The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle

This week on The Fur Real Podcast , host Mark A Kyle travels deep into the heart of animal rescue and education with Dave Siddon, Executive Director of Wildlife Images Rehabilitation & Education Center. Founded by Dave’s father, wildlife filmmaker J. David Siddon, Wildlife Images has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of animals while educating generations about the wonders of the wild. From...

They’re misunderstood, mythologized, and often feared — but bats might just be the unsung heroes of our planet. This week, legendary bat expert Merlin Tuttle joins The Fur Real Podcast to set the record straight. From pollinating your favorite foods (yes, even tequila starts with bats) to devouring crop-destroying pests by the billions, bats play a vital role in our ecosystems — and yet, they're c...

This week we journey to the lush hills of Costa Rica, where over a million stray dogs roam the streets—but one woman dared to make a difference. Meet Lya Battle , the remarkable founder of Territorio de Zaguates , also known as Land of the Strays —one of the largest free-range dog sanctuaries in the world. What began with the rescue of a single dog has grown into a 400-acre paradise that now shelt...

Renowned animal communicator Leslie Cirinesi of I Speak to Animals  joins us this week. Have you ever wondered what your pet is thinking or feeling? Leslie has dedicated her life to bridging the gap between humans and animals, helping people better understand their beloved companions through intuitive communication. In this heartfelt and fascinating episode, Leslie shares how she discovered her un...

Imagine navigating the world without sight. In this inspiring episode, Christine Benninger, President and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), joins us to share how one rescued German Shepherd named Blondie sparked a movement in 1942 to help WWII veterans—and how that mission has evolved into the largest guide dog organization in North America. With over 16,000 guide dog teams graduated , GDB co...

Silver Linings for Senior Dogs – The Rescue Ranch Giving Aging Pups a Second Chance Every cloud has a silver lining—and for senior dogs in Bend, Oregon, that silver lining is Silver Linings Rescue Ranch . Founded by Erica Psaltis, this heartwarming sanctuary is dedicated to giving older dogs the love, dignity, and second chance they so deeply deserve. After adopting a senior dog herself, Erica dis...

A Donkey to Thousands: of Equines... The Wild Ride of All Seated in a Barn What began as a mission to save a single donkey quickly turned into something much bigger—a full-blown equine sanctuary rescuing thousands. In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, we sit down with Tahlia Fischer, the unstoppable founder of All Seated in a Barn . With grit, passion, and a whole lot of heart, Tahlia turne...

Meet Professor Bryan Fry – Venom Scientist, Komodo Dragon Expert, and All-Around Adventure Seeker When your guest has an adrenaline molecule tattooed on his neck, you know you're in for a wild ride — and this episode absolutely delivers. Professor Bryan Fry is one of the world’s leading experts on venom and Komodo dragons, and in this episode of The Fur Real Podcast , he breaks down the fascinatin...

The wonderfully wacky — and surprisingly cuddly — world of skunks with Deborah Cipriani, founder of Skunkhaven! A licensed skunk rescue in the United States, Skunkhaven is more than just a safe haven — it’s a full-on mission to change the way people see these misunderstood animals. Deborah shares how she went from curious pet owner to full-time skunk advocate, building a sanctuary that educates, r...

Lee Asher......You’ve seen him on social media rescuing animals, transforming lives, and living his dream surrounded by a pack of pups — now hear the story behind the mission. Lee opens up about what inspired him to leave his corporate life behind, how he built a sanctuary (The Asher House) from scratch, and what keeps him going through the chaos (and joy!) of caring for dozens of dogs. From road...

We’re joined by the incredibly multi-talented Kate Zenna — actor, director, producer, writer... and above all, a devoted dog rescuer. Kate has been a lifelong dog lover and proudly lives with a pack of pups she’s rescued over the years. Her tireless commitment to giving dogs a second chance has earned her a title I use with the utmost admiration: the crazy dog lady — and trust me, it’s the highest...

In this episode of The Fur Real Podcast , we head to the Arctic with Dr. Steven Amstrup of Polar Bears International , the world’s leading organization dedicated to the conservation of polar bears and their sea ice habitat. With climate change melting the Arctic at an alarming rate, polar bears are being pushed to their limits—swimming longer distances, struggling to hunt, and adapting to a rapidl...

When you think of cryotherapy, you probably picture a human stepping into a freezing cold chamber — but did you know cryotherapy is now helping horses  without the giant ice-box contraptions? This week on The Fur Real Podcast , we dive into the cold, hard facts with Brady Case of Precision Equine Therapy, a pioneer bringing mobile cryotherapy directly to horses (and even their owners!). Brady brea...

What comes to mind when you hear the word Penguin ? Not the Batman villain (though he had some flair)… We’re talking about the real-deal, black-and-white waddlers—like Charlie Chaplin in a tux, just with more feathers and fish breath. In today’s episode  we welcome Professor Richard Reina, a top expert in animal responses to the environment and—get this—a leading authority on the Little Penguin ....

🎬 Ever wonder how they get a bear to drive a golf cart—or a dog to save the day on cue? In this wildly entertaining episode of Fur Real , we pull back the curtain on the magic behind Hollywood’s most talented animal stars. From Lassie to Flipper, Gentle Ben to the majestic lion in Secondhand Lions , there’s one name behind the scenes who’s helped bring these iconic animal performances to life: Bo...

You’ve definitely seen their photo — big round eyes, a chubby-cheeked smile, and an almost cartoonishly cute face. But did you know the name of this camera-loving marsupial? Meet the quokka , famously dubbed “The Happiest Animal in the World.” In this wildly fun episode of Fur Real , host Mark Kyle is joined by Dr. Matthew Hayward , a leading quokka expert, author of Saving Biodiversity , and prof...

Coyotes: The Secret Neighbors You Never Knew You Had Coyotes are everywhere—from the open deserts to the heart of major cities—but how much do you really know about them? Are they dangerous? Do they hunt in packs? And why do they have such a legendary reputation, from Native American trickster tales to the relentless Wile E. Coyote? This week on The Fur Real Podcast , we’re joined by Dr. Stanley G...

The Cutting Edge of Exotic Animal Medicine If you love diving deep into the world of veterinary medicine—or even if you don’t think you do—this episode will absolutely blow your mind! Dr. Stephen Divers, a world-renowned specialist in endosurgery, joins The Fur Real Podcast to reveal the incredible advancements happening in minimally invasive surgery for animals. Endoscopic surgery is revolutioniz...

You’ve heard of the Big Bad Wolf,  Call of the Wild , and countless other wolf tales… but have you ever heard of Sea Wolves ? These extraordinary wolves are unlike any others on Earth. Joining us today is Dr. Chris Darimont —a professor at the University of Victoria, the Director of Science at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and one of the world’s leading experts on Sea Wolves. He’s here to...

🎶 Singing for the Animals: The Plumes Officiel Story 🎶 What happens when you bring a guitar, a chair, and a song to a field of cows? If you’re Plumes Officiel , you end up with a herd of new fans—literally! It all started when he heard that cows love music, so he decided to test it out on his grandmother’s farm. The moment he started strumming, the cows ran over, snuggled up, and listened intent...

Tiny but Mighty: The Fascinating World of Chihuahuas  If you've ever had the pleasure of owning a Chihuahua, you already know they’re intelligent, loving, and fiercely loyal—despite their tiny size! But did you know these so-called "rat dogs" have a history that dates back to the Aztecs? Or that royalty once used them as foot warmers? This week on Fur Real , I’m joined by Linda Hempler, founder of...

Taking your pet to the veterinarian can sometimes feel like a guessing game. You describe the symptoms, and your vet does their best to diagnose the issue—but without your furry friend being able to say, "Hey, this is exactly what's wrong," getting the right answer isn’t always easy. But what if there were a test that could pinpoint the problem with incredible accuracy and even identify the best m...

From Two Donkeys to a Lifesaving Mission: The Story of Longhopes Donkey Shelter What started as a simple search for two donkeys turned into a 25-year journey of rescue, rehabilitation, and advocacy. Kathy Dean, founder of Longhopes Donkey Shelter , didn’t just open the first accredited donkey shelter in the U.S.—she created a safe haven for donkeys in need, from those at risk of slaughter to elder...

Did you know that the most trafficked animal in the world isn’t elephants, rhinos, or tigers—but the humble pangolin? These elusive, armor-clad creatures, often called "scaly anteaters," are so rare that many people have never even heard of them. And yet, they are being pushed to the brink of extinction due to illegal wildlife trade. In this eye-opening episode of Fur Real , I sit down with Dr. Ma...

At just six years old, Ethan Branscum had a big dream—to make rescue pets the official symbolic pet of Kentucky. With the unwavering support of his mom, Miche, he is making it  happen! But he's not stopping there. His next goal? Making rescue pets the national symbolic pet of the United States. It almost happened, but then COVID-19 put the brakes on his progress. Fast forward to today—Ethan is now...