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Muddy Paws and Hairballs
You thought a pet would be the perfect addition to your life. Instead, your bank account’s drained, your dog won’t stop barking, your cat’s peeing everywhere, and your house is such a disaster you can’t have friends over. You’ve shelled out for trainers and followed your vet’s advice, and you’re still up at 2 a.m. scrolling for answers and wondering how long you can keep trying to meet your pet’s needs while ignoring your own.
Many pet podcasts dish out advice like you’ve got endless time, money, and a perfectly behaved golden retriever straight out of a Disney movie. This one doesn’t. It’s for real pet parents who love their pets and need help managing the behavior, the budget, and the mayhem without losing their minds or giving up on their pets.
I’m your host, Amy Castro, pet industry pro, animal rescuer, and trusted advisor to thousands of pet parents who’ve been exactly where you are.
After personally fostering more than 4,000 pets and helping their pet parents go from overwhelmed to capable and confident, I’ve learned one thing: you’re not a bad pet parent; you just haven’t gotten the right advice, tailored to your real life. So, this podcast brings you no-fluff tools, real talk, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to help you feel seen, supported, and back in control of your life – and your pets.
Every week, I’ll answer your questions and break down expert advice into bite-sized, doable steps that actually work for your budget, your schedule, and your perfectly imperfect pets.
So you can stop chasing your tail . . . and finally, enjoy your pets and your life again.
Episodes
Why You're Still Doing All the Pet Care (and How to Get Your Family to Step Up)

Is the ‘No Kill’ Movement Hurting the Animals We Love?

When Rescue Breaks You: The Cost of Saying Yes Too Much

Heartworm Prevention Myths That Could Cost Your Pet’s Life

Feeding Pets or Feeding Yourself? What No One Talks About

Still Feeling Guilty After Losing a Pet? Here’s Why

Are Hairballs Normal? What Most Cat Parents Get Wrong

Should You Treat Your Pet Like a Child? A Vet Psychiatrist Explains

Thinking About Getting a Dog? Listen to This First

Is Your Dog Getting Too Much Exercise or Not Enough?

Want Goats? What You Need to Know Before You Regret It

Pet Emergencies Happen Fast. Will You Know What to Do?

Traveling With Cats? Here’s How to Make It Stress-Free

From the Vault: Pet Vaccination 101: Expert Insights from Dr. Jeff Grognet
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From the Vault: Solve the Five Biggest Dog Behavior Problems with Expert Trainer Ruth Hegarty
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From the Vault: Save on Vet Bills! Expert Advice with Jonathan Wainberg

From the Vault: Responsible Rabbit Care Explained: with Marcy Berman, Save-a-Bunny Rescue
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From the Vault: Dr. Marlene Siegel on Extending Your Pet’s Life

Farewell Starlight Pet Talk: Celebrating Our Journey and What's Next for 2025

Exciting Changes Ahead: A New Chapter for Our Pet Podcast
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What’s Broken in Animal Rescue and How to Fix It
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Ants as Pets? What You Need to Know Before Starting
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Want to Improve Your Pet’s Diet? Start Here

Holiday Gift Ideas Every Pet Lover Will Actually Want

Thinking About Adopting a Rescue Dog? Listen to This First
