Podcasting for Pets
iPet
The scoop on pet-loving podcasters
and their messages
By Ashley G. Williams
Google, blog, and download are all words that have worked their
way into our—and now our pets’—daily lives. Podcasts are yet another
means for pet enthusiasts to connect—all without meeting each other in
the traditional sense.
With more than 65,000 podcasts available at the iTunes Store
alone, pet lovers have a plethora of choices. Plug in key words like
“cat lover” or “pet care” and “podcast” into any search engine and a
plethora of pet-related podcast websites instantly appear.
The podcasters
When iTunes started offering podcasts, Julie Hill’s husband
predicted their jump in popularity. “After years of [listening to] me
chat, he thought we should combine his knowledge and [computer] skills
with my enthusiasm for dogs and ability to talk,” Hill says.
Their venture, DogCast Radio, an Internet radio show and
podcast, features a mix of interviews, news, breed profiles, articles,
and fiction. Buddy, their four-year-old black Labrador, even has his
own diary segment. Based in England, the Hills produce shows twice a
month and have more than 20 shows archived on www.DogCastRadio.com.
“We have tens of thousands of listeners around the world. DogCast Radio
has a very strong message of responsible dog [guardian]ship, and we try
to convey the realities of living with a dog...we have emphasized the
need to think things through before getting a dog, promoted rescue
dogs, and heavily featured training advice. We hope that we are
contributing in some small way to the well-being of dogs,” Hill says.
The couple loves the whole process, especially receiving
feedback from around the world. Podcasts serve as a perfect example of
the global community of pet lovers brought together, despite geographic
distance and varying nationalities.
Back on this side of the Atlantic in Austin, Texas, musician
Marc Gunn starting hearing the term podcast in 2004. Motivated by his
own curiosity, Gunn started podcasting. Now, he views his podcast as a
means to share stories about cats, especially his own American
shorthair Tabby cats Tiziano and Torre, and to highlight information
and news.
“I recorded my first podcast, Cat Lover’s Podcast. It was fun
to do. I not only got to mention the album (“Irish Drinking Songs for
Cat Lovers”), but I had the opportunity to share tidbits about my cats.
Obviously, I love my cats…before I knew it, I started finding
interesting news and facts about cats. And I’ve been sharing the
information ever since,” Gunn says.
Motivated to educate
These animal-loving podcasters all seem to share the same idea: to
use this tool to inform and educate pet lovers across the globe.
For example, Walter and Tara Elly, parents of a new baby girl
and pet parents to dogs Toby and Kyler, hope their podcast called
K9Cast is improving awareness for and promoting the rescue and adoption
of animals as well as making both animals and [guardians] happier
through the training and education featured. The couple used K9Cast to
promote donations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to Noah’s Wish, an
organization that specializes in helping pets in disaster areas. Every
K9Cast ends by promoting spaying and neutering by saying: “It’s the
best thing you can do for your furry friend.”
Podcasters seem intent on spreading information about
pet-related issues. The value of podcasts rests with the fact that most
are free. Wendy Nan Rees feels this aspect is extremely important.
Listen to her online radio show and 2 Minute Pet Tip segment at www.WendyNanRees.com. “I feel compelled to give back,” Rees says. “I want the radio show there, and people can have fun with their pets.”
Podcasting rocks
For Walter Elly, podcasting offers numerous benefits. “Television,
print, and the Web have the challenge of literally bridging the
distance between content and viewer,” he says. “But in many cases,
people listen to podcasts with headphones on. You can literally speak
into the ear of the listener.” This intimacy and connection with the
listener resonates with Gunn as well.
“Cat lovers all over seem to enjoy the stories about cats.
They’ve submitted their own health tips and comments. I love the
feedback. I think it feeds our personal passion about our feline
companions,” Gunn adds.
Sharing pet-related information, podcasters illustrate that
the pet-loving community exists everywhere and looks out for the best
interest of our four-legged friends—podcasts are definitely a good
thing.
For more information, visit:
www.K9cast.com
www.MarcGunn.com
www.DogCastRadio.com
www.WendyNanRees.com
Ashley G. Williams is a freelance writer in Chicago and recently earned her master’s in writing at DePaul.
