The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

Steven Latham talks about his PBS film, "Shelter Me." Erin Stromberg, a great ape keeper at the Smithsonian National Zoo talks about a new study that examines heart disease, the leading cause of death in primates. Great apes will be on display on Sept. 20 when the National Zoo toasts wildlife conservation while sampling wines from wineries and vineyards during its Grapes With the Apes event.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society speaks to a woman who wants to aid a colony of feral cats. Exotic reptile expert Dr. Scott Stahl helps Weitzman counsel a man seeking the best approach to feed his blue-tongued skink. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Marine biologist Jake Levinson was part of a team of scientists that developed iPhone technology that can detect whales in open water. Levinson speaks to Sam Litzinger about the implications for whales and the shipping industry. read more

Dr. Gary Weitzman ponders the reasons behind and possible solutions to a canine’s frequent attacks against his family’s vacuum cleaner.

The Non-Human Rights Project is "the only organization working toward actual legal rights for members of species other than our own.” The project’s director is Steven Wise, who has taught animal rights law at Harvard University and the University of Miami. Wise speaks to Sam Litzinger about his work and the project's future prospects. In addition, WAMU News reporter Elliot Francis examines the recent controversy surrounding Maryland’s Catoctin Wildlife Preserve. Then, it’s BirdNote, our weekly celebration of all things with wings.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society encounters a woman who has volunteered to shuttle her son’s kitty to a new home via commercial airplane. There is also the story of a retriever with a penchant for aggressive behavior. The dog’s companion seeks Weitzman’s sage advice.

Four decades after the historic music festival that bore its name, Woodstock, N.Y., could be the site of another cultural revolution thanks to Jenny Brown and her creation, the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. Brown speaks with Sam Litzinger about the sanctuary’s mission and why farm animal welfare has become her life’s work. After that, Sandra Loh gives us The Loh Down On Science. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman has advice for a woman who is considering adopting a greyhound. A feline’s unusual behavior has its companion wondering if a recent move to a new home has created a stressful environment for the kitty. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

The recent repeal of a ban on processing horses for human consumption in the U.S. has ignited a debate between those who see horses as livestock and those who view them as companion animals. Wyoming legislator Sue Wallis is planning to open the country’s first horse processing plants in five years, and she explains her position to Sam Litzinger. read more

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society helps the companion of a German Shepherd find out if the canine has a hip injury. A listener’s cat is having a problem finding the litter box. Then, it’s Animal House Dateline with Karen Munson.

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine moved a step closer to finding a successful treatment for Alzheimer’s disease using human stem cells in animal models. Sam Litzinger spoke to a member of the research team, Dr. Frank LaFerla, about this groundbreaking development. Litzinger also speaks with legendary musician and bioacoustician Dr. Bernie Krause about his revolutionary work using animal vocalizations to create orchestral music, which is the subject of his new book, The Great Animal Orchestra. Then, it’s BirdNote, which examines the songs of sparrows.

Dr. Gary Weitzman counsels the companion of a dog who has a threatening physical condition. A woman wants advice on what to do when confronted by a family of deer in a residential area. And the caretaker of two 17-year-old Siamese cats wonders if using anesthesia for a veterinary procedure is a good thing. Below is a video of what happens behind the scenes at The San Diego Humane Society

PETA, or the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is known worldwide for highly successful and high-profile efforts on behalf of pets and wildlife. Thirty-two years ago, Alex Pacheco and Ingrid Newkirk co-founded the nonprofit organization, which has two million members and generates millions of dollars in revenue. Newkirk talks to us about her animal activist roots, PETA’s origins and why she’s willing to take big personal and professional risks to provoke discussion and action on behalf of animals. read more

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society encounters a man with a gopher problem. A woman seeks advice on the best way to stop her cat from biting human visitors. And Dr. Weitzman mediates a mother-and-daughter discussion about the choice of a new household pet. Then, it’s Animal House Dateline with Karen Munson. A.H. Dateline stories *Drowning Bear Cub Saved By Alaska Fishermen read more

A new dog adoption effort in San Francisco that pairs dogs with formerly homeless residents is making headlines and shaking up the status quo in a city that already has more dogs than children. The program, called WOOF, is run by San Francisco Animal Care and Control, and agency director Rebecca Katz tells Sam Litzinger how it works. read more