Today we’re happy to welcome Katie Warner, Center Director, for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, along with Gretel, a 3-year-old Swallow-tailed kite. Katie shares fascinating facts about Gretel, including how his breed migrates to southern Brazil for the winter—a trip of over 5,000 miles! After imprinting on humans and no longer able to survive in the wild, he serves as an animal ambassador at the center, which is open for visitors. Get your tickets and more at cbop.Audubon.org or call (407) 644-0190.

Dino Ferri, CEO for the Central Florida Zoo, kicks off the New Year for Animal House by sharing the continued success of their Asian Lantern Festival, ‘Into the Wild,’ and the dates that are still available. Dino also talks about the Zoo’s plans for the New Year, and shares which animals are the most chill, and even the stinkiest. Get your tickets and more at www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is our guest today, along with sweet Scotch, a French Bulldog puppy with a cleft lip and palate. Kathy shares the special care a puppy like Scotch requires, and how that’s taken into consideration when they’re adopted. She also updates us on the Alliance’s new shelter plan, as well as their new cats-only shelter in downtown Orlando. See the animals available for adoption at www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 351-7722.

Carrie Moule is a foster mom and volunteer for Polka Dogz Pet Rescue, one of many independent rescue organizations in Central Florida. She talks about the dogs they have that are looking for their forever homes, as well as other ways you can help, including volunteering. To learn more, go to www.polkadogz.org or give them a call at (352) 571-0032.

Dino Ferri, CEO of the Central Florida Zoo, joins us today to encourage folks to get their tickets early for the very popular return of their Asian Lantern Festival, ‘Into The Wild.’ Over 30 different, hand-constructed, illuminated lantern displays line the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path, including an illuminated tree with different colored butterflies, and a 130-foot, three-story tall dragon! For tickets, times and more, go to www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando joins us today along with Granola, a beautiful 8-month-old puppy who came from a shelter in Seminole County. Kathy shares how the Alliance often works with other local shelters and rescues to help animals find their forever homes. She also updates us on the Alliance’s plans moving forward after a devastating fire in September, including a cats-only shelter in downtown Orlando. To adopt, donate or learn more, go to www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 351-7722.

Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia & Manatee Research for the Save the Manatee Club, joins us to talk about the record-breaking number of manatee deaths, and the difficult winter they face. We also discussed what is being done to help, and what we can do during Manatee Awareness Month. To donate or to learn more, visit www.savethemanatee.org or call (407) 539-0990 or 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).

Dino Ferri, CEO for the Central Florida Zoo, is our guest today and he shares the exciting news about the return of a popular event, the Asian Lantern Festival: Into The Wild. See over 30 different, hand-constructed, illuminated lanterns displayed around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. And these are no tiny displays. One lantern is 120 feet long and as tall as a three-story building! To learn more about the festival, or their other cool events, go to www.centralfloridazoo.org or give them a call at (407) 323-4450.

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando joins us today with her special guest, “Rambo,” a sweet, older dog looking for his forever home, who’s been at the shelter for a while. She also updates us on the community outpouring since a devastating fire at their Orlando location September 15, outpouring that meant a great deal to the staff. Kathy shares what you can still do to help, especially for their kitten fosters, like donating formula, scales for measuring weight, and more. See their wish list at www.petallianceorlando.org or give them a call at (407) 351-7722.

Laura VonMutius, Education Manager for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, joins us along with Henry, a Great Horned Owl. Laura shares a lot of fascinating facts about Henry, including his impressive four-foot wingspan, but he only weighs 3 pounds. Learn more about all the different raptors that call Florida home at their Owloween Skeleton Extravaganza, going on now, with FREE admission on Halloween if you wear a costume! Give them a call at (407) 644-0190 or visit www.cbop.Audubon.org.