Dr. Jeanette O’Quinn, Associate Professor of Shelter Medicine at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine notes that shelter medicine is in many ways very different compared to small animal private practice, and is now a specialty. O’Quinn notes there are Guidelines for shelters from the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health.  Also, discussed enrichment for animals at the shelter and how shelter medicine veterinarians support pet adoptions.

The National Link Coalition focuses on how if there is abuse in the home, the pet may be abused first. Phil Arkow, a co-founder, of the non-profit coalition supported research years ago to demonstrate this link is real. An example is that mass shooters may practice violence on animals first, and too often law enforcement or the judiciary don’t pay attention to these red flags – even if it doesn’t lead to a mass shooting – violence begets violence.

A new study regarding traveling with pets.

All about cats – this show features Dr. Sarah Brown, Author of The Hidden Language of Cats: How They Have Us At Meow. Understanding cats, no easy task, begins with understanding how cats became domesticated. However, some feel they aren’t domesticated – so are they or not? Cats do communicate with us all time. How do you know what they’re trying to tell us? And examples of how so often we misunderstand what they are trying to tell us. 

The loudest cat purr.

With the National Dog Show Presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day, NBC at noon (all time zones), a conversation with broadcasters David Frei and John O’Hurley.

As always, trying to nail Frei down to who he thinks might win the show. Very few TV programs last 22 years, what is it about the dog show?

Social media rumors persist that there will be a Seinfeld reboot. O’Hurley, who was of course J. Peterman on Seinfeld, ought know if it will happen? Also, O’Hurley is working a new TV series.

Also, check out the WGN Radio Steve Dale Petcast.

Dr. Kristin Shaw, a pain specialist at Zoetis, has an exciting announcement about a new drug called Librela, a monoclonal antibody which controls pain associated with canine osteoarthritis.

SO many dogs suffer from arthritis, many old dogs (and dogs are living longer so that number is on the rise); overweight/obese dogs (another number unfortunately on the rise); dogs of certain breeds (or mixes) are genetically predisposed and may actually begin to suffer arthritis in middle-age or even younger; following orthopedic surgeries (such as cruciate tears) – we are talking A LOT of dogs.

Beth Stultz Hairston, President of Pet Sitters International offers advice about how to find a pet sitter and/or dog walker.

And check out the rebooted WGN Radio Steve Dale Petcast.

Dr. Patrick Flynn, professional services veterinarian at Zoetis discusses two monoclonal antibody treatments for arthritis, one for cats called Solensia and for dogs, the newly released Librela. Also, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Meghan Heron of Gigi ‘s, a shelter and adoption center for dogs on a new monoclonal antibody to treat canine parvovirus.

Dr. Flynn, also President of the Human Animal Bond Association on exactly what the bond is – and how this bond is something we all have. November 8 is International Human Animal Bond Day, certainly a day to celebrate all family members with four legs, feathers or scales. The Human Animal Bond Association is a non-profit centered on the delivery of education and information that helps to better understand how – and why- both humans and also animals benefit from the bond.

Legendary ethologist Dr. Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder; Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society, and a past Guggenheim Fellow. His latest (of his many books), Dogs Demystified: An A to Z Guide of All Things Canine with a foreword authored by his chum Dr. Jane Goodall. How people live with dogs varies around the world, but – no matter – we have all evolved with dogs. Dr. Bekoff talks about the importance of play, the value of dog parks, and so much more in this rare opportunity to go deep with Dr. Bekoff. 

And how cats purr, mystery unraveled.

Let’s Talk About Cancer is a virtual event on November, 7 p.m. It’s free, and you can register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DCJxOOFOQl-mKHNjAkRLyQ.

Dr. Thomas Butera CEO of Volition Veterinary and Tricia Montgomery, founder of the non-profit Moose’s March and President of Pets are Family offer hope regarding canine cancers. On average, six million dogs are affected by cancer annually. Dr. Butera reveals a new simple blood test, leading to earlier diagnosis, particularly of canine lymphoma and a deadly blood cancer which is otherwise rarely predictable until it is too late, called hemangiosarcoma.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which Dr. Kurt Venator, chief veterinary officer at Purina, talks about. A surprising number of families experience abuse in their lifetimes, but don’t want to flee out of fear of what may happen to the pet, and only very few domestic violence shelters allow pets. Purina has worked to increase the number of shelters in America which welcome pets safely and it turns out that there are surprising advantages of being pet friendly. Also, discussed is the Link, referring to the fact that if the pet is abused, it’s likely that someone in the household will be as well.

Transportation Security Administration has a new warning regarding traveling with pets.

Head of development and community relations at Orphans of the Storm, Sandy DeLisle talks about their upcoming 95th Anniversary Gala October 13, at Independence Grove in Libertyville. DeLisle discusses why shelters are filling up in the ‘burbs, and her answers are surprising. DeLisle, in an effort to get a message across about the dogs most often in shelters, has even made a movie called You’re Out!

Charlie Propsom is the founder of Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control. This is the non-governmental fund-raising arm to support the City’s municipal shelters. When Propsom first began to volunteer, only four percent of animals made it out alive; today we are still not where we could or should be but hovering at around 90 percent are being saved (just about in “no-kill” territory). Their big benefit is called Big Night and is October 19 at Room 1590, 1520 W Fulton St.

A little girl wandered off, but dogs looked over her to ensure her safety until law enforcement discovered them.

Pet lovers everywhere need to know about an initiative called Fear Free, and corresponding website for pet parents, FearFreeHappyHomes. Fear Free’s creator Dr. Mary Becker explains why he was determined take the terror out of veterinary visits, and even in some cases dog training and boarding dogs in kennels. Dr. Becker’s initiative is changing the paradigm, from veterinary schools to vet practices and even into pet parents’ homes. Dr. Becker also implies dogs who prefer a right paw may be smarter. 

Comments about dog bite claims, and the news isn’t all good.