The wonderfully wacky — and surprisingly cuddly — world of skunks with Deborah Cipriani, founder of Skunkhaven! A licensed skunk rescue in the United States, Skunkhaven is more than just a safe haven — it’s a full-on mission to change the way people see these misunderstood animals.

Deborah shares how she went from curious pet owner to full-time skunk advocate, building a sanctuary that educates, rescues, and supports skunks and their humans nationwide. You’ll hear the truth about de-scenting, what skunks are really like as pets, and yes — some hilariously adorable skunk stories, too. If you’ve ever thought skunks were just backyard troublemakers, this episode might just change your mind.

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Lee Asher......You’ve seen him on social media rescuing animals, transforming lives, and living his dream surrounded by a pack of pups — now hear the story behind the mission. Lee opens up about what inspired him to leave his corporate life behind, how he built a sanctuary (The Asher House) from scratch, and what keeps him going through the chaos (and joy!) of caring for dozens of dogs.

From road trips in an RV with his rescue crew to the creation of a permanent haven for animals in need, Lee shares the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that changed him. He also dives into the deeper “why” behind his work, the challenges of staying authentic in the public eye, and what it really means to build a life with purpose. This episode is full of heart, humor, and the kind of real talk that’ll inspire you to chase your passion — even if it’s covered in fur.

www.theasherhouse.com              www.furrealpodcast.com

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www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

We’re joined by the incredibly multi-talented Kate Zenna — actor, director, producer, writer... and above all, a devoted dog rescuer.

Kate has been a lifelong dog lover and proudly lives with a pack of pups she’s rescued over the years. Her tireless commitment to giving dogs a second chance has earned her a title I use with the utmost admiration: the crazy dog lady — and trust me, it’s the highest of compliments.

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Kate shares how she channels her many creative talents into finding loving homes for countless dogs. Her stories are too numerous for a single podcast, but we dig into some of her most memorable rescues and the passion that fuels her mission.

We also get an exciting sneak peek at a new animal-centered film project she’s developing — you’ll hear about it here before almost anyone else.

Tune in for a powerful reminder of how much of a difference one person can make in the lives of animals in need.

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Special thanks to Jake Olson  [email protected] for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

In this episode of The Fur Real Podcast, we head to the Arctic with Dr. Steven Amstrup of Polar Bears International, the world’s leading organization dedicated to the conservation of polar bears and their sea ice habitat.

With climate change melting the Arctic at an alarming rate, polar bears are being pushed to their limits—swimming longer distances, struggling to hunt, and adapting to a rapidly changing environment. Dr. Amstrup shares incredible facts about these powerful animals: their fur is actually translucent, their skin is black, and they’re capable of swimming for days across icy waters.

But beyond the trivia, this episode dives deep into the urgent challenges they face and what scientists and conservationists are doing to help. Whether you're a polar bear superfan or just polar bear-curious, this episode delivers eye-opening science, expert insights, and a powerful message of hope.

www.furrealpodcast.com                        www.polarbearsinternational.org

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

Special thanks to Jake Olson  [email protected] for awesome sound editing

 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

When you think of cryotherapy, you probably picture a human stepping into a freezing cold chamber — but did you know cryotherapy is now helping horses without the giant ice-box contraptions? This week on The Fur Real Podcast, we dive into the cold, hard facts with Brady Case of Precision Equine Therapy, a pioneer bringing mobile cryotherapy directly to horses (and even their owners!).

Brady breaks down how targeted cryotherapy triggers a powerful physiological response that reduces pain, inflammation, and promotes faster healing — often slashing recovery times in ways that seem almost unbelievable. We talk about the science behind the chill, why cold therapy works so effectively for injuries and maintenance, and how his mobile system makes it easy for horse owners and trainers to integrate cryotherapy into their regular care routines.

Not only is Brady treating horses, but he's also empowering owners, trainers, and barn staff to learn the techniques themselves — creating a ripple effect of better health and recovery in equine communities everywhere.

If you love learning about cutting-edge animal therapies, want to boost your horse’s performance and recovery, or are just curious how a little cold can create such hot results, you won’t want to miss this episode.

www.furrealpodcast.com   www.pecryo.com

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www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

What comes to mind when you hear the word Penguin? Not the Batman villain (though he had some flair)… We’re talking about the real-deal, black-and-white waddlers—like Charlie Chaplin in a tux, just with more feathers and fish breath.

In today’s episode  we welcome Professor Richard Reina, a top expert in animal responses to the environment and—get this—a leading authority on the Little Penguin. Also called the Fairy Penguin or the Little Blue Penguin (yep, they’re actually blue), these adorable creatures are the smallest penguins on the planet.

We’re diving beak-first into:

• What a “penguin divorce” looks like (spoiler: it’s not as dramatic as Hollywood, but still juicy)

• What these tiny tuxedoed swimmers snack on

• How they survive in a rapidly changing world

• And why they're more fascinating than you'd ever expect

Whether you're a penguin superfan or just here for the animal oddities, this episode is full of fun facts, expert insight, and a whole lot of penguin charm. So grab your fish snacks and get ready to waddle into the wonderful world of the Little Blue Penguin!

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www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets

🎬 Ever wonder how they get a bear to drive a golf cart—or a dog to save the day on cue?

In this wildly entertaining episode of Fur Real, we pull back the curtain on the magic behind Hollywood’s most talented animal stars. From Lassie to Flipper, Gentle Ben to the majestic lion in Secondhand Lions, there’s one name behind the scenes who’s helped bring these iconic animal performances to life: Bobbi Colorado.

Bobbi is one of Hollywood’s top Animal Wranglers—a real-life animal whisperer with decades of experience training everything from house pets to exotic creatures for the big screen. She joins us to share jaw-dropping stories from film sets, the incredible patience and creativity it takes to train animal actors, and what it really means to be a wrangler in the wild world of showbiz.

🐾 How do you train a bear to drive a golf cart? 🐾 What’s it like working on set with lions, tigers, and…well, maybe not bears—but close? 🐾 And why might you never look at an animal scene in a movie the same way again?

This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes secrets, unforgettable stories, and a whole lot of animal love. Don’t miss it—it’s truly Fur Real.

www.furrealpodcast.com        www.bobbicolorado.com

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You’ve definitely seen their photo — big round eyes, a chubby-cheeked smile, and an almost cartoonishly cute face. But did you know the name of this camera-loving marsupial? Meet the quokka, famously dubbed “The Happiest Animal in the World.”

In this wildly fun episode of Fur Real, host Mark Kyle is joined by Dr. Matthew Hayward, a leading quokka expert, author of Saving Biodiversity, and professor at The University of Newcastle. Together, they dive into the fascinating world of these adorable Australian icons.

From their ancient roots and unique behaviors to the viral sensation of the “quokka selfie,” Dr. Hayward shares incredible insights about these creatures — including why they have so little fear of humans, and what myths we’ve all gotten wrong.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or just in it for the cute factor, this episode delivers laughs, learning, and plenty of "aww" moments. You can hear the joy as Mark and Matt geek out over these little legends.

Get ready to fall in love with the quokka — and maybe even start planning your own selfie!

www.furrrealpodcast.com 

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Saving Biodiversity link https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003587644/saving-biodiversity-matt-hayward

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Coyotes are everywhere—from the open deserts to the heart of major cities—but how much do you really know about them? Are they dangerous? Do they hunt in packs? And why do they have such a legendary reputation, from Native American trickster tales to the relentless Wile E. Coyote?

This week on The Fur Real Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Stanley Gehrt, renowned wildlife ecologist and author of Coyotes Among Us. As the lead researcher of the Cook County Coyote Project, he has spent nearly 25 years studying how these animals thrive in urban environments—including Chicago, where over 6,000 coyotes are quietly living among people… mostly unnoticed.

We bust some of the biggest coyote myths, uncover how these adaptable predators navigate city life, and answer the big question: should we fear them or admire them? Dr. Gehrt brings both science and storytelling to the conversation, making this episode as entertaining as it is eye-opening.

🐾 Hit play and discover the truth about one of North America’s most misunderstood creatures!

www.thefurrealpodcast.com          

https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/

https://ohiocoyote.org/

https://www.amazon.com/Coyotes-Among-Us-Citys-Predator/dp/1959411233

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The Cutting Edge of Exotic Animal Medicine

If you love diving deep into the world of veterinary medicine—or even if you don’t think you do—this episode will absolutely blow your mind! Dr. Stephen Divers, a world-renowned specialist in endosurgery, joins The Fur Real Podcast to reveal the incredible advancements happening in minimally invasive surgery for animals.

Endoscopic surgery is revolutionizing the way we treat everything from common ailments to life-threatening conditions in animals, offering a less invasive, faster-healing approach. But wait until you hear just how many species Dr. Divers has worked on—from reptiles and amphibians to some of the most unexpected exotic creatures. You won’t believe the groundbreaking procedures being performed, the technology behind them, and the jaw-dropping stories Dr. Divers shares from the operating room.

This episode is packed with fascinating insights, wild animal cases, and a glimpse into the future of veterinary medicine. Trust us—you’ll never look at surgery the same way again. And, of course, we couldn’t resist one pun: wait until you hear the full scope of what Dr. Divers is doing!

Tune in now for an unforgettable journey into the cutting-edge world of animal healthcare!

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Speical thanks to J Jig Cicero @jjigcicero for our music intro and outro..you rock!!!

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 and to our supporters:

www.prepvet.com  Stem cells for pets