Maria's Mutts & Stuff

Maria chats with Gretchen Primack--writer, poet and educator and Ella Magers--CEO of Sexy Fit Vegan; both are animal activists and co-directors of The March to Abolish Animal Testing at Marshall BioResources in North Rose NY. The 14-day march starts Sept 12th in Albany and travels 207 miles to Marshall on Sept 26th.   You can be a part of it:  March, Volunteer, Donate, Buy Merch:  marchforanimals.org  And check the manufacturer when you buy pet products; if it says Marshall Pet Products, it's the same company!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hydia Cohen aka "The Dog lady" helps families and their pets with her pet pantry, which provides pet food, supplies, winter gear and more to residents. Bronx Dog Haven is her non-profit which partners with Animal Farm Foundation, Voters For Animal Rights, the City Council's Animal Welfare Caucus, Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare and more. You can help! Follow on IG @bronxdoghavenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Tonilynn McCaffery who oversees Community Relations and Field Marketing for The Red Bulls soccer team. In partnership with America's VetDogs, The Red Bulls just "signed" Harrison (named for the town where The Red Bulls play), a black lab puppy who's spending the next 18 months training and socializing with the team before he starts formal training with America's VetDogs.Ultimately, Harrison will be placed with a veteran or first responder with disabilities. Follow @redbullnewyork on IG for Harrison's progress!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with award-winning producer and director Steven Latham about his latest documentary The New Gold Standard. Executive-produced and narrated by Emmy & Golden Globe-winning actor Edie Falco, the film will capture your attention while educating you on the progress made by scientists. Many people aren't aware of the stats but over 42,000 dogs and over 106,000 monkeys are being experimented on in labs across America, as well as millions of cats, pigs, rabbits, mice and rats! With modern technology and science, animals are no longer needed for this! And the process is more accurate and cheaper than using animals!! For more info and for screenings:  thenewgoldstandardfilmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with writer Melanie Kaplan about her book Lab Dog; the story of her adopted dog Hammy who came from a research lab.  On their journey together, they discover the horrors of animal research, which many people don't realize.   Learn more at melaniedgkaplan.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with writer Joanna Zelman and her dad Jared Zelman, about their documentary Cow Trip; their road trip with Mickey and Moose--two calves saved from dairy farms and transported  hundreds of miles to Rosie's Farm Sanctuary. To learn more about their journey COWTRIP.ORG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Jackie Ducci:  Founder of the Human-Animal Alliance ( h-aa.org) and documentary creator of Unspoken Bond. The documentary focuses on three people and their connection to animals. (One of the featured stories is with Nicole Navarro from Pawsitive Beginnings who was on Maria's Mutts & Stuff last April 2025!) Listen and learn about the connection we have with animals and the power of the bond!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with author Stacy Wilder whose books Liz Adams Mystery Series features Duke, a lie-detecting Lab! Stacy also donates a portion of the proceeds to wildlife conservation and the homeless--both people and pets.   Check out her website for books, info, recipes (!) and more! storystacy.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with actor, comedian and author Steve Schirripa about his new book WillieBoy Eats The World, a children's picture book about his dachshund Willie Boy! A fun conversation between the long-time friends about an adorable dog who teaches his owner about all the tasty foods in NYC! Aimed at ages 4-8, it teaches kids to try new things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with celebrity animal medium Aliana Ziva about her work focusing on health, emotional wellbeing and finding peace. Living in Denmark, most of her work helps people and animals here in the states. Give a listen and learn about her beginnings and how her gift came to be. Follow "alianazivathemedium" on Instagram, and DM her if you'd like a reading.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with ornithologist, author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Weidensaul about his latest book (he's written nearly 30!!) The Return of The Oystercatcher.   This book is optimistic and focuses on conservation and solutions. And Scott offers tips on what we can all do to help the bird population survive! Learn more at http://www.scottweidensaul.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Pete Lillo who runs the Bear Brook Feather Friends Rescue and Sanctuary, where he takes care of dozens of ducks, geese and chicks! You'll learn a thing or two about our feathered friends, and  how you can help out Pete with food donations and more. And if you're in the area, he could always use volunteers!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Operation Pawpulation Founder Temma Martin about her not-for-profit spay and neuter clinic in Utah. Less than a year old, this clinic has already spayed or neutered over 1500 pets!They discuss how spaying and neutering pets actually saves lives of pets as fewer animals wind up  in shelters as a result. To learn more about Operation Pawpulation CLICK HERE! To find a low-cost clinic near you:  United Spay AllianceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Undercover animal investigator Pete Paxton returns in studio to discuss his latest focus on puppy mills and pet stores (specifically Petland).  This interview was also shot for the upcoming documentary Underbelly, which is investigating the mass production system of the $3 BILLION dog breeding industry! Stay tuned for release date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Brian Reyngoudt, Co-Founder and Vice President of Operation K9 Beethoven, a non-profit organization that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to be service dogs for veterans!If you're a veteran and want or need a service dog, PLEASE reach out to them. You will get a dog an no cost to you!Learn more at OPERATIONK9BEETHOVEN.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria talks with estate planning attorney Don Ford about a subject most of us avoid:  What will happen to our pet(s) when we're gone? With over 60% of Americans not having a will, chances are very good that there isn't a plan for your beloved 4-legged family members!Don explains what to do so your 4-legged bff doesn't wind up in a shelter when you die!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with filmmaker Chris Walters about his documentary Artfully United, a film about art, transformation and the power of community.Chris's other passion is animal advocacy! He started The Christopher D. Walters Second Chances Fund-- CLICK HERE to learn more.Artfully United will start streaming on 2/20.  LEARN MORE!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Marie Geerman about her 30 years of rescuing pups from Aruba, as well as homing dogs and cats in the states! Learn about the spaying/neutering in Aruba, and all she's been doing (in spite of the recent hurdles from the CDC) plus Aruba Flight Volunteers and New Life For Paws.You can help! Foster; be a flight volunteer; adopt, donate:  NEWLIFEFORPAWS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with one of her favorite guests, MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell!Patrick took a few minutes from his book tour to chat about The Gift of Everything and The Gift of Nothing (20th Anniversary edition with a new cover!) Book Tour, plus all that he's been doing!Patrick and his wife Karen do so much for charities (check it out HERE) plusthe Shop of " MUTTS stuff" is perfect this time of year!Patrick has new ideas that he'll be working on so you can count on him returning!Visit the shop and learn more:  MUTTS!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Russ Fincher, former FBI agent and first responder whose service dog Jethro was trained by the NY Islanders, part of America's Vet Dogs "Puppy With a Purpose" program.Jethro is the fourth Isanders dog; America's Vet Dogs also has puppies training with The Jets and The Mets!Hear how Jethro helps Russ with his ptsd and so much more!To learn about America's Vet Dogs and all they do, including how to donate: VETDOGS.ORG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with author and co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Dexter Patterson, about his book Birds of the Great Lakes! A "mighty book" as Dexter calls it filled with photos, info, and fun facts about birds of the Great Lakes, many of which can be seen across the country!It's a perfect stocking stuffer!Learn about Dexter, birding, and more plus you can get the book too at WISCOBIRDER.COM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Victoria Shaffer, CEO & Founder of Pup Culture Rescue.Based in Pasadena, Pup Culture Rescue is a female-founded non-profit who has rescued and homed over 1300 dogs! They recently went through a challenge with distemper and parvo "the Pup-demic" as they call it, and can really use any help financially.Click here to donate or volunteer, and follow Pup Culture Rescue on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Warrior Canine Connection's Mar Leifeld, Assistant Director of MBTR--Mission Based Trauma Recovery--programs.  They discuss how veterans with PTSD help train puppies to become service dogs for veterans who need one. Warrior Canine Connection says: "One dog can help more than 80 warriors" so give a listen and learn! (This is their third time on Maria's Mutts & Stuff!)To find out how YOU can help CLICK HERE!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Co-Director and Producer Vicki Topaz and Director MIchael Collins about their documentary By My Side; the story of three veterans suffering from PTSD and how their service dogs gave them back their life.  By My Side has been in 46 film festivals and has won 16 awards (with more to come I'm sure!)To learn more about the film, bymyside.comIf you would like to host a screening of the documentary Click Here.Click HERE to watch the film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guests Adrienne, Ursula and Jane to talk about Nylabone's 70th birthday!!(Today's the day November 4th!)They discuss 70 years of chew happiness; the CHEWS for Good campaign; their partnerships especially with Best Friends Animal Society; how you can donate a chew AND how you can win prizes and so much more!Learn more at NYLABONE.COM!CLICK HERE for Info on NYLABONECARES!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with global activist and journalist Nina Jackel, the founder of Lady Freethinker, the international non-profit animal protection organization. Their mission is to end pet abandonment; expose puppy mills; advocate for animal legislation and so much more!!Learn more at LADYFREETHINKER.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with host and producer Gemma Smith about Catbaret Presents:  Meowloween, a one-night-only cat-themed variety show on Halloween (Friday 10/31) at Caveat (21A Clinton St in NYC)!It's a variety show with comedy, music and burlesque! Wear a costume, there are prizes!(Weruva is sponsoring the show and donating to RESCUE NYC.For tickets:  catbaretshow.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Wildlife SOS Executive Director Nikki Sharp about the 300,000+ animals they've saved; the elimination of "dancing bears" in India, the process of eliminating "begging elephants" and more!! Learn all about the organization, and you can make a donation too at WILDLIFESOS.ORGSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Explore.org's Naturalist (and former park ranger) Mike Fitz about Fat Bear Week (Chunk the Hunk is the winner!) which just ended, and all the cameras around the world that let us into the world of animals and nature. Explore.org brings us to places that most humans could never encounter. As Founder Charles Annenberg Weingarten said Explore.org is the "Netflix of Nature"!Check them out...I do!   Explore.orgYou'll be watching puppy cams and tiger cams and pasture cams just like I do daily!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with author Beth Evans about her first book Jake the Country Cat!The book idea came to her in a dream, a very elaborate dream with a cat and Blake Shelton!Beth is a huge advocate for animal rescue and black cats/dogs. And hopefully this is the first of a children's series.You can find Jake the Country Cat wherever books are sold! And #adoptdontshopSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with elementary school teacher (30 years as an educator!) and children's book author Lori Skala about her books The Road To Rosie and The Hair Tie. Proceeds from Lori's books go to animal rescue and pediatric cancer, her two passions.Give a listen and learn about Lori and her mission.Lori can be found on IG at storyloribooks or visit her website storyloribooks.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Operation K9 Beethoven's VP & Co-Founder Brian Reyngoudt!They are a charity organization for veterans that includes Pet Therapy Programs and Psychiatric Therapy Dog Programs. They provide service dogs to veterans at no cost to the vets.And the best part?  Their service dogs come from rescues and shelters so it's Win Win for both the vets AND the dogs!!Give a listen and learn about all that they do.Also, if you'd like to volunteer or make a donation (that's how they survive) CLICK HERE!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Learn Practice Master Begin Again" is Linn Boyke's motto when it comes to dogs.Linn runs The School of Dog Psychology. I first saw Linn when he was on Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer TV show--he was one of his students. Linn also indirectly helped me with my dog Fredo many years ago.Give a listen and learn about Linn's path. Recently, he learned that he needs quadruple bypass heart surgery.  I'm including a link to his Gofundme page to help him with the care of his dogs while he recuperates after his surgery.To learn about Linn:  LINNBOYKE.COMTo contribute to his fundraiser (no amount too small or large):Support-Linn's-Lifesaving Heart Surgery and Thank You!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Born Free USA's Devan Schowe about the organization and all they do to prevent humans from exploiting wild-animals. In 1966, Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers starred in the classic wildlife film Born Free.In 1984, they launched the charity Zoo Check which evolved into Born Free; in 2002, Born Free USA was launched in the states!Their campaigns include the fur trade, trapping, animals in captivity, the Endangered Species Act,and so much more!! See all they do BORNFREEUSA.ORG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with actor and animal advocate Brooke Shields about her partnership with Prospect Pet; pet supplements and wellness products that carry the Clean and Conscious promise of products that are good for your pets and the planet!Check out the products PROSPECTPET.***NOTE:  There were some technical difficulties with this interview, so you'll hear drop-outs and cut-offs. Please bear with it and give a listen anyway. Thank you!!***See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Traps To Laps Director Chiquita Taylor about this program which breaks the cycle of homeless cats and kittens.  TTL has a network of rescue groups, fosters, and volunteers who help get feral cats off the streets--especially kittens before they become feral--and then gets them ready for their forever home through fostering and socialization.It's a new and unique program that could work in any town or city and Chiquita is happy to discuss how it can be done at [email protected] of course Traps To Laps  operates under S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition which is a non-profit and survives on donations. If you can help:  saverescue.orgClick DONATE and write TRAPS TO LAPS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with The Sultan of Garbage author Brian Belefant about how we can all do our part--even if it's small--to reduce waste in our everyday lives! Although fiction, the book shares four tips on how to reduce waste: repurpose materials (be creative!); create "free piles"; donate rather than throw away; think about your purchases.To learn more about Brian, go to BELEFANT.COM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Certified Clinical Pet Nutritionist & Bow Wow Lab's Chief Nutrition Officer Johnna Devereaux about preventing your pet from choking! Did you know there are CPR classes for animals?Listen and learn what to do and how to prevent your pet from choking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Will Zweigart, founder of Flatbush Cats and Flatbush Veterinary Clinic in Brooklyn NY.  Flatbush Cats focuses on solving the problem of cat overpopulation. Will has innovative ideas and solutions that will hopefully expand to all five boroughs in NYC and then be a model for other communities around the country.Learn more at flatbushcats.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Jim Kessler, Director of Instruction and Training at The Seeing Eye in Morristown NJ.The Seeing Eye has been training and providing dogs to people since 1929, and celebrated their 95th Anniversary last year!Give a listen and learn all about this amazing organization.You can volunteer, donate, or other ways you can help:  SEEINGEYE.ORG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with naturalist Charles Hood--a poet, essayist and photographer, about his latest book Nature At Night:  Discover The Hidden World That Comes Alive After Dark.Charles takes us on a journey into the dark--as most of us are sleeping--and teaches us about the nocturnal world through descriptions and stunning photos. The night time awakens and we are there to observe it through Nature At Night!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In-studio guests Kimberly Cassar and Adrienne Maglione from NYLABONE chat with Maria about Nylabone's 70th Anniversary and all that they're doing this year to celebrate!!For every Nylabone bought, another is donated to a shelter! Their goal is to help get shelter pets across the country adopted; they're partnered with Best Friends Animal Society. Plus you can win prizes from Nylabone too.  It's May and that means PET MONTH at Walmart and Best Friends Animal Society! Walmart is hosting on-site adoptions with BFAS this month. (Check your local Walmart for dates/times) Click HERE for Nylabone products!Click HERE for NylaboneCares!Click HERE for Walmart/BestFriends Info!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Ornithologist and bird expert Andrew Farnsworth about Spring migration from south to north; how you can enjoy birds this time of year and what you should do if you find a bird that fell out of its nest!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with science writer and naturalist Ryan Mandelbaum about his book WILD NYC.As Ryan says everyone thinks of New York City as a concrete jungle, but "it's full of amazing wildlife"!Between the info, photos, amazing artwork by Chelsea Beck, and the chapter of Field Trips, YOUR next trip should be to New York City!More info:  ryanmandelbaum.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro. In existence for five years, Pawsitive Beginnings gives permanent homes to foxes rescued from the fur trade. (Many come from fur farms where they're deemed "inadequate")Btw 100% of donations go to the foxes! pawsitivebeginnings.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with herb farmer, author and gardening expert Bevin Cohen about his latest book Herbs In Every Season: 48 Edible and Medicinal Herbs for the Kitchen, Garden, and Apothecary, which just came out! Learn about herbs you eat daily or even ones that you never tried before with recipes, plus info about their medicinal qualities! Learn more at smallhousefarm.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Skool Dogs co-founder Brandon Womack. Skool Dogs are highly trained dogs that can detect ammunition, firearms, explosives and more! As their website states "First Patrolmen, then cameras, and Now Skool Dogs" They patrol schools across America.Listen and Learn! For more info:  SKOOLDOGS.COMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with Bodega Cats of New York Founder Dan Rimada about all the cats we see in our local bodegas, delis, and corner stores!  Dan started a petition to protect these cats and the stores they live in.Did you ever hear of Cats About Town Tours? Dan is a co-founder! If you LOVE cats (and I know you do) give a listen!And Sign the petition too CLICK HERE FOR THE PETITION.bodegacatsofnewyork.comcatsabouttowntours.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2016, Heather and Gil Johnson left their home in New Jersey and relocated to Mexico. Maria chats with Heather:   After seeing so many homeless dogs and "Pinto"--a broken starving dog--Heather and Gil knew what their mission had to be:  helping these homeless strays.To date, they're spayed and neutered over 8050 animals and have placed over 300 adoptions!!Give a listen and learn all about Beach Dog Rescue.  Learn more and donate too:  beachdogrescueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria chats with returning guest Roseanne Parry about her latest book A Wolf Called Fire, a story inspired by the real wolves of the American West, especially Wolf 8 who was at Yellowstone National Park as a pup and later became a successful pack leader. Although the book is aimed at middle-school children, if you love dogs and their behavior, you will enjoy this book!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.