19 Cats and Counting on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

On this episode of 19 Cats and Counting, Rita welcomes Ruth Thaler-Carter, a longtime journalist, freelance writer, editor, and owner of Writer Ruth (writerruth.com). Ruth shares how she built a successful career in writing and editing, offers advice for aspiring freelance writers, and discusses the ever-changing world of publishing. As the current Blog Chair for the Cat Writers' Association (CWA)...

June is National Adopt a Cat Month, making it the perfect time to welcome Dr. Mark Primiano of Tree House Humane Society in Chicago to the show. Rita and Dr. Mark discuss the growing popularity of the modern Cat Dad, the importance of adoption, and how affordable spay/neuter programs help save lives and reduce cat overpopulation. They also take a closer look at the incredible work being done at Tr...

On today’s episode of 19 Cats and Counting, we’re joined by the unstoppable KJ McGlin, also known as the Kitty Correspondent. KJ is the author of Raised by Cats, a speaker, frequent podcast guest, host of KJ Today on YouTube, co-host of Pet Pals TV with Patty Spitler, creator of the annual PurrCon event weekend, and a passionate supporter of all things cat. We’ll be talking about her latest advent...

On today’s episode of 19 Cats and Counting, we’re talking all about pet wellness with holistic veterinarian Dr. Jeff Feinman. He’s the author of the new book Path to Pet Wellness, and we’ll be diving into natural approaches to keeping our pets healthy, from nutrition and stress reduction to overall emotional and physical well-being. It’s a fascinating conversation for anyone looking to take a more...

Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and longtime host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday, Scott Simon joins Rita Reimers on 19 Cats and Counting to discuss his heartfelt new book celebrating the beloved pets who shaped his life. Through touching, funny, and deeply relatable stories, Scott reflects on the joy, grief, and enduring love animals bring into our homes and hearts. In his newest...

On Part 2 of this episode of 19 Cats & Counting, feline behaviorist Rita Reimers welcomes cat welfare scientist Katia Colitti for an eye-opening and emotional conversation about what cats truly need to thrive. From enrichment, boredom, litter box mistakes, and respecting every cat’s unique personality, to the deep bond we share with our feline companions, this episode explores the science and...

On this episode of 19 Cats & Counting, Rita Reimers welcomes cat welfare scientist and attorney Katia Colitti for a fascinating and heartfelt conversation about feline behavior, aging, and the human-cat bond. From understanding the unique needs of senior cats to recognizing subtle behavioral changes and medical issues, this episode dives deep into what it really means to care for cats at every...

In this episode of 19 Cats and Counting, Rita Reimers sits down with feline behaviorist Stephen Quandt to explore his journey into the world of feline behavior and shelter volunteerism. Stephen shares how his work with numerous shelters shaped his approach to behavior consulting and discusses the diverse clientele he serves today. He also gives listeners a glimpse into his own home life with his h...

In this episode of 19 Cats and Counting, Rita Reimers speaks with Stacy LeBaron about Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and why it benefits entire communities, whether you love cats or not. Stacy shares how TNR improves public health, reduces nuisance behaviors, and creates long-term humane solutions for free-roaming cats. They also discuss the exciting renaming of Community Cats Podcast to Community Cats...

Today I’m joined by Margaret Tompkins, and we’re tackling one of the most persistent myths in the cat world: the idea that cats who are FIV or FeLV positive can’t safely live with cats who are not. This belief has caused a lot of unnecessary fear, heartbreak, and even rehoming decisions (or worse) over the years. In this episode, Margaret and I break down what’s actually true, what’s outdated, and...

In this month’s episode of 19 Cats & Counting, I’m joined by our regular guest Dr. Kelly Cairns for an important conversation about outdoor cats, stress, and a condition many cat guardians struggle with — Pandora syndrome, also known as interstitial cystitis. We talk about why indoor cats generally experience lower stress levels than outdoor cats, and how exposure to outdoor threats — includin...

In this episode of 19 Cats & Counting, I’m joined by Dr. Bethany Hsia, co-founder of Coda Pet. Dr. Bethany Hsia and her husband, Dr. Gary Hsia, are both veterinarians. Along with Dr. Karen Whala, they created Coda Pet to help families navigate one of the hardest parts of loving an animal: saying goodbye. We talk openly about at-home euthanasia, what it really looks like, and why having this op...

In this episode, I sit down with author and community-cat advocate Dr. Debra Blaine to talk about her book Whiskers in the Wild (which I am currently reading), a heartfelt and practical guide to saving and socializing community cats. We unpack the important differences between stray cats and feral cats, two terms often used interchangeably, but with very different meanings and outcomes for the cat...

The holidays are full of sparkle, celebration, and togetherness, but they also bring a few unique safety challenges for our feline friends. In this special episode, Dr. Kelly Cairns and I unwrap the biggest seasonal hazards you’ll want to watch for, including tempting but toxic holiday foods, extra household activity and guests, and all the glittery décor cats love to investigate, from ribbons and...

Senior Cats are near and dear to Rita’s heart, having adopted several of these precious felines. Sometimes they cats end up in the shelter due to no talk of their own when their owners pass away or move to a care facility. Often overlooked at adoption time, senior cats still have a lot of love to give and can be the perfect companion for someone looking for a quiet kitty. Having known love all of...

FIP, Feline infectious peritonitis, is a feline disease every cat own dreads. Once 100% fatal, great advances in the cure, and preventative medication, mean no cat must die just because of a FIP diagnosis. However, not everyone can afford the expensive treatments. Listen as Rita talks with Peter Cohen about FIP, the symptoms, new medications, and how the FIP Warriors organization is working hard t...

People often get nervous when they find out they are expecting, but they have a cat in their household. Often well-meaning friends and relatives give all kinds of unsolicited advice, often boiling down to getting rid of Fluffy. Is that really fair to you or Fluffy? Far from being the mythical cat that will snatch the baby’s breath, cats are very loving beings and often bond closely with their huma...

Lisa Schermerhorn is a Quantum Healer and celebrated author of the popular book, “Every Truth is a Lie.” Lisa believes that “individuals who use focused intention, visualization, and energy transfer, they can stimulate their own body’s innate healing capabilities.” She is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and an Energy Medicine Practitioner, spe...

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Ezra J. Ameis, DVM. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Ezra opened his veterinary practice, Paw Priority, with the goal of offering both Urgent Care and General Practice with a personal touch. Most veterinarian offices today are owned or being bought by large corporations, which often values serving a large quantity of patience over care giving care with...

As cat owners, we all want to give our feline friends the best life possible. We’re careful about the food, treats, and toys we choose to keep them happy and healthy. But what about their teeth? Dental health is one area that often gets overlooked, and trust me, I’ve been guilty of that myself! So today, I’m super excited to chat with Dr. Greg Reinhart, Chief Scientific Officer at Pet Honesty, to...

Welcome back to the 19 Cats and Counting Show! After a brief hiatus, Rita Reimers, Cat Behavior Trainer, is back to talk about all things cat. Today Rita will talk about the changes at 19 Cats and her new company and will also talk about what’s coming up on future show. Rita will also do an overview about Understanding Cat Behavior and discuss how she almost made the wrong life & death decisio...

What do you do when there are so many community cats outside, and they keep having more and more kittens? If you’re Jan Leonard, you don’t wait for someone to fix the problem: you create your own solution. Backwoods TNR is a non-profit organization in Clinton, Louisiana, was created by Jan when she saw that no one else was helping these cats. Their mission is to reduce overpopulation, promote the...

Do you believe in animal communicators? Linda was skeptical and Rita did not think it was possible, until we met Kara Udziela from Pets Eye View. Kara told us things she could not have known! So what's the point? What if we told you a good animal communicator can tell you about pain and illnesses your cat is hiding? What if you were accidentally doing something that hurt or bothered your cat? Woul...

FIP affects 1 - 2 percent of the cat population. Historically, 96% of cats with FIP did not survive. While it is not common for cats to develop FIP, all cats are at risk, even if they are kept indoors. Peter Cohen's beloved cat, Smoky was diagnosed with FIP at 17 weeks and was one of the first cats to be cured with an experimental trial. To honor Smoky and to save others, he founded Zen by Cat to...

So, you’ve decided to have more than one cat. Congratulations! You’ve officially leveled up in the game of feline companionship. While single-cat life has its perks, nothing beats the chaos, comedy, and cuddles of a multi-cat household. But let’s be honest—living with multiple cats isn’t all synchronized purring and Instagram-worthy group naps. It’s also territorial tiffs, litter box logistics, an...