Bret Michaels / Summer pet safety

Rock 'n Roller Bret Michaels says Pets Rock - that's the name of his newly designed pet gear collection sold at PETsMART. In this compelling interview, Bret reveals how a dog once saving his life, and he recalls his series of life-altering illnesses....

Montrose Beach dog attack / microchipping

From the Chicago Police Department Animal Crimes Unit, Sgt. Mark George details how my blog (www.chicagonow.com/stevedale) was actually instrumental in helping to discover the person who walked away...

Cinco de Meow / Bark in the Park / Rockin' for Rescue

You can help Chicago animal shelters in May by having a good time. Cinco de Meow offers margaritas with catnip! Felines & Canines (formerly called Felines, Inc.) is holding a fundraising event to support dollars for their new building, and...

Lawrence Kasdan / Cubs fans / Pets on the Titanic

Lawrence Kasdan talks about his latest movie, "Darling Companion," which co-stars Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Weist (and many other familiar faces) - but the real star is a dog. "Darling Companion" is kind of like Kasdan's "The Big Chill" grows...

Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworm

It's a festival for parasite lovers! First up, fighting fleas with Dr. Dwight Bowman, veterinary parisitologisst at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council. It's...

Queen of Cats Pam Johnson-Bennett

She's is the anointed Queen of Cats, my friend and certified cat behavior consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett. Spending an hour with Pam is like spending an entire lifetime with a cat (all nine of those lives). Pam is the most popular cat book author...

Winn Feline Foundation / Subsidized cat adoptions / Dental issues

Breaking News: The Winn Feline Foundation announces on my radio show their support for a political catidate. This is the first time in their nearly 45-year history that this prestigious funder of cat health studies has backed a catpaign, Hear the...

Newt Gingrich / Humane euthanasia / Puppy mills

Is this Steve Dale's Pet World, or Face the Nation? It may be hard to tell, as I speak with Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich. He's after the four-legged vote (hence the conversation with me), as he just...

International Kennel Club of Chicago Cluster of Dog Shows / The Lincoln State Cat Show

Deb Cooper talks about the International Kennel Club of Chicago Cluster of Dog Shows, February 24-26 at McCormick Place. Many of the top dogs in the world (including lots you may have seen at Westminster), and many canine sporting events to...

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show preview with David Frei

It's the Greatest Show on Earth (or at least Dog Show), and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is right around the corner. Dog show guru and veteran Westminster TV analyst David Frei talks about this year's big event and reminisces about some...

North American Veterinary Conference

Reporting from the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, FL, I spoke with people who made news and leaders in veterinary medicine. Listening to these interviews, you'll feel as if you were there too: Dr. Ron DeHaven is...

Pit Bulls: Should they be banned?

On Monday January 2, Joseph Finley was jogging along the south shore lakefront when from nowhere two Pit Bulls and attacked and mauled him. He remains in critical condition. While I didn't hear any public official in Chicago official call...

'Angel on a Leash: Therapy Dogs and the Lives They Touch' by David Frei

Science is demonstrating over and over again how dogs really can change lives in animal assisted therapy settings. Perennial dog show announcer David Frei is also the founder a group which has been paws on the ground in hospice centers, cancer wards,...

Preventative care, Good Dog/Good Cat, A Pets' Night Before Christmas

What a wonderful way to ring in the new year, it's the President of the American Veterinary Medical Association Dr. Rene Carlson. We talk about the important of preventative care, and how seeing the veterinarian twice a year might save your pet's...

A Special Happy Howliday Petcast!

This is a special Happy Howliday Petcast beginning with Ann Marie Glaviano of Pets 'n Patients and Mary Ann Minnick of All Pets Wellness, who have teamed up to make a difference for pets in need on every Wednesday in December, at Buffalo Wild Wings...

Remembering hungry pets, John O'Hurley, Trainer Andrea Arden, Canine vaccines

Making the holiday bright and cheery for others less fortunate includes all family members -- Banfield Charitable Trust executive director and CEO Diane McGill explains what a difference a donation of pet food can make to those in need. Sadly, the...

The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards

This very special WGN Radio Petcast is a celebration of the The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards, presented by Cesar Canine Cuisine, seen on the Hallmark Channel on November 11. This is the first ever televised celebration of...

Greeting Cards, Heartworm, Fleas, 'Raising My Furry Children'

How would like photos of your pets on a holiday greeting card? It's a terrific and fun idea, and it's free. Lisa Cohen of the Holiday Card Center explains. Learn more Here: http://www....

Stacey Hawk, Jennifer Arnold, Halloween Hounds

The dog community is pulling together to help Stacey Hawk, a pioneer dog agility instructor as and founder of Wiggley Field, the dog park which made all other Chicago Dog Friendly Areas Possible. It's time to dress up your Halloween Hound...

Tree House Humane Society, Black Cat Ball

Tree House Humane Society is celebrating their 40th Anniversary. This nationally recognized cat-only shelter was one of the very first cat-only cageless facilities, one of the first no-kill shelters, and one of the first to celebrate (and adopt) cats...

Skip Haynes, veterinary medicine

Aliotta and Jeremiah may nowhere to be seen, but Skp Haynes is singing about Lake Shore Drive. He s also singing about pets, and saving animals as well. At Lake Shore Drive music (www....

Pilots and Paws, Adoption, Judy Baar Topinka

Peter Tobin and Karen Johnson and among superheroes saving pets, as a part of an non-profit organization called Pilots and Paws - they (spend their own time and money) flying all over to deliver a pet seeking a home or medical care to another...

Mutt Strutt, What do cats think?

All Chicago animal shelters have their niche; Chicago Canine Rescue specializes in dogs that may otherwise be euthanized to no fault of their own - dogs with minor medical needs, older dogs or simply dogs previously passed by for no good reason....

Dog Heroes of September 11th

I believe most people recall where they were the morning of September 11, 2001. I was watching the Today Show, as I saw the horrifying events unravel, one by one. By September 12, I managed to somehow reach search and rescue dog handlers...

Foster 2 Home, Dogs Got Talent, pet photos

It's no secret living in an animal shelter isn't ideal. Foster 2 Home is a new Chicago area volunteer group which takes dogs from shelters and places them into volunteer Foster homes. The Foster dogs are assessed and given some basic training....

Pets and children

In this very special Petcast, experts on pets, babies and children talk about how to keep that family intact when the little bundle of joy arrives home. The American Humane Association is the only national organization with a dual mission to...

Former dolphin trainers training dogs

So, here's a trivia question....what do Chris Dignan, Laura Monaco Torelli and Kathy Sdao have in common? The are all former dolphin trainers - who have trained a wide variety of other species as well - and all now train dogs. Chris...

Talking about cats

Cats aren't small dogs, so I thought I'd devote a show entirely to the most popular pet in America. Marilyn Krieger, cat behavior consultant, talks about training cats -- how you can use a clicker to train cats to perform behaviors like...

Talking about dogs with Patricia McConnell

Patricia McConnell is one of my very favorite guests. After one of my hour-long in-studio interviews with McConnell, I received this note, "I'm a huge fan of yours, and the difference you've made for pets, and the values you stand by. I so admire...

Flea and tick products, Summer safety, 'Codi's Journey'

I'm really worried about pet owners purchasing flea and tick product over-the-counter or via the Internet without veterinary input. Dr. Ernie Ward has similar concerns, and we talk about why we're both so uneasy, knowing how the pets will pay a price...

Chelsea Kane, Lake Michigan Cruise for Dogs, Ticks, Roundworms

Disney TV star Chelsea Kane danced her way into the hearts of millions on "Dancing with the Stars." Now she's dancing her way into the hearts of shelter dogs, via Pedigree's "Every Dog Deserves" promotion. Chelsea talks about her Woman (that's her...

The first family of dog training, Dr. Ian Dunbar and Kelly Gorman Dunbar

It's the First Family . . . of Dog Trainng! Dr. Ian Dunbar and Kelly Gorman Dunbar are in studio and having a puppy party. Imagine an hour with these two? Listen in on the wide-ranging conversation, including this: What have we done to our dogs? It's...

Lost pet prevention, anxious pets, affordable health care

More pets are lost over the Fourth of July holiday than at any time of the year. Gary MacPhee of HomeAgain Pet Recovery says prevention is best, and offers tip on ways to preclude our pets from disappearing in the first place. We also talk about...

The pets of Joplin, Tick Talk, Traveling with pets

One of the worst disasters in our nation's history recently occurred in Joplin, MO. What happened there is sadly no longer receiving media attention. Of course, the people and pets of Joplin still need help. I caught up with Karen Aquino, Executive...

Adopt A Cat Month, caring for your cat

Heartworm disease, benefits of animal assisted therapy, fund to honor Lucy

I've never seen anyone get so excited about heartworm disease. Dr. Sheldon Rubin, who at this point has his own radio fan club, talks about heartworm prevention and reveals new data. Listen, and I guarantee (or your money back) you will learn about...

Special edition: Hero dogs

This very special Petcast celebrates Hero Dogs, ranging from everyday heroes to our military working dogs and dogs who search for lost children. The celebration begins with Robin Ganzert, President/CEO of the American Humane Association...

Rabies prevention, positive dog training

I love hearing a perspective from other countries, that's always a fascinating discussion. Cecilia Koste, is a renown dog trainer in Norway. I met her when Karen Pryor's Clicker Training Academy came to the Chicago area.   Dr Donna Alexander...

Pets in Japan, Dr. Lester Fisher, euthanasia, FIP, pets and rain

Tokiko Takeuchi, a Chicago musician is doing something about the plight of pets in Japan. She talks about the benefit concert she has organized for April 30, starring many famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians, as well as several student...

Tour for Life, National Greyhound Month, heart disease and dogs

The North Shore Animal League's Tour for Life is all about saving lives and encouraging pet adoption - and the Tour hits Chicago, at the Anti Cruelty Society (Grand Avenue at LaSalle Street) noon to 7 p.m. April 20. Nadine Wamsley and Emily Armitage...

Behavior issues, service dogs, adopting, microchipping

The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant (IAABC) members are certified with expertise in animal behavior, and just held their continuing education conference. At that event, I spoke with IAABC executive director Marjie Alonso about...

Japan pet fundraiser, clicker training pets, All Pest Wellness Foundation

Japan is front and center in our minds, helping families matters. Like the U.S., the Japanese culture consider pets a part of their family.   Melissa Lapidus of  Cloud Star -- makers of all organic and all natural Buddy Biscuits and Buddy Wash...

FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), pets and disasters

Talk about getting superstars on the show: Dr. Niels Pedersen, director for the Center of Companion Animal Health at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine. Davis, wrote the book on feline medicine - literally. Pedersen doesn't...

Animal Welfare League, microchipping, and clipping your cat's nails

I believe the answer to moving toward solving Chicago's animal issues, and animals being euthanized at numbers we all would like to see lowered, is to focus on the Animal Welfare League of Chicago. Forever, this facility has operated under the radar,...

Puppy training, fleas and a kleptomaniac kitty

If there's a puppy season -- this is it! And now that you have a puppy, what do you do? Dog trainers Wendy DeCarlo and Dennis Damon offer instructions for Puppy 101. We discuss everything from house training to early socialization to how to choose...

Breed bans and cat questions

Here we are - world's history in the making - my first full length Petcast (podcast for pet lovers) since returning to WGN Radio. It was at WGN radio several years ago, that I worked with several people to support an Illinois law which...

Miguel Del Valle and Gery Chico talk pet issues with Steve Dale

I thought for my first Petcast (since returning to WGN), I'd interview the Chicago Mayoral candidates about pet issues, which includes serious concerns about Animal Care and Control.