Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is the world’s largest purebred dog registry with more than 5,000 licensed clubs and affiliates. But the AKC has also evolved as a strong advocate for responsible dog ownership. As the organization prepares to mark its 125th anniversary, the AKC continues to broaden its scope and reach. Joining the Petcasters is Lisa Peterson, director of club communications, who has also spend 25 years as a professional breeder and handler of Norwegian elkhounds.

Plus, Steve recalls a story about a house fire from the start of his career that had a significant pet angle and the Petcasters discuss the Bo Obama photo scandal.

ThePetcast.com

There are comic strips about animals and then there’s the gold standard. Since 1994, Patrick McDonnell has been delighting readers with the antics and wisdom of Earl, Mooch and all their pals. The “Mutts” comic strip now appears in more than 700 newspapers and 20 countries and its creator has won his industry’s highest honor, Cartoonist of the Year.

Plus, Emily discusses some of the stranger problems with summer haircuts for pets.

Email: [email protected]

Site: ThePetcast.Com

Someone once said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." And to be sure, from Fala to Millie to Buddy to Bo, The Man's best friend is often a four-legged sweetie. Joining us today is Cathy Trost, the director of exhibit development at the Newseum in Washington D.C., which has an informative and entertaining gallery of First Dogs. The Newseum is a museum devoted to media history.

Plus, Steve tells of giving his mom's dog gifts for Mother's Day and Emily issues a warning about how not to hold your leash in the event of emergencies.

Web: ThePetcast.Com

Email: [email protected]

http://www.newseum.org/news/news.aspx?item=nn_DOGS090422&style=f

No. 208: Pet-Loving Condo-Dwellers Unite!

Today's guest is Maida Genser, founder of Citizens for Pets in Condos Inc., a Florida-based advocacy group seeing to educate the public on the health benefits of animal companionship and about responsible pet ownership. The long-term goal is to increase acceptance of companion animals in common interest ownership communities.

Plus, Steve tells the tale of finding an elderly, blind, obese, heaving lost dog in his neighborhood. See Steve's blog entries about this at VegasHappensHere.Com.

http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/search?q=renegade

http://www.petsincondos.org

Web: ThePetcast.Com

Email: [email protected]

Today's guest knows his reptiles, from the Madagascar giatn hissing cockroach to the fire-crested gecko. Joining us from Bourne, Texas, is herpetologist Ron Trempor, one of the nation's leading suppliers of reptilian pets. Find him at Leopardgecko.com.

Plus, Emily's complaint about her illogical airline pet policies and prices.

Web: ThePetcast.Com

Email: [email protected]

As medical advances are made and more complex treatments for animals become more commonplace, pet owners often find themselves in a quandary as they try to balance their love of their animals with their ability to balance their checkbooks. Whereas the notion of chemotherapy for pets or artificial limbs once were unthinkable, now they’re real options that can prolong and improve the life of dogs and cats, but how do you know when it’s worth it physically, emotionally and financially? With us to discuss this minefield of ethical and practical issues is Dr. Nancy Kay, of Sebastapol, Calif., author of the new book "Speaking For Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life." Dr. Kay earned her veterinary degree at Cornell and is owner of the Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park, Calif.

Plus, Steve saw the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater in Vegas.

Links to download shows with Steve's sister (#194) and Gregory Popovich (#11) are found on ThePetcast.Com.

Web: ThePetcast.Com

Email: [email protected]

As loyal Petcast listeners know, we love songs about pets. So naturally when we found out about an enterprising crew of canines that had actually taken up songwriting, we knew we had to find out more. Here to enlighten us is Bob Dorman of Mabel Dog productions, and the human talent behind “Dog Tracks: Songs by Dogs.” Find him at DogTracksCD.Com.

Plus, a brief chat about PetAir, the new pet airline concept.

From doggie day spas to prozac for Pekinese with separation anxiety, Americans are spending more time and money than ever making sure their canine companions live happy lives. Today’s guest, author Michael Schaffer, delved deep into the fluffy underbelly of pet industries, and our increasing fascination with, and dependence on, our four-legged friends. The result was “One Nation Under Dog,” which was recently published and is available at bookstores nationwide.

Plus, a discussion of kitten season and the joy of multiple pet ownership.

ThePetcast.com

Animal shelters nationwide are seeing an increase in surrendered pets, a sad side effect of the ongoing economic crisis. Today’s guest, Everett Croxson, is doing his part to help pets whose owners can no longer care for them because they’ve lost their homes, either to outright foreclosure or a change in financial circumstances. Visit them online at http://forecloseduponpets.org

Plus, some tips on keeping pets safe in the summertime.

ThePetcast.Com

Whether its tips for keeping an indoor cat happy or brokering a peace treaty at the dog park, today’s guest has the answers. Christie Keith is a contributing writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, where she pens the “Your Whole Pet,” column. She is also a contributing editor for Universal Press Syndicate's Pet Connection, and past director of the Pet Care Forum on America Online.

Plus, who would be against banning training dogs for fighting or leaving animals outside tethered for excessive lengths of time? The AKC?

ThePetcast.Com