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 05/26/2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007, 7:00am
 On Calling All Pets, there's a tale to be told about tail wagging in dogs. Find out if your dog is happy or frightened simply by observing the direction of the wag of its tail. Also, a flock of wild parrots that call San Francisco home.
Calling All Pets show on 05/19/2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out why it's important to keep Nemo in the fish tank. And learn how author Temple Grandin uses the mysteries of autism to decode animal behavior.
Calling All Pets show on 05/12/2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, new research suggests some animals know how to self-medicate. And this week's guest helps us explore the detailed history of pets in America... from the first caged birds brought by early settlers, to today's beloved cats and dogs.
Calling All Pets show on 05/05/2007
Saturday, May 5, 2007, 3:00pm
 This week on Calling All Pets, discover whether rats have the ability to think... about thinking! Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they take your questions about animal behavior and welcome a guest to talk about her work with the wild elephant herds of Africa.
Calling All Pets show on 04/28/2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out why being called a "Bird Brain" isn't such a bad thing. Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they explore the topic of intelligence in ravens, and also welcome a guest to talk about the seductive mating rituals of animals in the high seas.
Calling All Pets show on 04/21/2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007, 3:00pm
 There's a new kind of assistance dog in town, and it's here to help your child learn to read. On Calling All Pets, find out more about the new "literacy dog" program. And enjoy a conversation with a documentary filmmaker about the forgotten heroes of the Civil War: The Horses of Gettysburg.
Calling All Pets show on 04/14/2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007, 3:00pm
 This week on Calling All Pets, discover whether animals can suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Join Larry Meiller and Patricia McConnell as they explore that topic and welcome a leading primatologist to talk about "Our inner ape"!
Calling All Pets show on 04/07/2007
Saturday, April 7, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out what newly-discovered dinosaur fossils tell us about dinosaur behavior.
Calling All Pets show on 03/31/2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, discover what chimps have in common with humans when it comes to hunting. Plus, a conversation with the man who rediscovered the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, a bird thought to be extinct for nearly sixty years.
Calling All Pets show on 03/24/2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, learn more about a great American wildcat that gets no respect: the cougar. Plus, a conversation with a retired military officer about the abandoned puppy he brought back from his tour of duty in Iraq.
Calling All Pets show on 03/17/2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell explore the topic of animal hoarding and talk about what causes some people to 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 03/10/2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, we'll hear about Flora, the komodo dragon who laid eggs without ever having had a mate! Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they also welcome an author and wildlife biologist who followed a herd of caribou along its arctic migration.
Calling All Pets show on 03/03/2007
Saturday, March 3, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out why there's more than meets the eye when it comes to feather colors on birds. Plus, Larry and Tricia welcome an author to talk about the first panda to come to the U.S., and the unlikely woman who brought it here.
Calling All Pets show on 02/24/2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007, 3:00pm
 From “Lassie� to “Luke,� and “Baby� to “Brute,� learn what it takes to name a dog on Calling All Pets! Join Larry Meiller and zoologist Patricia McConnell as they discuss that topic, and also welcome an author whose biography of honey would make Winnie The Pooh’s mouth water!
Calling All Pets show on 02/17/2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007, 3:00pm
 This week on Calling All Pets, find out why certain primates don't "monkey around" when it comes to keeping food from competitors. And discover the Singing Life Of Birds with author Donald Kroodsma.
Calling All Pets show on 02/10/2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, find out how prevalent and serious dog bites really are. Plus, Larry and Patricia talk with a guest about the fascinating history of the world's most revered and reviled bird: The pigeon.
Calling All Pets show on 02/03/2007
Saturday, February 3, 2007, 3:00pm
 On Calling All Pets, learn why certain dogs aren't being adopted from animal shelters... and find out what you can do to help! Patricia McConnell and Larry Meiller take your calls and talk to an author whose runt of a piglet turned out to be a 700-pound local celebrity!
Calling All Pets show on 01/27/2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007, 3:00pm
 After three, on Calling All Pets, find out why primates are the masters of imitation. And join Larry Meiller and Patricia McConnell as they talk with an author about the blessings of toads.
Calling All Pets show on 01/20/2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007, 3:00pm
 Ever wonder where Fido and FiFi come from? Domesticated dogs may have been around longer than previously believed! Join Calling All Pets for that topic and a conversation with an author whose passion for endangered birds took him across the continent in pursuit of the peregrine falcon.
Calling All Pets show on 01/13/2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007, 3:00pm
 After three, on Calling All Pets, Larry Meiller and Patricia McConnell take you on a "Suburban Safari" to learn all about the exciting wildlife that lives in your back yard! Also, learn what makes male and female primates play differently from one another!
Calling All Pets show on 01/06/2007
Saturday, January 6, 2007, 3:00pm
 On the next Calling All Pets, we'll discuss a study suggesting that elephants are one of the few animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror. And we'll also talk with a Florida researcher about Calvin, the first dolphin known to produce rhythmic vocalizations.