The Petcast

By Steve Friess and Emily RichmondSociety & Culture Kids & Family

The Petcast episodes

June 28, 2010 No. 255: Greyhounds activists are winning the race
Dog racing is losing favor in the United States, in part
because of increased awareness about inherent cruelties in the sport, and
mistreatment of animals at many of the nation’s tracks. Leading the way in
advocacy is Greyhound 2K USA, a nonprofit coalition that recently helped to
bring about an end to dog racing in Massachusetts. Christine Dorchak is
president and general counsel of Greyhound 2K USA, and she joins us from her
home in the Bay State.
Plus, guest host John Katsilometes announces his plan to go
vegan this summer for a blog series and Emily discusses Archie’s recent weight
loss. Also, there’s a guy near Emily and John’s office who scares people with a
lizard.

Web: www.thepetcast.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Voicemail: 702-997-3300
34 min
June 18, 2010 No. 253: Our First PETA-Cast
Amanda Fortino has done everything from dressing up as a cow
in Washington DC to hand out soy hot chocolate at President Obama’s
inauguration to stripping down to her to her underwear to protest fur. In fact,
when it comes to fighting animal injustices, it seems there isn’t much she
isn’t willing to do. Fortino is a campaign coordinator for the People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals and joins us today to talk about an important new
initiative to protect our furry friends from the summer heat.
Plus, Steve learned the difference between dog and cat food
and Emily tells of a sparrow hawk with a nest outside her house that has been
grabbing hair chunks from a neighbor’s dog’s mane. And the Petcasters continue
to ponder the prospects of their Great American Road Trip.
Site: ThePetcast.ComEmail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300Twitter: @ThePetcast

33 min
June 14, 2010 No. 252: The Other Wildlife of Las Vegas
Las Vegas is known for its beautiful creatures, and we’re
not just talking about its showgirls. Joining the Petcasters this episode is
Robin Haeffner-Matos, the wildlife manager
at the Flamingo Las Vegas where visitors can behold exotic fish, turtles and
birds including, of course, pink flamingos. The attraction is free and every
day there are attendants who do feedings and answer questions daily at 8:30
a.m. and 11 a.m.

Plus, a funny (to Steve) comic reminded Steve of our odd
wallaby episode, but that has Emily remembering the interview with the guy who
makes music via bunny noises.

Site: ThePetcast.Com
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: 702-997-3300
Twitter: @ThePetcast
30 min
June 11, 2010 No. 251: AAA’s Guide To Traveling With Pets
When it comes to planning a cross-country trip, there’s no
better resource than the American Automobile Association. Making that journey
with your pets can be made even easier with the AAA’s newest edition of the Pet
Book. Spokesman Michael Geeser joins the Petcasters to discuss the do’s and
don’ts of summer travel and to provide the story behind the nearly 800-page
tome, which you can buy online or, if you’re a member, at a discount at your
nearby AAA office.
Plus, the Petcasters discuss the importance of the dog in
the last frame of Lost and whether it was the same dog. Also, Emily saw the
film 8 Below and Steve noticed something about HBO’s Real Sports report on an
Iditarod champ.
Site: ThePetcast.Com
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: 702-997-3300
Twitter: @ThePetcast
33 min
June 07, 2010 No. 250: All Hail Caesar!
As we celebrate our 250th episode of the Petcast,
your hosts are feeling very pleased with themselves for the successful rescue
effort of a cat in Emily’s neighborhood. In the studio for this big episode is
none other than Caesar, formerly known as the Cat who Stalked Archie, along
with his new – and smitten – owner, Las Vegas resident Dawn Christensen.
Plus, Steve mocks some of the odd and silly
things he read in a recent issue of Dog Fancy.Site: ThePetcast.Com
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: 702-997-3300
Twitter: @ThePetcast
33 min
June 04, 2010 No. 249: Another hero named Sully
There’s an important network of volunteers out there who play a critical role in preparing service animals for their important work. Puppy raiser Kelly Haugh joined the Petcasters in the studio with Sully, a 5-month-old Golden Retriever/Black Labrador mix on behalf of a chapter of Canine Companions For Independence.Plus, Steve blogged some cool Vegas-themed dogs that were sold at a shelter fundraiser and Emily reveals that she’s landed a major journalistic fellowship. Site: ThePetcast.ComEmail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300Twitter: @ThePetcast
29 min
May 31, 2010 No. 248: Christie Keith's New Puppy
One of our great friends, blogger Christie Keith, just
welcomed a new puppy, Wally, into her household. Keith, who also writes the
Your Whole Pet column for SFGate.Com, explains why she chose a Scottish
Deerhound and discusses her column about myths about puppies.

In Banter, more of the dramatic pet background – bear
traps!?! -- of new guest host, Jen Prosser.

Site: ThePetcast.Com
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: 702-997-3300
Twitter: @ThePetcast

36 min
May 28, 2010 No. 247: Kitten Season Explained
Each spring, the nation’s already crowded animal shelters
brace for the phenomenon known as kitten season, an influx of unwanted felines
caused by a troubling mix of biological science and unfortunate, irresponsible
human behavior. Gail Buchwald, the senior vice president of the Adoption Center
for the ASCPA explains what kitten season is and why it happens. (Here’s the
ASCPA’s 10 things you can do to help a stray cat.)
In Banter, our new guest host, Jen Prosser, explains why she
doesn’t consider herself her pets’ owners.
Site: ThePetcast.Com
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: 702-997-3300
Twitter: @ThePetcast
28 min
May 23, 2010 No. 246: The Cat That Senses Death
When today’s guest wrote an essay for the New England
Journal of Medicine about a nursing home cat’s habit of showing up when
patients were nearing death, he never expected it would lead to a book tour.
Dr. David Dosa is a geriatrician and an assistant professor of medicine at
Brown University in Rhode Island, and he joined the Petcasters to discuss his
memoir, “Making Rounds With Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of An Ordinary Cat.”
Plus, Vegas journalist Jennifer Prosser, editor of Where Las
Vegas, describes her extensive pet family -- turtles, cats and fish, oh my! -- in her first episode substituting for Steve.
And after several tries with Steve and Dayvid, Emily finally finds a
sympathetic ear with Jen on her on-going complaint about JetBlue’s pet policy.
Site: ThePetcast.Com
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail: 702-997-3300
Twitter: @ThePetcast
35 min
May 14, 2010 No. 245: Helping Kids Grieve Over Pet Loss
It’s always difficult when a pet dies, but being prepared
can make the grieving process more bearable, especially for the younger members
of the family. Today’s guest, author Bill Cochran, has written a wonderful
children’s book, “The Forever Dog,” on that tough topic, to help kids
understand that happy memories and beloved pets are always with us.
In Banter, Emily and guest host Dayvid Figler discuss some
great viral pet-related videos (i.e. dog-hates-birthday-song and standing-cat)
and Emily told all about a dancing-with-your-dog story that is not to be
missed. Also, Emily has some, uh, thoughts about English bulldogs. Eek.

Web: ThePetcast.Com
Phone: 702-997-3300
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @ThePetcast

35 min