In this Valentine’s Day–themed episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine explore love in all its forms — romantic, familial, and especially the deep emotional bonds we share with animals. From how pet parents celebrate Valentine’s Day with their pets to hopeful conservation news and groundbreaking research on human–animal attachment, this episode is a heartfelt reminder of why pets truly add life.
Story Time features: Kristen shares new survey data revealing that 70% of U.S. pet parents buy Valentine’s Day gifts for their pets, with spending expected to reach $3.7 billion. Millennials lead the trend, treating pets as close companions and proudly sharing the love on social media.
Chris highlights uplifting conservation news: giant pandas have been reclassified from “endangered” to “vulnerable,” marking a major milestone for global wildlife conservation efforts and showing that sustained protection and awareness can make a real difference.
Special Guests: Dr. Monique Udell, Human–Animal Bond Scientist & Associate Professor, Oregon State University
Dr. Naomi Hoyer, Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist
Pet Product Recommendations: Oxbow Applewood Chew Sticks (for small animals) – https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com
Maxbone Stranger Things Pet Collection – https://www.maxbone.com/products/
Q&A Topics: Are there science-backed ways to deepen the bond with a dog if it doesn’t feel instant or natural? (Submitted by Alex from Boulder, CO)
Do fish recognize their owners, or is the calming connection of aquariums one-sided? (Submitted by Ryan from San Mateo, CA)
Related Links: Human–Animal Interaction Lab (Oregon State University): https://haib.org
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC): https://vohc.org
Wildlife Conservation Society: https://www.wcs.org
American Pet Products Association (APPA): https://www.americanpetproducts.org
DOGTV Unleashed FAST Channel: https://www.dogtv.com/unleashed
Pets Add Life: https://www.petsaddlife.org
Social Channels: Pets Add Life (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/petsaddlife
Pets Add Life (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/PetsAddLife
Pets Add Life (TikTok): https://www.tiktok.com/@petsaddlife
Pets Add Life (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@petsaddlife
Subscribe & Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts!
Submit a question to the podcast: https://www.petsaddlife.org/podcast
Presented by: American Pet Products Association (APPA) & DOGTV
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal Season 5
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.