Animals Today May 18, 2019. Farewell Doris Day. Update on rabies. Ultra potent rodenticides are harming wildlife, pets and children.

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Lori begins the show with a remembrance of Doris day, who died May 13, 2019 at the age of 97. A Hollywood legend, she was known for her talents as a singer, dancer and as a pioneering advocate for animals. She was an early opponent of animal testing, and persuaded Alfred Hitchcock to ensure humane treatment of the animals on the set of The Man who Knew Too Much.

Among her many achievements on behalf of animals, she created the Doris Day Pet Foundation (now the Doris Day Animal Foundation), a grant making charity, and later, the Doris Day Animal League, which protects animals through lobbying, corporate engagement and education.

Then, Dr. Robert Reed joins Lori to discuss rabies. Robert explains the nature of the virus and the disease it causes, and the current risks to people, dogs and cats in the US. Fortunately, thanks to the widespread use of vaccines, rabies cases are rare. Dr. Reed is Medical Director, VCA Rancho Mirage Animal Hospital.

Way back in 2012, Lori had a guest on to discuss her book about rabies. This is what we wrote in the blog:  “On this show, Veterinarian Monica Murphy came on to discuss her new book, RABID – A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus. Co-authored with her husband and Wired Editor Bill Wasik, Lori and Monica discussed what rabies is, how it was tamed and which animals and people still can get it. The book is a fascinating read.”

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has just released a report showing that many non-target animals are being exposed to the second generation, highly toxic rodenticides. Lori welcomes back Jonathan Evans, Environmental Health Legal Director and Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity to explain about the types and uses of rodenticides and major harm being caused by these new generation poisons. He also shares ways we can deter mice and rats from our home environments using humane methods.