Maria's Mutts & Stuff

Maria chats with writer Joanna Zelman and her dad Jared Zelman, about their documentary Cow Trip;  their road trip with Mickey and Moose--two calves saved from dairy farms and transported  hundreds of miles to Rosie's Farm Sanctuary. To learn more about their journey COWTRIP.ORG . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Jackie Ducci:  Founder of the Human-Animal Alliance ( h-aa.org ) and documentary creator of Unspoken Bond. The documentary focuses on three people and their connection to animals. (One of the featured stories is with Nicole Navarro from Pawsitive Beginnings who was on Maria's Mutts & Stuff last April 2025!) Listen and learn about the connection we have with animals and th...

Maria chats with author Stacy Wilder whose books Liz Adams Mystery Series features Duke, a lie-detecting Lab! Stacy also donates a portion of the proceeds to wildlife conservation and the homeless--both people and pets.   Check out her website for books, info, recipes (!) and more!   storystacy.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with actor, comedian and author Steve Schirripa about his new book WillieBoy Eats The World , a children's picture book about his dachshund Willie Boy! A fun conversation between the long-time friends about an adorable dog who teaches his owner about all the tasty foods in NYC! Aimed at ages 4-8, it teaches kids to try new things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with celebrity animal medium Aliana Ziva about her work focusing on health, emotional wellbeing and finding peace. Living in Denmark, most of her work helps people and animals here in the states. Give a listen and learn about her beginnings and how her gift came to be. Follow "alianazivathemedium" on Instagram, and DM her if you'd like a reading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Maria chats with ornithologist, author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Weidensaul about his latest book (he's written nearly 30!!) The Return of The Oystercatcher .   This book is optimistic and focuses on conservation and solutions. And Scott offers tips on what we can all do to help the bird population survive! Learn more at http://www.scottweidensaul.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener...

Maria chats with returning guest Pete Lillo who runs the Bear Brook Feather Friends Rescue and Sanctuary , where he takes care of dozens of ducks, geese and chicks! You'll learn a thing or two about our feathered friends, and  how you can help out Pete with food donations and more. And if you're in the area, he could always use volunteers! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Operation Pawpulation Founder Temma Martin about her not-for-profit spay and neuter clinic in Utah. Less than a year old, this clinic has already spayed or neutered over 1500 pets! They discuss how spaying and neutering pets actually saves lives of pets as fewer animals wind up  in shelters as a result. To learn more about Operation Pawpulation CLICK HERE ! To find a low-cost...

Undercover animal investigator Pete Paxton returns in studio to discuss his latest focus on puppy mills and pet stores (specifically Petland).  This interview was also shot for the upcoming documentary Underbelly , which is investigating the mass production system of the $3 BILLION dog breeding industry! Stay tuned for release date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Brian Reyngoudt, Co-Founder and Vice President of Operation K9 Beethoven , a non-profit organization that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to be service dogs for veterans! If you're a veteran and want or need a service dog, PLEASE reach out to them. You will get a dog an no cost to you! Learn more at OPERATIONK9BEETHOVEN. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Maria talks with estate planning attorney Don Ford about a subject most of us avoid:   What will happen to our pet(s) when we're gone?  With over 60% of Americans not having a will, chances are very good that there isn't a plan for your beloved 4-legged family members! Don explains what to do so your 4-legged bff doesn't wind up in a shelter when you die! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Maria chats with filmmaker Chris Walters about his documentary Artfully United, a film about art, transformation and the power of community. Chris's other passion is animal advocacy!  He started The Christopher D. Walters Second Chances Fund -- CLICK HERE to learn more. Artfully United will start streaming on 2/20.  LEARN MORE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Marie Geerman about her 30 years of rescuing pups from Aruba, as well as homing dogs and cats in the states!  Learn about the spaying/neutering in Aruba, and all she's been doing (in spite of the recent hurdles from the CDC) plus Aruba Flight Volunteers and New Life For Paws . You can help! Foster; be a flight volunteer; adopt, donate:  NEWLIFEFORPAWS. See omnystud...

Maria chats with one of her favorite guests, MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell! Patrick took a few minutes from his book tour to chat about The Gift of Everything and The Gift of Nothing (20th Anniversary edition with a new cover!) Book Tour, plus all that he's been doing! Patrick and his wife Karen do so much for charities (check it out HERE ) plus the Shop of " MUTTS stuff" is perfect this time of...

Maria chats with Russ Fincher, former FBI agent and first responder whose service dog Jethro was trained by the NY Islanders, part of America's Vet Dogs "Puppy With a Purpose" program. Jethro is the fourth Isanders dog; America's Vet Dogs also has puppies training with The Jets and The Mets! Hear how Jethro helps Russ with his ptsd and so much more! To learn about America's Vet Dogs and all they d...

Maria chats with author and co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Dexter Patterson, about his book Birds of the Great Lakes ! A "mighty book" as Dexter calls it filled with photos, info, and fun facts about birds of the Great Lakes, many of which can be seen across the country! It's a perfect stocking stuffer! Learn about Dexter, birding, and more plus you can get the book too at WISC...

Maria chats with returning guest Victoria Shaffer, CEO & Founder of Pup Culture Rescue . Based in Pasadena, Pup Culture Rescue is a female-founded non-profit who has rescued and homed over 1300 dogs!  They recently went through a challenge with distemper and parvo "the Pup-demic" as they call it, and can really use any help financially. Click here to donate or volunteer, and follow Pup Culture...

Maria chats with Warrior Canine Connection's Mar Leifeld, Assistant Director of MBTR--Mission Based Trauma Recovery--programs.  They discuss how veterans with PTSD help train puppies to become service dogs for veterans who need one. Warrior Canine Connection says: "One dog can help more than 80 warriors" so give a listen and learn! (This is their third time on Maria's Mutts & Stuff!) To find o...

Maria chats with Co-Director and Producer Vicki Topaz and Director MIchael Collins about their documentary By My Side ; the story of three veterans suffering from PTSD and how their service dogs  gave them back their life.  By My Side has been in 46 film festivals and has won 16 awards (with more to come I'm sure!) To learn more about the film, bymyside.com If you would like to host a screening of...

Maria chats with returning guests Adrienne, Ursula and Jane to talk about Nylabone's 70th birthday!! (Today's the day November 4th!) They discuss 70 years of chew happiness; the CHEWS for Good campaign; their partnerships especially with Best Friends Animal Society; how you can donate a chew AND how you can win prizes and so much more! Learn more at NYLABONE.COM! CLICK HERE for Info on NYLABONECAR...

Maria chats with global activist and journalist Nina Jackel, the founder of Lady Freethinker , the international non-profit animal protection organization. Their mission is to end pet abandonment; expose puppy mills; advocate for animal legislation and so much more!! Learn more at LADYFREETHINKER. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with host and producer Gemma Smith about Catbaret Presents:  Meowloween, a one-night-only cat-themed variety show on Halloween (Friday 10/31) at Caveat (21A Clinton St in NYC)! It's a variety show with comedy, music and burlesque! Wear a costume, there are prizes! (Weruva is sponsoring the show and donating to RESCUE NYC . For tickets:  catbaretshow.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Maria chats with Wildlife SOS Executive Director Nikki Sharp about the 300,000+ animals they've saved; the elimination of "dancing bears" in India, the process of eliminating "begging elephants" and more!!  Learn all about the organization, and you can make a donation too at WILDLIFESOS.ORG See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Explore.org's Naturalist (and former park ranger) Mike Fitz about Fat Bear Week (Chunk the Hunk is the winner!) which just ended, and all the cameras around the world that let us into the world of animals and nature. Explore.org brings us to places that most humans could never encounter. As Founder Charles Annenberg Weingarten said Explore.org is the "Netflix of Nature"! Check the...

Maria chats with author Beth Evans about her first book Jake the Country Cat ! The book idea came to her in a dream, a very elaborate dream with a cat and Blake Shelton! Beth is a huge advocate for animal rescue and black cats/dogs. And hopefully this is the first of a children's series. You can find Jake the Country Cat wherever books are sold! And #adoptdontshop See omnystudio.com/listener for p...