The Petcast

By Steve Friess and Emily RichmondSociety & Culture Kids & Family

The Petcast episodes

May 07, 2010 No. 244: Emergency Pet Funds
For some pet owners, the high cost of veterinary care is
forcing some tough choices. In some cases, people are opting for euthanasia
over treatment or abandoning their pets at shelters or the vet’s office.
Fortunately, the American Animal Hospital Association has set up a program to
provide financial assistance for these kinds of situations. Today’s guest,
Tamara Fox, is the coordinator of the associations’ Helping Pets Fund.

Plus, Emily and guest host Dayvid Figler debate airline pet
policies.

Web: ThePetcast.Com
Phone: 702-997-3300
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @ThePetcast
31 min
April 23, 2010 No. 243: Can Animals Be Gay?
An April 4 New York Times Magazine piece examined the science and the
controversy surrounding the long-wondered question of whether homosexuality
exists in lower species. One expert quoted in the piece was Dr. Marlene Zuk, a
biology professor at the University of California at Riverside, author of
“Sexual Selections: What We Can and Can’t Learn About Sex From Animals.” Dr.
Zuk joins the Petcasters to discuss.
Plus, Emily discusses her niece’s miserable visit to Sea World.
Web: ThePetcast.Com
Twitter: @ThePetcast
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 702-997-3300
26 min
April 18, 2010 No. 242: The Great Patricia McConnell
Dr. Patricia McConnell is something of a renaissance woman when it comes to animal affairs – she’s a blogger, public radio star and certified animal behaviorist. McConnell is author of “The Puppy Primer,” a newly updated guide for dog owners who want to start out on the right paw. The former host of NPR’s Calling All Pets discusses biting dogs, misunderstandings about the notion of dominance and much more. McConnell’s blog is The Other End Of The Leash.Plus, Emily and Steve rap about the great Petcast triumph regarding Caesar the Cat! Web: ThePetcast.ComTwitter: @ThePetcastEmail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300
38 min
April 09, 2010 No. 241: A Petcaster Kibbitz Session
Our guest failed to call in but the Petcasters had quite a
lot to catch up on, including an important update on the orange tabby hanging
around Emily’s home. The discussion led to a number of interesting ethical
questions. Also, we reveal for the first time – believe it or not – the story
of how Emily named Archie. Also, Emily wrote about Calamity Jane from a
previous show for PawNation.Com.

Web: ThePetcast.Com
Phone: 702-997-3300
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @ThePetcast
31 min
April 05, 2010 No. 240: The Guest Host's Vet Dad
Guest host John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Sun isn’t just a terrific and witty writer and fill-in for Steve, he’s also the son of a retired veterinarian in Pocatello, Idaho. Dr. George Katsilometes joins the Petcasters to tell some terrific tales of their life in animals and explains how veterinary medicine has changed through the decades. He also clarifies some tall tales Kats Jr has been telling all these years.Web: ThePetcast.ComPhone: 702-997-3300E-mail: [email protected]: @ThePetcast
34 min
April 02, 2010 No. 238: Calamity Jane's Heroic Moment
What the Humane Society of the United States set out to find
the nation’s most heroic canine, a three-legged rescue dog named Calamity Jane
quickly rose to the top of the list. This brave Golden Retriever, which had recently
been shot and left to die, scared off armed robbers holding neighbors hostage,
potentially saving lives of several adults and two children. She was recently
chosen as the People’s Hero by online voters and was runner up for Dog of
Valor. Shar Pauley of Aledo, Texas, joined the Petcasters to tell the amazing
tale.

Plus, a horrific fire at an animal sanctuary in Las Vegas
killed dozens of birds.

Web: ThePetcast.Com
Phone: 702-997-3300
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @ThePetcast
31 min
April 02, 2010 No. 239: The Thrill of Dog-Caching
A growing number of dog owners are partaking in the hobby of geo-caching, the act of going on treasure hunts using GPS coordinates. Wendy Drennan, the CEO of the Paws Awhile Online Community. The site has a subsite regarding Dogcaching.Plus, John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Sun sits in for Steve and discusses his new cats and Emily has some good news regarding Archie.Web: ThePetcast.ComPhone: 702-997-3300E-mail: [email protected]: @ThePetcast
28 min
March 29, 2010 No. 237: Debating The Sea World Tragedy
The tragic death of a trainer at Sea World Orlando has
renewed debate over keeping marine mammals in captivity. The advocacy group In
Defense of Animals say it’s time to stop capturing and breeding dolphins and
orcas only to condemn them to a dismal life performing in a concrete tank. The
Petcasters welcome Dr. Elliot Katz, the group’s founder, to discuss this
important topic.
Web: ThePetcast.Com
Phone: 702-997-3300
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @ThePetcast
29 min
March 26, 2010 No. 236: Hummingbirds Are Heavenly
If you’ve been lucky enough to see a hummingbird in action,
you know what amazing creatures they are. Attracting them to your backyard may
be easier than you think but please keep in mind they should be considered
welcome visitors and not pets. Dr. Ross Hawkings, the executive director of the
Hummingbird Society, joins the Petcasters to talk about the birds, how to take
care of them and concerns about a certain breed impacted by the tsunami caused
by the Brazilian earthquake.Plus, Steve, Black and Jack take a road trip to Arizona and
the Petcasters are appalled by an Arkansas story where a man’s family had his
2-year-old dog put down and buried with him after he died because that was his
dying wish.
Web: ThePetcast.Com
Phone: 702-997-3300
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @ThePetcast
35 min
March 23, 2010 No. 235: Midwesterners Unite For Pets
If you look out at the world and wonder what you can do to make a difference, consider the example of the Pet Project Midwest. Born of local concerns about animal welfare in Iowa, is now a thriving non-profit that offers an emergency alert system for lost and found animals and supply pantry to help financially struggling families keep their pets. Founder Becky Mollenkamp joins the Petcasters to explain.Plus, Emily gets a terrifying call regarding Archie and Steve's dogs have a tough day at the dentist that left them looking stoned. Also, a shout-out to listener Tracy who introduced herself at Porchlight SF n California.Web: ThePetcast.ComPhone: 702-997-3300E-mail: [email protected]: @ThePetcast
29 min