The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

In Washington, D.C., a newly-adopted dog from Iran is exhibiting an uncomfortable lack of affection for men and Dr. Gary Weitzman offers the canine's companion useful advice. A New York woman is considering the “unthinkable” – declawing her cat – in the wake of serious damage to the contents of her home. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Bee School” by Mark Isham

Journey North is a novel approach to “citizen science." It involves nearly 1 million students and educators in a continental effort to track the seasonal migratory patterns of North American wildlife. Program founder and director Elizabeth Howard relays the inspiring details. Click here for a selection of migration maps. WAMU 88.5 producer Michael Martinez traveled to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to learn more about the Harris Creek Habitat Restoration Project, the largest effort of its kind on the East Coast, with the goal of putting tens of millions of oysters back into Chesapeake Bay over the next decade. Music: “The Green Hour” by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society encounters a Missouri woman who is acclimating a Border Collie to living in her home -- with messy results. A woman from San Diego has noticed a unique interaction between two pets and she wants to be certain that it’s harmless. We also feature BirdNote, the weekly exploration of avian species. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

When you eat a vegetable or piece of fruit, chances are there is a honeybee to thank for the opportunity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 25 percent of our diet is the result of pollination by the insect. The recent discovery of a rapid and widespread decline of America’s honeybee populations has scientists and beekeepers mystified and very concerned. We get a sense of the severity from Bret Adee, co-owner of Adee Honey Farms, the nation’s largest honey farm, and from Jeff Pettis, head of the USDA’s bee research lab. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James; “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Wynton Marsalis and Eastman Wind Ensemble

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 was 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 an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Daniel Wesson, who recently discovered that rodents talk to each other via sniffing. Also, Dr. 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

Positive effects of the persistent efforts of wildlife conservationists can been seen across the country as species that are having a tough time in their native habitats are thriving in controlled and supportive environments. At the San Francisco Zoo, they recently celebrated the birth of an exceedingly rare and endangered Sumatran Tiger -- there are an estimated 400 on the planet -- and Corrine MacDonald, the zoo’s curator of primates and carnivores, shares the details with us. We also speak with Ken Lang of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute about the recent birth of two clouded leopards (pictured) at his facility. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman helps the Arizona companion of an 8-year-old Chinese Crested named “Notcho” (as in not-cho ordinary canine) discover the right dietary balance. Then, a woman calls from Maryland wondering what to do about her cat’s overweight condition. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “La Rondine” (The Swallow) by Renata Scotto

Shannon Service of PRI’s The World covers a story of conservationists and fishermen who are at odds over the right fish for tuna in the waters surrounding the island nation of Palau.

As a rule, cats and litter boxes can be a difficult match. But Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society is up for the challenge. He has a fail-safe solution for a Washington, D.C., woman whose cat would rather perch aloft from her furniture for its biological relief, instead of using the litter box. Weitzman also helps a California woman who is trying to cultivate the lighter side of her Chihuahua’s personality.

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) discussed the problem of thousands of homeless dogs in Michigan’s largest city. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

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