Calling All Pets (Retired)

"Calling All Pets" with hosts Patricia McConnell and Larry Meiller aired weekly on Wisconsin Public Radio's Ideas Network for almost 14 years. It was also distributed nationally for several years and, at one point, was carried on 110 public radio stations. The last new show aired on May 10, 2008, however programs were repeated until June 2009. Audio archives are available here from January 6, 2007 through May 10, 2008.

TITLE DATE DESCRIPTION MP3 LINK
Calling All Pets show on 05/10/2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008, 7:00am
 On Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and Patricia McConnell examine the negatives of "positive punishment" and also welcome a guest to tell us about her work as a wildlife rehabilitator.
Calling All Pets show on 05/03/2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they introduce you to a mystery guest that probably lives in your backyard... but you don't know about it. They'll also welcome a leading scientist to talk about the emotional lives of animals and why they matter.
Calling All Pets show on 04/26/2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell discuss whether wolf-dog hybrids make good pets for our home. author John Grogan joins the conversation about life after his bestselling, "Marley and Me." Plus, another poem from cowboy poet Baxter Black.
Calling All Pets show on 04/19/2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008, 3:00pm
 Would you "rent a pet"? On Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell talk about new businesses cropping up that rent pets out by the hour. Also, find out why several amphibians are facing extinction. Plus, another story from cowboy poet Baxter Black.
Calling All Pets show on 04/12/2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell discuss why re-homing some pets may be the kindest thing you can do. And, find out what Shamu (shah-MOO) can teach you about life, love, and marriage. Plus, a special poem by cowboy poet Baxter Black.
Calling All Pets show on 04/05/2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out whether pet psychics can really tell us what our animals are thinking. Plus, celebrate the hilarity of life with dogs with the co-founder of The Bark magazine.
Calling All Pets show on 03/29/2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they examine whether dogs have the complex ability to imitate other dogs. They'll also welcome two guests to celebrate the songs of insects.
Calling All Pets show on 03/22/2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell to learn why prairie dogs have a vocabulary all their own. Also, a children's author shares her own how-to guide for introducing kids to dogs.
Calling All Pets show on 03/15/2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out if a breed's win at the Westminster Dog Show means increased popularity among dog owners. Also, discover whether your dog has what it takes to become a "pet detective".
Calling All Pets show on 03/08/2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they discuss the social bonds within groups of giraffes and why they matter. And they'll also welcome a guest to talk about his quest to find rare and interesting wildlife on all seven continents.
Calling All Pets show on 03/01/2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out what dominance really is and whether it's necessary for training your dog. Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they also take a look at the animals that helped biology evolve.
Calling All Pets show on 02/23/2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, learn whether rats have the ability to think... about thinking. Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they take your calls and welcome a guest to talk about her work with the wild elephant herds of Africa.
Calling All Pets show on 02/16/2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008, 3:00pm
 (WISCONSIN) Tricks like "high-five" and "sit pretty" aren't just for fido anymore. On Calling All Pets, find out how to teach your cat tricks usually reserved for dogs. (OTHER LOCATIONS & ONLINE) Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they explore the topic of intelligence in ravens. Plus, they welcome a guest to talk about the seductive mating rituals of animals in the high seas.
Calling All Pets show on 02/09/2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008, 3:00pm
 (WISCONSIN ONLY): On Calling All Pets, what goes around comes around. Find out why generosity pays off... not just for humans, but for rats too! (OTHER LOCATIONS & ONLINE): On Calling All Pets, the ethics of zoos, and whether animals suffer in confinement. Also, a conversation with an equine veterinarian who had a hand in saving thousands of wild horses from a New Mexico missile range.
Calling All Pets show on 02/02/2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell put the debate about horses and colorblindness to rest. Also, your calls, and a guest who talks about a special bison who helped one couple connect with the past.
Calling All Pets show on 01/26/2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out if your dog is happy, or frightened, simply by observing the way it wags its tail. Also, two guests talk about a flock of wild parrots that call San Francisco home.
Calling All Pets show on 01/19/2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, from Pit Bulls to Newfoundlands, Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell look at some of the most controversial dog breeds throughout history. Also, why not every dog can be a "one-in-a-million" dog.
Calling All Pets show on 01/12/2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell to discover whether animals lose their memory with age like humans do. We also take a moment to remember Alex, the special African Grey Parrot who caused the world to reconsider the definition of "bird brain".
Calling All Pets show on 01/05/2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell explore the topic of hoarding and talk about why some do it. They also welcome a genetics professor to talk about D-N-A and the ultimate forensic record of evolution.
Calling All Pets show on 12/29/2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, hear all about Flora, the first komodo (koh-MOH-doe) dragon known to lay eggs without having a mate. Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they welcome a wildlife biologist who followed a herd of caribou on its arctic migration.
Calling All Pets show on 12/22/2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out if dogs recognize other dogs by simply looking at photographs, and learn about a 19th Century court case that put the whale on trial and challenged the order of nature.
Calling All Pets show on 12/15/2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, discover how certain animals repel insects the natural way. And from frozen toes, to Happy Feet, find out if Hollywood is telling the truth about penguins.
Calling All Pets show on 12/08/2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007, 3:00pm
 After three, , on Calling All Pets, Patricia McConnell tells us how to keep our dogs busy... and happy... when the weather outside is frightful. Also, a veterinarian joins in to tell us how to raise a healthy cat on a healthy diet.
Calling All Pets show on 12/01/2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, hear about Luna, the killer whale who was more interested in befriending humans than other whales. And be sure to catch the discussion with a leading primatologist about the origins of morality.
Calling All Pets show on 11/24/2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out why wild elephants are causing problems in parts of Africa and Asia. Plus, a conversation with a biologist about her pioneering work in the world's rainforest treetops.
Calling All Pets show on 11/17/2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out what to look for in a good animal rescue shelter. Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they take your calls and welcome a guest to talk about what birding was like in the days before binoculars and field guides.