Animal House w/Deborah Roberts

Ambassador Animal Keeper, Nathan Jordan, and Education Specialist, Jifu Jennings, from the Central Florida Zoo, introduce us to Steve, a Florida Box Turtle, and talk about what it takes to be an animal keeper and work for a zoo. Celebrate Earth Day at the Central Florida Zoo at their Party for the Planet, and learn how to create the perfect backyard habitat for wildlife. And don’t forget about Bre...

It’s time once again for Darryl Payne of Pawfection Dog Training to come in and answer listener’s questions. This time, Darryl tackles issues like what to do when your dog jumps up on people, how much to expect when potty training a puppy, and can you train your dog to lift their leg higher? Get answers to your questions and set up your training appointment at www.pawfectiondogtraining.com or call...

Robert Ramos, a former K9 deputy, now works for K9’s United, a national nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and supporting law enforcement canines with vital equipment and training. K9’s United is encouraging Florida drivers to pre-order its specialty license plate before the October 15, 2024, deadline. Pre-order at www.k9sunited.org for $34.00, or from your local DMV for $33.00, and $25.00 from...

Angie Klein and Ciji Swanton bring along Gracie, a 3-year-old dog, and Icicle, an 11-year-old cat, available for adoption from the Humane Society of Lake County, a no-kill animal shelter located in Umatilla, Florida. We kick things off by talking about how they assess their animals to help them find their forever homes, and their upcoming fundraising events, including a Trivia Night on March 23rd,...

Zoo Teacher, Justin Johnson, and Ambassador Animal Keeper, Amanda Mossor, join us from the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens and bring along PT Cruiser, a prehensile-tailed skink. They share some fascinating features about this species of skink, including how they live in the trees of the Solomon Islands in large family groups. Plus, Justin talks about the Zoo’s upcoming events, like Hippi...

Darryl Payne with Pawfection Dog Training joins us once again to answer listeners’ questions about their dog’s behavior, and to also share some funny stories about his time as a K9 officer at Buckingham Palace. To book your training appointment, go to www.pawfectiondogtraining.com or call (507) 456-1066. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy Burns and Sally Edmonds from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando stop by with 8-week-old puppies Joy and Dawn, who will be available for adoption in just a few days. And with Spring right around the corner with its usual influx of new kittens and puppies, they talk about the need for fosters. The good news Kathy says is they cover all costs for those who choose to become fosters. Learn more...

Cora Berchem is the Director of Multimedia and a Manatee Research Associate for Save the Manatee Club, and she joins us to share some good news about manatees’ recovery. From more sea grass and record numbers of newborn calves, Cora shares the strides forward this amazing species has accomplished, and the work yet to do. To learn more, go to www.savethemanatee.org, call (407) 539-0990 or toll-free...

Jamie Ling and Eva Ortiz-Feder are Teachers at the Central Florida Zoo, and they bring along Willy, the Zoo’s resident gopher tortoise, a keystone species, meaning many other animals depend on them for survival. In fact, 350 different species of animals make their homes in the gopher tortoise’s burrows, including another keystone species, the eastern indigo snake. Coming up on Saturday, February 1...

Debbie Helsel is the Executive Director of the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge in Orange County, Florida, and today she brought along Luna, an Eastern Screech Owl, and Hang Ten, a Gopher Tortoise. Debbie shares what types of animals they are rescuing and the impact Florida’s increasing development is having on wildlife. She also talks about their upcoming reopening and plans for their 35th birthday...

Darryl Payne from Pawfection Dog Training comes in to once again answer listeners’ questions about their dogs’ behavior. This time, he talks about how to deal with a puppy that nibbles, a dog who pees inside, and how to prepare your dog for your return to the office. To book your training session, go to www.pawfectiondogtraining.com or call (407) 456-1066. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Dr. Daisy Fiore joins us from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida, and brings along Billy Owlish, an Eastern Screech Owl, one of their ambassador birds. Daisy shares some fascinating facts about owls, from their serrated feathers to help with silent flight, to their exceptionally long legs. She also encourages school groups of all kinds to take advantage of their education pa...

Senior Ambassador Animal Keeper, Christina O’Donnell, and Zoo Teacher, Justin Johnson, from the Central Florida Zoo, introduce us to Cobb, a red rat snake, along with an enrichment tree for him to climb on. They share fascinating facts about this species of snake, including how one defense mechanism is for them to lay still and show their underside, which resembles an ear of corn. To see Cobb and...

Darryl Payne of Pawfection Dog Training joins us to talk about what folks who are planning to bring a new puppy home for the holidays need to do to prepare both their home and family. He covers everything from what size crate to use, to how to introduce your new furry family member to your family. Plus, their dog training sessions make a great holiday gift! Book your appointment at www.pawfectiond...

Ambassador Animal Keeper, Nathan Jordan, and Zoo Teacher, Taylor Nelson, join us with Shrek, a leopard gecko which is native to the rocky dry grassland and desert regions of the Middle East. In honor of International Cheetah Day, which is celebrated in December, they also share some fascinating facts about the fastest mammal on land. And there’s still time to get your tickets to the Asian Lantern...

Alan Harris, Director of Seminole County Animal Services, joins us to invite everyone to their inaugural Paws & Claus, an adoption event featuring various rescue groups, pet vendors, food trucks, animal demonstrations, and more. Paws & Claus will take place Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, at Greenwood Lakes Park in Lake Mary, Florida, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Learn more at www. SeminoleCountyPets.c...

Kathy Burns and Sally Edmonds join us from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando to talk about how to make sure your home is safe for your pets during the holidays. To learn more, or to find your fur-ever friend, go to www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 351-7722. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November is Manatee Awareness Month so Kimberleigh Dinkins, a Senior Conservation Associate with Save the Manatee Club, gives us an update on the status of Florida’s famous sea cows. She shares how leaking septic tanks lead to algae blooms and what we can do to help them recover, including adopting a manatee for the holidays. Learn more at www.savethemanatee.org or call 1-800-432-5646 | (407) 539-...

Krystal Perez-Morales and Jamie Ling are both Zoo Teachers at the Central Florida Zoo and brought along a black-breasted leaf turtle, which is native to China and Vietnam. These turtles have 3 ridges running down the back of their jagged shell, making them look like a leaf. This adaptation allows them to blend in with leaves on the forest floor, which is their preferred habitat. Krystal and Jamie...

It’s time once again for Darryl Payne from Pawfection Dog Training to join us and answer listeners’ questions about their dogs behavior, and the interesting reasons behind some of it. In this episode, he covers everything from dogs who pee at the door when company comes over, to a dog who won’t go at all until they get home -and inside. Darryl also announces the opening of their brand-new second f...

Dr. Brian Martin is a veterinarian at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and joins us to talk about a very important topic, pet obesity, and its impacts on their health and wellbeing. Dr. Martin shares his advice on the types of food to feed your pets and what to avoid. To make an appointment with Dr. Martin, or to see the animals available for adoption, go to www.petallianceorlando.org or call (...

Christin Burford from the C.A.R.E. Foundation introduces us to Spike, a Bearded Dragon, Fergie, a Ball Python, and Gilly, a 3-year-old Alligator, all of whom will be available to see at their Wildlife Celebration, Saturday and Sunday, November 4th and 5th, 2023. Christin talks about just some of the over 200 animals that live at their sanctuary, and the costs associated with that, like the high co...

Krystal Perez-Morales, an Education Specialist, and Taylor Nelson, a Team Lead Zoo Teacher, join us from the Central Florida Zoo and bring along Dillo, the armadillo. They talk about how armadillos are a great source of natural pest control and other unique features, including their mating habits. Krystal also shares information about upcoming events, like Zoo Boo Bash in October. Get your tickets...

Darryl Payne from Pawfection Dog Training joins us to once again tackle listeners’ questions about their dogs behavior. This time, he covers sudden aggressiveness in a group of dogs, to a pup so nervous she won’t go outside, and everything in between. Book your training appointment at www.pawfectiondogtraining.com or call (407) 456-1066. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Brian Martin is a veterinarian at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and joins us to help kick-off National Dog Week, which is celebrated every year from September 20-27. Dr. Martin shares all the different services they provide at the clinic, along with which types of dogs are the most challenging to work with, and more. Find your next four-legged Forever Friend at www.petallianceorlando.org...