WGN - Steve Dale's Pet World

Vera Junge, Volunteer Coordinator of Unity Hospice and Palliative Care, explains their novel program which cares for pets of clients who happen to be in hospice called Pets Peace of Mind.  Volunteers walk dogs, feed pets, change cat litter, play with pets, change the paper for Guinea pigs, whatever it takes. The organization also will drive pets […]

Dr. Michael Bailey, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association talks with Steve from a meeting in Brazil. Some tough topics are discussed, including affordability of veterinary care, vaccine hesitancy of pets, and the trend of virtual pet care. Also, can pets have autistic spectrum disorder? https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7744929/7744929_2025-10-04-185129.64kmono.mp3

Diane Keaton, an Oscar-winning actress whose career spanned more than five decades, has died at age 79. In 2004, Keaton, an animal lover, spoke with WGN Radio’s Steve Dale about “Home 4 the Holidays,” a campaign to adopt pets from shelters during the holiday season.

If it wasn't for the human animal bond, why would we have pets? It's a powerful conversation with Dr. Rustin Moore, Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine about his book Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions.  Steve and Dr. Moore attempt to unpack the complex evolving relationships […]

The story of a once mysterious and until-recently fatal feline disease called feline infectious peritonitis has enough twists and tuns to be a Netflix movie. A treatment for the now-treatable disease even saved humans with COVID-19. Dr. Sam Evans, assistant professor of veterinary medicine Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Peter Cohen, founder of the […]

Jane Goodall, the legendary chimpanzee researcher, has died at age 91. Here are a couple of conversations between Goodall and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale: November, 2003: May, 2019:

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Amy Pike answers what it's like to be dog parent with real-life issues. From day one with a puppy or an adult dog, how to best connect with your dog. What are the devices products to never use when training dogs.  Specific issues, included resource guarding, and the best way to walk […]

Jill Rappaport, formerly of the Today Show, is an avenger to senior dogs with the Grey Muzzle Organization. She talks about adopting senior dogs, and how dental health actually make them far more adoptable (not to mention healthier). Phil Arkow, co-founder of the non-profit National Link Coalition, offers an important legislative update regarding the Link. Arkow helped to establish […]

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Theresa DePorter talks pheromones to fish. Dr. DePorter is responsible for one of the definitive studies on the consequences of punishment-based dog training and the use of equipment, such as shock collars. And we also talk about the language of cats. Are cats really from another planet? She has two pet owner […]

We have more senior pets in the U.S. than ever before. How do you even define senior pets? That's where Dr. Heidi Lobprise, author Small Animal Senior Care: Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion begins. I was honored to author two chapters in this having to do with the importance of enrichment in aging pets. We also […]

By using buttons, Christina Hunger says you can communicate with your dog in ways never previously thought possible. She's the author of, Your Dog Can Talk: A Step-by-Step Guide to Button Training and explains it all, step-by-step. It's called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and increasingly in the U.S., this is a cause of early death […]

Dr. Michael Lappin, Professor of Internal Medicine at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine discusses an upcoming symposium on Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Has Purrsistence Cured FIP: What We Know So Far, co-hosted by the EveryCat Health Foundation. And also, if you are allergic to cats, how by feeding a specific cat food that sneezing may […]

It's a dog show like none other – the Great American Dog Show will be held in Cantigy Park in Wheaton, September 5 to 7. Scott Pfeil, president of the Great American Dog Show explains how this show is so different, and welcoming of pet dogs, perhaps your dog.  And the show is outdoors, and hugely family […]

Wayne Pacelle, founder Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action, has fueled the effort to stop using millions of kangaroos for making the athletic shoes. He launched the #kangaroos are not skins campaign. Today, most major manufacturers, as he explains, are no longer supporting killing kangaroos. He also makes an announcement, that he's working – in a […]

It's one of the tougher issues to deal with, reactive or aggressive dogs. Increasingly some might sooner or later seek out a trainer who says, “I will help by using a shock collar.” Dr. Zazie Todd states that is the exact wrong approach. She is the author of Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful […]

Dot Baisly, Executive Director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) talks about why this organization stands strongly behind their science-based positive reinforcement approaches to dog training, and against the use of devices like shock collars. She also explains that IAABC certification isn't only about dogs, there are also certified experts in equine and […]

Jenny Schlueter is the Executive Director of Heartland Animal Shelter in Wheeling. And the comeback story there is quite incredible. After suffering from a devastating flood (all animals were heroically rescued but the facility suffered serious damage); this is a comeback story of perseverance featuring record adoption numbers.   Anti Cruelty is the most established animal shelter in Chicago […]

Dr. Patricia McConnell is the GOAT of dog training. Among her books, the classic, The Other End of the Leash. She discusses the state of dog training today, and her feelings about a movement among a vocal and perhaps increasing minority to use shock and prong collars.  She also talks about the magic relationship we have with dogs. […]

Kathy Callahan and Helen St. Pierre, co-authors Old Dog, New Dog: Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One talk about everything from “puppy proofing a home” to adjusting homes for senior pets to whether or not to mix it up, do you bring in a young dog to share space with an old dog?  […]

It turns out that by learning about cancer in dogs, we can help people with cancer too, it's called comparative medicine. By studying and researching cancers dogs naturally get, we can save their lives and human lives – and it's happening. Dr. Timothy Fan, veterinary oncologist and professor veterinary oncology University of Illinois College of […]

Award-winning photographer Bob Walker's latest book is a love letter to one very unlikely recipient who enters his cat house, a Chihuahua: A Lost Dog Finds Cat Paradise: Tails of Love and Mischief. The EveryCat Health Foundation's 2025 Communications Award recipient is Stacy LaBaron for her podcast, The Community Cats Podcast. What exactly are community cats? Why do […]

Co-editor of Low Stress Handling: A Practical Guide to Cooperative Care, Training, and Behavior Modification, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Christine Calder explains what cooperative care is about. For example, how you may train your dog or cat to comply contentedly with having nails trimmed. And what's the most important cue you can teach a cat or dog? […]

Illinois Director of the Humane Society for Animals Marc Ayers joins Steve Dale to explain how the seemingly harmless and fun puppy yoga classes may be sourcing puppies from puppy mills. In Chicago, this is illegal, and the City has taken action.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Beth Strickler makes an exciting announcement which will save lives of dogs, cats and rabbits. There's a new and improved pheromone product available which will reduce anxiety, the Secure line of products by Signs. After all, behavior is the number one cause of death for pets and the most common behavior issues […]

Hard to believe that a dog training organization that seeks to set licensing standards for dog trainers is willing to accept the use of shock collars. Dog trainer Zak George explains why that is unacceptable. He notes that while the use of shock can stop of a problematic behavior in its tracks, it will also cause […]

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Co-founder of Center for Behavior Studies explains what this non-profit to support pet studies and keeping pets in homes is all about. Dr. Dodman reveals the most common behavior problem in dogs. Why do dogs sometimes have compulsive behaviors, such tail or light chasing, and what can be done to help these […]

Dog trainer Jeff Millman on a new way to think about dog bite prevention, which is actually Steve's idea. Millman is the author of Triggers and Reactions: A Guide to Fixing Dog Behavior Problems: Volume One: On-Leash Aggression  Anti Cruelty President Darlene Duggan talks about the city's oldest and most significant animal shelter's biggest fundraiser, Bark in the […]

Once the executive director of Chicago Animal Care & Control, Susan Russell is now in Philadelphia and after a stint at an animal shelter there, she has authored Midnight: Don't Judge Me Ruiz. She discusses the book and the still existing long list of pit bull related fallacies and Philly cheese-steak sandwiches. Good news about heart […]

You may recall Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Animal Planet's Emergency Vets and E-Vet Interns or perhaps you've even seen him perform his stand-up act at a comedy club. He talks about what he's learned about veterinary medicine from the best and about what he's learned about show biz from the likes of the Rolling Stones to George Burns. He talks about […]

Straight up, asking questions listeners would want to ask of Armando Tajeda, Executive Administrative Assistant and Public Information Officer Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC). He conceded the agency doesn't have a long history (and that's true in many other cities as well) of absolute transparency, that's now changed. And offer Armando an opportunity to […]

Unlucky in love but lucky with dogs, Susan Hartzler talks openly about her life in “I'm Not Single, I Have A Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side.” She explains that she's fine and content today and accepting that she may from now on only have partners with four legs. And why in many ways, that is […]

Legendary Dr. Sheldon Rubin has been a guest on WGN radio dating back to Wally Phillips, when he was among the first veterinarians to talk regularly about pets in the media. Dr. Rubin is passionate about informing people of the dangers of heartworm disease which is nearly always preventable. He also recalls odd animals he's dealt […]

With over 300 million views on his Simon the Cat's YouTube page, and several books published, Simon Tofield explains the origin of Simon and why he think his animated cat became an international sensation. With countless interviews under his belt this is the first time he explains why he feels he is so innately in […]

Pretty much everything we know about cats was once funded by the non-profit – EveryCat Health Foundation. Jackie Ott Jaakola, Executive Director, explains further and how recently treatments have been found for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (the most common heart disease in cats). In fact, anyone can attend virtually or in […]

Oh rats! It's a real dog sport, and now available in Evanston from City Sniffers. Megan Renner is a Certified Canine Sports Training Professional and Certified Canine Training & Behavior Specialist. Currently she is a judge for Happy Ratters and Rat Games. What the heck is that all about? Who will win the Windy City Sweets cookie […]

Funny lady JoAnne Worley from TV's Laugh In and countless TV shows and stage work also happens to be President of Actors and Others for Animals. She talks about the mission and work of the non-profit, including a continued focus on spay/neuter and supporting the wildfire's animal victims. The big question? Will she gift Steve Dale and WGN […]

WGN Radio's pet expert and host of Steve Dale's Pet World and Steve Dale's Other World joins Wendy Snyder, in for John Landecker, to discuss what you can do if your dog will not stop eating its own waste.

Dr. Sally Haddock, Board President of the North American Veterinary Community discusses the massive continuing education available to veterinarians and how this all trickles down to pet parents. Discussed is how intense the human animal bond is today, compared to how it was years ago. Though affording veterinary medicine is more challenging than ever, which is also […]

He admits he has a problem. Dr. Matthew McGlasson says, “I'm obsessed with cats.” As a result he's authored How to Rate a Cat. Discussed are serious misconceptions many have about cats, topics such as declaw and why he's opposed, and more.  A secret way to communicate with your cat – blink. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7285891/7285891_2025-02-18-020031.64kmono.mp3

They are the underdogs of veterinary medicine, and at the same time the backbone of the profession – they are veterinary technicians. A conversation with Beckie Mossor, president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Also, she a founder of the non-profit Veterinary Industry Giving Tree. Drew Lynch is arguably one of the hottest stand-up comedians […]

Petco Love President Susanne Kogut talks how the non-profit significantly supported pets and families around Los Angeles, and how Petco Love Lost reunites lost pets with their people. Steve and Susanne also discuss why so many animal shelters today remain filled to the max, and what's being done to relieve the pressure. And why do dogs […]

You've never been to a cat show? Lincoln State Cat Show Manager Jeremy Basterash describes the fun you'll miss by not attending, and how cats are judged. The Lincoln State Show is February 22-23, Kane County Fairgrounds 525 S, Randall Rd. St Charles. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is likely the number one cause of death in […]