The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society offers suggestions to a California woman whose two cats seem to be suffering from separation anxiety. A call from Virginia reveals an unusual relationship between a dog and a television. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Harsh criticism and allegations of turning a blind eye to animal cruelty have put America’s largest association of dog breeders and enthusiasts under the microscope. New York Times reporter Mary Pilon is covering this story and she shares the details. Wayne Pacelle, president and C.EO of the Humane Society, explains why his organization uses undercover operations to expose mistreatment of animals. The segment concludes with BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman helps a Maryland woman determine the reason behind her Russian tortoise’s lack of appetite. A dog’s companion in the nation’s capital is looking for ways to curb the canine’s excessive eating habits. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Baby Elephant Walk” by Quincy Jones

Bob Poole is a celebrated wildlife filmmaker and his sister Joyce is the world’s foremost elephant researcher. Sam Litzinger speaks to both about their National Geographic documentary "War Elephants." Travel expert Andrew Mersmann discusses the various ways to vacation and volunteer to help animals at the same time. After that, it’s The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society offers suggestions to a California man with a 13-year-old Springer Spaniel that is suffering from geriatric vestibular syndrome. A Virginia woman seeks an explanation for her dog’s clicking jaw and grinding teeth. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Lisa LaFontaine, president and CEO of the Washington Humane Society, the nation’s only federally-chartered animal welfare organization, takes us on a tour of its animal care and control facility in D.C. Floridian Jeff Bennett talks about his role as one of 2,400 volunteer aviators working with Pilots N Paws, an animal rescue organization that uses airplanes to transport shelter pets to new homes around the country. The segment concludes with BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James; “Come Fly With Me” by Frank Sinatra; “Come Fly With Me” by Michael Buble’

Dr. Gary Weitzman offers a few suggestions to a man seeking humane ways to remove rats from his residence. A Maryland woman wants alternative methods for treating her cat’s flea infestation because of a lack of success with commercial products. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Walking The Dog” by Katia & Marielle Labeque

Cori Menkin of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, talks about the organization’s campaign to expose the mistreatment of animals that are used in large-scale commercial dog breeding operations known as puppy mills. We have a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show primer from pet care expert Charlotte Reed. After, we get The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society helps a Virginia woman figure out why her dog has an inexplicable attraction to random streams of light. A Maryland man seeks a remedy for his Cordon Bleu Finch (pictured) that is losing its feathers. Weitzman enlists the input of Dr. Laurie Hess, chief veterinarian of Veterinary Center for Birds and Exotics in Bedford Hills, N.Y., and contributor to Pet Health Network.com Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Eric Dinerstein, chief scientist for the World Wildlife Fund, talks about his new book, "The Kingdom of Rarities." It's a chronicle of his global encounters with wildlife and an examination of varying concepts of rarity as they relate to species conservation. White Nose Syndrome, the intractable fungus responsible for killing millions of North American bats over the past seven years, has been discovered recently in Mammoth Cave National Park. Then, an expert on the syndrome, Ann Froschauer of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, relays the details. Music: "Animal Dreams" by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society has a few suggestions for a Maryland woman who is battling to control her cat’s flea infestation. A Virginia woman seeks a different approach to “canine integration” after her three Jack Russell terriers objected to her bringing home a service dog. Music: "Road Dogs" by Acoustic Alchemy

With their populations down to only a fraction of what they once were, Chesapeake Bay oysters are in need of serious help. That’s where the Harris Creek Habitat Restoration Project comes in. It’s the largest such effort on the East Coast, with the goal of putting tens of millions of oysters back into the bay over the next decade. WAMU producer Michael Martinez traveled to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to learn more about this tall order from Stephan Abel, executive director of the Oyster Recovery Partnership. Stephanie Westby of NOAA also spoke about the project and her agency’s role. Also featured: The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society comes to the aid of a California woman who added a new rescue canine to her family, only to have a negative reaction from the other dogs in her household. The companion of a cat in Louisiana is concerned about the feline’s compulsive and destructive tail chewing.

Thanks to a successful legal challenge, people who volunteer to foster pets for animal rescue organizations can receive tax deductions for their efforts. Jonathan Lovvorn, chief counsel of The Humane Society of the United States, sorts out the specifics for us. The "Odd Pet Vet," Dr. Greg Mertz of The New England Wildlife Center, thinks he’s discovered the reason behind an alarming incidence of blindness among leopard geckos. He shares his findings with Sam Litzinger. Music: "Animal Dreams" by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society devises a plan to curb a cat’s compulsive over grooming of an area that has recently undergone surgery. The companion of a Labrador Retriever in the nation’s capital is worried about the canine’s persistent limp. A 6-year-old Lhasa Apso in Georgia has an aversion to using a “litter pad” and the dog’s caretaker seeks an alternative. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra