Claim OwnershipThe Pet Parent Hotline | Pet Parent Advice & Support for Overwhelmed Pet Parents
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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 pet care 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 pet care advice, tailored to your real life. So, this podcast brings you pet parent education with 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 pet care questions and break down expert advice on everything from dog training mistakes and cat litter box problems to pet cost hacks for saving money at the vet and at the pet store on pet food and pet supplies. You'll walk away with bite-sized, doable steps that really 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.
138 Episodes
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Are pet costs sneaking up on you month after month? Instead of scrambling when a vet bill or boarding fee hits, what would change if you planned for every common expense ahead of time? Most pet parents underestimate costs because they do not track them, then feel stressed or guilty when money gets tight. In this conversation with Certified Financial Planner Joe Okaly, you will learn simple pet cost hacks to treat pet expenses like any other recurring life cost, so you can be prepared, confide...
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, Puti, and how she found her way back to us after vanishing for five years, even though she had gone completely blind. I’ll also reveal the hard truth most pet parents don’t realize: a microchip only works if it’s registered correctly and kept up to date. You’ll hear how this tiny ...
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, grieving, and suddenly homeless, end up in shelters that should never have become part of their story. And if you think you’re too young to worry about this, think again. We recently got a call from a sister whose 26-year-old brother passed away, and ...
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 & Pet Services Association (IBPSA), to talk about what safe, professional pet care really looks like and how to choose a boarding facility that meets your standards for quality and compassion. Whether you’re boarding for a day or a week, this episode...
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 real problem? In this episode, I’m joined by Sheryl Green, speaker, author of You Had Me at No, and recovering people-pleaser who helps others set healthy boundaries without drowning in guilt. Together, we dig into why guilt shows up for real pet parenting,...
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 this episode, I reveal the hidden danger behind all that “free” expert pet advice in online groups, why it can do more harm than good, and where to actually turn for real pet parenting guidance that helps your pets instead of hurting them. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTEN...
Trying to save money on grooming? Whether you’ve got a dog or a cat, this episode will help you figure out what you can safely and confidently do at home, and what’s better left to the professionals so you can stop overpaying for grooming. Amy talks with Liz Hampton, Director of Grooming and Education at Fluffology, who brings more than 30 years of experience as a National Certified Master Groomer. Liz shares pet cost hacks that will help pet parents make smart grooming decisions that k...
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 over time. Rush it, and you’ll end up with whining, accidents, or full-blown crate panic. In this episode, I’m joined by Ruth Hegarty, multi-certified dog trainer and behavior expert, to share real pet parenting advice that actually works. Together, we’ll walk through...
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 convenience. It’s about safety, comfort, and setting your dog up for success. In this episode, I'm chatting with Expert Dog Trainer Ruth Hegarty of Creature Good Dog Training. Together, we share real pet parenting advice to help you confidently choose the best crate f...
Think your litter box setup is fine, yet your cat is still peeing on the bath mat? In this episode, I share expert pet advice and reveal the six “everybody knows” rules cat parents accidentally break — and how small, practical changes in cat care can stop outside-the-box accidents for good. You’ll learn why health issues always come first, what “clean” really means to a cat, how litter box size and placement impact success, and when the litter itself might be the problem. BY THE TIME YOU FINI...
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 will teach their child responsibility or help them “grow up together and bond better,” but in rescue we’ve seen those myths lead to injured pets, injured kids, heartbreaking surrenders, and even euthanasia. The truth is, kids under 5 face the highest dog bite risk, ...
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 your dog’s safe space — and one of the most useful tools in your pet parenting toolbox. In this episode, I break down 5 major benefits of crating your dog. You’ll hear why it’s about more than house training, and how the right approach can bring calm, comfort,...
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. With no regulations, conflicting advice, and plenty of flashy websites, it’s hard to know who’s truly qualified to help. Choosing the wrong dog trainer can waste your money, make your dog’s behavior worse, escalate dog aggression problems, and damage the trust betwee...
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 the tone for your entire relationship. Even if you don't have a cat, many aspects of these steps toward acclimating a new pet to your home would apply to dogs, birds, and other species of pets to reduce stress and make their transition easier on them. In t...
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 down simple, realistic cleaning habits that actually work when you live with pets. Forget the overwhelming deep-clean weekends and the guilt over what your home “should” look like—we’re getting practical. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • How to sto...
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 skip this week, this episode on pet food savings and pet cost hacks is for you. I’m breaking down six smart, realistic pet cost hacks to save money on pet food without cutting corners on quality. These are the exact pet food savings strategies I’ve used with my own pe...
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 how to prevent. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real cost of veterinary care and giving you practical pet cost hacks that help you prepare, protect your budget, and avoid the financial shock so many pet parents face. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’L...
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 right. In this episode, I’m sharing 4 essential gut checks to help you decide if it’s truly the right time to expand your pack. After adopting out pets to thousands of families and taking in hundreds of owner surrenders, I’ll give you the honest questions no one...
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 accidentally reinforcing without realizing it. In this episode, I’m joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Bradley Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA, Executive Director, CCPDT to unpack the everyday mistakes that teach dogs to keep misbehaving, even when you're try...
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 Outreach and Rescue, to tackle one of the most Googled questions in pet parenting: “Can I give my pet human over-the-counter meds?” We’re breaking down what’s safe, what’s dangerous, and what might help when the vet is closed and your pet needs relief now. BY THE TIME YOU ...
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