Advertise on podcast: Maria's Mutts & Stuff

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 Alliance See 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.