Animal House w/Deborah Roberts

Central Florida Zoo CEO Dino Ferri joins us to talk about, among other things, how the Zoo prepares for cold weather and which animals are most affected. He talks about employment opportunities and even shares some interesting history about both Sanford and the Zoo. Planning a visit? Tickets are now available for Brews Around The Zoo, in April, as well as cool camps for kids during Spring Break. L...

Today we’re happy to welcome Katie Warner, Center Director, for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, along with Gretel, a 3-year-old Swallow-tailed kite. Katie shares fascinating facts about Gretel, including how his breed migrates to southern Brazil for the winter—a trip of over 5,000 miles! After imprinting on humans and no longer able to survive in the wild, he serves as an animal ambassador a...

Dino Ferri, CEO for the Central Florida Zoo, kicks off the New Year for Animal House by sharing the continued success of their Asian Lantern Festival, ‘Into the Wild,’ and the dates that are still available. Dino also talks about the Zoo’s plans for the New Year, and shares which animals are the most chill, and even the stinkiest. Get your tickets and more at www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407...

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is our guest today, along with sweet Scotch, a French Bulldog puppy with a cleft lip and palate. Kathy shares the special care a puppy like Scotch requires, and how that’s taken into consideration when they’re adopted. She also updates us on the Alliance’s new shelter plan, as well as their new cats-only shelter in downtown Orlando. See the anim...

Carrie Moule is a foster mom and volunteer for Polka Dogz Pet Rescue, one of many independent rescue organizations in Central Florida. She talks about the dogs they have that are looking for their forever homes, as well as other ways you can help, including volunteering. To learn more, go to www.polkadogz.org or give them a call at (352) 571-0032. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Dino Ferri, CEO of the Central Florida Zoo, joins us today to encourage folks to get their tickets early for the very popular return of their Asian Lantern Festival, ‘Into The Wild.’ Over 30 different, hand-constructed, illuminated lantern displays line the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path, including an illuminated tree with different colored butterflies, and a 130-foot, three-story tall dragon! For tickets...

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando joins us today along with Granola, a beautiful 8-month-old puppy who came from a shelter in Seminole County. Kathy shares how the Alliance often works with other local shelters and rescues to help animals find their forever homes. She also updates us on the Alliance’s plans moving forward after a devastating fire in September, including a cats-o...

Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia & Manatee Research for the Save the Manatee Club, joins us to talk about the record-breaking number of manatee deaths, and the difficult winter they face. We also discussed what is being done to help, and what we can do during Manatee Awareness Month. To donate or to learn more, visit www.savethemanatee.org or call (407) 539-0990 or 1-800-432-JOIN (5646). See o...

Dino Ferri, CEO for the Central Florida Zoo, is our guest today and he shares the exciting news about the return of a popular event, the Asian Lantern Festival: Into The Wild. See over 30 different, hand-constructed, illuminated lanterns displayed around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. And these are no tiny displays. One lantern is 120 feet long and as tall as a three-story building! To learn more abo...

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando joins us today with her special guest, “Rambo,” a sweet, older dog looking for his forever home, who’s been at the shelter for a while. She also updates us on the community outpouring since a devastating fire at their Orlando location September 15, outpouring that meant a great deal to the staff. Kathy shares what you can still do to help, espec...

Laura VonMutius, Education Manager for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, joins us along with Henry, a Great Horned Owl. Laura shares a lot of fascinating facts about Henry, including his impressive four-foot wingspan, but he only weighs 3 pounds. Learn more about all the different raptors that call Florida home at their Owloween Skeleton Extravaganza, going on now, with FREE admiss...

Dino Ferri, CEO of the Central Florida Zoo, is our guest on this episode of Animal House, and shares the exciting news about the return of the Asian Lantern Festival, ‘Into the Wild,’ November, 2021, through January, 2022. The festival features over 30 different, hand-constructed, illuminated lanterns, displayed around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. Dino also reminds folks not to miss ‘Zoo Boo Bash,’...

Angie Klein from the Humane Society of Lake County joins us, along with Levi, a 7-month-old pup rescued from an overcrowded shelter in the Panhandle, just today. Angie also talks about their upcoming events, like the WestMUTTster Dog Show, featuring everything from Best Costume, Best Hair, Wiggliest Butt, and even Best Kisser! Get more information at www.humanelake.com or give them a call at (352)...

Gatorland’s Savannah Boan, Danny Danger and resident Albino alligators, Ellie Mae and Moonshine, join us to talk about what makes Albino alligators different from American alligators. Savannah also shares what kind of animal encounters and experiences you can have at Gatorland. Give them a call at (407) 855-5496 or visit www.gatorland.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is our guest today, along with Boozy Boo, a 2-month-old puppy, one of 269 animals that were rescued from Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Ida. Kathy also shares what goes into rescuing pets from out-of-state and how long before you can take one home. To find your forever furry friend, visit www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 3...

Debbie Helsel, Executive Director for the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, joins us today along with some residents goats, like Hope and Halo, to talk about what it takes to care for wild animals and their sometimes special needs. Debbie also shares exciting news about some upcoming fundraising events, like Owloween, Saturday, October 16, 2021, featuring animal encounters, marketplace, live music,...

Dino Ferri, CEO for the Central Florida Zoo, joins us today to talk about new events taking place at the Zoo, and even a little bit about animal conservation. Dino shares some behind-the-scenes facts about their captive breeding program and what goes into protecting animals and their environment. Plus, Dino shares the exciting news about ‘Brews Around The Zoo’ returning, and the continued populari...

Savannah Boan, from ‘Monsters in the Morning’ on Real Radio, and Gatorland, joins us along with Marshall, a Kookaburra that, believe it or not, is a comfort animal for a crocodile! Savannah shares some fascinating facts about Kookaburras, like the fact they eat meat, can be fairly aggressive and more. Plan your visit at www.gatorland.com or call them at (407) 855-5496. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Angela Miedema, Director of Operations for the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, talks about Stormy, a dog and her puppies they rescued from the U.S. Virgin Islands! Angela also explains what ‘kitten season’ means, and how that impacts rescue organizations. They also have a lot of fun events coming up, including the “Dog Days of Summer,” Saturday, August 21, 2021. Get more info at www.petallianceor...

Deb Munini joins us from The Animal League, to invite golfers to take part in their Puttin’ Fore Paws Charity Golf Tournament, Saturday, September 25, 2021, in Clermont. Deb also talks about the challenges facing rescue organizations right now, including fundraising and taking in more animals than usual. For all the ways you can help, go to www.theanimalleague.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Dino Ferri, CEO of the Central Florida Zoo, joins us to talk about all that’s happening, including their Adults-only evening event, Sunset at the Zoo, now joined by their newest event, Family Sunset at the Zoo. Dino also shares the latest update on the Zoo’s fundraising efforts and even talks a little about career opportunities. Give them a call at (407) 323-4450 or visit them at www.centralflorid...

Savannah Boan of Gatorland takes us behind the scenes to their Incubation Room to talk about their newly-hatched Nile crocodiles, and how they differ from American Alligators. And Florida is home to both! Learn more at www.gatorland.com or give them a call at (407) 855-5496. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angela Miedema, Kathy Burns and 104-pound puppy, Ivan, join us from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando to talk about their big pet adoption event coming up, and what goes into finding a forever home for a big boy like Ivan. We also talked about how to enter their Orlando’s Cutest Pet Photo Contest, where the winning dog and cat will be featured on Quantum Leap Winery’s “My Best Friend” wine label...

Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and a Manatee Research Associate for Save the Manatee Club, joins us to share the exciting news about a mother manatee and her calf that were released back into the wild after months of rehabilitation. Cora also talks about the partnership they have with SeaWorld Orlando and the FWC. Unfortunately, Cora also discusses the record number of manatee deaths so far...

Dino Ferri, CEO of the Central Florida Zoo, joins us to talk about all the exciting things that are going on at the Zoo, including a new splash pad to help keep kids cool during hot summer days; a new food vendor, and their adults-only ‘Sunset at the Zoo,’ coming up on July 15, 2021. Learn more at www.centralfloridazoo.org or call them at (407) 323-4450. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...