The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society helps a concerned Washington, D.C., mom whose Doberman Pinscher has taken a liking to licking her newborn son. Then, a Virginia man seeks a way to stop a neighbor’s cat from relieving itself on his front lawn.

Researchers at University of California, Irvine may have uncovered a new method for controlling the dreaded insect, inspired by a successful remedy used in Europe centuries ago. Catherine Loudon is leading the team responsible for this breakthrough and she shares the details. Actress, model and animal advocate Beth Stern gives a preview of her new TV program "Spoiled Rotten Pets," which airs on the NatGeo Wild cable network.

The brutal, ritualistic killing of a German Shepherd and the baffling disappearance of dozens of other dogs in southern Idaho has raised concerns among animal control officials and drawn the offer a $5,000 reward from The Humane Society of the United States. Debbie Blackwood, director of the Twin Falls, Idaho, animal shelter has intimate knowledge of this issue and she spoke to Sam Litzinger. Dan "Hush" Carlisle, co-founder of Detroit Dog Rescue (pictured) discusses the problem of thousands of homeless dogs in Michigan’s largest city. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman speaks to a conflicted man who is not sure what to do about his 12-year-old Springer Spaniel, who seems to be near the end of life. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Glory Days” by Mark Isham

John Dolittle is a fictional character with a slightly unbelievable ability to talk with animals in Hugh Lofting’s series of children’s books of the 1920s. In 2013, scientists are discovering real world evidence of sophisticated communication and even language among a vast array of wildlife species, which greatly expands the possibilities of actual human to non-human discourse. We have a conversation with Dr. Daniel Wesson, an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University, who recently discovered that rodents talk to each other via sniffing. Also, Dr. Con Slobodchikoff discusses what he knows about animals using grammatical language, a discovery inspired by his pioneering study of prairie dogs. read more

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society offers suggestions to a California woman whose two cats seem to be suffering from separation anxiety. A call from Virginia reveals an unusual relationship between a dog and a television. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

A Virginia woman wants to know if agility training is available for cats. A San Diego man wants to know more about the implications of feral cat populations in his city. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “The Swan” by Claude Debussy

FIP: three letters with fatal implications for cats that contract the incurable virus (pictured). Why? We asked the world’s foremost authority on FIP, Dr. Niels Pedersen, director of the veterinary genetics laboratory and center for companion animal health at the University of California at Davis. We also asked shelter pet expert Dr. Ruth MacPete of Pet Health Network to compile a checklist of tests to perform to before you bring a new pet home.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society guides a woman from the “Terrapin” state of Maryland through the processes of creating a more engaging environment for her turtle. In Virginia, the companion of a finicky poodle needs help with meal time. We also feature BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Fatal auto accidents involving wildlife and humans happen thousands of times a day. Tens of thousands of fish and marine mammals die every year in areas of public recreation. Are we in the midst of a cohabitation crisis? Acclaimed journalist Jim Sterba relays a slightly less than apocalyptic view of the colliding interests of humans and wildlife, which is also the thesis of his new book, "Nature Wars: The Incredible Story of How Wildlife Comebacks Have Turned Backyards Into Battlegrounds." We also speak with John Gary of Oklahoma City Animal Welfare about the efforts to care for pets and wildlife in the aftermath of the devastating tornado that hit his state. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James; “Slipstream” – Bela Fleck

The effort to ban horse slaughter in the U.S. gained new momentum recently when four powerful members of Congress introduced a bill known as the SAFE act in a Capitol Hill press conference. We were there to speak with several influential figures in the animal welfare community who were also in attendance. Sam Litzinger speaks with Dr. Rindy Anderson of Duke University about how and why she and a team researchers created a new, robotic avian species affectionately called "Robosparrow." Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

A San Diego woman is having difficulty keeping her dogs indoors and seeks the advice of Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society. A Florida man needs help with his poodle’s peculiar lack of discipline. In Chicago, a 2-year-old Corgi injures a leg, and its caretaker wants to know if surgery is an option. We also feature BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species.

Dr. Gary Weitzman speaks with a Maryland woman who wants to make her parakeet more “sociable." In Washington, D.C., a woman is looking for ways to change her two cats’ aggressive behavior toward strangers. A Tennessee man has a cat that was diagnosed with feline leukemia and he wants advice. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Glory Days” (from “Racing Stripes” original soundtrack) by Mark Isham

Jim and Jamie Dutcher are National Geographic explorers, award-winning filmmakers, authors and the first family of wolf conservation. For two decades, the study of wolves has been their life’s work. Between 1990 and 1996, the Dutchers did what many considered impossible -- actually living with a pack of wolves in Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness. Sam Litzinger speaks to the Dutchers about their personal experiences with the often misunderstood canine species. After that, it’s The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh.

Actress, author and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini unveils her new series of short films about motherhood in the animal kingdom, "Mammas," which airs on the Sundance Channel. See excerpts from the series. We travel to New Orleans for a chat with Ken Foster, founder of renowned pit bull rescue organization The Sula Foundation. Ken recently published a book about his affection for and commitment to the loyal and loving but often unappreciated breed, called "I’m A Good Dog." Music: “Home” by Pat Metheny; “Your Mother Should Know” by The Beatles