The Pet Parent Hotline | Pet Parent Advice & Support for Overwhelmed Pet Parents
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 everyone’s needs while ignoring your own.
Many podcasts talk about caring for animals 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 people who love their pets and need help managing the behavior, the budget, and the mayhem without losing their minds or giving up.
I’m your host, Amy Castro, longtime industry pro, animal rescuer, and trusted advisor to thousands of families who’ve been exactly where you are.
After fostering more than 4,000 animals and helping their people go from overwhelmed to capable and confident, I’ve learned one thing: you’re not a bad pet parent, you just haven’t gotten advice tailored to your real life. So this podcast brings you practical guidance, real talk, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to help you feel seen, supported, and back in control of your life and your crew.
Every week, I answer your questions and break down expert insights on everything from training mistakes and litter box trouble to saving money on vet bills and everyday expenses. You’ll walk away with 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 animals, and your life, again.
Episodes
141 episodes
Holiday Pet Safety: Hidden Hazards You’re Not Prepared For
Are you sure your home is ready for the holidays, or are there hidden dangers for your pet that you haven’t thought about yet?Most pet parents prep for the obvious hazards, but the real risks are the ones you never see coming. In ...
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32:27
How to Handle Holiday Guests Who Don’t Love Your Pets
Do your holiday guests expect your pets to be quiet, invisible, or perfectly behaved on command? If you have friends or family visiting who are not big pet lovers, it can put pressure on you and cause a lot of confusion for your pets...
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7:23
Is Your Child Really Ready for a Pet? 6 Signs You Can’t Ignore
Are you wondering whether your child is actually ready for a pet, or are they just deep in the “please please please” phase? Most parents hear “Can we get a dog?” on loop, but pet parenting isn’t as simple as saying yes. When kids aren’t...
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32:33
Pet Bills Keep Surprising You? Here’s How to Plan
Are pet costs sneaking up on you every month? Instead of scrambling when a vet or food bill hits, what would change if you planned for every common expense ahead of time?Most pet parents underestimate costs because they do not tra...
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31:21
How a Microchip Brought My Pet Home After 5 Years, But Yours Might Not
When my cat disappeared suddenly, I thought I’d never see her again. Five years later, a microchip brought her home to me, but your pet's chip might not.In this episode, I share the incredible story of my barn cat,...
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17:58
What Happens to Your Pet If You Don’t Make It Home?
Most pet parents never stop to ask this question until it’s too late. Every week, rescues like mine get heartbreaking calls from families who can’t take their loved one’s pets after a death, move, or medical emergency. The pets - confused...
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34:06
Choosing a Pet Boarding Facility? Watch for These Red Flags
Leaving your pet in someone else’s care can be nerve-racking, especially when you’re not sure what goes on behind those kennel doors. In this episode, Amy sits down with Carmen Rustenbeck, Founder & CEO of the International Boarding ...
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41:22
Stop Your Pet Parent Guilt Spiral For Good
Ever feel guilty for working too much, missing walks, or not giving your pet enough attention? You’re not alone. Pet parenting struggles like guilt, burnout, and overwhelm are more common than most people admit. But what if guilt isn’t the r...
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42:28
Stop Trusting Pet Advice on Social Media
Ever searched online for pet advice and ended up more confused than when you started? One post about your dog throwing up turns into 60 conflicting comments, arguments, and fear-filled stories, and suddenly you’re spiraling.In thi...
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22:08
Stop Overpaying for Grooming: What You Can DIY vs Leave to the Pros
Trying to save money on grooming? Whether you’ve got a dog or a cat, this episode will give you DIY dog grooming tips for beginners, and help you figure out what you can safely and confidently do at home versus what’s better left to the ...
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48:38
Crate Training Without the Stress
Think crate training is as simple as putting your dog in the crate and calling it a night? That’s the biggest reason it fails.Crate training isn’t instant. It’s a step-by-step process that builds your dog’s trust and confidence ov...
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38:40
Don’t Buy the Wrong Crate for Your Dog
Confused about which crate is right for your dog? With so many sizes, styles, and price points, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to end up wasting time and money on the wrong crate for your dog. The right crate isn’t just about convenie...
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30:54
Cat Won't Use the Litter Box? 6 Rules You’re Probably Breaking
Understanding cat litter box issues is one of the top problems cat owners face. You think your litter box setup is fine, yet your cat is still peeing on the bath mat or worse, on your bed! In this episode,...
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22:45
5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Pet for Your Child Under 5
Thinking about getting a puppy or kitten for your preschooler? It might look adorable on social media, but in real life it’s often a recipe for stress, safety risks, and heartbreak.Well-meaning parents often believe getting a pet ...
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18:38
Is Crating Cruel? 5 Surprising Benefits for Your Dog
Is crating your dog cruel, or could it actually be one of the kindest things you do for them? Many pet parents picture their pup feeling trapped or lonely, so they avoid crates altogether. But when used the right way, a crate can become ...
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23:16
How to Avoid Choosing the Wrong Dog Trainer
Are you at the end of your rope with your dog’s behavior, but not sure if it’s time to hire a professional dog trainer, or worried about picking the wrong one?You’re not alone. The dog training world can feel like the Wild West. W...
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39:00
Bringing Home a New Cat? Build Trust Fast With the CATS Method
That friendly, purring shelter cat you fell in love with can sometimes turn into a ghost or even a hissy ball of nerves the moment you get them home. It’s not rejection. It’s survival mode. And how you handle those first few days sets th...
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19:05
How I Keep My Home Fresh and Fur-Free… Even With 8 Pets
Do you feel like no matter how much you clean, your home still smells like pets and looks like a fur factory? You’re not alone!In this episode, I’m joined by Tracy Fosterling, pet foster mom and social media favorite, to break dow...
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44:24
Pet Cost Hacks: 6 Ways to Save Money on Pet Food Without Guilt
Are you tired of feeling like you need a second job just to buy pet food? You're not alone. Prices keep climbing, and if you’ve ever stood in the pet food aisle at the pet store doing mental math and wondering what bill to sk...
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19:57
Pet Cost Hacks: 5 Ways to Afford Your Vet Bill Without Stress
Does a single vet visit feel like it could wipe out your bank account? You're not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. Too many pet parents walk in for a quick checkup and walk out with a bill they didn’t expect and don’t know ...
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19:45
Is Another Pet the Answer, or a Big Mistake?
Thinking about adding another pet to your family? Before you give in to those puppy-dog eyes or kitten purrs, hit pause. Because while one more pet can be wonderful, it can also turn your home upside down if the timing or reason isn’t ri...
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14:39
Are You Rewarding the Bad Behavior You Want to Stop?
Feel like the more you try to fix your dog’s behavior, the worse it gets?If you’re dealing with barking, leash pulling, jumping, or flat-out ignoring commands, the problem might not be your dog: it might be what you’re accidentall...
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42:46
Benadryl, Tylenol, Pepto: What’s Safe for Your Pet?
When your dog’s limping or your cat won’t stop scratching, it’s tempting to reach into your medicine cabinet, but should you?In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Dr. Zoo, my vet and the veterinarian for Starlight Outreac...
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41:16
The Truth About Year-Round Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Meds
You’re staring at another $200 vet bill and wondering if skipping a month of flea, tick, or heartworm meds will really matter.Your dog barely goes outside. Your cat’s never seen a flea. And those p...
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43:43
New Here? Start With Real Pet Parenting Solutions: The Pet Parent Hotline Trailer
Think getting a pet would make life better? Instead, you’re staring at sky-high vet bills, a dog that won’t stop barking, a cat refusing the litter box, and endless late-night searches for solutions.That’s why I created The Pet Parent...
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