Why Do Pets Matter? Hosted by Debra Hamilton, Esq.

About Why Do Pets Matter? Hosted by Debra Hamilton, Esq.

Pet expert Debra Hamilton interviews other pet lovers on this delightful podcast about pet custody, pet drama, pet problems and pet solutions. Why Do Pets Matter? is a heartfelt podcast dedicated to pets, hosted by pet-focused attorney Debra Hamilton, Esq.

Publisher

Debra Hamilton, Esq.

Category

kids & family · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Nov 2019

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

180 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   The Healing Power of Dogs: From the National Dog Show to Therapy Dogs

   What makes the National Dog Show such a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, and why do pets matter so much in our lives? In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, host Debra Hamilton welcomes Steve Griffiths, Director of Communications for the National Dog Show presented by Purina and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, for a fascinating conversation about the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs. Steve shares the story behind the National Dog Show’s 25-year history, what makes it a unique bench show, and why meeting dogs, breeders, and handlers in person can help families find the right canine companion.The conversation also explores the incredible world of dog agility, the importance of responsible pet parenting, and the growing impact of therapy dogs in hospitals, nursing homes, and communities facing difficult times. Steve and Debra discuss the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium at Rowan University and the people working to expand therapy dog visitation and support both dogs and their handlers. Whether you're a lifelong dog lover, a fan of the Thanksgiving tradition, or interested in the healing power of the human-animal bond, this episode celebrates all the wonderful ways dogs make our lives better.Steve Griffiths — PR Guy, Marketer, Father, Grandfather, BBall Ref, Tennis Player, and Curator of a List of Attributes That Dogs Have in Abundance and That People Desperately Need.🐾 Learn more about the National Dog Show: https://www.nationaldogshow.comNational Dog Show tickets: https://nds.tixonlinenow.com/nationaldogshow/National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium registration: https://secure.rufoundation.org/s/1653/02-alumni/index.aspx?sid=1653&gid=2&pgid=4996&cid=8604Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to Why Do Pets Matter? — and give your pets some extra love!

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Is Your Cat Really Healthy? Gina Fortunato on Preventive Care

   Did you know that cats can hide signs of illness even when something serious is wrong? Debra welcomes Gina Fortunato, Executive Director of Catalyst Council, to discuss the research, education, and insights helping improve feline health and veterinary care. Drawing on data from Catalyst Council's State of the Cat research, Gina explains why routine wellness visits matter, what keeps cat owners from visiting the veterinarian, and how better communication can encourage more proactive care. From dental disease and heart health to reducing carrier anxiety and finding cat-friendly veterinary practices, this conversation offers valuable information to help cat owners give their feline companions longer, healthier lives.In this episode, I sit down with Gina Fortunato, Director of Catalyst Council, to ask the question at the heart of this show. Why do pets matter? We open where so many of these conversations begin, with the comfort animals bring us. Gina and I talk about pets as a source of emotional support, including the quiet, moving story of a cat honoring a deceased horse, and the surprising, sometimes profound ways animals help us heal.From there, Gina introduces Catalyst Council, the nonprofit she helps lead. It is an organization advancing feline health through data-driven insight, built on a decade of advocacy and research. She walks me through their State of the Cat report, drawn from large national household surveys, and what that data reveals about the cats living among us.And the data tells a remarkable story. Cat ownership has grown from one in four homes to one in three, and that rise is bringing more cats into veterinary care. Gina shares a stat I keep coming back to, that 82% of cat owners consider themselves cat people. We are devoted. So why does feline care still lag behind?That question leads us into what Gina calls the medicalization gap. We talk about how 62% of cats are acquired informally, often arriving in homes without ever seeing a veterinarian, and why that first visit matters so much for a cat's long, healthy life. Gina is honest about the barriers, too. Cost, the stress of the carrier, and the anxiety of the visit itself all keep cats away from care they need.We dig into trust, and into the work still ahead. An impressive 92% of cat owners trust their veterinarian, yet many veterinarians admit they feel uncomfortable treating cats. Gina explains how owners, especially Gen Z and millennials, are seeking out feline-only practices and stress-reduction measures, and how tools like monitored chat boxes can help clinics meet owners where they are.Our conversation widens to community cats. Gina shares how TNR and community education improve outcomes for pets and feral cats alike. She reminds us that cats, indoor and outdoor, are built to hide pain, which makes annual exams essential for catching what we cannot see, from dental disease to other quiet conditions.Before we close, Gina offers practical takeaways for veterinary teams and owners. Clinics should ask about every pet in the household, not just the one in the room. And owners deserve to hear, plainly, that annual visits help cats live longer. We end with Gina's gratitude for ten years of Catalyst Council's work, and where listeners can go to learn more and stay engaged.

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   The Hidden Crisis in Veterinary Medicine: Burnout, Costs & Compassion

   Why do pets matter, and what happens when the people dedicated to caring for them are struggling? In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, Deborah Hamilton sits down with Dr. Gershon Alaluf, a retired veterinarian, practicing relief vet, podcaster, and researcher studying burnout in veterinary medicine. Together, they explore the growing pressures facing veterinarians, from the rising cost of care and emotional exhaustion to inadequate mentorship, difficult client conversations, and the challenges of maintaining trust in an increasingly complex industry. They also discuss how pet owners can become more informed partners in their animals' care, why tools like ChatGPT can help prepare clients for veterinary visits, the role of pet insurance in managing unexpected expenses, and how better communication and collaboration can benefit everyone involved. At the heart of this conversation is a shared concern: How can we protect the human-animal bond while making veterinary medicine more sustainable for the people who care for our pets? Whether you're a pet owner, veterinary professional, or animal advocate, this is an honest and insightful conversation about compassion, connection, and the future of animal care. Extended InfoGuest: Dr. Gershon Alaluf, DVM, MBA, DBA CandidateHost: Debra Hamilton | Hamilton Law & Mediation – HADR-NC What does your veterinarian actually go through before, during, and after your pet's appointment? On this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, host Debra Hamilton sits down with Dr. Gershon Alaluf, retired veterinarian, podcaster, DBA candidate, and fierce advocate for the human-animal bond, to pull back the curtain on what is really happening inside the veterinary profession. Gershon grew up as an only child whose closest companions were animals. That bond shaped him into a veterinarian who sees his work not as a transaction, but as a sacred relationship between a family and the pet that holds that family together. Today, from his podcast Irreplaceable Truths and his weekly LinkedIn newsletter Veterinary Intelligence, he continues championing the profession he loves, even as that profession faces a quiet crisis. In this conversation, Debra and Gershon explore:• The $2–4 billion annual cost of veterinary burnout, and how moral injury makes it worse• Why "hybrid vigor" in doodle breeds is often misunderstood, and what genetic testing really tells us• How corporate consolidation is reshaping mentorship and loyalty in veterinary practice• The communication skills veterinarians desperately need — and rarely receive in school• The role of pet insurance in reducing financial conflict between vets and pet owners• Why mediation — not litigation — may be the answer when the human-animal bond is at stake Whether you are a pet owner, a veterinary professional, or simply someone who has ever looked into an animal's eyes and felt something profound — this episode is for you. Show Notes & Resource Links Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Gershon Alaluf - Connect & FollowLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galaluf-dvmmba/Veterinary Intelligence Newsletter (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/veterinary-intelligenceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/analsacs Irreplaceable Truths PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/irreplaceable-truths/id1805690797Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/irreplaceable-truthsYouTube / Pacific Lens Studios: https://www.youtube.com/@Pacific.Lens.Studios Why Do Pets Matter? — Connect with DebraBook a 15-Minute Intro Call: https://calendly.com/dhamilton-1/15-minute-meeting-with-debra-compHamilton Law & Mediation – HADR-NC: https://www.hamiltonlawandmediation.com

Who has been a guest on Why Do Pets Matter? Hosted by Debra Hamilton, Esq.

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Jeff Grognet
• Terri Stockdreher
• Jeremy Cohen
• Brett Lyman
• Maribeth Decker

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

5,420

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

70

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

51

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