Just like that, one morning Heartland Animal Shelter, a premier shelter in Wheeling, IL, was literally underwater. Executive Director Jenny Schlueter explains why help is needed, either by fostering or adopting animals, and/or to give money. Insurance isn’t going to cover all this.  All the animals survived, though Jenny tells the story that if it wasn’t for one sanitation worker, there may have been deaths. She explains how the shelter community and animal lovers have come to the rescue.

Veterinary parasitologist and professor of parasitology Oklahoma State University, Dr. Susan Little, says there are excellent flea control products. Never randomly go online or to a pet store to purchase a product; she explains why veterinary advice is required.

Jay Spainhour, owner of Tucker Pups Pet Resort offers tips on boarding dogs. What the facility should be offering, and what to watch for when seeking a place for doggy daycare.

Dog trainer Jeff Millman agrees one of the most common problems is on-leash aggression. He’s written a book, which entails how to help these dogs, particularly with the use of clicker training, called Triggers and Reactions: A Guide to Fixing Dog Behavior Problems.

According to the United States Postal Service, dog bite numbers are on the rise.

Dr. Rena Carlson, immediate past president American Veterinary Medical Association on summertime pet safety. Heatstroke in dogs is all too common, yet nearly always preventable. And why are people still leaving dogs in hot cars?

An update on FIP, which was detailed in a Steve Dale’s Pet World show from June 23.

More and more people are traveling with pets but what if the pet(s) don’t want to go? Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel offers various options, and how to get pets prepped for travel.

Dr. Julia Albright, Veterinary Behaviorist and Associate Professor at University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine explains the brain to gut connection in humans and how in animals it’s nearly identical. Knowing this, a nutritional supplement probiotic called Calming Care can ease anxiety in dogs and cats.  She also talks about how understanding gut health may help to treat cognitive decline in pets (and in humans).

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Gary Landsberg explains Fear Free, the profound difference this initiative has made for pets. And now there are studies which demonstrate this – and Dr. Landsberg reveals the results.

An in-depth deep dive into feline infectious peritonitis with Dr. Brian Holub, Chair of the Scientific Review Committee at EveryCat Health Foundation and retired Chief Medical Officer at VetCor.  Our conversation includes breaking news regarding FIP treatment in the U.S. And we tell the FIP story filled with so much drama and intrigue it might be a movie-of-the-week,

News about feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart disease) in cats.

Mike Shikashio, CDBC, is an expert on aggressive dogs. Why are some dogs aggressive? He dispels myths regarding causes of aggression and ways to help to most effectively treat these dogs. This is as detailed a discussion about this arguably increasingly common issue as you will hear on the radio – though, for more, Shikashio will offer an intensive workshop at For Your K9, June 22-23, 706 Industrial Drive, Elmhurst, IL.

Phil Arkow is a co-founder of the National Link Coalition, the non-profit national resource center on the link between animal abuse and human violence. Animal abuse is a sentinel indicator that something is clearly wrong, so if animals are abused likely there’s additional violence in the home.  Arkow explains why people are reluctant to leave domestic violence situations if they have nowhere to shelter with pets.

Legendary WGN Radio broadcaster Max Armstrong talks about his most recent book, More Stories from the Heartland as Told by One of America’s Favorite Farm Broadcasters. He calls this his “book of Thanksgiving,” and it includes many stories about his pets, including Toby a larger-than-life Jack Russell Terrier. And say he swears this dog used obscenities if he missed the ball.

Conversations with Darlene Duggan, interim president at Anti Cruelty, and Susan Cappello, Acting Executive Director of Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC), about an honest appraisal of the animal shelter scene in Chicago, and why so many animals are being relinquished. At CACC, there’s an intense effort just to explain what they really do and that so many adoptable animals are available. Also, the 30th Annual Bark in the Park is June 8 at Soldier Field on the Green. Steve has helped to emcee Bark for over 20 years.

Cicada pet safety.

Veterinary dermatologist Dr. Brittany Lancellotti earned the EveryCat Health Foundation 2024 Steve Dale Communications Award for the Your Vet Wants You to Know podcast. Discussed are all sorts of allergies which dogs and cats suffer – including environmental allergies to food allergies, and what to about them. And even some odd allergies, such as cats allergic to people.

Robyn Michaels, a member of the Greater Chicago Whippet Club and a dog groomer in Rogers Park who speaks the truth – or at least her truth – regarding hobby dog breeders and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Why in the heck does the AKC seem more intent on protecting the breeders of “doodle dogs” or “designer dogs” compared to pure bred dogs? Why are hobby breeders diminishing? She offers tips on where to get and not to get dogs from.. Most dogs landing in shelters are not from responsible breeders, then where are they from?

Katie Campbell is the Director of Collaboration and Outreach to President and CEO at Red Rover and offers an update on what Purina and the Purple Leash Project are doing to support sheltering for pets in instances of domestic violence. 

Coyotes on the prowl.