed amphibian in a large container of lettuce mix she bought at a local Target. She had already made her salad, poured on the dressing and was just about halfway through eating it when she saw something in her bowl that was moving. Being a strict vegetarian, the woman says she was so traumatized after finding the frog in her salad and that she has no desire to eat salad ever again. However, she quickly scooped up the little frog and rinsed off the dressing, but she noticed the frog was barely alive so she did chest compressions on it - frog CPR - and it survived. His name is now Lucky. Fear, Anxiety and Stress Dr. Lisa Radosta, owner Florida Veterinary Behavior Service explains what causes fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets? How does this fear, anxiety, and stress affect them? Why is it so important that we address the fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets? What is one simple thing we can do to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets?

Nude Birding Olaf Danielson has made a hobby out of birding without any clothes. Olaf is an author, religious scholar, storyteller and adventurer. He will share some of his favorite stories of seeking out rare and exotic avian wildlife... while naked as a jaybird. Who is Tracking Your Pet Purchases? With the pet industry growing so fast, any information that can be gained from your purchases for your pets is going to be extrapolated every way possible for those companies which profit from your spending habits. Search data pulled by Hitwise from major pet supply websites in June shows the majority of both cat and dog owners, or at least those doing the buying for their pets, are women and that the women who own dogs make nearly twice as much as those who have cats. Pet Crematory Intentionally Gives Back Wrong Ashes A pet cemetery and crematory in Illinois is accused of deceiving clients by giving them ashes that were not be from their deceased pets. Police found three deceased animals inside an old freezer at the facility and fortunately one of the animals had been micro chipped. Authorities contacted the owner who said they had already received their cat's ashes. But the only thing illegal in this case was misrepresenting ashes of an animal because pet crematories in Illinois are not regulated. Are Kittens and Puppies The Key to a Successful Marriage? You're thinking love, communication, trust, common interests and that kind of stuff, right? But, a new study from the University of Florida says it could also be cute, cuddly puppies, kittens and bunnies. The team of psychological scientists found that to break the 'familiarity breeds contempt syndrome' or boredom that can happen in long-term relationships, couples can make better associations with their spouse through a positive stimulus like puppies and bunnies. Training Pit Bulls for Good Jeff Jenkins is the ringleader for the Midnight Circus, a pit-bull agility performance that shows the often-misunderstood dogs in a positive light. He's helping youngsters train their pit-bulls to do tricks instead of fighting.

Diva Duck Shellie Powell has an unusual pet. She is the proud guardian of “Diva,” a pet duck that wears a diaper and shoes. Diva goes with Shellie everywhere, including Walmart, Target and PetSmart. Shellie is training Diva the Duck to be a Therapy Pet. Taking The Fear Free Movement Home Many veterinarians are practicing “Fear Free.” Pets that like going to the veterinarian are generally healthier. Now, the Fear Free movement is coming to your home with ideas for enriching your pet’s life everyday. Dr. Marty Becker is back to explain how your pets can live an improved lifestyle. Can Kissing Your Pet Make You Fat? Researchers are looking into the connection between having a pet and obesity. They are interested in gut health and trying to find out if certain microbial swaps (such as a kiss or a lick with your pet) might help or hurt when it comes to weight problems in both pets and people. Current evidence actually suggests heavier people have heavier pets, which some scientists believe could be due to microbial swaps from a human to a dog. Scammer Targets Lost Pets The number of pet related fraud cases are on the rise. The latest is Texas where a woman’s cat mysteriously disappeared from the front porch where he would take his afternoon nap every day. The day after he vanished, she put up fliers all over her neighborhood. Less than a week later, she received a call from a man who asked if there was a reward for the cats return. He then said she could get Romeo back for $300 and offered to finance the payments for 8 months! How Hot is Too Hot? Your dog doesn’t need to be in a hot car to suffer from heat exhaustion. Temperatures above 82 degrees are enough to cause a fatal reaction. Steve Burdo from Contra Costa Animal Services sat inside his Acura as temperatures soared about 115 degrees. He did this to bring attention to the new California law that allows people to break into cars to rescue hot animals.