The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The Costs, and Love Life With Your Pets Again

By Amy Castro - Pet Parenting & Behavior Expert

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Category: Pets & Animals

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Episodes: 149

Description

If you’re a busy pet parent and your dog won’t stop barking, your cat is peeing everywhere, your house feels out of control, and you’re exhausted from wasting time and money trying to fix it, you’re in the right place. 


You got a pet to make life better, not to wreck your sleep, drain your bank account, and turn your home into a mess you’re embarrassed to let anyone see. You’ve tried trainers, followed your vet’s advice, and still find yourself up at 2 a.m. searching for answers. Most pet podcasts assume you have unlimited time, unlimited money, and a perfectly behaved pet. This one doesn’t. 


We’re not just another pet podcast, we’re a pet parent podcast, because the best care doesn’t start with the right food or the latest toy, it starts with you. Clearer decisions, calmer routines, fewer spirals, for you and your pets. 


I’m your host, Amy Castro, a longtime animal rescuer and trusted advisor to thousands of pet parents. After fostering more than 4,000 animals, I’ve learned one thing: you’re not a bad pet parent. You just haven’t gotten advice that fits real life. 


Each week, I help you make smarter decisions faster so pet care stops dominating your whole life. We talk behavior, budget, home life, and the curveballs that make pet parenting harder than it should be. On the first Wednesday of each month, you’ll also get a Pet Parent Power-Up, a short reset to help you show up with better boundaries, clearer communication, and calmer decisions. 


Start with the episode that matches what you’re dealing with today.


Episode Date
Should You Get A Dog For Your Dog, Or Is It a Big Mistake?
Feb 15, 2026
Ask These Questions Before You Say Yes At The Vet
Feb 08, 2026
One Question That Helps You Speak Up at the Vet | Pet Parent Power Up
Feb 04, 2026
$10 And 2 Minutes To Help Your Pet Live Longer?
Feb 01, 2026
Pet Tech: How to Tell What’s Actually Worth It
Jan 25, 2026
Seniors With Pets: The Crisis You’re Not Ready For
Jan 18, 2026
Do Pets Grieve After a Loss? A Pet Loss Doula Explains
Jan 11, 2026
One Question That Stops You From Wasting Time on Pet Care | Pet Parent Power-Up
Jan 07, 2026
Why Your Pet Resolutions Fail By Week 2
Jan 04, 2026
Make Your Home Pet-Friendly Without Looking Like A Kennel
Dec 28, 2025
10 Rescue-Tested Pet Essentials We Can’t Live Without
Dec 21, 2025
How to Get Through the Holidays When Facing Pet Loss
Dec 14, 2025
Holiday Hazards 2.0: The Risks You Didn’t See Coming
Dec 07, 2025
Set Boundaries With Pet-Complaining Guests | Pet Parent Power-Up
Dec 03, 2025
Is Your Child Really Ready for a Pet? 6 Signs You Can’t Ignore
Nov 30, 2025
Pet Bills Keep Surprising You? Here’s How to Plan
Nov 23, 2025
How a Microchip Brought My Pet Home After 5 Years, But Yours Might Not
Nov 16, 2025
What Happens to Your Pet If You Don’t Make It Home?
Nov 09, 2025
Choosing a Dog Boarding Facility? Watch for These Red Flags
Nov 02, 2025
Stop Your Pet Care Guilt Spiral For Good
Oct 26, 2025
Stop Trusting Pet Care Advice on Social Media
Oct 19, 2025
Stop Overpaying for Grooming: What You Can DIY vs Leave to the Pros
Oct 12, 2025
Dog Training: Crate Training Without The Stress
Oct 05, 2025
Dog Training: Stop Buying The Wrong Crate
Sep 28, 2025
Cat Won't Use the Litter Box? 6 Rules You’re Probably Breaking
Sep 21, 2025
5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Pet for Your Child Under 5
Sep 14, 2025
Is Crating Cruel? 5 Surprising Benefits for Your Dog
Sep 07, 2025
Dog Training Isn’t Working? Find The Right Trainer
Aug 31, 2025
Bringing Home a New Cat? Build Trust Fast With the CATS Method
Aug 24, 2025
How I Keep My Home Fresh and Fur-Free… Even With 8 Pets
Aug 17, 2025
Pet Cost Hacks: 6 Guilt-Free Pet Food Savings Ideas That Work
Aug 10, 2025
Pet Cost Hacks: 5 Ways to Afford Your Vet Bill Without Stress
Aug 10, 2025
The Truth About Year-Round Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Meds
Aug 10, 2025
Benadryl, Tylenol, Pepto: What’s Safe for Your Pet?
Aug 10, 2025
Dog Training: Stop Rewarding Bad Behavior
Aug 10, 2025
Is Another Pet the Answer, or a Big Mistake?
Aug 10, 2025
New Here? Start With Real Pet Parenting Solutions: The Pet Parent Hotline Trailer
Aug 10, 2025
Why You're Still Doing All the Pet Care (and How to Get Your Family to Step Up)
Jun 29, 2025
Why the “No Kill” Movement Hurts More Than It Helps
Apr 27, 2025
When Rescue Breaks You: The Cost of Saying Yes Too Much
Apr 15, 2025
The Heartworm Mistakes Putting Your Pet at Risk
Apr 08, 2025
Turn Pet Hunger Into Hope for Families in Need
Apr 01, 2025
Still Feeling Guilty After A Pet Dies? Here’s Why
Mar 25, 2025
Are Hairballs Normal? What Most Cat Parents Get Wrong
Mar 18, 2025
Spoiling Your Pet Isn’t The Problem, This Is
Mar 11, 2025
Thinking About Getting a Dog? Listen to This First
Mar 04, 2025
Exercise Injuries in Dogs: What Most Pet Parents Miss
Feb 25, 2025
Want Goats? What You’ll Wish You Knew First
Feb 18, 2025
Pet Emergencies Happen Fast. Will You Know What to Do?
Feb 11, 2025
Road Trip With Cats? Pet Travel Tips To Prevent Mayhem
Feb 04, 2025
From the Vault: Responsible Rabbit Care Explained: with Marcy Berman, Save-a-Bunny Rescue
Jan 07, 2025
Farewell Starlight Pet Talk: Celebrating Our Journey and What's Next for 2025
Dec 24, 2024
What’s Broken in Animal Rescue and How to Fix It
Dec 10, 2024
Should Your Kids Keep Ants as Pets? What Parents Need to Know
Dec 03, 2024
Pet Food Labels Are Lying: How To Feed Better Without Going Broke
Nov 26, 2024
Gift Shopping for Pet Lovers? Avoid the Duds
Nov 19, 2024
Worried A Rescue Dog Was Traumatized? What To Do First
Nov 12, 2024
Holiday Grooming Tips Every Pet Parent Needs to Know
Nov 05, 2024
Zoomies: The Dog Park That’s Redefining Pet Community and Safety
Oct 29, 2024
How Rescue Dog Wines Is Saving Lives One Bottle at a Time
Oct 22, 2024
Dog Training: Why “Don’t Train Your Dog” Might Be The Best Advice
Oct 15, 2024
What It’s Really Like to Be an Animal Rescuer
Oct 08, 2024
How Smart Is Your Dog Really? What Science Says
Oct 01, 2024
The Festival That Honors Pets and People Who Love Them
Sep 24, 2024
Plastic Pet Bowls And Toys: Hidden Dangers And Health Risks
Sep 17, 2024
What Happens to Pets When Military Pet Parents Deploy?
Sep 10, 2024
How Business Partnerships Help Rescues Save More Pets
Sep 03, 2024
Rehoming Bonnie: 1,672 Miles to a Forever Home
Aug 27, 2024
Is It Really Separation Anxiety, Or Something Else?
Aug 20, 2024
How to Afford Vet Care Without Breaking the Bank
Aug 13, 2024
Want Your Pet to Live Longer? Start With These 5 Steps
Aug 06, 2024
Why Being Around Pets Makes You Healthier
Jul 30, 2024
Dog Training: Fix The 5 Biggest Behavior Problems
Jul 23, 2024
How to Build a Dog-Friendly Community That Works
Jul 16, 2024
Why Your Adoption Was Denied: 10 Reasons Shelters Say No
Jul 09, 2024
Want Your Pet in Your Wedding? Listen to this First
Jul 02, 2024
Are You Prepared to Protect Your Pet in a Disaster?
Jun 25, 2024
Baby On The Way? Start Prepping Your Dog Now
Jun 18, 2024
Your Pet Can Feel Your Stress, Here’s How To Fix It Fast
Jun 11, 2024
Worried About Pet Vaccines? What Most Vets Won't Tell You
Jun 04, 2024
When Your Pet Dies: Aftercare And Memorial Options
May 28, 2024
Before You Start A Pet Business: Don’t Make These Mistakes
May 21, 2024
The Research That Proves Pets Make Life Better (HABRI)
May 14, 2024
Does Your Pet Hurt? Massage Might Help More Than You Think
May 07, 2024
Inside A High-Save Shelter: What Williamson County Texas Does Differently
Apr 30, 2024
How Guide Dog Puppies Are Trained To Become Heroes
Apr 23, 2024
Spring and Summer Pet Safety: The Risks Nobody Warned You About
Apr 16, 2024
The Hardest Goodbye: Why In-Home Euthanasia Is Kinder
Apr 09, 2024
Found A Litter Of Kittens? Here’s What To Do First
Apr 02, 2024
End-Of-Life Pet Photos: Why You’ll Be Glad You Did It
Mar 26, 2024
Special-Needs Pet Care: The Reality and the Reward
Mar 19, 2024
Mission K9 Heroes: Reuniting Working Dogs With Their Handlers
Mar 12, 2024
Dog Owner Etiquette: Big Mistakes Everyone Notices
Mar 05, 2024
Resource Guarding: Why It Gets Worse Fast
Feb 27, 2024
From Intake to Adoption: A Rescue Cat’s Journey
Feb 20, 2024
From Intake to Adoption: A Rescue Dog’s Journey
Feb 13, 2024
Thinking About Getting a Bunny? What No One Warns You About
Feb 06, 2024
5 Pet Needs Most Homes Miss, The Next Level (Part 2)
Jan 30, 2024
5 Pet Needs Most Homes Miss, The Basics (Part 1)
Jan 23, 2024
10 Pet Parent Habits for a Healthier, Happier Year
Jan 16, 2024
Season 1 Live Finale: The Best Moments, Biggest Lessons
Dec 26, 2023
Sneak Peek: The LIVE Season Finale
Dec 19, 2023
Adopt Or Shop? Dog Show Judge Explains How To Choose Responsibly
Dec 14, 2023
How Service Dogs Help Veterans and First Responders Heal
Dec 12, 2023
Can’t Afford Vet Care? The Pet Cost Hacks You Need to Know
Dec 05, 2023
Why Your Pet’s Microchip Won’t Save Them Until You Do This
Nov 28, 2023
Holiday Hazards: The Hidden Dangers That Send Pets to the ER
Nov 21, 2023
Pet Sitter vs Boarding: How To Choose The Right Pet Care
Nov 14, 2023
Bringing Your Pet for the Holidays? Don’t Be THAT Houseguest
Nov 07, 2023
20 Rescue-Tested Pet Products We Swear By
Oct 31, 2023
Medicinal Mushrooms for Pets: What Works and What's Hype
Oct 24, 2023
Pawlytics: How Lizz Whitacre Built Rescue Software to Save Lives
Oct 17, 2023
What It Really Takes to Run a Rescue: CAMO’s Story of Grit and Grace
Oct 10, 2023
Is Your Dog Therapy Dog Material?
Oct 03, 2023
Neglected to Thriving: Kaiser’s Unforgettable Rescue Story
Sep 26, 2023
Small Pets, Big Commitments: What Vets Want You to Know
Sep 19, 2023
Dog Training: Why Your “Trained” Dog Suddenly Stops Listening
Sep 12, 2023
Want to Foster or Volunteer for Pets? What to Know First
Sep 05, 2023
Your Dog Feels Your Stress, Here’s What To Do
Aug 29, 2023
Keeping Pets and People Together: The Mission of PAWS NY
Aug 22, 2023
Lost Cat? How to Find Them Fast (and What Not to Do)
Aug 15, 2023
Emergency Vet Visits: What to Do Before You Go
Aug 08, 2023
Living with the World’s Most Difficult Cat
Aug 01, 2023
5 Ways to Help Your Pet Live Longer with Dr. Gary Richter, DVM
Jul 25, 2023
What Skipping Playtime Is Really Costing Your Pet
Jul 18, 2023
Thinking About a Pet? 10 Questions to Ask First
Jul 11, 2023
The #1 Mistake Ruining Your Pet Photos
Jul 03, 2023
Before You Start An Animal Rescue: The Truth Nobody Tells You
Jun 27, 2023
What to Do (and Not Do) When You Find Wildlife
Jun 20, 2023
Pet Grooming Secrets from Hollywood’s Top Groomer Jess Rona
Jun 13, 2023
Understanding Dog Aggression: An Expert’s Warning Signs
Jun 06, 2023
Working from Home? Stop Pets from Driving You Crazy
May 30, 2023
Vet Visits Don’t Have to Be Traumatizing, For You or Your Pet
May 23, 2023
Road Trips With Pets: Avoid Vomit, Stress and Car Chaos
May 16, 2023
Common Cat Care Mistakes and How to Fix Them
May 09, 2023
Think You ‘Have To’ Rehome Your Pet? Try This First
May 02, 2023
Thinking About Adopting a Shelter Dog? Listen to This First
Apr 25, 2023
Afraid to Adopt a Senior Dog? Here’s What You’re Missing
Apr 18, 2023
Is Your Pet’s Food Making Them Sick?
Apr 11, 2023
Thinking About Fostering a Pet? Here's What You Need to Know
Apr 04, 2023
Fake Service Dogs: How They Put Real People at Risk
Mar 28, 2023
Greyhound Rescue, Dog Dancing, and Reinventing Life Together
Mar 14, 2023
Cat Acting Out? Here’s What’s Really Going On
Mar 07, 2023
Veterinary Social Workers: The Hidden Support Pet Owners Need
Feb 28, 2023
Stop Misreading Your Pet: What Their Behavior Is Really Saying
Feb 21, 2023
The Grief Before Goodbye: Preparing for Your Pet’s Final Days
Feb 14, 2023
Wanted A Purebred, Adopted Instead: What Changed Her Mind
Feb 14, 2023
Boost Your Pet’s Nutrition Without Breaking the Bank
Feb 14, 2023
Why I Started This Podcast and Why It Was First Called Starlight Pet Talk
Jan 11, 2023