Pet Peeves - Hot-button Pet Issues That Make Owners Growl, Wag And Purr, Or Bare Their Teeth - Pets & Animals On Pet Life Rad

Researchers have made amazing strides in specialized areas of veterinary medicine. These treatments can greatly improve a sick animal’s quality of life, and often cure or at least add months to years to the time the pet and owner can share together. Today’s guest explains all the details about veterinary specialties. Dr. Nancy Kay is a board certified specialist in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and published in several professional journals and textbooks, including the book SPEAKING FOR SPOT. You can read more about cat behavior in my cats.About.com columns. Want to know more about dogs? Check out the new Pet Peeves website for both dog and cat information, and videos http://pages.videojug.com/sites/144-Pet-Peeves. Don’t forget that you can subscribe to the free Pet Peeves E-newsletter for more care and behavior tips. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Isn’t That Special? Does Your Dog Need a Specialist with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

We’ve a bumper crop of kittens every year, with up to 4 million cats a year enter shelters. It hurts my heart to think of all the loving, needy felines that lose their homes--and their lives--every year. And it doesn’t have to happen! The American Humane designates June as the prime time for cat and kitten adoptions. But you don’t have to wait for June to find the kitty of your dreams. Join me on Pet Peeves as I speak with Debrah Schnackenberg of the American Humane, to talk about Adopt A Cat Month, and Dr. Katrina Warren of "Housecat/Housecall" Animal Planet show share their expertise on all-things-cats. You can read more about cat behavior in my cats.About.com columns. Want to know more about dogs? Check out the new Pet Peeves website for both dog and cat information, and videos . Don’t forget that you can subscribe to the free Pet Peeves E-newsletter for more care and behavior tips. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Cat-astrophe 2010! Adopt-A-Cat Month with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

A week doesn’t go by that I don’t read a cat story in the local or national news. It’s great we have news coverage of controversial feline issues such as declawing bans, cat collectors, mandatory spay/neuter, as well as the warm-and-fuzzy coverage. But it hisses me off when the writers don’t know a Tonkinese from a Tabby. My expert guest, Sue Ewing (president of the Cat Writers’ Association) explains just where folks can find expert cat writers, and offers details (de-tails?) about the writing contest, conference and more. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Catty Journalists: Cat Writers Association with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

It's a national tragedy that a special month promoting cat adoptions is necessary. Felines get the short end of the adoption stick because of cat myth-perceptions. We’ll dispel some of those myths and offer listeners terrific free resources designed for cat owners, veterinarians and shelters. Dr. Patricia Olson of Morris Animal Foundation and the Happy Healthy Cat campaign describes the results of a pet perceptions survey, and how negatives can be turned around. And Dr. Diane Eigner, Chair of the CATalyst Council explains how partnering with American Humane’s "Adopt-A-Cat Month" helps improve the status of cats. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Cat-egorical Care For Adopt-A-Cat-Month, Part One with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Missing the litter box sends many cats to the shelter when owners can’t stand living with the mess. And while some cats do the dirty deed because of medical issues, there can be problems diagnosis-- or treating-- the problem even once it’s identified. I attended Dr. Jacqueline C. Neilson’s lecture at the Western Veterinary Conference on dealing with unwelcome feline PEE-mail, and she offers some great tips in this installment of Pet Peeves. Learn more about what can be done to establish litter box allegiance at Amy’s new online home at the CATS page at www.About.com--and sign up for free books, articles, updates on Pet Peeves radio shows and more with the Pet Peeves E-newsletter at www.shojai.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Peeing Cat --Thinking Outside the Box with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

If you have a cat, you deal with claws. Learn all about ways to direct your cat’s natural inclinations in acceptable outlets. Dr. Jean Hofve offers tips on training, plus her unvarnished opinion of declaw surgery, laws against the practice and more. For more about declawing issues, tune into "Claws & Effect" on another Pet Peeves show. Need pet care articles and behavior tips? Wonder about links to past and future Pet Peeves radio episodes? Sign up for the free Pet Peeves E-newsletter from www.shojai.com and visit Amy at her new online home on the CATS page at www.About.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Cat Claws: Scratching the Surface with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Western Veterinary Conference provides continuing education to veterinary professionals with more than 800 hours of continuing education with world-renowned instructors, networking with 6000 veterinarians, and more than 430 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services. This year, the icing on my cake included interviewing legendary animal actress and animal advocate Betty White! In addition, you’ll hear from Catalyst Council members Dr. Jane Brunt and Steve Dale, and the president of Morris Animal Foundation Dr. Patricia Olson. You’ve heard from them before in Pet Peeve shows "Cost of Love," "Mandating Responsibility" and "Foundation of Love" and more. Find out what they were doing at the Western Veterinary Conference. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Betty White, WVC & More! with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Talk about insurance raises hackles these days, and coverage for pets--furry family members--can be just as important. Last year people spent about $25 million on veterinary care. We want to take the best care of our pets as possible, but in trying economic times, that can be a challenge. Dr. David Goodnight with PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance educates us about how insurance for pets works, and why we should care. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Insuring Peace Of Mind with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Dog-loving owners can have unrealistic expectations, and can easily misunderstand normal dog behaviors. They believe dogs purposely act "bad" to get back at the owner, or blame problems on the dog’s stupidity. Too often, these socially inept canines end up in shelters! Yet dog training CAN be easy and fun-- and literally can save your dog’s life and your relationship. To counter this trend, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APBT) has declared January to be National Train Your Dog Month, and Mychelle Blake joins Pet Peeves with all the insider details! More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Don’t Complain, Train! -- APDT’s National Train Your Dog Month with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Studies have shown that pets lower our stress levels, and people remain healthier and live longer more fulfilled lives when they share it with a pet. Today we’re learning that if our animal companions can do this for otherwise healthy folks, as well as those with physical challenges, they also offer extraordinary benefits for emotional injuries! Join Pet Peeves guest, clinical psychotherapist and dog trainer Jane Miller as she discusses her new book, Healing Companions. Learn how psychiatric service dogs can help--and heal--people who suffer from a range of emotional ills, from eating disorders and anxiety to agoraphobia, depression, and post-traumatic stress. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Healing Companions -- Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSD) with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

I love pets. I love reading. But it really hisses me off when authors relegate animals to window dressing. Best-selling thriller author James Rollins never makes that mistake, and brings the animals to life in his latest veterinary medical thriller. In this fascinating interview, learn about his research and writing routine, how he transitioned from a veterinary career to novelist, and more. Ever wondered what cloning, parrot behavior, DNA, animal intelligence, fractals, magnetite, and the Baghdad zoo have in common? Read "Altar of Eden" to find out! More details on this episode

In recent shows week, I’ve talked with ATF canine handlers partnered with accelerant detection, explosives detection, and tactical dogs. I’ve been impressed by the dedication of the handlers, and applaud the ATF’s position on positive dog training. Today we’re completing the series with a canine trainer for the ATF, Shawn Crawford. And while the ATF embraces positive training techniques, hopefully Mr. Crawford can shed some light on the puzzling issue of why the ATF hires "contract trainers" who may use less than positive methods to train tactical dogs and handlers. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Inside ATF Dog Training with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

While I hate the thought of guns, I understand how hunters and sports-folk have a passion for them. And I also recognize the need for firearms in law enforcement to counter all the bad guys out there using deadly force. But I really like the idea of canine officers trained to assist their human partners. Because once that trigger’s pulled, there’s no calling the bullet back-- not so, with a tactical canine officer. Recent shows featured arson and bomb detection canines, and today I talk with Special Agent Mark Murray about his tactical canine partner, Barron. I had the privilege to see Barron and SA Murray give a demonstration at Thrillerfest 2009 in New York and am delighted to share some insights into this special partnership. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Biting Back At Crime: ATF Tactical Dogs with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Television CSI programs rely on scientific techniques to uncover evidence of a crime. But some of the most effective crime fighting detectives have four feet and fur, and sniff their way through the workload. Explosives detection dogs can identify guns, bombs, a huge array of bomb components, and do so with a happy wag. Join today’s show and learn how these ATF canines are trained. Special Agent Chris Bombardiere and his explosives detection canine Ithaca join Pet Peeves, and it’s a blast! More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Big Bang Theory? ATF Explosives Detection Dogs with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Wildfires decimate thousands of acres each year, destroying homes and lives. Many are deemed acts of nature, but 25 percent of fires in the United States result from arson. Join Lt. Arthur Czajkowski and his arson-detection canine Porche to learn how dogs are trained, and the work they do as part of the ATF Federal Task Force and National Response Team. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Fire Engine Dogs: Arson Detecting Canines with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Last week was all about understanding our canine family members better. This week, cats get equal time. Did you know that cats need brain-candy as much as dogs--or people? It’s not just a treat, it’s a necessity--and our felines are starving for intellectual enrichment. Too often, Kitty ends up getting in trouble because she has no legal outlet for her normal energy-- or becomes a feline couch potato getting pudgy in her nether regions and her brain. Cat behavior counselor Ingrid Johnson offers great suggestions for keeping your cats healthy both emotionally and physically, and preventing potential problems at the same time. Are your cats and dogs puzzling you? Need pet info-tainment and behavior tips? Wonder about links to past and future Pet Peeves radio episodes? More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Entertain The Brain: Feline Enrichment with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Animals communicate with us constantly--and misunderstanding can have dire consequences. A dog wagging his tail means he’s friendly so you can pet him-- right or wrong? He licks his lips to say--what? Every dog wants to be dominant, correct? Alpha-rolling a dog shows you’re the boss--true or false? Misunderstandings can mean a damaged relationship or worse. What do those doggy signals really mean? Join Barbara Handelman as she describes her stunning new book, CANINE BEHAVIOR, A PHOTO ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK, and debunks some common misconceptions about what your dog is telling you. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Dog-Whispering, Not! Picture This! with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Pet lovers enjoy novels that include dogs and cats, but the author better get the facts right! Misspelling breed names, calling the cat an "it" or (horrors!) showing the supposedly savvy heroine doctoring the doggy hero with human medication toxic to pets brings out readers’ claws. We purr with delight when authors include real-life characters and their pets-- and bestselling author John Gilstrap’s latest thriller, No Mercy includes a tribute to his own furry muse. John also shares his take on author responsibility, and whether writers should worry about giving bad guys dangerous ideas. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Write (Pet) Stuff: Dogged Research & Furry Muses with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Most cases of animal abuse are never reported, because the victims can’t cry out for help. Animal cruelty is against the law-- but can’t be stopped if offenders aren’t identified and prosecuted, and existing laws enforced. Dr. Melinda D. Merck pioneered veterinary forensics and joined the ASPCA in 2007 as a Forensic Veterinarian. Her work has been instrumental in nailing notorious abusers, including Michael Vick. Learn how Dr. Merck’s career evolved, what she does, how she’s teaching others to be a voice for abused animals, and ways you can make a positive difference in your own community. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Animal CSI: Giving Voice to the Abused with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio

Hurting animals is not only unethical, society agrees it’s sick. Appalling news reports of children torturing and killing cats and dogs makes pet lovers’ blood run cold. Such crimes demand more than a slap on the wrist, and not just to protect animals. Because abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people. Cat lover Dr. D.P. Lyle, the Macavity Award winning and Edgar Award nominated author of many how-to writing books including Forensics for Dummies discusses the link between animal abuse and serial killers. We also discuss why more pets are being included in recent fiction, and what rules authors might want to heed. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Criminal Minds & Animal Abuse: Reality, Fiction, and Crossing the Line with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio