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Miranda Nathanson and Susan Russell join us from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, and bring along four beautiful kittens to talk about the start of ‘kitten season.’ Susan explains what kitten season means, and how the community can help cats both outside and in the shelter. To adopt and more, go to www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 351-7722.

Daisy Fiore, Senior Education Coordinator for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, brings along Lance, an American Kestrel, the smallest and most common falcon in North America. She also talks about how they are preparing for the annual influx of baby birds, and what upcoming events they have to help support their work. To sign up for their summer camps and more, go to www.cbop.Audubon.org or call (407) 644-0190.

Christina O’Donnell, Senior Animal Ambassador Keeper, and Sarah Hall, an Education Specialist with the Central Florida Zoo, are our guests today, along with Almond, an Amazon milk frog, and Carla, a Cane toad. Sarah shares how the Amazon milk frog is also referred to as the blue milk frog because their blood and bones are blue. Christina talks about how the Cane toad was brought to Florida for pest control in the sugar cane fields, but has now become an invasive species. To sign up your kids for Spring Break Camp and more, go to www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Darryl Payne from Pawfection Dog Training joins us once again to share both his knowledge, and how much their business has grown, with new locations and programs. Along with answering listeners’ questions, Darryl invites everyone to join their Group Training, as well as a new Therapy dog training course, starting Monday, February 27th, 2023. To sign up, or for more information, go to www.pawfectiondogtraining.com or call (407) 456-1066.

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando once again joins us, this time on the road with a van full of dogs, including Offset, a young pup looking for a new home. Kathy shares how successful their Paws in the Park event was, with 15,000 people attending, raising close to $100,000. But she also talks about their need for dry dog and cat food donations for their community pantry, and how they’re preparing for the upcoming ‘kitten season.’ To donate or for more information, go to www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 351-7722.

Dr. James Bogan brings with him Beauregard, a very large Eastern Indigo Snake from the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, the only captive breeding facility for this particular species. Dr. Bogan shares how this non-venomous snake loves to eat the venomous varieties, and is America’s longest snake, and now is only found in southern Georgia and Florida. To help support the critical work of the Orianne Center, which is operated by the Central Florida Zoo, they’re hosting their second annual Indigo Bluegrass BBQ Saturday, February 11th, 2023, from Noon to 4:00 pm in Eustis, Florida. Get tickets or more information at www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Jifu Jennings and Amanda Mossor from the Central Florida Zoo bring along PT Cruiser, a prehensile-tailed skink, also known as the Solomon Islands skink. Jifu shares some fascinating facts about PT, including that he’s the largest known species of skink, and has amazing adaptations for survival like scales that appear to shimmer. Amanda also invites everyone to the Indigo Bluegrass BBQ to benefit the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation on Saturday, February 11th, 2023, in Eustis. To meet PT Cruiser and all the other animals at the Zoo, go to www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Katie Warner, Center Director, and Daisy Fiore, Senior Education Coordinator at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, introduce us to Sanford, an Eastern Screech Owl. Daisy talks about how at only 3 inches tall and about the weight of half a banana, Sanford is one of the smallest birds in their care, but also one of the oldest at 11 years. Katie invites everyone to vote for Sanford, who’s made it to the finals for the Superb Owl Contest! Cast your vote at https://www.bonusfinder.com/about-us/blog/the-superb-owl-awards. To learn more about the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, go to chop.Audubon.org or call (407) 644-0190.

Amanda Mossor and Jifu Jennings introduce us to Percy, a Bearded dragon that is part of the Central Florida Zoo’s Herpetarium. Amanda shares how their docile nature makes them a good pet, and the purpose of their so-called ‘beard.’ And since Percy is a ‘dragon,’ he serves as the perfect reminder to get your tickets, only available online, to the Asian Lantern Festival’Into the Wild,’ taking place select days through January 15, 2023. For tickets and more, go to www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Whitney Boylston, Executive Director of the Lake County Animal Shelter, and Lavar Cooper, Public Information Officer for Lake County, introduce us to three adorable kittens available for adoption. Whitney shares the details of several upcoming events, including ‘Paws & Claws Adopt-a-thon,’ on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Magnolia Closing Company in Eustis, Florida, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more information, find them www.lakecountyfl.gov/animal-shelter or on Facebook at Lake County Florida Animal Shelter. You can also give them a call at (352) 343-9688.

Kathy Burns from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando introduces us to Cindy, a 3-month-old puppy who was rescued, along with her siblings, from an overcrowded shelter in Alabama. Kathy explains how shelters from across the country work together to move animals to areas where they are more likely to be adopted. She also shares some safety tips in time for the holidays. To give Cindy her forever home, go to www.petallianceorlando.org or call (407) 351-7722.

Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and a Manatee Research Associate with Save the Manatee Club, joins us to mark ‘Manatee Awareness Month’ with some good news, bad news, plus a bit of fun. Cora shares how recent flooding from tropical weather may have displaced manatees into areas where they normally would not be, like a golf course pond, and how important it is for folks to let the FWC know so they can be rescued. She also talks about their unique mating habits (it’s a mob scene!), and the different manatee-themed items you can buy for any occasion, with all proceeds going to support manatees and their habitat. Find it all at www.savethemanatee.org or call (407) 539-0990, or toll-free at 1-800-432-5646.

Amber Mayhew and Nathan Jordan join us from the Central Florida Zoo and brought along “Timmy,” a Millipede, and “Greg,” a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Amber discusses what differentiates a Millipede from a Centipede, while Nathan talks about what makes “Greg” hiss, and what it means. Amber also shares the exciting news of the return of the Asian Lantern Festival, ‘Into the Wild,’ an important fundraising event for the Zoo, especially after it sustained a lot of damage from Hurricane Ian. Get your tickets and more at www.centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Daisy Fiore, Sr. Coordinator for Education at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida, introduces us to Alina, a Merlin Falcon. She shares some truly fascinating facts about the Merlin Falcon, including how far away they can see their prey, and how they attack, and eat, in mid-flight. If you would like to meet Alina, and all the other birds at the Center, Daisy invites everyone to their ‘Owl Be Home for Christmas’ special holiday celebration on Saturday, November 12th, 2022. Get tickets and more at fl.Audubon.org or call (407) 644-0190.

Christin Burford, the founder and Executive Director of the C.A.R.E. Foundation in Apopka, Florida, introduces us to “Ava,” a one-year-old Spider Monkey who started life as an exotic pet, before finding a home at the Foundation. Christin shares both the pros and cons of living with Ava, and her older brother, Amos, including some unique costs, like “monkey biscuits.” To meet Ava, Amos, and all the other exotic animals that call the C.A.R.E. Foundation home, check out their ‘Wildlife Celebration’ on Saturday and Sunday, October 1st and 2nd, 2022. For details, call (407) 247-8948 or go to www.thecarefoundation.org.

Deb Munini with The Animal League joins us along with the 4-month-old kitten she is fostering named ‘Clarice.’ She shares some of the history of The Animal League, which was founded in 1988, and its unique position in Lake County. Deb also invites everyone - especially golfers - to their 7th Annual Puttin’ Fore Paws Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, at Green Valley Country Club in Clermont, Florida. To register an individual, a team, become a tournament sponsor, or to join them for lunch, visit TheAnimalLeague.org/PuttinForePaws.

Christina O’Donnell and Jifu Jennings from the Central Florida Zoo return and this time, they brought “Indiana,” their red-tailed boa constrictor that is 14-years-old and about 7-feet long. They shared some cool facts about snakes, including how their forked tongues not only smell the air, but also help them figure out which direction to go. Along with the ‘Zoo Boo Bash’ coming up in October, Jifu also announced the return of the Asian Lantern Festival, and the new deal they are offering with their Annual Pass. Get yours at centralfloridazoo.org or call (407) 323-4450.

Debbie Helsel, Executive Director of the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, shares the great news of investment funds finally being approved, so they can construct some badly-needed new buildings. She also talks about the large number of animals being brought in, and how the concern for more grows during hurricane season. Debbie also brought along Nicky, a dwarf opossum, and Fiona, a box turtle. To see these animals and more, go to btnwildlife.org or call (407) 568-5138.

Daisy Fiore, Senior Coordinator for Education at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, introduces us to a 5-month-old fledgling Barred Owl that has melanism, which turns his normally grey feathers into a dark brown. He fell out of his nest as a baby and broke his wing, so he cannot be released back into the wild, but now spends his days helping to teach people. She also invites everyone to the Audubon’s ‘Back to School Bird Bash,’ Saturday, August 22nd, 2022, as well as a naming contest for their newest Ambassador. To buy tickets and more, go to cbop.audubon.org or call (407) 644-0190.

Kathy Burns and Sally Edmonds from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando join us once again, and bring along Bialy the beagle, one of 4,000 beagles rescued from a mass-breeding facility in Virginia riddled with animal welfare concerns. The Pet Alliance rescued 15 beagles, and although more than half have found their forever homes, there are others still looking for theirs. You can see all of the animals available for adoption at petallianceorlando.org or give them a call at (407) 351-7722.