Talking Animals

Tanya Smith–Founder and President of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a 459-acre sanctuary in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, chiefly housing abused, abandoned, and neglected big cats—recalls a precocious first foray into big cat rescue…at age 11. She explains that this was the outgrowth of her parents—inveterate animal lovers—intervening in an odd, colorful situation where a lion cub […] The post Tanya Smith, founder & president of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge first appeared on Talking Animals.

As we've done 12 times prior—spanning just over four years now!–today's program involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the show-length feature, “Ask The Trainer.”  In each session of ATT, listeners are invited to call or email (or text) questions about their dogs or cats, particularly . The Trainer these listeners have […] The post Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer”–13th Edition first appeared on Talking Animals.

Jamie Katz–who's worked as a Fort Lauderdale-based real-life pet detective for a decade—recalls growing up amidst a family that always lived with cats and dogs, as well as her initial efforts helping animals while regularly driving along a prescribed route. Katz notes that around this time, she thought to herself that an ideal professorial path […] The post Jamie Katz, pet detective, creator of Rosie app first appeared on Talking Animals.

Katrina Shadix–founder and executive director of Bear Warriors United (BWU), whose stated mission is to preserve and protect bears, and all of Florida's natural resources and wildlife—recalls, as a second generation Floridian, the formative joys of growing up in rural Seminole County.Shadix explains how that experience forged a profound connection with Florida wildlife—very much including […] The post Katrina Shadix, founder of Bear Warriors United, advocate extraordinaire first appeared on Talking Animals.

Occasionally, I jettison the chief component of the “Talking Animals” format–a long form interview with a single guest–to give voice to a broader array of animal organizations and leaders, concerned animal advocates, and others who simply care about animals. That's what happened today, when I invited listeners to call in (or email) and briefly serve as the […] The post Callers & Emailers Are The Guests first appeared on Talking Animals.

Veteran science journalist Stephen S. Hall–the author of several books, most recently, Slither: How Nature's Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World—recounts how he approached writing Slither, a strategy seeking to beckon even those amidst the sizable contingent of people who are creeped out by snakes, hate snakes, or are afraid of snakes. And while only […] The post Stephen S. Hall, author of “Slither: How Nature's Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Kate MacFall and Katherine McGill—longtime wildlife experts joining me for a discussion devoted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), specifically, the FWC's current effort to evaluate existing rules for wildlife trapping—address what for many may be the surprising prevalence of trapping in Florida. McGill and MacFall go on to speak to the […] The post Kate MacFall & Katherine McGill, discuss FWC's possible rule changes for trapping first appeared on Talking Animals.

Kari Bagnall–founder and executive director of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, which offers permanent care to nearly 200 monkeys retired from laboratory research, who are former pets, or have been confiscated by the authorities—recalls the first monkey that entered her world, and forever altered her life. As part of this account, Bagnall describes creating the earliest […] The post Kari Bagnall, founder of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary first appeared on Talking Animals.

Kelly McCormick and Glenn Maresca–co-founders of Florida Rescue Farm, a sanctuary in Duette, FL, devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating, and housing pigs, goats, geese, chickens, ducks, cattle, other critters, and no less devoted to cultivating a strong educational presence—described the remote community of Duette, and what prompted them to settle there. They make clear their original […] The post Kelly McCormick and Glenn Maresca, co-founders of Florida Rescue Farm first appeared on Talking Animals.

Jocelyn Stokes and Katie Schuler—co-creators of “In Her Nature,” a new digital series carried on the YouTube channel for the longstanding PBS program, “Nature”—retrace the path that led each of them toward their present filmmaking careers, specializing in natural history documentaries. Over the course of sharing their histories, they each recount a pivotal project early […] The post Jocelyn Stokes and Katie Schuler, co-creators of “In Her Nature” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Michael Schneider, a pilot and founder of Pilots To The Rescue—which flies animals from shelters plagued by low rates of adoption (and, often, high rates of euthanasia), to rescues where foster or forever homes have been arranged—describes the career reinvention that preceded his taking flying lessons. Schneider remembers that, back then, like most new pilots, […] The post Michael Schneider, founder of Pilots To The Rescue first appeared on Talking Animals.

As we've done 11 times prior—spanning nearly four years–today's program involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the show-length feature, “Ask The Trainer.”  In each instance, listeners are invited to call or email questions about their dogs or cats, particularly involving behavioral issues or training concerns. The Trainer these listeners have an […] The post Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer”–12th Edition first appeared on Talking Animals.

Dr. Alex Travis–director of Cornell Public Health and chair of the Department of Public & Ecosystem Health in the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine—explains exactly what his extended job title involves, noting that he brings being both a veterinarian and PhD scientist to discharging his duties. Joining me on “Talking Animals” to discuss bird […] The post Dr. Alex Travis, director of Cornell Public Health and chair of the Department of Public & Ecosystem Health in the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine first appeared on Talking Animals.

Howard Baskin—often identified as Advisory Board Chairman of Big Cat Rescue, and spouse of Carole Baskin, the founder of the sanctuary that operated in Tampa for more than three decades—recalls, as a savvy businessman wielding a Harvard MBA, his reaction upon first  getting a close look at the details of Big Cat's financial operation: He […] The post Howard Baskin, financial guiding light of Big Cat Rescue first appeared on Talking Animals.

Jessica Farrer–a marine biologist who serves as Research Director at The Whale Museum, and part of the team of scientists working temporarily in Antarctica Peninsula, profiled in “Expedition Killer Whale,” a new installment of the PBS series “Nature”—recalls growing up landlocked in Colorado, moving as soon as possible to Washington state. Speaking in a “Talking […] The post Jessica Farrer, marine biologist featured in NATURE's “Expedition Killer Whale” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Hannah Shaw–recognized as an influential humane educator, her specialty is providing instruction in caring for neonatal kittens; she's also a NYT bestselling author whose latest book “Cats Of The World,” is a collaboration with her husband, photographer Andrew Marttila—recounts how she developed the expertise in caring for neonatal kittens and, along the way, built a humongous […] The post Hannah Shaw, “Kitten Lady,” new book: “Cats Of The World” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Steve Nesbitt–a retired Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wildlife biologist, who over a FWC stint of some 35 years, developed a reputation for extensive knowledge about a slew of species—recalls his interest in birds was cultivated as a kid by his grandfather, a passionate birder. Nesbitt elaborates, noting that his childhood was marked by […] The post Steve Nesbitt, retired FWC wildlife biologist first appeared on Talking Animals.

Dr. Marcie Fallek–a veteran veterinarian and author of the memoir, “Little Miracles Everywhere: My Unorthodox Path to Holistic Veterinary Medicine”—recalls what prompted her to attend veterinary school in Italy. Fallek enumerates the significant challenges of being a vet student there, most notably that she didn't speak any Italian when she started—meaning that studying her notes […] The post Dr. Marcie Fallek, veterinarian and author of “Little Miracles Everywhere: My Unorthodox Path to Holistic Veterinary Medicine” first appeared on Talking Animals.

This morning, I once again set aside the customary show format to deliver the “Talking Animals Annual Holiday Animal Song Special.” I noted the title is intentionally unwieldy, which I enjoy in an odd way, in the same way I enjoy over-explaining the premise on-aIr: a show entirely devoted to Holiday-oriented animal tunes. Elaborating, I […] The post The Talking Animals Annual Holiday Animal Song Special first appeared on Talking Animals.

Bobbi Brink–founder and director of Lions, Tigers & Bears (LT&B), a 140-acre animal sanctuary in east San Diego she launched in 2002—recalls living in Texas, planning to open a restaurant (she's from San Diego), and seeing her first advertisement offering the sale of big cats. She responded to the ad, she explained, not to make […] The post Bobbi Brink, founder and director of Lions, Tigers & Bears first appeared on Talking Animals.

Michael Hingson–blind since birth,  acclaimed speaker, and best-selling author whose new book is “Live Like A Guide Dog: True Stories from a Blind Man and His Dogs about Being Brave, Overcoming Adversity, and Moving Forward in Faith”—recounts how the pandemic precluded his then-regular routine of traveling and lecturing, spurring the idea for writing the new […] The post Michael Hingson, author of “Live Like A Guide Dog: True Stories from a Blind Man and His Dogs about Being Brave, Overcoming Adversity, and Moving Forward in Faith” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Justin Barker–an anti-captivity activist with a compelling narrative, starting with launching his first organization, Citizens Lobbying for Animals in Zoos, at age 13—recalls the family culture his parents cultivated that yielded a teen activist particularly empathetic to zoo animals and other captive wildlife. Barker further notes that a key step in his journey toward becoming […] The post Justin Barker, anti-captivity activist, author first appeared on Talking Animals.

As we've done 10 times prior—spanning three-plus years–today's program involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the show-length feature, “Ask The Trainer.” In each instance, listeners are invited to call or email questions about their dogs or cats, particularly involving behavioral issues or training concerns. The Trainer these listeners have an […] The post Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer”–11th Edition first appeared on Talking Animals.

Peter Singer–the philosopher, professor emeritus of bioethics at Princeton University, and author (including his landmark 1975 work, “Animal Liberation” and the just-published “Consider The Turkey”—explains that his slate of pursuits post-retirement from Princeton includes a stint as visiting professor at the National University of Singapore. He goes on to clarify that while, yes, he did […] The post Peter Singer, philosopher, professor, author: “Consider The Turkey” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Jodie Wiederkehr–veteran animal advocate and Founder-Executive Director of the Chicago Alliance for Animals (CAA)—recounts details of how CAA was formed, in 2015. (She has recalled in a previous “Talking Animals” conversation how her earliest professional animal advocacy work began in 1997.) Wiederkehr explained that she and her initial CAA cohort decided that aiming to ban […] The post Jodie Wiederkehr, Founder-Executive Director of the Chicago Alliance for Animals first appeared on Talking Animals.

Mara Hvistendahl, a The New York Times reporter who wrote “The Panda Factories”–an extraordinary piece of investigative journalism probing the impact of China's gambit nearly 30 years ago to send pandas to zoos in other countries, hoping the visiting animals would breed, ultimately resulting in pandas that could be returned to the wild–recounts the genesis […] The post Mara Hvistendahl, New York Times reporter: “The Panda Factories” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Nancy Murrah—President of The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay (RCTB), which rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hundreds of native birds of prey annually—describes the preparations required at RCTB before something like Hurricane Milton, and how the facility fared through the storm. This led to a discussion of why tending to a veritable battalion of squirrels constituted […] The post Nancy Murrah, President of The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay first appeared on Talking Animals.

Melissa Zepeda–an attorney and accomplished animal rights advocate, with a notable breadth of interests and topics that have animated her activism—recalls growing up in family that revered animals, then being stopped in her tracks when a fellow high school debate-club member asked her how Zepeda could love her dog yet eat a hamburger. Zepeda not […] The post Melissa Zepeda, attorney, animal rights advocate, Amendment 2 foe first appeared on Talking Animals.

Marion Gwizdala, CEO of Advocates for Service Animal Partners Inc. (ASAP)—a Tampa-based national nonprofit dedicated to securing, protecting, and advancing the rights and responsibilities of service animal handlers and the businesses they patronize—recalls receiving his first service dog in 1987, and just days later, encountering discrimination when a restaurant he frequented prevented Gwizdala from entering […] The post Marion Gwizdala, CEO of Advocates for Service Animal Partners Inc. (ASAP) first appeared on Talking Animals.

Cathryn Michon–the showbiz hyphenate who co-wrote with husband W. Bruce Cameron “A Dog's Purpose,” the film adaptation of Cameron's New York Times bestselling novel, considered the most popular live-action dog movie of all time—reflects on the dizzying number of dog books (including children's books) and films that constitute the collective Michon/Cameron juggernaut. She goes on to […] The post Cathryn Michon, author of “I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Dr. Gregory Berns—author, neuroscientist, professor of psychology at Emory University (and an M.D.)—addresses the change he was seeking when he and his wife decided to buy a farm outside of Atlanta, a saga that's among the experiences chronicled in Berns' new book, “Cowpuppy: An Unexpected Friendship and A Scientist's Journey into The Secret World of […] The post Dr. Gregory Berns, neuroscientist, professor, author of “Cowpuppy” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Will Braden, filmmaker—and curator of CatVideoFest 2024, a 75-minute compilation of short cat videos, edited into a briskly-paced reel, screening at theaters across the country, including the Tampa Theatre Aug. 23 & 25-27—recalls what first drew him to film.  Studying film, at first informally, then later in film school, he realized that he was particularly […] The post Will Braden, curator of CatVideoFest first appeared on Talking Animals.

Mark Devries–the documentary filmmaker who specializes in exploring the realm of animals and animal welfare—expands on the final line (the fate of our kin is up to us) of his new film, “Humans and Other Animals.” Laying out an eloquent and philosophical operating principle—which permeates his new film, as it did his debut doc, “Speciesism: […] The post Mark Devries, documentary filmmaker, “Humans and Other Animals” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Art Shaul—founder-director of Safe Paws Rescue, a small but mighty rescue serving the Tampa Bay Area—recalls growing up watching his Dad bring home ill, injured, sometimes “bedraggled” animals, caring for these critters, then making them family members.  Observing these paternal acts of kindness clearly made a profound impression on Shaul (he gets a bit emotional […] The post Art Shaul, founder of Safe Paws Rescue first appeared on Talking Animals.

Rebecca Reid–Director of Education at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, a multifaceted operation (wildlife refuge, veterinary hospital, rehabilitation facility, education center) in Jupiter Farms, Florida—discusses the readily observable love for her job, and its probable roots in her passion for animals, and being outdoors, while growing up in New Jersey. Reid recalls it was a childhood joyously replete […] The post Rebecca Reid, Director of Education at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary first appeared on Talking Animals.

Journalist Joshua Hammer–author of a captivating piece in the current issue of Smithsonian Magazine, entitled “Pablo Escobar's Abandoned Hippos are Wreaking Havoc in the Columbian Jungle”—recalls how, having been casually aware of the Escobar/hippo situation, he decided to deeply delve into what turned out to be a more complex, colorful saga than anyone could've reasonably […] The post Journalist Joshua Hammer, author of the Smithsonian Magazine piece, “Pablo Escobar's Abandoned Hippos are Wreaking Havoc in the Columbian Jungle” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Tracey Callahan Molnar–handler and chief human of Beacon, the therapy dog who's become increasingly beloved across the U.S.A. Gymnastics world and beyond, emerging as a media sensation along the way—recounts her own career as a gymnast and coach, specializing in rhythmic gymnastics. A fundamental narrative of this conversation reflects the intersection of gymnasts and therapy […] The post Tracey Callahan Molnar, handler and chief human of therapy dog Beacon first appeared on Talking Animals.

Dr. Mikel Delgado–a certified cat behavior consultant and author, most recently, of “Play With Your Cat! The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline”—traces the path that preceded her status as a cat expert with a PhD, including dropping out of school and playing bass in punk bands, sharing stages with such […] The post Dr. Mikel Delgado, author of “Play With Your Cat! The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Dara Eckart–CEO of Friends of Strays, St. Petersburg's oldest no-kill animal shelter, currently undergoing a significant transformation, including opening a cats-only adoption center, The Cat Box on July 1—outlines the shelter's history, citing key milestones of the early years. Eckart explains that Friends of Strays began in 1978, when co-founder Jean Bomonti, who'd been volunteering […] The post Dara Eckart, CEO of Friends of Strays first appeared on Talking Animals.

This was a truly distinctive edition of “Talking Animals”: For starters, the show was part of WMNF's full day of special programming devoted to celebrating Juneteenth. Second, my two (in-studio!) guests were both stellar, veteran WMNF programmers: Harrison Nash, the universally-beloved DJ, in his 36th year at MNF, currently the host of “It's The Music, […] The post Harrison Nash & Glen Hatchell: 10th “Ask The Trainer” on Juneteenth first appeared on Talking Animals.

Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice–an entomologist by training who's appeared on the show multiple times, discussing ants, spiders, homing pigeons, and microbes (often tied to a book she's written on the topic)—acknowledges that writing for young readers has officially become a trend for her, primarily discussing her second, just-published book in this series, while also briefly […] The post Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice, author of “Your Pets' Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pets' Wildest Behaviors” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Rhonda Eldridge–Executive Director of The Community Pet Project, which provides pet food and several other resources to homeless and at-risk communities throughout Hillsborough County—discusses the organization's origin story, beginning in 2017 as an offshoot of a local rescue, before peeling off as a separate entity with 501c3 nonprofit status. The Community Pet Project was launched […] The post Rhonda Eldridge, Executive Director of The Community Pet Project first appeared on Talking Animals.

Melissa Hoppert–a horse-racing writer for The New York Times, and one of two reporter-producers (with Times colleague Joe Drape) featured onscreen in the new horse-racing documentary, “Broken Horses,” a New York Times/FX production streaming on Hulu—recalls becoming enchanted with the horse racing realm as a young girl, after an uncle married into a horse breeding […] The post Melissa Hoppert, horse-racing writer for The New York Times, reporter-producer “Broken Horses” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Anton Ptushkin–director of the PBS Nature documentary profiling the efforts of Ukrainian citizens to rescue animals amidst the destruction of the war—describes the sort of travel pieces he produced as a YouTuber, before he morphed into a war correspondent. Ptushkin notes that this transformation wasn't the product of a specific ambition, but rather, reflected an […] The post Anton Ptushkin, director of “Saving the Animals of Ukraine” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Jennifer Langston–founder of Golden Ears Sanctuary and Rescue, a specialized refuge for senior and hospice dogs in Wesley Chapel, FL—recalls growing up in a house where dogs were always present, whether they be fosters, newly-adopted, or the family pooch. Notably, for the canine establishment she would create later in life, she recounts that her Mom […] The post Jennifer Langston, founder of Golden Ears Sanctuary and Rescue first appeared on Talking Animals.

Arin Greenwood–a wearer of many hats, mostly animal-related, including Director of Philanthropy Communications at Austin Pets Alive! former animal journalist extraordinaire (HuffPost, Washington Post, The Today Show website, et al), and novelist–maintains a sizable social media presence, posting regularly on Facebook, which in a way, spawned this interview. That is, I was struck by the […] The post Arin Greenwood on loving & living with dogs first appeared on Talking Animals.

Lee Asher–a staunch advocate of dog adoption whose profile has risen dramatically in recent years, owing to a handful of factors, including multiple compelling stories: his ADHD and attendant childhood isolation prompted him to regularly visit his local animal shelter as a kid, years later crisscrossing the country in an RV, traveling to animal shelters, […] The post Lee Asher, dog adoption champion, social media juggernaut first appeared on Talking Animals.

Matt Hamilton–writer-director of “Raptors: A Fistful of Daggers,” an unusual two-part edition of the PBS series, “Nature,” which premiered April 10, while the second episode debuts on April 17—recalls the impetus for creating this double-shot of cinematic raptor mania. Part of his explanation involved not having seen a documentary that delved deeply into the realm […] The post Matt Hamilton–writer-director of “Raptors: A Fistful of Daggers” first appeared on Talking Animals.

Deborah Howard—founder-president of the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), self-described, you may recall, as “the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and puppy/kitten mills”—returns for a conversational sequel to our January interview, because we didn't have time to discuss the ways CAPS has broadened its mission […] The post Deborah Howard, President of Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) first appeared on Talking Animals.

Ed Stewart, co-founder, president and CEO of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)—which blazed a trail in animal rescue, welfare, education, and legislation, and this year, marks its 40th anniversary—recalls what she and co-founder Pat Derby were doing in the earliest days of PAWS. Stewart notes that Derby, his longtime partner who died in 2013–and […] The post Ed Stewart, co-founder, president and CEO of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) first appeared on Talking Animals.

In what might be called The Sequel, this represents the second portion of the interview I conducted on Feb. 12 with Temple Grandin, onstage at the Paramount Theatre in Austin. We covered a wide range of topics last week, though that discussion featured a preponderance of autism talk, hardly surprising given Grandin's expertise, personal experience […] The post Temple Grandin, autistic animal scientist and author–The Sequel first appeared on Talking Animals.