By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Talkin’ Pets is a pet-information radio and internet program that has broadcast since 1990, covering veterinary care, animal behavior and pet ownership. Jon Patch, the show’s host, says pet owners who plan to fly with animals should check airline rules before every trip, consult a veterinarian beforehand and think carefully before putting a pet in cargo.
Patch, a 1983 Penn State University graduate, worked as a radio producer before moving into programming and affiliate-relations management, a path that led him to launch Talkin’ Pets in 1990. He describes it as the longest-running pet radio and internet program in the country, and his guest list over the years has included veterinarians, animal welfare organizations such as the ASPCA and HSUS, and celebrities including Betty White and Bob Barker.
Patch says airline pet policies change often and should be verified ahead of each trip, and that older animals and flat-faced breeds face greater risk of breathing difficulty at altitude. He advises against sedating pets for travel. “You don’t want to [sedate] either because… when there’s turbulence… that pet’s not going to be able to secure itself if it’s sedated,” he says. “So it could get hurt more by using something like CBD or whatever.”
Patch ranks his preferred options for owners who must travel without their pets. “I would go pet sitters first… I would check with your vet… and I would hate to put them last, but I would say kennels last,” he says. A professional pet sitter working in the animal’s own home is his top choice, followed by a trusted veterinary facility, with a kennel as a last resort — and he recommends visiting any kennel unannounced before booking.
