The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

A Virginia man has a cat that likes its meals at odd hours. Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society offers a plan fix this uncomfortable situation. We also feature BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit

Washington Post White House reporter Juliet Eilperin gives a detailed examination of President Barack Obama’s executive order allocating government funds to help combat illegal harvesting of wildlife in Africa, which is a multinational, mega-billion dollar racket. Eilperin recently wrote a book about one of the species caught in the worldwide demand for animal body parts, "Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks." Anders Kelto, Africa Correspondent for PRI’s The World, has a story about the positive effects of a new trend toward urban farming in unusual places on the world's second largest continent.

Dr. Gary Weitzman speaks to a California woman whose dog has been trying to escape the confines of her property. A Florida man wants to know why his livestock-guarding dog is urinating in feed bowls. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit; “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (from “The Lion King”) – Kenny G

The Rhinoceros Auklet is an Alaskan sea bird with a singular routine and a distinctive song. Alexis Will, a graduate student at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, studies the foraging behavior of the “rhino,” and she sent us an audio postcard that chronicles her work. We also hear The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh. Music: “Blackbird” by The Beatles; "Introduction: Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saens Special thanks to KCAW - Sitka, AK

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society has advice for a Brooklyn, N.Y., woman who is having difficulty understanding her cat’s lack of affection for the litter box. A man in Richmond, Va., wants suggestions on how to make his dog less “leash aggressive." We also feature BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit

The brief escape of a red panda from the Smithsonian National Zoo and the dramatic capture of a black bear in a residential area of the nation’s capital made international news. Ray Noll, director of animal control field services for the Washington Humane Society, gives a first-person account of the unusual circumstances in both instances. Music: “Kari” by Bob James and Earl Klugh

We meet Dr. Loretta Mayer (pictured), a scientist who has developed a humane method for significantly reducing the population of rodents in the New York City subway system. We also get "The Loh Down on Science" with Sandra Loh. Music: “Take the A Train” by The Duke Ellington Orchestra and The Count Basie Orchestra.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society and Maureen Sosa of the Washington Animal Rescue League help a woman find a new home for her son’s Staffordshire Terrier (pictured). A San Diego woman seeks dietary advice for her daughter’s Pomeranian. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit

Washington Post Reporter Lenny Bernstein reveals the details of a new study that connects the migratory patterns of fish species to global climate change.

Although species decline and habitat loss is widespread throughout the animal kingdom, the feral pig is in the midst of a dramatic population increase and territory expansion. Once considered a regional phenomenon, the destructive mammal is becoming commonplace across much of the nation, leaving billions of dollars of damage in its wake. There are an estimated 5 million wild hogs in the United States, and more than half of them can be found in Texas, where Dr. Billy Higginbotham, a wildlife specialist at Texas A&M University is a key figure among scientists working to control the animal in the state. Higginbotham tells us about this herculean effort. Meanwhile, wild ponies have become a popular attraction at a state park in southwest Virginia and we find out why from Beverley Amsler of Radio IQ. read more

A Virginia woman’s guinea pig has developed an unusual condition and Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society offers advice. In Washington, D.C., a rescued pit bull is showing signs of separation anxiety and its caretaker wants to know if drug therapy is the right course of action. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

John Lill, associate professor of biology at The George Washington University, shares his considerable knowledge of the singing insect species known as Magicicada, in anticipation of their arrival this spring after 17 years underground. Cori Menkin of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, talks about the organization’s campaign to expose the mistreatment of animals in large-scale commercial dog breeding operations known as puppy mills. And Wayne Pacelle, president and C.E.O. of The Humane Society of the United States, shares his thoughts on the $500 billion United States Farm Bill package and how its passage will impact animals. Music: “La Cigarra (The Cicada)” by Linda Ronstadt

Dr. Gary Weitzman offers counsel to a Maryland woman whose cat is regurgitating its food. Reports of dog bites are rising and a woman in San Diego wants to know more about the statistics and ways to avoid incident. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Wild Horses” – Norah Jones and Tim Ries

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society devises a plan to curb a cat’s compulsive over grooming of an area that has recently undergone surgery. The companion of a Labrador Retriever in the nation’s capital is worried about the canine’s persistent limp. A 6-year-old Lhasa Apso in Georgia has an aversion to using a “litter pad” and the dog’s caretaker seeks an alternative. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Ari Daniel Shapiro of NOVA and PRI’s The World travels to Mexico to profile a biologist in who is trying to convince his countrymen to protect bats. He is training a new generation of researchers to look after the animals. Arizona based filmmaker Justin Willis talks about his short movie, "Catnip," a prize winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.