Cat Survives 8-Days Being Shipped in Box By Owner
Cupcake is an incredibly lucky cat. The Siamese survived being stuck inside a small cardboard box for eight days and 260 miles after her owner accidentally mailed her. The owner didn't see Cupcake snoozing inside the package as she packed it with DVDs. Then she dropped the box in the mail. The package's recipients were stunned to open the box and find the cute cat curled up alongside the movies they'd bought. Cupcake was reunited with her tearful owner (who felt horrible) over the weekend. She says, "I knew Cupcake was missing, but not for one second did I think she was in that box."
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Unique Ways To Memorialize Your Pet
The one downfall of cats and dogs is their short life span. This leaves us looking for unique ways to pay tribute to their life. We've found companies that will turn your pet into a diamond gem stone or shoot your pets remains into space. Now comes Pet Perennials, a wild-flower garden composed from your pet's ashes. The startup's founder Remy Bibaud explains.
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Cat Lovers Take More Pictures
The research is in from one "cloud" company that says we upload more pictures of our cats than dogs. What does this actually say about cat guardians? Do we take more cat pictures because we're "cat crazy?" Jackie Stone from MiMedia has her reasons for the trend.
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The Difference Between Dog and Cat Owners
Dog owners are happier, more sociable, earn bigger salaries and have a bigger sexual appetite than cat owners, according to a new study. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks says data also suggests that dog owners are more likely to have paid off their mortgage and they will be inclined to describe their job as "stressful." By contrast, cat owners are happier living alone and admit they relish a simpler pace of life. The study also found the average cat owner takes home $34,000 a year, while the typical dog lover can expect to earn $38,000.
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Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats!?!
Research from Manhattanville College confirms what you may suspect... cat owners are more neurotic and less happy than dog owners. Assistant Professor Katherine Bao explains the results of this study and talks about ongoing research.
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Batman Set Made Into Birdhouses
The very "Batty" Rob Mies joins us to explain why they've cut up the Batman vs. Superman movie set and made bat-houses, signed by the actors (even Ben Affleck & Zack Snyder) and auctioned on eBay.
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Bark-n-Borrow
Liam Berkeley came up with an App that matches dogs with those that want "dog-time" but don't have enough time for a full-time pet. The spirit in the service lies in how it enables "borrowers," people who aren't fortunate to have their own dog, but would love to spend time with one whenever they have a chance. Would you trust your dog with someone suggested by a phone app?
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Giant Rabbit Finds Home
Atlas, a giant rabbit about the size of a terrier, has found a new home after being taken in by the SPCA last month. The rabbit's previous owner decided they could no longer care for him and the shelter spent a month searching for a proper home for the abnormally large rabbit. The new pet parent to Atlas says she feels like she won the lottery because there were hundreds of calls and emails from people all over the world who wanted to adopt Atlas. By the way, Atlas' new name is almost as long as he is. The new owner named him Axilla the Bun Binky Master Jazz Paws, but calls him Atty for short!
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Boston Latest to Ban Puppy Mill Sales
More than 90 cities across the country have now banned the sale of commercially-bred dogs in pet stores, while Illinois and Maine have proposed bills to ban the sale of puppies in pet stores statewide! In the latest big win for animal advocates and animals, Boston has become the latest major city to sign legislation banning the sale of commercially bred animals.
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Pigs As Pets
The very charismatic Debra Jo Chiapuzio is back to tell us about life with a pet pig. She says her dog thinks the swine is a yummy-treat. If you've ever considered a pig for a pet, you must hear this interview. Debra, who is responsible for creating the Emma Zen Organization, raised funds to supply local fire departments with pet-oxygen masks. Now she's behind the "Food Train" to help rescued pigs.
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Protective Order Protects Pets of Domestic Abuse
A new federal bill in search of Congressional support could be passed to protect both animals and people. The Pets and Women's Safety (PAWS) Act will make it a crime to cross state lines to commit an act of domestic violence on a pet. The program would also provide support for animal shelters that offer space for the pets of people fleeing domestic violence.
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Living In A Bathtub for 30 Daze
Danielle Daals left her family in New Zealand to sit in a bathtub for 30 days in front of the Miami Seaquarium. Of course she has a good reason. She wants people to know that Lolita the Killer Whale lives in the smallest tank in the United States. We talk to her about halfway through her publicity stunt.
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Cat Trapped In Woman's Body
Nano, as she likes to be called, claims she was born in the wrong species and that she's actually a cat trapped in a human body! She says her personality and psychological features prove that she is more feline that human because she prefers walking around on her hands and knees to standing on two legs, and likes to sleep in sinks and wind mills, despite her adult size. She also claims she possesses a slew of catty characteristics like ultra-sharp hearing, laser night vision and fierce aversions to both dogs and water. The clincher that Nano is really a cat is seen in her You Tube video in which she says, "It's also obvious that I'm a cat when I start purring and meowing . . . Sometimes I hiss when meeting dogs in the street."
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Rocker Marlon Hargis Talks About His Furry Friends
He's still around and touring for the animals. From the band Exile (Kiss You All Over), Marlon Hargis is our guest; and saying he loves our furry friends is an understatement. He even does a benefit concert for a homeless pets and people organization.
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Canned vs. Kibble - Moist vs. Dry
Doc Halligan is here to settle the age-old question, should we be feeding our pets dry food or from a can? The answer may depend on many factors. Is dry kibble responsible for one of the most common problems in older male cats?
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Real Estate for Animal Businesses
You may already know how hard it is to find somewhere to live with your pets. That is especially true if you live in Los Angeles. LA is where Lynsey Polacheck runs her real estate business for animal related businesses like groomers, pet hotels and even a doggy-shrink.
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Canine Flu Now in 28 States
The new strain of canine flu was just confirmed in Missouri and Montana. There is a preventative vaccine for about $50, which is a lot cheaper than treating a dog with this strain of flu. And what about the cats? Can they get it?
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What You Need To Know About Microchips
The biggest misconception about microchips is that they contain the owner's information. Dr. Debbie sets a listener straight (or perhaps the listener sets Dr. Debbie straight) when they ask why veterinarians don't scan for stolen pets. Make sure these microchip pitfalls don't make them useless when your pet goes missing.
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Joyce DeWitt Guests
She played Janet, the brunette on Three's Company. Joyce DeWitt is our special guest this week and she's "talking dogs." She starred in a Hallmark made-for-TV movie about dogs.
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GPS Microchip Fraud?
Karen Hanover was a recent guest on Animal Radio® and discussed a new device she and her mother created called Escape Alert, a GPS microchip that could track your dog if he/she ever got lost. Hanover signed a plea deal in federal court stating that she bilked 48 people out of nearly a million-and-a-half dollars.
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Pet Insurance Reform
California has become the first state in the nation to enact a set of protections for people who buy pet insurance. Assembly bill 2056 requires insurers to explain their policies more clearly and give people a 30-day trial period, during which a person can get a full refund. The pet insurance industry is expected to grow to at least $750 million by next year, while Americans spend more than $15 billion annually on veterinary care.
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E-Cigarettes Causes Trouble for Pets
With the popularity of electronic cigarettes, veterinarians are seeing more and more nicotine poisoning events. The pen-like smoke vaporizer usually is flavored, which makes it even harder to keep away from dogs. Dr. Ahna Brutlag from the Pet Poison Helpline is here to explain.
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Quit Your Stupid Job
Beth Stultz of PetSit.com wants you to quit your dumb job and become a pet-sitter! She says you can make anywhere between 50,000 to a MILLION a year doing what you love. Beth will tell you how to get started.
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Pet Dental Health Month
Sure, everyone is telling you to brush your pet's teeth daily. But are you? Of course not. Not because you don't care, but because it can be a tremendously complex undertaking. Doc Halligan and Joey Villani have the lowdown on brushing compliance and why it's so important for your pet's health.
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Pets and YOUR Happiness
A survey from Manhattan College confirms that people that own pets are generally happier than those that don't. The research also goes on to back up an earlier theory that cat owners tend to be neurotic.
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Goats Celebrates The Broncos Football
A Colorado farmer is celebrating the Denver Bronco's by knitting Broncos sweaters for the 150 baby goats expected to be born on her family's 400-acre goat farm this spring.
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Can Our Pets Become Addicted To Opioids?
The opioid crisis isn't just impacting people. A new study in Pennsylvania says there's been a big increase in the amount of pain medication being prescribed for pets in the state. The new research shows opioid prescriptions for animals in the state are up 41% over a 10-year period. It's unclear why there's been such a dramatic increase. But, if opioids are so addictive for humans, are they addictive to pets?
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What If Your Pet Could Talk?
There have been some new advances in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), which suggest the dream of being able to talk with animals could really happen. With the help of A.I., scientists are learning how to translate animals' vocalizations and facial expressions into something we can understand.
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Dog Flu Is Year Round
Canine Influenza, more commonly known as the 'dog flu' is not the same virus as the human flu. For humans, there is a flu season in which the virus is spread, but dog flu is seen year round in pets. You cannot give your dog the flu and you cannot get the flu from your dog. However, dog flu signs and symptoms are much like what people experience such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose and gooey eye discharge. People get flu shots to protect themselves and there IS a flu vaccine for dogs too.
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Most Common Reasons Pets Go To Vets
After treating more than 15,500 animal patients last year, Dove Lewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Animal Hospital in Portland has compiled a list of the most common medical issues pets are taken to the vet for, as well as the most common items eaten by pets. The top item pets eat that they shouldn't is chocolate followed by marijuana and human medications.
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Teaching Kids About Spay & Neuter
Lynn Jackson is at the forefront of educating students in Burke County, North Carolina about the acute feral cat and sterilization problems faced by this part of the U.S. She visits with fourth graders and teaches responsible pet ownership.
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Swiffer Hoax Has Been Around - Here It Comes Again.
For some reason, the rumor that the chemicals used in Swiffer Wet Jet cleaner is killing pets is making the rounds again. But don't worry - it's not true! This urban myth has been around for a number of years and seems to get run through the social media grinder every few months.
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The Prince is Back!
Prince Lorenzo Borghese has returned for his second time on Animal Radio. While he never found love on ABC's The Bachelor, he did find a special love for the animals. He helps relocate homeless animals on death row in Georgia to new forever homes in Jersey.
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FBI Tracks Animal Abuse
This year, for the first time, the FBI has begun tracking animal abuse the same way it tracks other major crimes such as murder, arson, and assault, so animal cruelty is now a Class A felony with its own category. Previously, animal cruelty crimes were reported to the FBI as "other." The deputy executive director of the National Sheriffs' Association backed the change when he learned that many serial killers are animal abusers first.
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How Do Dogs Wear Pants?
Julie Korth has been making pants for dogs long before it was cool! As CEO of Mozziepants, she's following her dreams. So many questions. So little time.
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Dog Flu Spreading
There is a dangerous strain of dog flu spreading through the western U.S. Health officials in the Seattle area have confirmed tests showing the virus was found in dogs who stayed at a local doggie daycare facility where at least 80 dogs developed respiratory illness since December. The virus began spreading last spring in the Chicago area and sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Midwest. Although most dogs recover, a handful of deaths were reported. It has since spread to about 25 states.
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Emotional Support Turkey Flies Delta
Did you see the photo of a turkey that took the Internet by storm after boarding a Delta Airlines passenger flight? It shows the bird sitting opened beaked while being hugged by its owner. Another photo was also shared online of the turkey being transported in a wheelchair. It is believed the turkey was given a seat on the plane as an "emotional support animal."
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Snake-Whisperer Gets The Girls
Brian Barczyk loves reptiles. He has 30,000 snakes. Brian breeds them and sends them all over the globe to his snake-lovin' brethren. He's been bit 100,000 times he estimates and his colorful life is ripe for a TV reality series. Are you listening NatGeo? Oh, and no, he's not single. In fact, the chicks dig it.
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Security K9's For Schools
Following the Sandy Hook tragedy, Mark Gomer got the idea to put Canine Protection Dogs into schools to sniff-out firearms and diffuse violent situations. At $50,000 per dog, Mark is trying to convince schools to purchase one of these full-time K9's to protect their students.
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There's An App For That
Ever wonder where you can take your dog if you are out and about? The Fido Factor app lets people know which places allow dogs, whether it's a department store, restaurant, bar or just about any place else. In addition, the app gives you specific rules for each place, so you'll know things like the leash rules or the fees you'll have to pay.
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When To Say No
Hoarding is a very real problem. Often times, those who collect suffer mental disabilities for which only professional help is the answer. We'll speak to a cat lover that has more cats than she can count, and a dog lover with 16 un-altered pups. Ultimately, the pets suffers from this unrecognized neglect.
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Charm School for Wayward Cats
Shawn Simons said she accidentally started herding and domesticating feral kittens for adoption. What began as a hobby has turned into one of the best rescue stories of the decade. Simons is making a difference for feral and homeless feline across Los Angeles county. She even enlists high-profile celebs to help with her cause.
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Pets Save On Your Medical Bills
Two researchers from George Mason University in Virginia have calculated a savings of more than $11 billion in health care costs in the United States as a result of pet ownership. On average, the 132.8 million pet owners in the country visit a doctor 0.6 times less than the average non-pet owners. With the average cost of a visit to the doctor's office at $139, that calculates to more than $11 billion pet owners did not spend. Not only that, but the dog owners who walked their pet five or more times a week had a lower incidence of obesity and were responsible for saving $419 million in related health care costs, according to the study.
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Secondhand Smoke Bad for Pets
A recent study says that dogs and cats whose humans smoke are at greater risk of cell damage, weight gain and some animal cancers. Researchers in Scotland discovered that, "An examination of the testicles removed from castrated dogs found that a gene, which acts as a marker of cell damage, was higher in dogs living in smoking homes." But if you have cats, the risk is greater because cats groom themselves, which increases the amount of smoke chemicals that enter the body.
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Cat Uses Litter-box as Flotation Device
A very smart cat used its litter box to stay afloat during a devastating flood that had water almost up to the ceiling of his house trailer in Missouri. Two members of the Disaster Response Team from the Humane Society of Missouri pulled up to the trailer in a boat and were able to gently extract the wet cat from the litter box as it floated by a window inside.
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"Boomer The Dog" Guests
Delivered from obscurity by NatGeo's Taboo, Boomer is a dog in a man's body. Some have issues with a grown man dressing up as a dog, eating dog food, and barking out commands. Boomer was inspired by Disney's Shaggy DA movie and hasn't been the same since. Boomer explains his world in this special Animal Radio interview.
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Pet Friendly House
David Beart is building his house especially for his dog. He's teamed up with many manufacturers to stock his pet-friendly dwelling. While this may not seem like a big deal, David may be onto something. The pet industry is the second-fastest growing sector at 58 BILLION dollars this year. It only makes sense that our homes will become more-homier for our furry-friends.
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Online Pet Scams
Scambook's Miranda Perry lists off the top scams directed at the very-delicate and vulnerable pet-lover. These include Craigslist scams for pure-breed puppies to Western Union fraud. She even tells us about a guy who impersonated an animal control officer to bilk money out of noisy neighbors. Be listening so you won't be a victim.
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Ugliest Dog Passes Away
A New Jersey canine that was crowned the World's Ugliest Dog and later became the topic of a children's book preaching acceptance has died. Elwood was 8. His owner, Karen Quigley, says the Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix died unexpectedly. The Sewell resident said Elwood had been dealing with some heath issues in recent months but appeared to be doing well.
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More Vets Offering At-Home Euthanasia
Christi Winter always tried to give her dog Josie the very best in life, so when it was time to say goodbye, Winter didn't want to do anything less. Winter opted to have Josie euthanized at her home, a practice that isn't new, but is becoming a specialized area of veterinary medicine. At least two companies have cropped up in recent years that recruit veterinarians who deal solely with end-of-life care for pets.
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I Just Want To Celebrate
Rare Earth Keyboardist Mike Bruner is our "Hero Person of the Week." He fell into a frozen lake while rescuing a dog that had also fallen in. Mike tells the whole story and even yaps about his menagerie at home.
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There's An App for That
Lauren Drabble is pitching her new smartphone app. The software allows you to easily find rescue and resources for injured wildlife. The next time you run into a wild animal that's hurt, you'll know exactly who to contact to help.
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Making Video Memories
Imagine a short film that highlights your relationship between you and your pet. Franck Tabouring comes to your house and creates a documentary video featuring your pet as the star. A great keepsake!
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Cat Café
You never have to have your tea alone again. The first feline café is now open. Lady Dinah 's Cat Emporium, it's named after Alice's cat in the fairy tale "Alice in Wonderland," has 11 resident kitties. It costs $8.29 cents for two hours of kitty company.
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Performance Standards for Pet Travel Safety Products
Nearly all of us drive with our dogs in the car. And now there are car seats to make sure they're safe in case of a sudden stop or an accident. The Center for Pet Studies has teamed up with Subaru of America in testing car harnesses. They took a look at seven harnesses using a specially designed crash test dog.
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Parsing The Hottest CBD Trend
Topping the list of the biggest pet trends is the use of CBD, a bi-product of marijuana. Dozens of new CBD products have begun popping up. Some might not be so good for your pet and may actually contain arsenic. Dr. Debbie and Lori Brooks explore the pros and cons before you make an informed decision.
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Emotional Support Alligator at New Orleans Airport
It's not uncommon to see dogs or cats being used at major airports as a de-stressor. When you step off a plane in New Orleans, you'll meet an alligator. While these alligators aren't necessarily intended to provide emotional support, they are ready to take a selfie and be petted. Director of Communications at the airport, Erin Burns joins us to explain this unique partnership with the Audubon society.
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Women Sleep Better With Dogs Than Humans
There's a new study out that shows women sleep better next to dogs than their human partners. 55% shared the bed with at least one dog and 31% shared their bed with at least one cat. Researchers found dogs were less likely to wake their owners in the middle of the night than humans, who were equally disruptive to women's sleep and didn't provide the feelings of comfort and security that dogs do.
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Are Kennel Dryers Bad?
If you go to a groomer, you might be very familiar with kennel dryers, used to finish your pet's coat after a grooming. After several tragic accidents, many have become frightened of putting their animal inside the dryer. Dogfather Joey Villani addresses this problem head-on, saying there is nothing inherently wrong with these machines - and instead blaming bad groomers.
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Mayor Takes Terminally Ill Pet On Trip Across America
When someone you love is terminally ill, you may do whatever you can to make the little time left count. Attleboro Massachusetts Mayor Paul Heroux took his dying dog Mura on a cross-country bucket-list trip. He says "Filling up my gas tank: $40. Staying at a sketchy hotel: $60. The look on Mura's face after she just ate a nasty freeway gas station hot dog: Priceless." The animal friendly politician has also gone to far lengths to make his government workplace a pet-friendly environment.
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Troubled Teens Find Help
Research back by the Iams Company is now showing that animal assisted therapy can make a significant difference in the recovery of troubled teens. A New Leash On Life, a program designed to match foster dogs with troubled youth, is having a positive effect on the children's behavior and social interaction. Britt Savage Reports.
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Alligators At The Airport
Many airports around the country are helping to de-stress passengers with teams of therapy animals in the terminals. These mostly include dogs and the occasional therapy pig, which struts around the San Francisco airport, or the therapy cats in Denver. Now, there is a new kind of therapy animal appearing at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana, where they have baby alligators at the baggage claim. The program is part of the airport's new partnership with the Audubon Nature Institute. Selfies are encouraged for that souvenir you won't soon forget.
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FDA Reducing Use Of Animals In Research
In keeping with the goals of reducing, replacing and/or refining the use of animals in research, the Food and Drug Administration has released for public comment their proposed research to validate an alternative approach for what they call bioequivalence studies for certain animal drugs. Another proposed change is that for at least two months before a study begins, the FDA's animal care staff will work with the dogs to socialize them and acclimate them to being handled. The dogs will also receive regular veterinary care, including vaccinations and preventive care, so that they remain happy, well socialized and healthy and thus able to be adopted.
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A Loss That's Hard to Explain to the Boss
Losing a furry-companion can be as upsetting (if not more) than losing a human friend. But try explaining that to most bosses and they'll laugh in your face. However, more employers are beginning to include pet bereavement leave in their employment policies. Dr. Sandra Grossman has researched this movement and will explain.
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World's Largest Cloning Factory
The world's largest animal cloning factory is under construction in China, with plans to churn out pets, police dogs, racehorses and beef cattle, to be sold on the open market on an industrial scale.
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Legislation for Retired Military Dogs
It's a great day for military heroes on both ends of the leash. A bill was recently signed including a provision that will allow U.S. military dogs to be returned to the United States upon their retirement and gives their military handlers first chance to adopt them!
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Children with Pets Have Less Anxiety
A new study validates that finding that having a dog to cuddle up to and play with is good for children and are less likely to suffer from anxiety because of it.
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Dog Shoots Wedding Video
On their one-year anniversary, this couple released the most beautiful wedding video to ever be filmed - by a dog. Josh and Addie Burnette strapped a GoPro camera to the collar of their dog Ryder on their wedding day. The result? A two-minute video capturing the most important moments of the day from a "dogs eye view." See The Video
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Traveling with Your Pet
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has three things you should bring when you travel with your pet. He'll help you curb the anxiety and motion sickness associated with pet travel.
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From Wags To Riches
You've most likely seen his work on film even if you don't recognize him. Bill Berloni is an animal trainer for stage and screen. His reality series on the Discovery Channel follows him around as he trains animals from the shelter for TV and movies.
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Deadly Old Wives Tales
Dr. Debbie says using Chewing Tobacco to worm your pet could kill them. Still, that's one of the more popular Internet home remedies for pets. Please don't rely on Dr. Google to treat your pets for any sickness or disease. It could easily lead you down the wrong treatment path.
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ASPCA Changes Stance On Pets As Gifts
A few years ago, pictures of all kinds of pets in overcrowded animal shelters filled social media as a warning against giving pets as Christmas presents. The ASPCA was just one of several organizations against the idea. However, they've changed their tone. Recently, the ASPCA conducted a survey to learn more about people who acquire pets as gifts. The vast majority of these pets are still in the home.
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Canine Motion Sickness
Just like humans, dogs can also get sick in the car. But the reasons may be different. Dr. Debbie will help you determine the best way to approach this common problem. There are even medicines that are indicated for canine motion sickness.
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Using Pets As "Date Bait"
A recent survey reveals that owning a dog boosts a man's sex appeal and 1 in 5 people admit to using their pets as 'date bait.' The survey conducted by Match.com also found 1/3 of women and 1/4 of men have been attracted to someone because of their pet. Nearly 50% of the women said they judged potential partners on how they responded to their pet. 54% of men said they wouldn't date someone who didn't like pets.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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John O'Hurley is Back
Co-host of NBC's Thanksgiving Day National Dog Show; actor John O'Hurley (J. Peterman on Seinfeld) is back for the 14th year to share fun stories about the dogs in his life. He'll also take a stab at pronouncing the new breed names in this year's Thanksgiving Day show. At home, John has two dogs, a Cavalier King Charles named Sadie and a Havanese named Lucy. John says that everything he knows about dogs he learned at the National Dog Show from the breeders and from walking up and down the aisles full of dogs. So when he was looking for new family members, he knew what type of dogs he wanted. John states that dogs are not trials. You should learn about the dog you are interested in and shouldn't get a dog to try it out and see if it will work. The shelters are unfortunately full of too many dogs that were trials.
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Country Star Tanya Tucker Guests
Musician Tanya Tucker joins the Thanksgiving celebration live from Nashville. She has a menagerie of animals and plenty of anecdotes to go around. This is the first time for her on Animal Radio…we'll be gentle. But this ain't her first rodeo. Years ago, Tanya tells us that she lost one of her Chihuahuas in the hills of Malibu, California, for 9 months. He was eventually found about 60 miles away due to a microchip. She was in Nashville when she got the call and they had an incredible reunion, with both of them going crazy!
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Don't Stuff Your Pet With Thanksgiving Leftovers
Thanksgiving is all about enjoying time together - family, friends, and great food. In many households the family pet may also sample a taste from the holiday table; a morsel of turkey breast for Tabby or a side of fixings for Fido. Tuned in to those enticing smells, our pets know how to manipulate us with a flutter of sad puppy dog eyes or incessant meowing. Sharing these Thanksgiving goodies with our pets can put their health in jeopardy, but many of us do it. Over 60-percent of pet owners confess to sharing their holiday meal with their pets, but that doesn't make it wise.
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My Cat from Hell
Animal Planet host, Jackson Galaxy is back to yap about his awesome book. Jackson and Kate (his partner in crime) will show you how to make your house cat-friendly without forsaking aesthetics.
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Banning Shock Collars
The Scottish government is asking residents there for their opinions on electric shock collars, used to train cats and dogs, and if they believe the collars should be banned. Wales, Sweden, Denmark and Germany have already banned shock collars, but supporters of them say they can be used successfully as a last resort - and have compared the pain inflicted to a static shock. Meanwhile, shock-collars are still legal in the United States; the usefulness is still in question. Sometimes a dog will "take the hit" if his/her drive is high.
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CBD for Pets
You've probably heard about CBD, or Cannabidiol, a cannabis compound boasting significant medical benefits. Research on the safety and efficacy in pets is still in its early stages according to Dr. Joe Wakshlag. He'll help us parse out all the claims and navigate the double-talk.
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Selfies Include Pets
Pet owners are being asked if, and why, they include their cat or dog in selfies posted to social media as part of new research into our relationships with our pets. Dr. Lori Kogan, of Colorado State University, said the study indicated 50% of pet owners had their pet as their feature photo on their devices and that behavior offers insights into the close bonds between people and cats and dogs.
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Put Your Phone Down and Stop Ignoring Your Pet
Data from USC's Annenberg Center shows that on average Americans spend nearly 24 hours per week online. Research suggests that pets may get anxious and even depressed when we spend too much time on our smartphones.
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Skunked
"The worst thing you can do when your dog has been sprayed by a skunk is to use tomato juice." That's according to Animal Radio's very own 'Dogfather' Joey Villani. Besides not being effective, it's also pretty messy. But fear not! Joey has the perfect recipe of household products to fix this smelly problem.
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Peace, Love, Goats of Anarchy
Leanne Lauricella gave up her NYC corporate job, traded in her Mercedes for a pickup truck, and decided to care for handicapped goats. She'll never look back! She says it was the best decision ever. She has taken-it-up a level by integrating her love for goats throughout social media. The Goats' online fame landed them on Rachael Ray. Leanne has even published 6 books.
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Chicken-Nugget Eating Alligator Evicted From Home
Authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, discovered an unexpected occupant when they went to evict a man from his grandmother's home. Inside the home, police found a 7-foot, 200-lb. alligator. The grandson said the pet gator was only 15 inches long four years ago and grew bigger over time on a steady diet of chicken nuggets. He added the alligator is afraid of the dark and thunderstorms.
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Your Pet's Carbon Paw-print
Actor Ed Begley Jr. is well-known for being green before green was cool. He'll share ideas for reducing your pet's carbon paw-print and saving money at the same time.
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Canine Fender Bender 
A woman recently returned from her shopping trip at the mall to discover her car had been hit by a vehicle driven by three dogs. She later learned the owner had left it running with the animals inside and they somehow managed to put it into gear.
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Top Pet Accident-Prone States 
Petplan Pet Insurance compiled a list of states that are more likely to have accident prone pets. California tops the list followed by Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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Rawhide
What's wrong with a little rawhide treat now and then? A lot! Besides the lacks of nutritional value, it is commonly a choking hazard. Dr. Debbie sees choking cases in her office several times a year caused by splintered rawhide treats. Some are fatal!
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Benefits of Pets at Work 
A new study supports the stress reducing benefits of bringing your pooch to work. The study also reveals that workers have an increased level of job satisfaction and work productivity as well as higher staff morale.
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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.
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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.
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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%, growing to more than 4 billion dollars of the retail pet products industry.
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Most Popular Top Pet Costumes For This Year
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.
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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.
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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.
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Common Flea Meds Causing Seizures
The FDA has issued a warning that flea medications in the Isoxazoline class such as Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard and Simparica 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.
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L.A. Bans Sale Of Furs
Los Angeles is 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.
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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. Bill's business is enjoying success. He says humor coupled with social media is the best marketing. The Little Couple reality-star says he's proud to be in the "pee-pad" business because his product addresses a grand problem that affects so many dog owners.
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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. Pet stores and online puppy sellers offer pet leasing schemes to make high priced puppies appear more affordable. Consumers may think they are opting for a standard payment plan, but many of these arrangements are actually leases where the consumers are required to make inflated monthly payments while the leasing company retains ownership of the dog. At the end of the lease, the consumer is required to make an additional payment if they want to keep the dog. For the sisters in this case, they will have paid a total of $5,300 at the end of the 24-month period to fully own their dog, now named Cooper, whose original purchase price was $3,500.
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Can Dogs Be Gay?
Dogs may exhibit behavior that we, as humans, construe as sexual behavior. The truth of the matter is that it has more to do with dominance and not sexual preference. Alan Kabel unravels the mystery that has many of us scratching our head in confusion.
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Flight of The Butterflies
Dr. Chip Taylor was the advisor of the 3-D hit IMAX movie "Flight of the Butterflies." He explains the intriguing migration of the Monarch from Mexico to Canada. You might be surprised about the life of this casual insect.
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Dogs Get High On Pot
Pooches getting high on pot is an increasing problem in states where medical marijuana is legal. Veterinarians say what used to be a rare problem is becoming alarmingly more common, and the results can be deadly. Dr. Stacy Meola says "Dogs most commonly get stoned by eating their owner's pot-enhanced foods." Our own Dr. Debbie White is upset when owners won't come clean in order to save their pet.
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Who Better To Find A Lost Dog Than Another Dog?
Anne Wills is the founder and executive director of Dogs Finding Dogs, a Baltimore-area nonprofit that uses trained tracking teams to search for lost pets.
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Armed & Dangerous Turtles
If a pet turtle shows up at your home, do not take him in. He is considered armed and dangerous. No joke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of Salmonella cases linked to tiny breeds of the reptile is on the rise.
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Dog Hitchhikes Under The Hood
A dog survived a 110-mile trip beneath the hood of a Chevy Silverado with the blazing Southern California sun above. Jaime Magana of Chino says he had no idea there was a dog hitching a ride in the engine compartment until he stopped in San Clemente for lunch.
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Funny-lady Nicole Sullivan's Sleeping Arrangements
America's Favorite Dog Walker, actress & comedian Nicole Sullivan (King of Queens - MadTV) is our guest. She wants you to know about the Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats. She's also wants you to know her sleeping arrangements.
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DON'T Give Your Dog a Bone
Vets are now warning people not to give their dog a bone because it could kill them. And, if you're thinking that only applies to cooked bones, which break and splinter much easier, that is not always the case. Surgery is usually needed to remove any blockage and in some cases, the damage caused by bones is so serious that it can be fatal.
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120 Pound Rodent
The word rodent implies ugly unwanted, little creatures that sneak into your home and freak out a lot of us. There is a 120-pound rodent in Texarkana that is genuinely loved, hugged and even given home-cooked meals. His name is Chico and he's a Capybara, a species National Geographic says is, "The World's Largest Living Rodent."
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Creating a Foster Revolution
The mastermind behind the world's largest pet adoption website, Petfinder, is working to change the way un-adoptable animals find homes. Betsy Saul created the website 911FosterPets.com to unite transitional pets with foster parents.
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He Cloned His Dog!
George Semel cloned his dog after it was mauled by a Rottweiler. Now the Koreans are holding his three cloned puppies for ransom. They want more than the $50,000 he was initially asked to pay. And what proof does he have that these are actually cloned animals? None yet. Join us as TLC's "I Cloned My Pet" films this compelling interview.
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Cemetery Welcomes Man's Best Friend
Families have been known to skirt cemetery rules in trying to reunite Fido or Patches with their owners, slipping a tiny tub of ashes into a casket or sprinkling their remains at a grave site when no one's looking. But come spring, animal lovers won't have to be so sneaky anymore in one state.
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Elayne Boosler Guests
Yes, she's one of America's most outstanding comics, but she's also an animal advocate with her own 501c3 organization created to help the smaller shelters save animals. Find out why she hates the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA.
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Should Groomers Be Licensed?
After several news stories about bad groomers giving bad cuts or even cutting off ears and super-gluing them back on, a few legislators want to make licensing groomers mandatory. The crusade continues in California.
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Banned Pit Bulls
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has many up in arms over these ridiculous laws. What's the real story behind Lennox, the dog put to sleep simply because he was a Pit Bull in a county that outlaws them. Even big cities like Denver are saying "no" to Pit Bulls. Good laws or just plain arrogance? Tammy Crew tells you about an organization that has formed to fight BSL.
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Rogue Turtle
Searching for an escaped turtle requires more thinking than walking. Zeke couldn't have gone far. Driving that shell around town can't be easy, and top-speed is about 300 yards per hour. Still, after much searching, and a blast of publicity that has made him a North Shore celebrity.
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Baby Boomers Giving Up On Pets
While we have heard about people abandoning animals because they couldn't afford them any longer, it's more likely the decline in ownership is due to people choosing not to bring new pets into their households after their old pets have passed away, Stephen Zawistowski, science advisor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says that the aging baby boomer population may be part of the reason why fewer pets are in homes.
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No More Fried Green Tomatoes
While you shouldn't be feeding your dog table scraps anyway, now there is a warning to avoid green tomatoes altogether. The chemicals in un-ripe tomatoes and even raw potatoes can easily cause your dog to go into seizures. Dr. Debbie has what you need to know to protect your pup.
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Ripley's Strangest Animals
Ripley's Believe It Or Not is back for their parade down Animal Radio avenue with the most-bizarre and exceptional dogs, cats, fish, birds and insects. We are proud to have more giveaways of the new coffee-table book.
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Smartphones for Cows
The age-old task of determining when your milk-cow is in heat is over. A French company has designed a cell-gadget that attaches to the cows genitalia and automatically texts you when it detects an increase in temperature and movement; both signs of being in heat.
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Fall at the Vet Clinic
Dr. Debbie is already seeing her usual increase in business this time of year. From candy poisoning to consumed costumes, Autumn always means trouble for thousands of pets across the country. Debbie will tell you what you need to know to stay out of the hospital.
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Pet Pix Boost Productivity
Sarah Kliff reports on a study that proves putting pictures of baby animals on your desk can actually increase the amount of work that you achieve. Find out what makes this so. Then start digging out those photos of kittens and puppies.
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Blessing of the Animals
He's back to bless your dogs, cats, fish, birds, snakes, and even your iguanas! Dr. James Capers claims to be fluent in "parrot" among other languages. His charismatic personality will put a smile on your face and his blessing will bring your pet years of happiness.
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Rock Eating Kitty
Dr. Debbie takes on some of America's biggest challenges every week. This week it's all about a cat that eats rocks. What would make a kitty do such a thing. How do you stop this behavior before it becomes trouble?
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Craigslist Scam On Lost Pets
Losing a pet is an emotional time for any pet owner and the best possible scenario is for your pet to come home on its own, the next is to receive a call from someone who found your pet, safe and uninjured. The Connecticut Humane Society has issued a warning about a scam, preying on vulnerable pet owners.
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Candy Eating Cows
You know what they say: "If life gives you bulk quantities of defective candy unfit for human consumption, make chocolate-laced cattle feed." Or that's what they say in Kentucky apparently, where an industrious cattleman has responded to skyrocketing corn prices by swapping out the corn in his 1,400 cows' diets for low-grade candy.
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Actress/Comedian Debra Wilson Guests
Debra Wilson has a thing for long, slimy, slithering reptiles. In fact, he shares her life with one. Get all the gooey details and find out why she's Nuts for Mutts.
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Dancing Dogs
Author Jon Katz is back and this time he's sharing short stories about our strange and unique connection to our animals. You're not alone when you spoil your furry family.
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Special Dog Gets Second Leash on Life
Nakio was a prime candidate to be euthanized when rescuers found all four of his paws frozen and useless. That until Christine Pace came into his life and arranged for prosthetics for all four of his feet.
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How About A Kid's Party Where You Swim With The Alligators!
A Florida company has decided to offer children unique pool parties the kids will likely never forget. The folks who run Alligator Attractions in Madeira Beach are offering live alligators that swim with the children at area pool parties.
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Jerseyans Are Split on Dog Seatbelts
A poll says New Jerseyans are split on car seatbelts for dogs. 45% of residents favor the idea, but a solid 40% oppose it. Violators are subject to a $20 ticket.
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Bully Sticks Recalled
Yet again, this popular dog treat is being recalled because of salmonella contamination. While a majority of the recalled product comes from Asia, you might be surprised to know it's packaged as "Made in the USA."
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Clint Eastwood's Daughter Talks Animals
Alison Eastwood talks about her Reality TV show on Nat Geo. "Animal Invaders" focuses on exotic animals that are living in inadequate conditions. Alison talks about life with dad and says Clint is allergic to horses, making much of his early days of film a tough act.
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Living Piggy Bank
A Florida couple doesn't seem to have any need for a piggy bank, since their ten-year-old beagle Arnie appears to be more than willing to fill the role of money-holder. Corey and Hope O'Kelley say their canine companion has twice swallowed hundreds of dollars in cash. The O'Kelleys were able to recover $100 after it passed through the dog's system, but they weren't as lucky when Arnie came back for a second expensive meal last month.
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Sugar Gliders as a Pet
Dr. Laurie Hess is a small exotic pet veterinarian. She says we are woefully uneducated about the husbandry of birds and other small pets. The good doctor tells us about some great alternatives to dogs and cats, like the marsupial Sugar Glider.
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Dogs Banned From Downtown
A western Pennsylvania city working hard to revitalize a key 10-block stretch of its downtown business district is considering banning dogs from the area as part of the plan. Officials in Beaver Falls, population 10,000, believe part of the problem is that larger dogs, including Pit Bulls and Rottweilers, are sometimes left tied to parking meters by their owners.
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Dog Holds Vigil At Grave For Six Years
A faithful dog is refusing to leave his master, even though he's been at his side for six years in a graveyard. An Argentinean newspaper reports the dog ran away from home after his owner died. One week later, the man's family found the German Shepherd wailing by his owner's grave.
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360 Dogs Died From Jerky Treats Made In China
In the past year and a half, at least 360 dogs and one cat have died in the U.S. after eating chicken jerky pet treats made in China, according to a new online summary posted by the FDA. Meanwhile, more than 2,200 reports have come in to the agency from pet owners claiming their animals were sickened or died after eating these products.
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Nat Geo's Incredible Dr. Pol
Not only is he Incredible, but he has quite the sense of humor also. Dr. Pol describes what it's like to have a camera watching your every move, including when his arm is two feet up a cow's ... well ... you know.
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Puppy IN Pants Results In Animal Cruelty
A Colorado woman has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after allegedly shoving her Chihuahua puppy down her pants. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute in which policed found Johna Turner arguing with a man. When police arrived, eyewitnesses told them to search Turner's pants and when they did a Chihuahua fell out.
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DNA Poop Patrol
A homeowners association in Texas is trying to collect samples of dog poop for DNA testing. The HOA says too many dogs are doing their business in common areas, and they want a database of DNA profiles. That way, future messes will be matched to the correct owners in the small condominium complex, who will then be fined.
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Couple's Fight Over Dog
Pet insurance company Esure say dogs cause 156 fights per year per family. The most contentious canine disputes center around who will take the little guy for a walk, whether he's allowed in bed, and where he goes when family vacations. 17% of doggie disputes leave owners sleeping on the couch.
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Foul Mouthed Cockatoo Offends Neighbors
A Rhode Island woman's allegedly foul-mouthed cockatoo is being accused of ruining her neighbors' quality of life. According to the "Boston Herald," Lynne Taylor is scheduled to return to court next week to fight allegations that she violated a city animal noise ordinance. Taylor's neighbors, her ex-husband Craig Fontaine and his girlfriend Kathleen Melker, say Taylor trained her pet bird Willy to yell curse words at them.
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M*A*S*H's "Klinger", Jamie Farr Guests
Known for his outlandish role on the long-running series M*A*S*H, Jamie Farr started his career cleaning the cages of chinchillas. Animals have always been a part of his life and he's proud to share his story.
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What Are The Chances Your Pet Will Be Lost?
The ASPCA did a survey of pet owners to find out if they ever lost their pets. A Whopping 15% misplaced their furry companion in the last 5 years. What is the best technique for keeping track of your dog or cat, or even iguana? ASPCA's Dr. Emily Weiss explains.
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Man Breaks No Laws Dressing As A Goat
The Utah photographer who spotted a person dressed like a mountain goat on an Ogden hillside is describing his encounter. Coty Creighton says the photos showing a costumed human mingling with real wild goats on Ben Lomond Peak. State officials say mountain goats can become aggressive and inflict serious harm. They also worry the individual dressed as a goat could be mistaken for wild game by hunters.
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Don't Toss The Cat In With The Laundry
A Scottish woman will most likely sort her laundry a little more carefully after she accidentally tossed her cat in the washing machine. Emma Lothian says her family's ten-week-old tortoiseshell, was apparently sleeping in the laundry basket with a pile of dirty clothes, and wound up going through the hot-water wash cycle before she was discovered. Lothian says she first noticed something was wrong when Tinker wasn't running around her legs as she did her usual chores, and eventually heard a noise coming from the washing machine. Lothian saw Tinker stuck on top of the clothes and pried open the door to get her out. Vet John Buxton, who says he's never seen a case like this, put the cat in a heated oxygen chamber, and she eventually made a full recovery.
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If You Want To Put More Playtime Into Your Life, Get A Dog!
A recent poll shows that adults who have a dog are 30% more likely to carve out opportunities several times a week to play. And for 61%, the play companion they enjoy the most is their dog. By comparison 48% would rather play with their spouse or significant other.
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Lake Algae Can Be Harmful For Your Dog
If your dog likes to swim, it's probably best to make sure he only swims in the pool this summer. Pollution Control Agency is asking swimmers and pet owners to be aware of algae-ridden lakes and foul-smelling water after toxins from the blue-green blooms killed some dogs last month.
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Should You Have Pet Insurance?
If you don't have it, you've probably asked yourself whether you should have pet insurance for when the unexpected happens. Since pets are living longer and our veterinary medicine has advanced, options for emergency treatment can be costly unless you have insurance. But that doesn't necessarily mean, "go out and get it." Doc Halligan has important tips for deciding if you should get it and choosing the right policy.
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Take-Your-Dog-To-Work-Day Now Includes Snakes and Pigs
As take-your-dog-to-work-day becomes the everyday norm in many offices; owners of less common pets have begun to demand equality. If dogs are welcome at work, then others feathered, furry, winged and scaly companions should be allowed at the office too although some co-workers don't agree. Snakes are allowed at the Seattle headquarters of Amazon.com. About 8% of U.S. companies allow pets at work, and the practice seems to be especially prevalent among tech firms.
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Finding Jobs for the Un-adoptable
Pete Coppolillo is scouring shelter for dogs that display traits undesirable for adoption. He's especially looking at prey drive, as these dogs make excellent "working conservation dogs." And Pete is happy to give these dogs a job and a home.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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.
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Sloth Love
Most every social media butterfly has seen at least one cute video of a sloth (if not, check out our Facebook page). These litter critters are so cute, that many people want one as a pet. Photographer Sam Trull says she "went to Costa Rica for the primates but stayed for the sloths." She has the lowdown on sloths, and she says people think they're slow. She says "they can be fast when they want to, and their nails are pretty scary too."
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Personal Pet Check Up
You know your pet better than anyone else, including your vet. Doc Halligan tells us how to do a weekly "once over" exam. Follow these steps and you'll be on top of any problems before they become serious.
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The Cat's Got More Than Your Tongue
A pet feline in New Zealand has been stealing men's underwear and socks from other people's homes! In just 2 months, the 6 year old cat named Brigit, acquired 11 pairs of underwear and more than 50 pairs of socks. Brigit's owner says she has put notes in every mailbox on her street to warn her neighbors.
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Doggy DNA Nabs Poop Offenders
A luxury apartment community near Grand Rapids, Michigan says it will use DNA technology as a way to sniff out dog owners who fail to pick up their pets' poop. The Ridges of Cascade complex is asking dog owners to swab their pet's mouth so it can build a DNA database that will allow it to identify residents who ignore its strict cleanup policy. The management company as already contracted with the Tennessee-based company PooPrints to collect DNA samples of each dog in the development. Violators will face a $350 fine.
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What Happens To Your Pet If Something Happens To You?
You don't have to be Leona Helmsley to plan for your pet if you should die. Estate Attorney AJ Fudge is our guest. She says it's easy to plan for any eventuality, but you should know how. Simply putting your pet in your will isn't enough, as that may be contested.
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Funny Vet Stories
Dr. Bo Brock has just about seen it all, despite living in the middle of nowhere. He's treated just about every animal, from Ostriches to Elephants. He'll tell us several hilarious stories about strange but true cases from his peculiar practice.
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When Ugly = Cute
The winner of this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest is a wrinkled; wispy- haired, bony Chinese crested Chihuahua named Sweepee. The tiny girl is 17 years old, blind in both eyes and at only four pounds, is not much bigger than two hands put together. She was a crowd favorite at the Petaluma, California contest. Sweepee's favorite thing to do is ride with her dad on his motorcycle. He won $1,500 and a six-foot tall trophy for Sweepee's win.
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Giving Your Pet A Check Up
Doc Halligan will teach us how to give your pet a weekly check up. Knowing exactly what to look for could mean the difference between life and death. Early detection gives you the best odds when it comes to your pet's health.
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Most Pet Friendly Companies
Many companies offer perks to their employees to keep their workers happy and boost their productivity, perks like gym memberships, foosball tables, free snacks and stuff like that. But if you are an animal lover who yearns to work in a pet-friendly office, Fortune Magazine has come out with a list of the most pet-friendly companies to work for.
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5 Summer Outings That Include Dogs
Do you want to take your dog with your for some summer fun? Why not? Animal Radio's Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has compiled a list that you and your furry-friend will find useful and exciting.
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The Vet Life
Dr. Diarra Blue from Animal Planet's hit show, The Vet Life, is our special guest. He's an over-the-top charismatic professional that has some great stories about his unusual practice in Houston.
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Pet Flipping
Animal rights groups say pet flipping is becoming a growing problem because of a rise in social media use. Pet flipping is when a person sees a pet on social media websites, like Facebook or Craigslist, they get the pet with phony information, then sell the animal to make money off of it. The really bad news is that pet flipping is legal because pets are considered personal property, so people can sell them like anything else.
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Helping Pit Bull Owners Find Rentals
Pet owners know how difficult it is to find housing, but for pit bull owners it can be nearly impossible to find a place where you can have your pet. A new non-profit called "My Pit Bull is Family," provides resources for dog owners across the country with a database listing all pit bull-friendly properties. The website MyPitBullisFamily.org features an interactive map where pet parents can click on their state and a list of contact information for potential rental leads will pop up. Statistics show that nearly 30% of people give up their dogs because their landlord does not allow dogs; making it the number-one reason people give up a pet. My Pit Bull is Family also offers users a list of insurance companies that do not participate in breed-specific discrimination against pit bull-types, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Chow Chows.
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Emmy's Hope
This young lady is a breath of fresh air in our crazy world. Meet 11-year-old Emmy Perry, who was recently featured in a national Kleenex campaign for her work saving animals. She has saved 250 animals to date. She also received an award from the City Of Orange for her work with animals.
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What Goes On When You Leave
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider, Robert Semrow, has the Top 5 Secret Things Your Pets Do When You're Away. We can only imagine what goes on when you leave home... or can we?
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Diseases Your Pet Can Give You
Doc Halligan has some creepy news about Zoonotic disease that humans can get from their cats, dogs and even turtles. While the good doctor doesn't want you to be scared of your pet, she says it's good to be aware of the risks. And pregnant women....listen up!
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The Misunderstood Pit-Bull
The youthful and charismatic Bronwen Dickey has made her fight about the Pit-Bull. The years of research that went into her new book easily qualifies her as an expert on the breed that is banned from many big U.S. cities.
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Drug May Slow Down A Dog's Aging Process
An ongoing study out of the University of Washington now hopes to gain insight on the drug Rapamycin (which is used to prevent organ transplant rejection in humans) and its ability to slow down aging in canines. Researchers will follow 10,000 companion dogs of all kinds, as they age - not in labs, but dogs that actually live with their owners at home.
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Service Animal Fraud
There are now laws in many states making misrepresentation of a service animal a crime. For example, in Florida, the penalty carries a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Lori Brooks will tell you how to spot a true service dog and what questions establishments are allowed to ask you if you have a service animal.
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I Tried The Weirdest Pet Products On The Internet
From the Licki Brush to the Puppoose, The Washington Post's Sadie Dingfelder tried some of the oddest pet products for sale online. She'll tell us how it went. For instance, give your dog a toy - a rawhide chew, a tennis ball, or even this little plush figurine of Donald Trump - and your dog, regardless of political affiliation, will immediately tear it to shreds. Cats, on the other hand, dispose of their belongings by looking at them with such disdain that the toys self-destruct in shame.
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Why Would You Want To Genetically Preserve Your Pet?
Melain Rodriguez from Viagen Pets says there are lots of reasons you should think about Genetic Preservation. Collecting a sample of your pet's DNA could be helpful if there are medical advances that could potentially help your furry-friend. Of course, you could also use the DNA to clone your pet too.
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Vet On Call
Animal Radio's Veterinarian, Dr. Debbie White will answer your questions about your pet's health, because that's what we do. Make sure to call us toll-free Animal Radio App for iPhone and Android.
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How My Cat Made Me A Better Man
Jeremy Feig was at rock bottom - broke, alone, and living in a shoe box-sized apartment. At the same time, his cat was perfectly content. What was her secret? She couldn't say it out loud, but it was clear she had all the answers to living a good life. Jeremy will share those answers with Animal Radio listeners.
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Jewel Thief
Alan Kabel reports on a dog that swallowed their guardian's wedding ring. What happens next is quite amusing. He'll also tell us about an alligator that loves pizza.
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Doggy Limousine Service
Daniel Williams quit his regular job to open a pet transport business, like Zoo-ber. He says it's going well although he has one customer than demands he talks to their dog only in "baby-talk."
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Fighting Fleas
We're on the heels of another big flea season. Chances are good your pets will get fleas, unless you live in Las Vegas or Phoenix. Is there a safer solution than the traditional topicals? Doc Halligan says there are lots of safe remedies for the 'battle of the fleas.'
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Fat Pets and Disease
Diabetes is fairly prevalent with the trend towards obese pets. It can be managed with daily insulin injections. Pancreatitis also plagues dogs especially when they've been fed fatty treats from the table. Dr. Debbie has the information you need if your pet suffers from an obesity related disease.
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5 Most Uncommon Legal Pets
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has a knack for lists. This week he has the top 5 strange, unique and elusive pets that are actually legal to own in the U.S. - Sorry, ferrets are still against the law in California and New York.
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8-Legged Pets
You may not think of big hairy spiders as pets, but some people do, and Petco wants their business. The company has announced it is expanding their "tarantula offerings" to give pet parents the chance to further explore the amazing world of arachnids. Interestingly, not only do tarantulas have eight legs, they also have a large round eye surrounded by three smaller ones on each side for a total of eight eyes as well.
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From the "Too Stupid to Own a Pet Department"
A California woman captured video of another woman driving her car and walking her dog by holding its leash out of the car window while she was driving. The director of the local animal services department in Stockton said he found the video distressing and recommended the woman be charged with animal cruelty, but police reviewed the video and did not believe there was evidence of cruelty, but said the woman in the car would have been charged with "distracted driving" IF she had been seen by an officer.
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FDA Warns Dog Owners About Xylitol
The Federal Drug and Food Administration is warning dog owners about a new diet Peanut Butter made with an alternative sweetener. 'Xylitol' can shut a dog's kidney down in a matter of minutes.
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The Lowdown On Pet Microchips
Still, the best way to ensure your lost pet is returned is by implanting a rice-sized microchip under their skin. This is a simple, fast and painless procedure done at your veterinarian or local shelter. Some people are afraid of the technology, mistakenly thinking 'Big Brother' is tracking your pet. We'll break that myth. We'll also discuss the different types of microchips and how to make sure your pet has the right one.
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Pet Pictures Can Drastically Change Attitude
We all love pets and whenever anyone feels socially rejected or sad, new research from Miami University shows that just a thought - or a picture of their pet - can lift their mood. In the study they also found that just thinking about another human did not produce the same effect.
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Paralyzed Kitten Gets Lego Wheelchair
A kitten that was found paralyzed and abandoned by its mother on the streets of upstate New York has been given a unique makeshift wheelchair by a local veterinarian. This mobility device was made out of Legos!
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Goose Knocks On Police Cruiser For Help
A mother goose recently knocked on the door of a Cincinnati police cruiser in her search for help for a gosling tangled in a Mylar balloon string. The officer in the car said he initially thought the goose was hungry when he discovered her pecking at the door of his car.
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Adventure Cats
Just when you thought you knew all there was to know about cats, Laura Moss tells us about cats that like hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, and even surfing. If you have an adventurous cat, she'll tell you what you can do to enrich the furr-balls' life.
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The Inner Life of Cats
For millennia, cats have been celebrated as secretive, mysterious companions, content to live alongside (but apart from) humans. Thomas McNamee shares the science revealing cats' hidden depths of emotion and affection for humans.
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Deadliest Animal Kills About 120 People Yearly
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, pit bulls are NOT the deadliest animals, or even rattlesnakes. Believe it or not, deer are the deadliest animals in America, responsible for killing 120 people on average every year. Deer are normally not violent, but the majority of the deaths caused from deer stem from car accidents.
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Think Twice Before Putting Your Pet on a Plane
United Airlines is investigating an incident where one of the world's biggest rabbits was found dead after a plane had landed from a flight from London's Heathrow airport to Chicago's O'Hare. It turns out that United had the most animal deaths of all U.S. airlines last year for the second year in a row.
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Fake Cancer Treatments Targets Pets
The FDA has given warning letters to 14 companies that are selling more than 65 fake cancer treatments. The bogus products include pills, capsules, powders, creams, teas, oils and treatment and diagnostic kits. They're most commonly marketed and sold without FDA approval on websites and social media platforms and are usually advertised as 'natural' and often falsely labeled as dietary supplements.
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Pet Detective Jamie Katz
She's a real life Pet Detective, schooled as a human Private Investigator. Jamie Katz has found over 150 lost or stolen pets in the last 2 years. She'll share some wild stories and give you tips to make sure your pet isn't stolen.
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Federal Agency Goes Pet Friendly
The Interior Department welcomed a new breed of visitor to its Washington headquarters last month, one on four legs, covered with fur and on a mission to boost morale at the agency in charge of public lands. The first federal agency to go dog friendly opened its doors to 85 dogs that first Dog Day!
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New Tick-Borne Disease Discovered
Scientists have a double-shot of bad news about ticks. There's a new, and potentially fatal, tick-borne illness called Powassan and this summer looks like it might be one of the worst on record for an increase in the tick population. The Centers for Disease Control say tick-borne diseases are on the rise and prevention should be on everyone's mind now through early fall when ticks are most active.
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Human College Graduates 24 Pets
One of only a handful of colleges that allow and encourage pets, Eckerd College wants students to bring their dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, ducks and chinchillas to school. They supply pet dorms and vet visits for college kids and their pets. They even have a graduation ceremony for the creatures big and small. Tanya Womack is the Staff Coordinator for Pet Life at Eckerd College. She's happy to tell us about this groundbreaking initiative and she consults with other colleges that wish to institute the same policy.
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Prisoners Training Animals
A small team of women prisoners in Phoenix is working with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Animal Safety Unit. The program helps comfort and train animals rescued from deplorable conditions. Six days a week the women in the program are transported to a former men's jail that has been converted into a holding center and safe haven for animals.
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Join the Shellebration
World Turtle Day is coming up. The Executive Director of the American Tortoise Rescue, Susan Tellum tells us why turtles and tortoises make great pets, except when they're having sex.
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Pig Trial Ends
Animal Advocate Anita Kranjnc faced a prison sentence for feeding water to a dehydrated pig. After two years of defending herself in a court battle, the judge dismissed the charges against her for mischief and meddling with private property.
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Some Pets Make You Look More Attractive
New research suggests women rated men holding puppies as almost 24% sexier, 14% more trustworthy and 13% more attractive than the same men not holding a puppy. Meanwhile, women with kittens were perceived as the least attractive and women with cats were rated lowest on sexiness and trustworthiness.
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Tick Talk
Dogfather Joey Villani shares a little known secret for easily getting rid of ticks. Simply pulling them out of your animals, or using a match to get rid of them can actually cause more problems. But with this technique, the ticks will leave on their own accord.
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Class Action Claims Prescription Pet Food is a Marketing Scheme.
Four law firms are making news for representing pet owners in a class action lawsuit, which alleges that prescription dog and cat food is a marketing scheme devised by pet food companies to pump up their profits. They state that requiring a prescription from a veterinarian misleads consumers, providing cover that enables pet food companies to charge excessive prices because prescription pet food contains no drug or other ingredient not also common in non-prescription pet food.
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What The Pet Food Manufacturers Want You To Know
The pet food industry is worth 29 BILLION dollars a year. With so much at stake, they've formed a lobbying group called Pet Food Institute. PFI's Communications Director, Mary Emma Young joins us to tell you want they want you to know about pet food.
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Pet Fooled
Pet food advocate and director of the movie "Pet Fooled," Kohl Harrington believes you are being lied to and manipulated by the major pet food manufacturers - all in the name of economics. Kohl shares the information he collected while producing the movie, including documentation that you're being deceived into slowly killing your pets; and even paid hush money by pet food makers. You'll want to hear this before you shop for pet food again!
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Employers Offer Paternity Leave
Harper-Collins Publishers is now offering their employees "PAWternity leave" when they adopt a new pet, giving workers up to five working days of paid leave to settle in with their new animal friend. The publisher says it wants to encourage responsible adoption of animals as well as make life easier for their staff that choose to open their homes to furry friends.
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Pet Rat Saved After Heroin Overdose
Volunteers at an overdose prevention site in Vancouver, Canada, say they saved the life of a pet rat named Snuggles after the little rodent overdosed on heroin it had eaten off a table.
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Cat Yoga Classes
For cat lovers and exercise enthusiasts, free yoga classes filled with feline friends sounds like a pretty good deal. But these classes are offered with a larger purpose in mind, as the cats need homes. The P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center in Camden, Maine, offers free monthly cat yoga classes as a way to introduce potential new pet owners to some kitties in need.
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Victims Scammed After Buying Dogs Online
Police in the town of Winkler, Manitoba, Canada, are asking people to be extra vigilant when buying anything online after three people were scammed out of hundreds of dollars when they bought dogs that they never received. The victims had all recently responded to online classified ads listing dogs for sale.
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Star Trek Star Changes His Mind About Pit Bulls
Actor and humanitarian Sir Patrick Stewart is fostering a pit bull named Ginger after they bonded instantly. He admits that he once believed the negative stereotypes about pit bulls, but his love for Ginger and other pit bulls has grown so deep that now he's partnered up with the ASPCA to #GetTough against dog fighters.
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Fear Free Movement
When Dr. Marty Becker created the Fear Free certification for Veterinarians, he had no idea it would take off so fast. More and more veterinarians are creating a relaxed environment that pets will like. They're practicing techniques that make dogs and cats enjoy going to the vet. The end-game is happier, healthier pets that live longer.
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Giving The West Coast Some Love
TV Host and Animal Advocate David Frei was the top dog at Westminster for almost 30 years. He tells us that he's created the first major west coast AKC Dog Show and it's all going on in Beverly Hills. Trailing the super success of the Thanksgiving Day Dog Show, NBC has bankrolled the celebrity filled dog show.
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Taiwan Outlaws Cat & Dog Meat for Humans
Taiwan is the first country in Asia to pass a law outlawing the human consumption of dog and cat meat. An amendment to an animal protection law, passed earlier this month by the Taiwanese, indicates a changing attitude in, "A society in which dog meat was regularly eaten, to one in which many people treat pet cats and dogs as valued members of their families," according to the government's own news agency.
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Eliminating Hairballs
If your cat is always hawking up hairballs, then perhaps you should hear what Animal Radio's Dogfather, Joey Villani has to say. He has some inexpensive and effective ways to reduce the hair your cat consumes. This is especially helpful if you've ever stepped in a juicy hairball in the middle of the night.
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Aspirin Can Be Fatal For Your Pet
While Aspirin might be just what the doctor ordered after a night out drinking; your dog or cat's body won't assimilate the chemicals safely. Enough 'well-meaning' aspirin can kill your pet. Same holds true for Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. There are a lot safer anti-inflammatory medicines that your veterinarian can prescribe. Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie has a tip for determining if something your pet swallowed is toxic and if you should go to the veterinarian.
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No Dogs Left Behind
Jeffrey Beri founded the global animal rescue No Dogs Left Behind. He checks in with Animal Radio from China where he's rescuing thousands of dogs from a horrific life and ultimate slaughter. He reports that the Chinese are changing their view on pets.
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Think About Your Pets When Buying That Tech Gadget
Tech expert Kim Komando says every piece of technology we put into our homes could very easily emit a sound that cannot be heard by humans but comes in loud and clear for pets. That's not to say pets are suffering because of our gadgets, but that the possibility exists and it is something you may want to consider. In scientific terms, humans can hear sounds up to about 20,000 Hz, while dogs can hear sounds up to 45,000 Hz and cats 64,000 Hz. That means there are frequencies undetectable to us but very noticeable and even hurtful to animals. Lights can also be a problem, because animals see the world differently than humans. LED lights flicker more than others, though the speed at which they do so isn't really noticed by humans. Dogs, however, are sensitive up to 80 Hz or flickers per second.
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Retiring Former Research Chimps
The Director of Behavior and Research at Chimp Haven joins Animal Radio to talk about the many chimps that are now living at her sanctuary in Louisiana. Amy Fultz is currently fund raising to help build more habitats in the 200-acre refuge.
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Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
The little known insurance company would've sunk into obscurity if it weren't for the marriage to the iconic television programming it hitched its name to. Marlin Perkins and his monkey hosted the Sunday evening tradition. The show lives on today as a web series hosted by this week's Animal Radio guest, Peter Gros. Peter talks about several harrowing experiences filming wild animals, including chasing a 12-foot python through the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan.
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Meet Your Breed
Don't just get a dog because it's cute. To ensure a long lasting relationship, you should get a breed that suits your activity level, as some dogs require lots of stimulation while others, like the unsuspecting Greyhound, would rather be a couch potato. Behaviorist Kim Brophey is here to help you pick out your new furry family member.
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Raccoon Overdoses on Heroin
Firefighters at Wayne Township in Indiana must still be laughing about a recent visit they had from a frantic woman who showed up at the station house early one morning with her pet raccoon. The raccoon was stoned after being exposed to too much marijuana and the owner thought the raccoon was overdosing. Later, they discovered the raccoon had actually gotten into someone's stash of heroine.
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The New Fear Free Guide
The biggest thing to recently happen to animal welfare is arguably the Fear Free movement. Starting with veterinarians, changes were made to make vet visits a better experience for the pet and everyone involved. Then Fear Free moved into the household by creating the Fear Free Happy Homes program. Now, with the help of Fear Free father and renown author, Dr. Marty Becker talks about the new Fear Free book, From Fearful to Fear Free.
Listen to Dr. Becker in the Fear Free Expert Series on Animal Radio.
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Hidden Pain In Cats
Cats may feel pain but there may be no obvious signs. Dr. Robin Downing specializes in pain and palliative medicine for pets and she explains why cats may not exhibit the signs of pain, or at least how humans perceive pain. Dr. Downing also discusses pain treatments for our furry friends. This segment is part of the Fear Free Expert Series.
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Sea-furring Felines
We remember the bold seafarers of yore, from Magellan to Shackleton, for their extraordinary exploits; New lands discovered, storms weathered, and battles won. But somehow history has neglected the stalwart, hardworking species who made it all possible ... yes, the noble cat! Philippa Sandall joins us from down-under to describe these under appreciated sea-furring felines.
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Firefighters Thought They Were Rescuing Puppies
Firefighters in Colorado Springs say they are pretty surprised to learn that the littler of "puppies" they rescued from a storm drain were actually baby foxes. Before learning they actually had baby foxes in their care, they were taken to a veterinary hospital where they were told the tiny little things were really newborn red fox kits.
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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.
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Has Your Pet Restricted Your Travel Plans?
According to a 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 "Dogspot," 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. Kippy has even appeared in several photo shoots.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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The Secrets Of The Snout
Scientist and researcher Frank Rosell joins us live from Norway to talk about our pet's incredible nose and smelling capabilities. He'll explain why your friend's dog is "all-up-in-your-business" and just how far and how much our dog can smell stuff. They can even smell cancer.
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65-year-old Woman Has Had Her Pet 56 Years
Here's a story you don't hear very often. Jeanna Smith got her pet tortoise during the Kennedy administration, and it might still be alive for the Bieber administration. Not many people live most of their life with their childhood pet.
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What To Do When You Can't Reach A Veterinarian
The Fear Free Pets Expert Series continues with Dr. Dawn Crandell. She'll teach you how to evaluate and treat your pet when a veterinarian isn't easily accessible. Before you take your dog on a trip or camping, make sure you're prepared for the unexpected.
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Your Turn To Weigh In On Airline Service Animal Policy
The Transportation Department announced it's seeking comments for drafting rules for dealing with animals flying with passengers on planes. The proposal asks for comments about questions such as: whether to treat psychiatric service animals the same as other service animals, such as for the blind and deaf; whether to require emotional-support animals to travel in containers or with a harness or leash; and limiting the types of animals qualifying as emotional-support animals.
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Being Blind - Faking A Sighted Person
For 30 years, legally blind from birth, Stephen Kuusistos went about his daily business as if he had 20/20 vision. He even drove bikes and motorcycles. But his life changed dramatically when he met his first service dog, Corky. This dog assisted him and even taught him some valuable life lessons.
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The Truth About Raccoons
Over the years, many people have tried to make pets out of raccoons. This is nearly impossible. Raccoons not only make bad, destructive pets, but they also inherently carry disease. Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie has to let down a listener that was dead-set on making a wild raccoon a family member.
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Recreational Drugs and Alcohol - Not For Pets
The Family Center for Recovery surveyed over 1,000 pet owners who admitted to seeing their pet ingest drugs or other substances. 10% of men and 5% women in this survey said they purposefully got their pet high on drugs so they could share the experience and nearly 8% of men and 4% of women said they gave their pet drugs or alcohol out of boredom.
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Dog Park Hijacked For Ten Years
The Tribeca Dog Park in New York was literally stolen, or hijacked, ten years ago by area residents who put a lock on the gate, began charging fees, banning non-member status mutts and enforcing its 22 rules with an iron fist and the city never noticed. The people with the pirated dog park installed a keypad lock on the gate and sent members a secret 4-digit passcode after they paid a $120 annual fee over Paypal on the group's website.
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Man Shoots At Roommate Over Cat Hair On Couch
A 58-year-old Florida man has been arrested after he shot at his roommate because he was angry about cat hair being on the couch. The roommate told police that the cat-hair-hating-guy fired in his direction and said, "The next one's going to be you." Mr. Cat Hair Hater is being held without bond and is facing charges of shooting into a dwelling, aggravated battery and aggravated assault.
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Not Sci-fi. A Device That Translates Woofs and Meows Into Words
Dr. Con Slobodchikoff (Professor Emeritus NAU) believes we are close to developing a gadget that will translate what your dog or cat is saying into English words. While several novelty items are currently on the market, his work is based in science. Slobodchikoff says "So many people would dearly love to talk with their dog. With cats, I'm not sure what they'd have to say. A lot of times it might just be 'you idiot, just feed me.'"
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Counting Cats
Because most everyone has their own opinion on whether cats or dogs are smarter, a new study has created quite a stir when it suggested that dogs might have an intelligence edge over cats. On the other hand, a few other studies have shown that cats have a greater mathematical ability than dogs. Meanwhile, other less traditionally "smart" animals like fish and frogs, according to new research, are able to count.
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Dating Advice For Pet Parents
Things can get complicated if you are in a relationship that progresses to the point where you are thinking about moving in together. And if the other person is also bringing a pet to the new household then you have a lot to consider. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks has some good advice for pet parents who want to combine households.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Why Is Pentobarbital In Our Pet Food?
Jaclyn Bowen of the Clean Label Project is back to explain why our pet's food supply is constantly jeopardized. What are the implications of the Blue Buffalo's sale to General Mills? You should listen before you shop for pet food again.
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Understanding UTI
Urinary Tract Infections are more common than you think. Did you know stress could cause a UTI in your cat or dog? Dr. Tony Huffington explains how a stressed animal is at higher risk for infection. Have you heard the Fear Free Pet Expert Series?
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Sleeping In The Doghouse
A cold winter has led to the deaths of several dogs left outside in the elements. Ian Matheson spent the evening in the brutal cold weather to bring awareness to pet owners about the risks of leaving your dog outside overnight. Listen to Ian tell his story.
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People Prefer Pets Over Partners
A study of 2,000 cat and dog owners shows more than half often prefer spending time with their pet instead of their partner. This is because they love unconditionally, they don't nag, they never talk back and are always in a good mood. 3 in 10 adults say their pet is a better listener than their partner, while 45% like the fact they are never judged or questioned by their cat or dog. Surprisingly, 29% even say their four-legged friend is better at snuggling.
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Dog Tests Positive For Rabies After Biting Owners
A family dog in Delaware has tested positive for rabies after biting his two adult owners. The dog was also not up to date on shots. The adults, who were bitten by the dog, have begun rabies treatment. Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Infection happens through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or if saliva from an infected animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or an opening in the skin of the bite victim.
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Hotlips Houlihan Returns
Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H) is back on Animal Radio to tell us about her childhood pet, her faux fur jacket and most importantly, her book of original watercolors she painted. Surprisingly, Loretta's parents didn't foster her artistic side. Hotlips continues to speak out for the animals.
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Canned Food Found To Increase BPA in Dogs
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical found in many household items, including resins that are used to line and inhibit corrosion of metal food cans. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri Veterinary School have found that even short-term feeding of canned dog food resulted in a significant 3-fold increase in the level of BPA in dogs.
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Man Sues After Pet Squirrel Attack
A contractor is suing a Virginia couple for $90,000 for injuries he says were caused when their pet squirrel attacked him - biting and scratching his leg and hand. According to the paperwork filed by the contractor, the couple was keeping the animal as a pet, but the homeowners say they have never had a pet squirrel.
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Judge Rules Dogs Are Property
A Canadian judge has ruled dogs are property and cannot be considered in the same vein as children in a scathing decision blasting a newly separated couple for a "ridiculous" attempt to use the court system to settle custody dispute over two of their three dogs. The judge likened the matter to being asked to rule on what the couple should do with other joint property they may own. "Am I to make an order that one party have interim possession of the family butter knives?"
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Evicted Alligator Gets Legal Representation
'Katfish,' the 200-pound PET alligator that was forcibly removed from his home, is now being represented in court by Tristen Woods and Lauren Sierra. The alligator's owner, Sean Casey fed Katfish a diet of chicken nuggets from Wendy's. Tristen and Lauren explain the situation and what the future holds for the reptilian.
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Stressed People Have Stressed Dogs
Dr. John Huber says happy owners generally have happy pets. Alternatively, stressed owners tend to cause their pets to be anxious. This anxiety can cause a myriad of canine behavior problems.
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Vegan Diets Can Land You In Jail
Cat owners in the U.K. are being advised they are breaking the law if they feed their cat an all vegan diet. Cats are obligate carnivores and need meat. Owners of cats that are malnourished face a hefty fine and even a jail sentence.
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Pet Spending Surpasses Previous Reports
Americans spent a staggering $77.13 BILLION on their pets last year. That's a 15% increase over 2020. The biggest chunk was spent on pet food, followed by veterinary care. Consumers spent an average of $237 per pet for the holidays.
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Is The Groomer Really To Blame
A big box pet store chain is under the gun again as another grooming accident allegedly resulted in a broken jaw. However, Dr. Debbie is quick to point out that the dog's jaw may have been compromised prior to the grooming due to poor dental care.
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Legislation To License Groomers
Shortly after Rosemary Marchetto's Shih Tzu was dropped at a chain store groomer she was informed that her dog had died. She feels the groomer was negligent and that the profession needs regulation. Bijou's Bill, named after Rosemary's dog, is being spearheaded by New Jersey Senator Valerie Huttle. The law would require pet groomers to be licensed, at least 18 years old, and tested by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners. Rosemary joins us this week to tell her story. Animal Radio's Joey Villani is also on the forefront of this groundbreaking legislation and he says there is some push-back from many groomers.
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You Can Now Ask Alexa Pet Medical Questions
Vet24seven has launched MyPetDoc, an Alexa skill that is the world's first artificial intelligence "SmartVet." Now, pet parents with a pet health question can talk with MyPetDoc on Alexa and get veterinarian-backed answers to their concerns. Once MyPetDoc has answered the pet parents' questions, they can then choose to speak immediately with a licensed veterinarian for more guidance and advice for a $25 charge. This doesn't sit well with Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie.
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Courthouse Dogs
World renown animal writer/author Kristin von Kreisler uncovers the world of courthouse dogs in her new book "A Reason For Hope." These dogs comfort those testifying in court, similar to an emotional support animal. While Kristin's book is fiction, she goes all-out to research her writing, even once following a grizzly bear for a Reader's Digest article.
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Making It Illegal To Stalk Pets
The federal stalking law is getting an update to include threats made against a pets and emotional support animals. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan managed to get his proposal, which adds threats and violence against a person's pets to the stalking statute, included in this year's Farm Bill. Under the law, threatening or harming a pet as a way to harass or intimidate a victim is punishable by up to five years in prison.
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Pet Scams On The Rise
The Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker has seen an increase in people losing money to pet scams. They're not surprised as it's typical around the holidays. Animal Radio's Lori Brooks exposes the scams and has tips to avoid being scammed.
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Do You Have The Right Car Seat For Your Fur-baby?
A recent Harris Poll indicates that many dog owners don't restrain their animals while driving with them. Many admit to allowing their dog to roam freely about the car, sit on their lap or stick their head out the window. Award-winning car columnist Tim Spell tells us the dangers behind unrestrained pets in the car and how to find the right restraining system and use it properly.
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You're Petting Your Pets Wrong
Dr. Marty Becker is back with new research that shows you may be petting cats and dogs improperly. This is especially important if you're a veterinarian. The Fear Free Pets movement wants us to rethink how we interact with our four-legged friends.
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Do Dogs Like 'Baby Talk?'
Most of us baby talk to babies and our dogs, but maybe we should just limit it to puppies because it turns out older dogs aren't so impressed with our baby talk. A new study shows that baby talk, also known as dog-directed speech when you're conversing with your dog, gets a big response from puppies, but older dogs really couldn't care less.
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Recipe for Cats and Dogs To Get Along
Cats and dogs really can get along to the point that they'll play hard together, drink water from the same bowl and cuddle on the couch, according to research led from Tel Aviv University. They discovered the recipe for success is to adopt the cat first and introduce a dog while both pets are still young. In homes where the cat and dog are mates, the research suggests they've managed to correctly read each other's body cues.
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Pet Owners Fined for Animals Left Out in Cold
In Yakima, Washington, authorities are giving a warning to unkind pet owners after receiving reports of animals being left outside in frigid temperatures. Since the beginning of last month, animal control has already responded to at least 60 animal welfare checks. Pet owners could face a misdemeanor charge for animal neglect if their pets are found in distress and given a fine from $250 to $5,000 depending on the severity.
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Opossum Rescue is a Thing
The Opossum's Pouch Rescue founder Beth Sparks is our guest. She says North America's only marsupial is quite misunderstood. Beth cares for injured and orphaned Opossums, which are different than Possums. Who knew? Well, apparently everybody, as rescues and social media sites centered on the Opossum are popping up everywhere. Besides, who can resist the little guy in this picture?
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Denver Bans Cat Declawing
Denver has become the first city in Colorado to ban elective cat declawing. The city has decided to prohibit veterinarians from performing the procedure unless it's medically necessary. That makes Denver the first major U.S. city outside of California to make this move after passing the bill in November. However, the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association opposes the measure saying the decision to declaw a cat or not should be left up to a veterinarian and the pet owner.
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The Healing Power of Dogs
Shannon Kopp is no stranger to Animal Radio. In 2015, she told us about her eating disorder, Bulimia. She was throwing up 20 times a day. It was killing her. No doctor or therapist could help her. Things didn't change until she met a special dog. Now, she's advocating the use of animals to help others suffering from eating disorders. You have to hear this incredible and inspiring story told by Shannon.
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Judges Decided Pet Custody
Divorcing couples in Illinois who can't agree on who keeps the pets will have a judge decide custody, thanks to a new state law. Usually companion animals are treated like property to be divided up between the couple, because in most states pets are still classified as property. But now with the rise of two-income families opting not to have children, the issue of pet custody is gaining more attention.
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Fine for Fake Service Dogs
An Arizona state lawmaker has introduced a bill that will fine people up to $250 if they're caught trying to pass their pets off as service animals in public places. As much as this problem irritates many people, some disability advocates worry that if State Senate Bill 1040 becomes law, it may cause more problems and misunderstandings.
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Ralph Nader Guests
Named by Time, Life and Atlantic magazines as one of the hundred most influential Americans, former U.S. Presidential candidate Ralph Nader is our guest. Now, he's speaking out for the animals in his book called "Animal Envy."
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Teens Invent for Dogs
Josh and Zach Armstrong are 13 and 15 respectively. They're home-schooled. But don't let that fool you. They've invented an electronic circuit that a blind dog can wear on his collar to alert him of impending obstacles. They'll tell their story to us this weekend.
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Dog Lands Jobs at Lowe's
Clay Luthy is an Air Force veteran who can't go anywhere without his 10-year-old service dog Charlotte, even to work. That's why the dynamic duo is especially overjoyed that they finally landed a job at the Lowe's in Abilene, Texas. Up until Clay's wife gave him the idea to apply at Lowe's, the veteran had a hard time finding a business that would be okay with his Charlotte following him around in a work zone. Lowe's Human Resources Department says, "Clay won the job on his own merit, but the company just got the benefit of getting Charlotte right along with him."
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The Misunderstood Pit Bull
Author and pit bull advocate Deirdre Franklin wants you to know that the breed gets a bad-rap. She'll tell us why pit bulls are misunderstood. If you're thinking of adopting this adorable breed, you'll need to know what hurdles lay ahead.
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The Gnarly Yeast Infection
If your dog has ever had to deal with a yeast infection, you know how itchy and uncomfortable your furry-friend can be. Not to mention the stink! These infections are usually secondary of a bigger problem. Dr. Debbie can help you identify the problem and get your dog back onto the recovery path.
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Animal Radio Howliday Special 
Bring on the holidays with inspirational and emotionally driven tales about the connection with our pets. Celebrated authors and entertainers share their most intimate thoughts on animals.
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On this week's show:
Comedian Buddy Hackett loved animals so much he started a foundation and a yearly comedy show to help save abused and homeless dogs and cats.
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Animal Advocate Ed Sayres has found an addendum to Genesis explaining the creation of Cats & Dogs. You might be surprised to know that God felt the dog was a reflection of himself and named the creature "DOG" - GOD backwards.
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From the nationally recognized Helen Woodward Center in San Diego, Mike Arms had a rough start in the animal world. Moving from Kentucky to New York, a search for work landed him at the local shelter. After being beaten by thugs for saving a dog, he dedicated his life to the animals.
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Also on this special show: Rae Ann Kumelos, Peter Gethers, Britt Savage, Vinnie Penn, Trixie Koontz and Jingle Fish!
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Human Like Toilet For Your Cat
There's a new human-like toilet on the market for cats. It is called Catolet. It's basically a conveyor belt-equipped automatically-flushing toilet that's made for cats. Ideally, the Catolet is installed in a bathroom where it is permanently connected to the water supply and sewage system with hoses that are included. Right now you can sign up to get one for $299.
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Life's A Pooch
Pet pontificator Boze Hadleigh is back on Animal Radio to celebrate the connection with our dogs. He's queried hundreds of celebrities and well-known people for quotes about "man's best friend."
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Giving Back - Paying it Forward
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has five ways you can give back to the pet world this holiday season.
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AIBO The Robotic Dog Is Reborn
Sony Corp is going to try again with its robotic dog AIBO after more than a decade. AIBO is billed as a pet that behaves like a real dog using artificial intelligence to learn and interact with its handler and surroundings. Numerous studies have been done with robotic dogs and nursing home patients with fantastic results.
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Giving Your Dog Your Undivided Attention
New research suggests dogs make a wider variety of facial expressions when their owners or companions are paying attention to them. So, while you are sitting at a computer holding on to a toy while your dog basically plays tug of war with itself, is not nearly as beneficial to them as when you invest your attention in that play time.
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First Responders Can Now Treat Pets In Wisconsin
Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing to change state law and allow first responders to treat pets when responding to an emergency. However, the departments do not receive special training for handling pets and they do prioritize saving human lives first. 22 other states in the U.S. already allow first responders to provide animals with emergency care.
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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.
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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 of her finest tips on this week's show.
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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.
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Believe It Or Not
Edward Meyer of Ripley's is back with his yearly round-up of strange and unusual animals. Topping the list 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Listen to Dr. Reck on 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.
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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. 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.
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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.
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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-Mormino is taking on courts all across the U.S. to allow chickens in city settings.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Science Behind Loving Our Pets
Anthrozoologist 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Holiday Statistics Paint An Ugly Picture For Our Pets
The busiest time of the year for a veterinarian is between Halloween and Christmas. Well meaning pet parents could be feeding their pets fixings from the dinner table, unknowingly causing pancreatitis. Redbarn's Lindsay Tracy is back with tips and tricks to avoid being a holiday statistic, while sharing the holiday with your your furry-family.
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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.
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California Pet Stores Can Only Sell Rescue or Shelter Dogs
The California Governor has signed the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act into law, making California the first to have such a law that is statewide. 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.
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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.
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Making Sure Your Pet Has A Safe Holiday
Redbarn's Lindsay Tracy is back to share tips for celebrating a safe holiday. This time of year can spell doom for your pets. In fact, between Halloween and Christmas, veterinarians see more animals than the rest of the year. Pancreatitis soars around Thanksgiving because the well-meaning guardians feed their furry companions leftovers from the table. Don't let your pet become a holiday statistic.
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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.
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My Big Fat Pet Makeover
Animal Planet host Travis Brorsen ushers 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Cats Vs. Dogs. Who's Smarter?
The extremely charismatic Dr. Ernie Ward is back on Animal Radio to answer the age-old question about which pet is more intelligent, the Dog or the Cat? You may be surprised by the answer, unless you own a cat... or a cat owns you!
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Your Next Pet Could Be A Robot
Your next dog, or your parent's next dog, could very well be a robot. Hasbro has launched a new life-like robotic dog.  It's a companion pet pup to go with their companion pet cat already on the market. Both are designed to bring comfort and companionship to aging adults. The robotic cat, with its really soft fur, gently vibrates when it purrs, while the puppy barks and cocks its head when you speak. But they are far from being the only robot pets on the market.
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There's A Fox In The Chicken Coop
You may have seen the viral video of Strawberry, the chicken that watches TV. She's our guest along with her guardian, Olivia Fox. According to Olivia, TV isn't the only bad habit this chicken has. Apparently Strawberry enjoys some of the sweeter things in life.
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Pairing Cats With Autistic Children
The MU Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction is introducing a new research program titled, "The Feline Friends Project." The project will pair children with autism with a cat and monitor the impact the cat has on the child's anxiety level and social skills. The research center has published several studies that outline the benefits that children with autism receive from having pets in the home, citing increased social skills as a primary benefit.
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Lucky Dog
He was the Emmy Award winning host of CBS's Lucky Dog. Brandon McMillan is back to teach us the basics: Sit, Stay, Down, Come, Off, Heel and No. He'll also clear up the confusion between the techniques taught by Cesar Millan and Victoria Stilwell.
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Is Your Dog's Halloween Costume Sexist??
Young girls may be discarding their princess wands for superhero capes this Halloween, but not so in the canine world. The glass ceiling appears to be firmly in place at PetSmart, where career costumes labeled "male" include firefighter and police officer, while female dogs can choose between a pink cowgirl costume or ballerina. At Party City, Super-girl and Wonder Woman dog costumes were priced 30% higher than Superman costumes.
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Costume Giveaway
Madonna Sheehy from HalloweenCostumes.com has the list of top pet costumes for your furry-companion. She even has matching human/pet costumes. Will you be a part of the 16% that dresses our pets up for Halloween? Madonna will also give away two costumes of your choice.
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Yes, You Can Train A Cat!
Cat Psychologist Pam Johnson-Bennett is back with tips on training the feline persuasion. She'll also explain why cats gravitate toward cat-haters and those that are allergic to them. Pam will also enlighten us to why cats must sit on your homework or computer keypad.
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What Types Of Pets Should Be Allowed On Airplanes?
Turkeys, pigs and even roosters have flown the friendly skies, carried onto commercial planes by passengers who identified their furry and feathered friends as emotional support animals. But a committee of airline representatives and disabled rights advocates continues meetings in Washington, D.C. to come up with new rules on what type of animals should be permitted on planes and what documents should be required to prove the animals are legitimately needed.
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Smelling Like A Dog
Dog Cognitionist Alexandra Horowitz is back. This time she wants us to know just how well a dog can smell. Did you know they could smell earthquakes? She wants to teach us how to sniff things out just like a dog.
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Vet Bills Are Through The Roof
If you feel like your pet's vet bills are through the roof, you're not alone! It seems the animal health care system suffers from many of the same problems as human medical care, according to a new report from researchers at Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They found that some features of the systems are shockingly similar, in that both have seen a huge increase of dollars spent on end-of-life care.
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Barkville TV
Actress Olivia Barash is our guest. She's here to talk about her new YouTube series called Barkville TV. Olivia will even show off her talents as a voiceover artist as well as describe the series she's producing and directing.
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Should Your Pets Sleep With You?
If you kick your dog off the bed every night, you might want to stock up on apology treats. A study of 150 people conducted by the prestigious Mayo Clinic on Sleep has found that, contrary to popular belief, sleeping with your pet doesn't actually disrupt your sleep as much as you might think.
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You Can Now Be Buried With Your Pet
Pet owners in New York can now take their trusted furry companions with them to the grave since the governor has signed legislation making it legal for the cremated remains of pets to be interred with their owners at any of the approximately 1,900 not-for-profit cemeteries in New York that are regulated by the state. Among the most famous Big Apple pet owners who wanted to be buried with their pets was Leona Helmsley, the hotel magnate dubbed "The Queen of Mean" who died in 2007 and had in her will that she wanted her pampered pooch "Trouble" interred with her.
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Don't Drink Alone
Brandon Zavala was enjoying a glass of cat-themed wine when he came up with the idea to create a wine for cats. Now he produces a MosCATo and a Pinot Meow made from beet juice and infused with catnip. He did this so you could enjoy a glass of Vino with your Gato. Your welcome.
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More Reasons To Celebrate
Robert Semrow, our Pet World Insider actually found '5 October Holidays for Your Pet.' Man, this kid can be creative when it comes to Listomania. Maybe some of these holidays were made up by Hallmark, or maybe your local humane organization. But, who's going to complain about more time to celebrate with our pups?
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Skunked
The Animal Radio "Dogfather," Joey Villani has tips on dealing with dogs (or cats) that have been sprayed by a skunk. He says the biggest myth is that tomato juice fixes that problem. We suspect the tomato juice industry is behind this fallacy. Imagine cleaning up a house wrecked by tomato juice and the skunk smell doesn't seem so bad. Joey also says "stay away from water, as that could make the problem worse." Dawn Dish Detergent seems to be the solution, again!
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Battling Fleas
No doubt the U.S. is dealing with a bad flea season. Humidity in the east and a resistance to chemical products are mostly to blame. What are your natural remedies? How are you ridding your house and pets from this nasty parasite? We have some strange and unusual methods for removing fleas and stopping the scratching. And we're betting you have some of the household items that we suggest. Would you believe that a TV set is an effective way to get rid of fleas? And it does't matter what program you're watching, although we do recommend an annoying infomercial if you want the fleas to suffer.
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Furry Family Instagram Sensation
Steve Greig's Instagram account blew up after he started posting pictures of his extended family. He lives with 10 dogs, 2 ducks, 2 chickens, a rabbit, pigeons, cats, Koi fish and a pig. All were rescued. About a half-million people subscribe to his Instagram feed.
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Eliminating Fear of Vet Visits
Going to the Vet can be a traumatic experience for your pets. Following Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent, Dr. Marty Becker's instructions can make the Vet actually a fun place to go. We call it Fear Free visits.
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Thief Unwittingly Saves Dog in Hot Car
It all began when a man left his laptop and his dog locked in his pick-up truck while he went into a local pub. It was super hot that day, but luckily for the dog, a pack of thieves were casing the street for easy to grab loot and spotted the laptop sitting on the truck's passenger seat. They smashed the window, grabbed the laptop and ran off.
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Internet Outage Causes Starving Pets
The Internet of Things may be touted as the next big thing in technology, but those Internet connected solutions designed to make your life easier can cause huge problems as many pet owners recently found out. PetNet, an Internet-connected feeding service, experienced a server outage last week that left many pets hungry for hours and many pet owners very upset!
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Lily And The Octopus
Steven Rowley tells us about his close relationship with Lily and how a tumor on her head eventually took her life. He's was offered one million dollars to write a cathartic book about the experience on spec. Not bad for his first major published novel.
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