The Pet Parent Hotline | Real Help for Pet Behavior, Budgets, and Everyday Stress

Feeling overwhelmed by your pet’s behavior or the cost of keeping them healthy and cared for every day? You thought a pet would be the perfect addition to your life. Instead, your bank account’s drained, your dog won’t stop barking, your cat’s peeing everywhere, and your house is such a disaster you can’t have friends over. You’ve paid for trainers, followed your vet’s advice, and you’re still up at 2 a.m. scrolling for answers and wondering how long you can keep trying to meet everyone’s needs while ignoring your own. Many podcasts talk about caring for animals like you’ve got endless time, money, and a perfectly behaved golden retriever straight out of a Disney movie. This one doesn’t. It’s for real people who love their pets and need real help with pet behavior, their budget, and the mayhem without losing their minds or giving up. This isn’t just about helping your pets, it’s about helping you communicate clearly, set boundaries, and advocate for your pet’s needs and your own. I’m your host, Amy Castro, longtime industry pro, animal rescuer, and trusted advisor to thousands of families looking for practical pet behavior help and support. I teach pet parents the communication and advocacy skills that make everything easier, from vet visits to behavior conversations to setting boundaries at home. After fostering more than 4,000 animals and helping their people go from overwhelmed to capable and confident, I’ve learned one thing: you’re not a bad pet parent, you just haven’t gotten advice tailored to your real life. Each week, I answer your questions and break down expert insights on everything from common pet behavior mistakes and litter box trouble to saving money on vet bills and everyday expenses. On the First Wednesday of each month, I'll drop you a Pet Parent Power-Up -  a short, under-10-minute episode designed to give you a quick boost of clarity, confidence, and calm. These mini episodes focus on the human side of pet parenting, helping you communicate better, advocate for your pet and yourself, and make everyday decisions with less stress and more control. Think of it as a monthly power-up for your mindset, your routines, and your sanity. You’ll walk away with bite-sized steps that actually work for your budget, your schedule, and your perfectly imperfect pets. So you can stop chasing your tail and finally enjoy your animals, and your life, again. Start with the episode that matches what you’re dealing with today, and let’s make things easier together.