This week, Dr. Nancy Kay, author of A Dog Named 647, joins the show to discuss her inspiring novel for middle-school readers and older audiences. Through the story of Mia and a rescued dog named 647, the book encourages young people to think carefully about where pets come from and how they can make a difference.

The conversation continues with Marc Ayers, Illinois Director of Humane World for Animals, who explains how a loophole in state law is allowing some pet stores to continue selling dogs and cats despite efforts to crack down on puppy mills. He also discusses additional animal welfare legislation currently awaiting the governor’s signature.

Plus, Congressman Ted Lieu shares details about the Keeping Pets and Families Together Act, legislation that would create a USDA grant program to help shelters microchip dogs and cats, improving the chances of lost pets being reunited with their families.

Wayne Pacelle, CEO and president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, discusses several major animal welfare stories that have received little national attention. He explains why the USDA has resumed using poison-loaded devices to kill predators—including more than 100,000 coyotes, along with bears, wolves, and other wildlife—and the risks these devices pose to pets and people. Pacelle also shares the story behind Ridglan Farms near Madison, Wisconsin, relinquishing all of its research beagles following negotiations he helped lead, and why advances in science are reducing the need for dogs, primates, and other animals in medical research while potentially lowering drug development costs. Plus, he discusses how the New World screwworm outbreak has temporarily halted the horse slaughter meat trade with Mexico.

Can pets suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder syndrome following the trauma of hearing fireworks over the Fourth of July?

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Chris Brennan offers the 4-1-1 on heart disease in dogs and in cats, and the latest on new treatments. 

Dog trainer Zak George wonders out loud how and why the American Kennel Club (AKC) appears to support puppy mills by fighting bipartisan legislation known as the Puppy Mill Protection Act. That’s not to mention that the AKC does not require breeding standards aimed at reducing serious inherited health problems, including Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, and for failing to take a stronger position against punishment-based training methods and the use of shock collars.

Plus, I share the inspiration behind my latest book, Ask the Dog, and why I felt it was important to write it.

Dr. Leilani Alvarez serves as Director of the Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation & Fitness Service and leads the Integrative and Rehabilitative Medicine Department at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City. One of only a select group of veterinarians worldwide board-certified in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Alvarez is also the author of the newly released Handbook of Canine Exercise Therapy.

Dr. Alvarez discusses the importance of exercise for dogs and explains that, just like people stretch before a workout, dogs can too. She also explores the use of acupuncture and targeted pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMF) therapy, explaining how each treatment works and when they may be appropriate. Plus, we talk about why swimming can be both an excellent form of exercise and an effective rehabilitation tool for the right dogs.

New pet spending report from the American Pet Products Association

Journalist, Radio Hall of Famer, and CBS News Sunday Morning contributor Scott Simon joins the show to discuss his book, Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known. Simon shares heartfelt and humorous stories about the pets that became part of his family, delivering the wit, warmth, and storytelling that have made him a beloved voice in broadcasting.

Jackie Ott Jaakola, president and CEO of the nonprofit EveryCat Health Foundation, and John Manchester of Windy City Sweets, discuss the upcoming ice cream social on June 16, benefiting cat health research and education. The first 50 attendees will receive a free scoop of ice cream of their choice! Jackie goes on to explain the impact that EveryCat Health Foundation makes in supporting feline health every day.

New drug for noise aversion and canine separation anxiety

More than half of U.S. dogs and cats are overweight or obese—but the reasons go beyond table scraps and too many treats. Dr. Ernie Ward, founder and president of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, says the issue is far more complex, and in cats, the link between obesity and diabetes has reached epidemic levels. He also discusses why GLP-1 medications for pets are likely coming and why body condition scoring remains a key tool for assessing pet health.

Are military working cats really a thing?

Runaway sheep cause supermarket stampede

Veterinary dentist Dr. Jan Bellows says when an older small dog or cat suddenly becomes picky about food, dental pain is often the real cause. He discusses new research on stomatitis — a painful condition in which a cat’s immune system attacks its own mouth — along with a new product called Yummy Combs, designed to help prevent dental issues in dogs. Dr. Bellows also explains how pet owners can tell the difference between marketing claims and products backed by real science, including what to look for from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. 

Celebrating military working dogs on Memorial Day

Actor Joey Luthman traveled from California to Maine on a one-wheel to raise money for cat health research benefiting the EveryCat Health Foundation. His one-of-a-kind journey inspired the documentary film CAT MAN, which is now appearing at film festivals across the country. 

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy, led the effort to rescue what may be a record number of dogs from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin breeding and research facility long criticized by animal welfare advocates over the alleged treatment and overbreeding of dogs used in biomedical testing. More than 1,500 dogs were rescued, and Wayne shares the story behind the massive operation.

Laugh and your dog laughs with you.

Dr. Debra Horwitz and Dr. Amy Pike, veterinary behaviorists and co-authors of Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Behavior, 3rd Edition, explore topics in pet behavior. They discuss whether there is ever a justified use for shock collars—even as a last resort to protect a dog’s life—while addressing widespread misconceptions about how cats behave. They also explain why, if given the chance, they’d require larger litter boxes for cats everywhere, and how often sudden behavior changes in pets are actually rooted in pain or underlying medical issues.

Plus, new research suggests pet owners should be mindful of what they say around their dogs—some are capable of learning simply by eavesdropping.

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Marisa Ames, Associate Professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and President of the American Heartworm Society, explains what heartworm disease is and why prevention is critical. She emphasizes that heartworm is completely preventable, yet still too common. In dogs, treatment can be costly and may leave lasting, permanent damage. In cats, there is no reliable treatment available. Dr. Ames also breaks down what pet owners should and shouldn’t believe about preventative products.

Plus, a lighter look at pet behavior: should there be a Betty Ford Center for dogs? And can dogs actually become “addicted” to their favorite toys?