Talking Animals

Duncan Strauss
  • 4.2 (24)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Talking Animals

Hosted by Duncan Strauss, Talking Animals is a weekly radio show about animals and animal issues. It currently airs Wednesdays, from 10-11am ET, on WMNF (88.5 FM), a 70,000-watt NPR affiliate in Tampa. The core of Talking Animals is a long-form interview with prominent figures in the animal world or notable folks in other fields who have ties to animal welfare. Past guests include Jane Goodall, Alec Baldwin, Temple Grandin, Dr. Neal Barnard, Lily Tomlin, Bob Barker, Neko Case, Nathan Runkle, Dr. Lori Marino, Jackson Galaxy, Paula Poundstone, Brian May, and Sy Montgomery. Alongside the interview, Talking Animals is rounded out by animal news and announcements, animal songs, animal comedy, and a quick quiz feature, Name That Animal Tune. https://talkinganimals.net

  1. NOV 27

    Justin Barker, anti-captivity activist, author

    Justin Barker–an anti-captivity activist with a compelling narrative, starting with launching his first organization, Citizens Lobbying for Animals in Zoos, at age 13—recalls the family culture his parents cultivated that yielded a teen activist particularly empathetic to zoo animals and other captive wildlife. Barker further notes that a key step in his journey toward becoming a precocious animal activist was a serendipitous visit to a used bookstore, where he picked up a copy of “Kids Can Save the Animals: 101 Easy Things to Do,” written by PETA president Ingrid Newkirk. The book served Barker as an instructional manual of sorts. He recounts cajoling his Dad to take him to the Sacramento Zoo on a summer’s day. Upon arrival, even as a young kid, Barker observed a number of things that felt wrong about the facility, from the quality of the enclosures to the condition of, and types of, animals exhibited—particularly struck by the polar bear on display amidst 105-degree temperatures. I inquired why he thought—as an early teen—he was upset by what he witnessed during his visits to the Sacramento Zoo, but compelled to take action against those upsetting sights. Especially when so many people of various ages and backgrounds are charmed by zoos, finding the animals—and how they’re presented—enchanting. On a related note, he discusses a separate campaign to rescue and relocate two bears, Brutus and Ursula, who were living in what was left of a largely-defunct, ramshackle zoo that often flooded. Horrific conditions. Years later, he wrote a book, a YA memoir, chronicling those experiences, “Bear Boy: The True Story of a Boy, Two Bears, and the Fight to be Free.” The book was published a few years ago, yet just days prior to the interview, someone identifying himself as a blind person contacted Barker, asking if could make “Bear Boy” available as an audio book. Because he’s a tech wiz, he’d found a way to produce the audio book by the next day, and it was officially released Nov. 26, the day before this interview; we aired a brief audio clip. We touched on his current campaign: San Francisco Zoo Watch, which chronicles the years-long string of animal deaths—plus at least one patron death—and various other forms of alleged mismanagement at the San Francisco Zoo. [Photo of Barker: by Robin Weir…Bear by Tom Myers…Zoo protest by In Defense of Animals] (https://justinbarker.tv/, https://www.sfzoo.watch/) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Nadia Tenouri, an organizer of ThanksVegan, the 15th annual potluck extravaganza–arranged by Florida Voices for Animals–held on Thanksgiving Day. In this case, that was slated to be Nov. 28, and held, as always, at Unitarian Universalist of Tampa. In briefly describing the key traits of ThanksVegan, Tenouri drops something of a bombshell, mentioning this year may mark the final year of the event. As for why, she explained the core organizers feeling increasingly challenged by an array of factors, including some fellow organizers having moved out of the area, rising rental fees on the facility, and other complications. She outlined the basic criteria to participate—bringing a vegan dish that serves eight (16, if you’re part of a couple), ideally with an ingredient list and serving utensil—and paying a certain fee, depending on the size of a dish one brings, or if no dish was brought. Other questions could be posed to ThanksVegan@gmail.com or probably found on the website: https://www.floridavoicesforanimals.org/thanksvegan COMEDY CORNER: Jim Gaffigan’s  “Happy Thanksgiving” (https://jimgaffigan.com/) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog” (https://georgeclinton.com/) AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TANov27Final.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

  2. NOV 20

    Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer”–11th Edition

    As we’ve done 10 times prior—spanning three-plus years–today’s program involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the show-length feature, “Ask The Trainer.” In each instance, listeners are invited to call or email questions about their dogs or cats, particularly involving behavioral issues or training concerns. The Trainer these listeners have an opportunity to consult is Glen Hatchell, the now-retired Behavior and Enrichment Manager at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, and an accomplished dog trainer and behavior expert. He is also a former WMNF programmer, and occasional “Talking Animals” guest host. In today’s edition, before taking the first listener question, Glen spoke about the importance of recognizing that for desired behavioral changes to take hold—whether it’s in the family dog or in a human, like Glen himself—it can take variable lengths of time: It might need three tries, maybe it takes three days, sometimes it could involve 6 months, sometimes it could be longer than that. It requires patience, repetition, and encouragement. From there, fielded an array of calls and emails from listeners, starting with the initial, anonymous caller explaining that he has two Staffordshire Bull Terriers, both females, spayed, and one has suddenly become intensely aggressive. After asking a series of questions, Glen recommended taking the dog to the veterinarian for a complete exam, noting this kind of aggression can be caused by pain from an undetected ailment…Vince from Pinellas Park phoned to politely correct Glen, who in the opening segment, had mistakenly mentioned Pavlov when he meant Skinner; Glen thanked Vince, genuinely appreciative that he caught the error…Jack called in about his three-year-old Coonhound Beagle mix, who’d lost his appetite for dry food, thought the reason might be dental problems (until the dog polished off a rawhide treat). Glen suggested adding thing to the dry food—chicken broth, wet food, vegetable broth, etc.—to make it more appealing. Later in the show, Louis from Sarasota phoned, expressly to suggest to Jack that he sprinkle nutritional yeast over the dry food…There were other participants in the show, including Marilyn from California (whose dog panics whenever the phone rings), a woman who didn’t give her name (her Great Pyrenees seems afraid of everything, and so on. Resources include The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) https://www.ccpdt.org/, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) https://iaabc.org/ COMEDY CORNER: There was no “Comedy Corner” today. MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE:  We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today. AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TANov20Final.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

  3. NOV 6

    Peter Singer, philosopher, professor, author: “Consider The Turkey”

    Peter Singer–the philosopher, professor emeritus of bioethics at Princeton University, and author (including his landmark 1975 work, “Animal Liberation” and the just-published “Consider The Turkey”—explains that his slate of pursuits post-retirement from Princeton includes a stint as visiting professor at the National University of Singapore. He goes on to clarify that while, yes, he did retire from Princeton (after 25 years, he felt it was time), he in no way indicated an intention to retire overall. Indeed, he maintains a brimming calendar, juggling numerous speaking engagements across China, preparations for appearing on a television program, co-hosting a podcast, “Lives Well Lived,” fulfilling his duties for the new post at National University of Singapore, and probably more–all while based in his native Melbourne, Australia. Singer addresses “Consider The Turkey,” his small but mighty latest literary effort, geared for the Holidays, recalling that it’s an outgrowth of an essay he wrote some years ago (noting the title plays on David Foster Wallace’s piece, “Consider the Lobster”), revamped as a mini-hardbound edition issue. This hand-sized book packs a powerful wallop, as it carries out his objective, which Singer explains here is to help make friends and family aware of what all happens, in the realm of factory farming to cultivate the turkey that becomes Thanksgiving dinner. Part of that account includes him pointing out that these birds have been so grotesquely bred to produce giant breasts, such that mating is physically impossible. So the corporate meat producers, to generate the staggering number of turkeys necessary for Thanksgiving (and other holidays), resort to artificial insemination. Singer’s description of that procedure—both in “Consider The Turkey” and this conversation—is not for the faint of heart. Ditto his report on those dire circumstances of flock-wide illness, such as “bird flu,” and how they’re exterminated en masse…a process called, in a shot of semantic derring-do,  “depopulation.” We cover a raft of other topics, including factory farming’s role in climate change, and—this interview having been recorded on the eve of Election Day—his dim view of how the U.S. handles elections, relative to how his native Australia does. (https://www.petersinger.info/)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with Karri Head, Marketing honcho at Pet Pal Animal Shelter, who first provided a brief overview of Pet Pal’s history and mission. She otherwise described the VEG PeliPAWS Dog Walk/Run, the half mile event slated to be held Friday, Nov. 15, first outlining some information about Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), the entity that’s re-cast the human emergency room experience for treating pets, and the sponsor of this Dog Walk/Run. The key details that Head provides include that the event gets underway at Albert Whitted Park at 6pm, that people can visit the Dog Walk website to register or get more information  (https://stpeterunfest.org/pelipaws-dog-walk/), and that proceeds from the registration fees are earmarked to benefit Pet Pal Animal Shelter. (https://petpalanimalshelter.com/) COMEDY CORNER: Amir K’s “My Dog Talked To Me” (https://amircomedy.com/) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE:  Heart’s “Barracuda” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TANov6Final.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

  4. OCT 30

    Jodie Wiederkehr, Founder-Executive Director of the Chicago Alliance for Animals

    Jodie Wiederkehr–veteran animal advocate and Founder-Executive Director of the Chicago Alliance for Animals (CAA)—recounts details of how CAA was formed, in 2015. (She has recalled in a previous “Talking Animals” conversation how her earliest professional animal advocacy work began in 1997.) Wiederkehr explained that she and her initial CAA cohort decided that aiming to ban horse-drawn carriages would be “an easy target” for their first campaign, and an ideal way to get started, while occasionally shifting to an anti-circus strategy when a circus rolled into town. But after a period of flyering and generally gentle efforts to raise awareness, Wiederkehr remembered that while she and a colleague were working the CAA booth at an Animal Rights conference in Washington D.C., and began chatting about the carriage campaign, they realized it was too mild, and decided they needed to “up their game.” Not long after they returned to Chicago, (incidentally: while not the intention going into the interview, this conversation unfolded into what might be labeled “Anatomy Of A Victorious, Major Animal Rights Campaign”), Wiederkehr and company implemented the more rigorous version of the campaign, including spending 12 or more hours a day documenting how the carriage horses were being treated relative to the city’s regulations for them: how many hours per day, how many rides, what are the temperatures, and so on. She goes on to chronicle challenges and delays involved with engaging the City Council, and how one key alderperson—whose district included the horse carriage rides—refused to meet with Wiederkehr or return her calls, yet persuaded by CAA’s research and media coverage, yet ultimately proceeded to introduce legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages. Wiederkehr has helped others elsewhere tackle this issue by forming the Partnership to Ban Horse Carriages Worldwide, by offering guidance to those running such campaigns. We covered some other topics, among them, current CAA campaigns, such as “Free Spur,” an ongoing effort to gain release of the titular Spur. an African tortoise who’s been cooped up in a small display case in Chicago for more than 30 years. Additionally, we touched on “If Cage Walls Could Talk,” Wiederkehr’s weekly radio show, focused on animal rights issues and leaders, airing Saturdays, 5-6pm CT on WCPT. (https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/, https://www.facebook.com/ChiAnimalRights/, https://www.instagram.com/chicago_alliance_for_animals/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/partnershiptobanhorsecarriagesworldwide) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Myriam Parham, co-founder and president of Florida Voices for Animals (FVA), the longtime Tampa-based animal rights organization. FVA pursues a multifaceted agenda, placing a premium on educating the public about animal abuse and promoting veganism. Regarding the latter objective, FVA serves as the organizer of the Tampa Bay Veg Fest, a nationally-acclaimed annual event typically held in early November. Unfortunately, the chief reason Myriam appeared on the show today was to discuss the news that—owing to the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton—this year’s Veg Fest (the 13th annual edition) had to be canceled. She explained that, with the wide array of folks who sustained damage from the devastating storms—including Veg Fest organizers, vendors, and volunteers—it was impractical to proceed with this year’s festival. But going forward, Parham makes it clear that FVA intends to resume presenting the Tampa Bay Veg Fest next year, and meanwhile, is forging ahead with its slate of other events, including the annual ThanksVegan Potluck, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, at Unitarian Universalist of Tampa, 11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa. More Info: ThanksVegan@gmail.com (https://www.floridavoicesforanimals.org/, https://www.tampabayvegfest.com/) COMEDY CORNER: In the interest of having more time to speak with Myriam Parham, we decided [..

  5. OCT 24

    Mara Hvistendahl, New York Times reporter: “The Panda Factories”

    Mara Hvistendahl, a The New York Times reporter who wrote “The Panda Factories”–an extraordinary piece of investigative journalism probing the impact of China’s gambit nearly 30 years ago to send pandas to zoos in other countries, hoping the visiting animals would breed, ultimately resulting in pandas that could be returned to the wild–recounts the genesis of the story. On the path to revealing a raft of important information, “The Panda Factories” presents a fundamental fiction about the “conservation” efforts that many zoos tout: It’s baloney—animals born at zoos are rarely, or never, released into the wild. We discuss how this is a core element of the piece, Hvistendahl explaining how, over the course of her reporting, not only did the conservation outcome of the panda program fail to materialize, but widened out into something more nefarious and mercenary. I raised the notion of certain animals at zoos functioning as marquee attractions, noting that for many zoos–for many years–elephants served that role. But in the last generation or so, the zoo industry has had something of a reckoning regarding displaying elephants, with multiple zoos realizing that’s no way for elephants to live, and sending their elephants to sanctuaries. (It happened again this week: the Oakland Zoo, despite having a relatively large and lauded elephant habitat, sent its elephant, Osh, to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.) Hvistendahl responds to my inquiry about whether she foresees a time where there might be a similar reckoning whereby zoos re-assess the pros and cons of making deals to exhibit pandas. On the subject of “making deals,” and how much of the panda picture appears to be characterized by a “money talks” ethos, at all levels, Hvistendahl addresses the fee zoos pay for the right to exhibit a pair of pandas for a year ($1.1 million), the additional dough charged if a pair has a cub ($600k), ranging to the bonuses paid to breeding centers in China for every cub that lives to six months ($1400), as well as the esoteric remuneration for “special achievements” ($7050). With so much cash at stake for the birth of baby pandas, it probably shouldn’t be surprising that artificial insemination has become central to the panda program. But it is disturbing, with the procedure sometimes carried out in sloppy fashion, and on occasion, it was downright painful, or worse, for the pandas, as detailed in Hvistendahl’s piece and discussed in our conversation. (Photo Credits…Pandas: The New York Times; Gift Shop: Ariana Drehsler for The New York Times) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Rick Chaboudy, Executive Director of the Suncoast Animal League, in Palm Harbor, who described Suncoast and its mission (he’s also the organization’s co-founder). He recounts that Suncoast emerged relatively unscathed from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That’s the good news. The bad news, though, is that Dogtoberfest—their biggest, most important event each year—will be postponed until 2025, owing to Highlander Park, typically the Dogtoberfest site, being used as a post-storm FEMA location. Suncoast organizes and participates in many events, large and small, and Chaboudy briefly describes an imminent one: The “Canines & Cowgirls Adoptable Pet Fashion Show,” happening Sunday, Oct. 27, from 4pm to 8pm at Neighborhood Bark. He notes the activities planned for that day include the Best Dressed Pet Contest (including dogs dressed as cowgirls), live music, a video booth to capture selfies and memories from the event, and lots more. A portion of the ticket proceeds go to Suncoast Animal League (https://www.suncoastanimalleague.org/, https://www.facebook.com/events/1516549915611121/) COMEDY CORNER: Mike Birbiglia’s “Pandas and Porn” [DS edit] (https://www.birbigs.com/) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE:  We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” [...]

  6. OCT 16

    Nancy Murrah, President of The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay

    Nancy Murrah—President of The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay (RCTB), which rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hundreds of native birds of prey annually—describes the preparations required at RCTB before something like Hurricane Milton, and how the facility fared through the storm. This led to a discussion of why tending to a veritable battalion of squirrels constituted a major post-Milton activity at the RCTB, veering into acknowledging a method for reuniting mother squirrels with their missing babies: playing a recording of a baby squirrel call—easily found on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGtA8w-hlTw)–which sends Mama Squirrel scurrying toward that canned cry and the infant critter. Laying some fundamental groundwork, Murrah explains what a raptor is (bird of prey), what traits make it a raptor, the various types of such birds and their attendant prey. For this interview, conducted in the studio at WMNF, Murrah brought an American Kestrel, North America’s smallest falcon. This one, named Chirp, was quietly charming, and an excellent guest. She recalled how she initially became interested in raptors, and rescuing them, outlining what she loves about them, and in what profound ways these birds speak to her. Murrah provides an overview of the ailments and injuries that most commonly lead to birds of prey being rescued and rehabilitated by the Raptor Center. As for how the Raptor Center operation is funded, Murrah emphasized the importance of revenue generated by their events—notably, the annual Wonders of Wildlife Festival, happening this year on Nov. 9, at Edward Medard Conservation Park, in Plant City. She spelled out some of the Festival events and activities, providing attendees with the opportunity to see some of Florida’s native species up close—among them, birds of prey, skunks, snakes, tortoises and others–demonstrations, wildlife programs, live animal presentations, exhibits, and more. Tickets are available on the RCTB website (https://www.raptorcenteroftampabay.org/wonders-of-wildlife-festival) or the Festival’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WondersOfWildlife2020    ALSO: I spoke briefly with Ann Paul, an organizer of the annual Florida Birding and Nature Festival, ordinarily a four-day event held in and around Apollo Beach—conceived that way this year (Oct. 17-20)—but, she explained, the impact of Hurricane Milton prompted Paul and her colleagues to pare back the activities. But, she enthused, this Milton-spawned pruning still left an array of opportunities to observe and learn about wildlife, including a dozen or more field trips, 14 seminars, and a two-day Expo of various vendors and booths. Paul also highlighted the two Keynote Speakers: David Sibley delivering a talk entitled “American Ornithologist” on Oct. 18, and Tim Laman, on Oct, 19, whose lecture is labeled “A Photography Journey.” The Festival’s schedule and other info, including how to buy tickets, can be found at: https://www.floridabirdingandnaturefestival.org/   COMEDY CORNER: Andy Ritchie’s  “Balthazar” MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE:  We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today. AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TAOct16Final.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

  7. OCT 2

    Melissa Zepeda, attorney, animal rights advocate, Amendment 2 foe

    Melissa Zepeda–an attorney and accomplished animal rights advocate, with a notable breadth of interests and topics that have animated her activism—recalls growing up in family that revered animals, then being stopped in her tracks when a fellow high school debate-club member asked her how Zepeda could love her dog yet eat a hamburger. Zepeda not only didn’t recoil at that challenge, but instantly agreed–she stopped eating meat–recounting that her friend’s question struck her as perfectly sound in the ways of debate-club logic. In that same part of the conversation, she mentioned participating in a circus protest while in college, pointing out that her Mom attended exactly one circus show before realizing that it imperiled the performing animals, refusing to ever again enter the big top. Concern for animal welfare clearly runs in the family. Zepeda confirms my suspicion that her chief motivation for going to law school was to become a more effective animal advocate, while clarifying that her activism is wholly separate from her day job as a corporate lawyer. (She opted not to identify the company she works for.) This, and other exchanges, served as a prelude to an extended discussion of Amendment 2, a Florida ballot measure that would provide a state constitutional right to hunt and fish, and that those activities are the preferred means for—in a pivotal phrase—“responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife….” Zepeda has closely studied and analyzed Amendment 2, becoming steeped in the measure, and she’s slated to share her expertise, and her opposition to 2, in a talk at the Tampa Bay Veg Fest, happening Nov. 2 at Perry Harvey Sr. Park. While noting Floridians currently can already hunt and fish with impunity—raising the question: Why is there a need for a state constitutional right?–Zepeda articulates the pitfalls of the measure, capping it off with what she calls its “booby trap.” This part of the “Talking Animals” conversation functioned as a sneak preview of her Veg Fest lecture, scheduled to get underway at 11:30am. (https://www.tampabayvegfest.com/, https://noto2.org/) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Jason Cowen, executive director of Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, one of the organizations participating in this unusual–yet highly significant–upcoming fundraiser, “Brews for Birds.” It’s a beer crawl scheduled to take place on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2pm to 6pm-ish, Cowen explained, involving four St. Pete beer dispensaries, raising money—shared amongst four bird-oriented organizations (Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, St. Pete Audubon, Suncoast Sierra Club, Boyd Hill)—in an effort to help protect raptors from rodenticides. The monies generated will fund lab tests to analyze some of these cases. Cowen mentioned that “Brews for Birds”—tickets are a $25 donation–will additionally serve as a separate benefit of sorts for Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, which sustained considerable damage in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s ferocious onslaught. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brews-for-birds-tickets-1002079616107, https://seasideseabirdsanctuary.org/, https://www.stpeteaudubon.org/, https://www.sierraclub.org/, https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/boydhillpreserve/) COMEDY CORNER: Matt Braunger’s “Panda Butler”  (https://www.mattbraunger.com/) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE:  We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today. AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TAOct2Final.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

  8. SEP 18

    Marion Gwizdala, CEO of Advocates for Service Animal Partners Inc. (ASAP)

    Marion Gwizdala, CEO of Advocates for Service Animal Partners Inc. (ASAP)—a Tampa-based national nonprofit dedicated to securing, protecting, and advancing the rights and responsibilities of service animal handlers and the businesses they patronize—recalls receiving his first service dog in 1987, and just days later, encountering discrimination when a restaurant he frequented prevented Gwizdala from entering with that dog. This gives way to him discussing the federal legislation prohibiting that kind of inequity was put in place just three years later, noting that similar Florida law has more teeth—and that fines for violations of such laws have escalated dramatically, in some cases reaching as high as $75,000. Noting that I’ve done multiple shows over the years seeking to address  the confusion—both innocent and calculated—about what constitutes a service animal, I ask Gwizdala to define what a service dog is and isn’t. He responds, advising asking the dog handler that’s encountered a couple of fundamental questions. The answers to those queries—and, particularly, the dog’s behavior—can largely identify the pooch in question as a legitimate service animal. Or not. Gwizdala clarifies that a vest worn by the canine, or “documentation,” are, in fact, empty indicators of that animal’s status—easily purchased online or elsewhere, but not at all bonafide. Gwizdala identifies the breed of his guide dog, Trooper (Smooth Coat Blue Merle Collie), and outlines key beats of their days together, specifying that each day can vary greatly in tasks, locations, paths taken, correcting the misconception that guide dogs—and their humans–tend to travel the same “routes” everyday. Gwizdala highlights that ASAP operates the only 24-hour national hotline to assist service animal handlers and the businesses they patronize in understanding their mutual rights and responsibilities under state and federal laws. The hotline number is 855-ASAP211 (855-272-7211); there’s also a wealth of information and resources presented on the ASAP website: https://serviceanimals.info/   ALSO: I spoke briefly with Charlotte Arndt & Griffin Richardson, of Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, filling us in on a new venture the Sanctuary is launching, the “Seaside Birding Club,” with its initial outing the “Seaside Birding Club at Walsingham Park,” on Sept. 28. The pair began by providing a brief overview of the Sanctuary, including its location and mission, and explaining the protocol if someone in the general proximity of the Sanctuary sees an injured seabird or one that otherwise appears to need help. Arndt & Richardson mention some additional forthcoming Sanctuary events, including the Bird Book Club and the double-pun “Owl-O-Ween Spooktacular.” (https://seasideseabirdsanctuary.org/, https://www.facebook.com/SeasideSeabird/, https://www.instagram.com/seaside4thebirds)     COMEDY CORNER: Alex Edelman’s “Koko The Gorilla”  (https://www.alexedelmancomedy.com/) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE:  We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today. AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TASept18Final.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

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4.2
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Hosted by Duncan Strauss, Talking Animals is a weekly radio show about animals and animal issues. It currently airs Wednesdays, from 10-11am ET, on WMNF (88.5 FM), a 70,000-watt NPR affiliate in Tampa. The core of Talking Animals is a long-form interview with prominent figures in the animal world or notable folks in other fields who have ties to animal welfare. Past guests include Jane Goodall, Alec Baldwin, Temple Grandin, Dr. Neal Barnard, Lily Tomlin, Bob Barker, Neko Case, Nathan Runkle, Dr. Lori Marino, Jackson Galaxy, Paula Poundstone, Brian May, and Sy Montgomery. Alongside the interview, Talking Animals is rounded out by animal news and announcements, animal songs, animal comedy, and a quick quiz feature, Name That Animal Tune. https://talkinganimals.net

Information

  • Creator
    Duncan Strauss
  • Years Active
    2007 - 2024
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Talking Animals

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