Steve Dale's Pet World

November 8th, 2026, is the big day: International Human Animal Bond Day. Dr. Elizabeth Ormerod, Chair of the Society for Companion Animal Studies in the UK, and Dr. Patrick Flynn, President of the Human Animal Bond Association, explain why that bond has grown stronger in recent years and why access to pet-friendly housing matters. The conversation also examines a shared challenge in both the U.S. and the UK. Learn more here on pet-friendly housing.

Plus, hear the latest on pheromone products that can help pets feel more secure, and AVMA President Dr. Jennifer Quammen explains how pet owners can find the right companion through a thoughtful adoption match process.

Actress Stefanie Powers has devoted much of her life to wildlife conservation. As founding president of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, she has helped support conservation efforts in Kenya for decades. The conversation covered everything from protecting the endangered Mountain Bongo antelope to helping educate local communities to protect their wildlife. She also explains why ecotourism isn’t always as beneficial as it may seem.

Steve also shares tips for keeping pets safe over Halloween and Australia’s vaccination program for little blue fair penguins.

Dr. Rustin Moore is dean of Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and author of a trilogy exploring the human-animal bond, joins to discuss his latest book, Restoring the Bond: Resilience Through Human-Animal Interactions. What does he mean by restoring the bond? We explore how dogs evolved alongside humans and why cats are enjoying a surge in popularity. Dr. Moore also explains why pet ownership may even help reduce your own healthcare costs. 

Plus, we discuss the history of International Human-Animal Bond Day on November 8, my involvement with the Human Animal Bond Association, and how it all came about. 

KJ McGlinn has spent her career talking about cats on radio and television in Indianapolis, and you could say it all started when the first word she ever spoke was “kitty.” KJ is the author of Raised By Cats: Behind the Mic and the Meows, and she shares common myths and misconceptions people still have about cats.

Actor Joey Luthman traveled across the country on a OneWheel to raise money for the non-profit EveryCat Health Foundation, in support of research for feline cancer and chronic kidney disease. Now, he’s taking on an even bigger challenge – seeking to break the world record for pogo stick jumping. His professional journey has also featured the film CAT MAN: Journey to Save Cat Kind. 

Steve also gives an update on the insidious and mostly fatal cancer in dogs, hemangiosarcoma.

Wayne Pacelle, founder and CEO of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, shares updates on the closure of Ridglan Farms near Madison, Wisconsin, where more than 1,000 beagles have been rescued. He discusses the conditions the dogs faced, why animal testing is becoming obsolete, and the effort to find alternatives while reducing costs.

Pacelle also talks about horses being removed from public lands, being sold by the federal government and, in some cases, finding their way into the slaughter pipeline.

And there’s growing concern that the Supporting America’s Ranchers presidential executive order could reduce protections for gray wolves and endangered Mexican wolves. While it is an attempt to appease ranchers and farmers, wolves are needed for the ecosystem.

Steve also shares how a specific cat food could help with seasonal allergies.

Andrea Dorn, president of the Cat Writer’s Association, joins Steve Dale to explain the organization’s mission and preview its upcoming awards conference and gala, taking place November 6-7 near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Steve will be attending to share the EveryCat Health Foundation and the latest developments in cat health. Dorn says she shares secrets with her cats, but will she share them?

Later, legendary comedian JoAnne Worley, best known for Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, joins Steve to discuss her longtime leadership role as president of Actors and Others for Animals. Worley explains how the organization supports spay and neuter programs, assists pet owners facing financial hardship, and helps ensure more animals receive the care they need.

According to guidelines published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, there is never a reason to routinely scruff cats.

Janis Bradley helped pioneer research showing that a dog’s breed is not a predictor of aggression. In this conversation, she explains why many behaviors we label as “aggressive” are often better understood as defensive responses. Bradley discusses the real motivations behind dog bites, and the insights from her latest book, Look Closer: Rethinking Dog Warning Signals. She also explains why growling is an important form of communication and why suppressing those signals can make interactions with dogs less safe, not more.

New science on how dogs and cats are natural stress buffers.

Susan Hartzler, author of Teaming Up with Therapy Dogs: Skills to Build Healing Partnerships, shares the incredible impact therapy dogs have on people’s lives. Today, therapy dogs can be found in hospitals, schools, and care facilities, but it wasn’t that long ago that many organizations were hesitant to welcome them. Susan talks about the growing demand for therapy dog teams, shares heartwarming stories about the difference her own dogs have made, and explains how the animal-assisted therapy movement all started with one remarkable dog.

Might blood markers in dogs hold secrets to their aging, and even our own?

Mark Buchanon launched Grover & Pals, an ambitious non-profit organization to save dogs and cats in various countries where animal welfare resources are scarce. The task seems overwhelming, but the organization is making a difference. 

Sculptor Susan Bahari, founder and chair of the National Service Animals Monument, joins David Frei to discuss the effort to create a lasting tribute to service, therapy, military, law enforcement, and other working animals. Frei will also preview the upcoming Purple Poppy Awards, taking place Sept. 17 at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C.

Going into debt for pet care? It’s happening.

Dr. Valerie Fadok, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist and nationally recognized expert, clears up common myths about allergies in cats and dogs. She explains why food allergies are often overdiagnosed, reveals the most common cause of allergy symptoms in pets, and discusses how new treatments are improving care. As a member of the Human Animal Bond Association, she also explores how skin disease can impact the bond between pets and their owners and why effective treatment benefits both.

Still more news about feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).