Animal House w/Deborah Roberts

Angie Klein and Ciji Swanton joins us from the Humane Society of Lake County, our benefiting organization for our inaugural Suds, Pups & Pints event on September 16, 2023, in Mount Dora. They also brought along Brandy, a sweet one and a-half year old dog, and Marilyn, a tiny 8-week-old kitten, and both are available for adoption. Angie shares how the money raised at Suds, Pups & Pints will help th...

Jifu Jennings, an Education Specialist at the Central Florida Zoo, and Krystal Perez-Morales, a Zoo Teacher, introduce an Asian Forest Scorpion named ‘The Prince.’ They share fascinating facts about scorpions, including how they glow under a black light. Jifu also talks about all the different events the Zoo is hosting, including Sunset at the Zoo, Zoo Boo Bash, and the return of the Asian Lantern...

Debbie Helsel, Executive Director of the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, joins us via Zoom because of Hurricane Idalia, while hand-feeding a bunch of baby squirrels. Because of the weather, Debbie shares what folks should do if they find a baby squirrel, and why they are not meant to be pets. Learn more about the important work Debbie and her team do at www.btnwildlife.org or call (407) 568-5138....

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando brings along Laxy, a 6-month-old puppy who just had surgery to remove a hind leg. Despite this setback, she’s recovering well and is almost ready for adoption. Kathy also reminds folks that resources are available to help them keep their pets, from food to low-cost vet care, and where to find them. See the dogs and cats available in real-time at...

Lori Matrantoni is the heart and soul behind A Forever Home Animal Rescue in Tavares, Florida, and after seven years in their current location, they have just been told they need to vacate by the end of December. Lori is hoping the community can come through with a new place to rent or buy, or donate to their GoFundMe account. Find that link and more, including puppies and dogs available for adopt...

Jifu Jennings, Education Specialist with the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, brings along Reptar, a blue-tongued skink to help celebrate World Lizard Day on August 14th. We ask her how the extreme heat affects their animals, as well as their summer camp programs, and Jifu shares the secret of hidden fans and AC. She also reminds everyone that Sunset at the Zoo continues on August 25th, 20...

Darryl and Pennie Payne from Pawfection Dog Training join us once again and kick things off with big laughs about their recent vacation. Then, Darryl answers listeners’ questions about their dogs’ behavior, including how a metal food bowl can affect how your pup behaves, to what to do to calm them down during stormy weather. Book your training session at www.pawfectiondogtraining.com or call (407)...

Kathy Burns, Sally Edmonds, and ‘Poppet,’ a 3-month-old female puppy from the Cayman Islands, join us to talk about their partnerships with rescues throughout the Caribbean, and elsewhere, to address the issue of pet over-population. We also discuss the benefits of fostering, and how the Pet Alliance helps with the costs associated with that. Sally even shares what it means to be a “foster fail” a...

Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and a Manatee Research Associate for Save the Manatee Club, joins us to talk about glitter-filled flotation devices that break easily, spilling glitter into area springs and rivers, and the danger they pose to the environment. So much so, they are now banned at Blue Spring State Park, which is a popular summer swimming destination. Cora also discusses how impor...

Dr. Brian Martin, from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, joins us to talk about pet safety during both the Atlantic Hurricane season, as well as the extreme heat. Dr. Martin shares what signs to look for when your dog or cat becomes stressed by the heat, and what to do to counteract that. He also shares which breeds should, and, more importantly, should NOT cool off in a pool. Finally, Dr. Mart...

Ambassador Animal Keeper Nathan Jordon, and Zoo Teacher Krystal Perez-Morales, bring along ‘Molar,’ a Ball python who lives at the Herpetarium at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, to celebrate World Snake Day on July 16th, 2023. Nathan shares some fun facts about Ball pythons, including how docile they are. So much so, that African tribal chiefs were known to pick them up from the groun...

It’s time once again for Darryl Payne of Pawfection Dog Training to answer listeners’ questions about their dogs’ bad behaviors, and he also shares an important personal milestone. Darryl never disappoints when it comes to funny and interesting stories, including being in charge of more than 300 police K9’s in London, and the time his dog pooped in Buckingham Palace. Book your training appointment...

Gabby Cash with Orlando Rabbit Care and Adoptions joins us with three young bunnies that will soon be available for adoption. Gabby shares how the majority of their rescues are rabbits that have been dumped by their owners. She also talks about how domesticated rabbits cannot survive in the wild because they don’t know how to burrow or hide from prey or the elements, and also don’t know what nativ...

Senior Ambassador Animal Keeper Christina O’Donnell and Education Registrar Jifu Jennings from the Central Florida Zoo, bring along Roberta, a red-footed tortoise, a species from northern South America. Christina shares the differences between turtles and tortoises, while Jifu shows off Roberta’s target practice. They also talk about fun, upcoming events, including Night Hike At The Zoo and Sunset...

Christin Burford is the Founder and Director of the C.A.R.E. Foundation, an Exotic Animal Rescue and Wildlife Education Facility located in Apopka, Florida. To highlight the animals they care for, Christin brought along Ava, a black spider monkey, and Kahlua, a so-called ‘safe skunk,’ due to the scent glands being removed. She also talks about just some of the expenses they have, including the hig...

Darryl Payne with Pawfection Dog Training introduces us to Jessica Garcia and her dog, Sol, a beautiful Golden Retriever mix who was rescued from China after being bred for meat. Despite her sad start in life, Sol is currently in training for their Therapy Program. Darryl also takes time to answer listeners’ questions, including a puppy that bites too much, and more. To see all they have to offer,...

Kathy Burns and Sally Edmonds from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando bring along Baby Rita, a 6-month-old French Bulldog puppy, to talk about Summer pet safety. Kathy shares how dogs with short noses, like Baby Rita, can overheat very quickly, and therefore don’t need as much exercise outside. She adds that if you see your dogs quickly lifting their paws when taking them for a walk, the surface...

Darryl Payne from Pawfection Dog Training brings in part of his crew from their Therapy Dog Training Program, and they truly run the gamut. At one end, we have Pam and her therapy dog, Echo, an Irish Wolfhound weighing in at 200 pounds, to Sally and therapy dog, Rocket, an American Bulldog who’s deaf. John and Trish round out the team, along with Sylvie, a Silver Labrador Retriever. As part of the...

Daisy Fiore, Senior Coordinator of Education at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, brings along ‘Billy Owlish,’ an Eastern Screech-Owl, the smallest species of owl that lives in Florida. She shares how trimming trees right now can be detrimental during nesting season, and the different species of owls that live in our trees. Daisy also invites everyone to their Baby Owl Shower on Saturday, May...

Today, we welcome first-time guest, Dr. Brian Martin, with the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, to talk about Heartworm Awareness Month, as well as to answer listeners’ questions. Dr. Martin even addresses the unofficial marijuana holiday on April 20th and the devastating effects it can have on your pets. To learn more about Dr. Martin or the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, go to www.petallianceo...

Angie Klein and her assistant, Ciji, join us from the Humane Society of Lake County, along with Duke, the dog, and Gregory, the cat, who will both be available for adoption at their Fundraiser & Adoption Event this Sunday, April 16th, 2023, at the shelter. Then the following Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, is their Trivia Night, with proceeds supporting the Humane Society of Lake County’s important wo...

Nathan Jordan, an Ambassador Animal Keeper, and Krystal Perez Morales, a Zoo Teacher, stop by from the Central Florida Zoo along with Bessie, a Kenyan sand boa. Nathan talks about what separates Bessie from other snake species, while Krystal gets the word out about their big fundraiser, Brews Around the Zoo, on Saturday, April 8th, 2023. Get your tickets and more at www.centralfloridazoo.org or ca...

Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and a Manatee Research Associate with Save the Manatee Club, joins us for ‘Manatee Appreciation Day.’ She also gives us an update on the manatees’ survival rate, as well as some fascinating facts, like how far they travel and their top speed. Help support their important work at www.savethemanatee.org or call (407) 539-0990 or Toll-free at 1-800-432-5646. See o...

It’s time once again for Darryl Payne of Pawfection Dog Training to join us to discuss their latest expansion plans and development, and to answer listeners’ questions. Some of the questions asked this time around include whether or not to use an invisible fence, or if you should medicate a dog that is terrified of fireworks. To learn about home training, group classes and more, go to www.pawfecti...

Miranda Nathanson and Susan Russell join us from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, and bring along four beautiful kittens to talk about the start of ‘kitten season.’ Susan explains what kitten season means, and how the community can help cats both outside and in the shelter. To adopt and more, go to www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 351-7722. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...