Help keep the hotline alive, donate now →
The Pet Parent Hotline
The Pet Parent Hotline
The Pet Parent Hotline is your lifeline when pet parenting feels overwhelming. If you thought bringing home a dog or cat would bring joy, but instead you’re scrubbing accidents at midnight, stressing over rising vet bills, or juggling multiple pets while putting your own needs last, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. Hosted by pet industry expert and animal rescue veteran Amy Castro, this podcast delivers real talk and practical pet parenting advice to help you handle dog training challenges, cat behavior struggles, and the stress of managing a multi-pet household on a budget. With 4,000+ foster pets under her care and 15+ years of guiding overwhelmed pet parents, Amy knows what works in real life, not just in polished Instagram posts. Every episode gives you: Practical tips to solve common dog and cat behavior problems Relief from the pressure to be the “perfect” pet parent Smart strategies for saving money on pet care and vet visits Tools to reclaim your time, energy, and sanity without sacrificing your pets’ well-being You love your pets. You deserve to love your life, too. New episodes every week.
Choose your favorite podcast player
The Pet Parent Hotline

The Pet Parent Hotline: Real Talk and Expert Advice for Life with Pets

The Pet Parent Hotline is your lifeline when loving your pets starts to feel like losing your mind. If you thought bringing home a pet would add joy but now find yourself scrubbing pee at midnight, budgeting around $400 vet bills, and skipping self-care (again) because no one else remembers to walk the dog, you’re in the right place.

Hosted by pet industry expert and animal rescue veteran Amy Castro, this podcast is here to help you stop chasing your tail and start creating a life with pets that actually works. No judgment. No fluff. Just real talk, expert strategies, and practical solutions that fit your real life—not the one shown in curated Instagram grids.

#1 dog training podcast.png #2 adoption podcast.png top 5 cat podcast.png top 10 pet podcast.png
DOG TRAINING PODCASTS ADOPTION PODCASTS # 5 OF TOP 100 CAT PODCASTS #6 OF TOP PET PODCASTS

Recent Episodes

Feb. 1, 2026

$10 And 2 Minutes To Help Your Pet Live Longer?

What if a $10 purchase used 2 minutes a day could help your pet live better and longer? Most pet parents know they “should” brush their pet's teeth, but fewer than 10% actually do. So, dental disease quietly builds for years ...
Jan. 25, 2026

Pet Tech: How to Tell What’s Actually Worth It

Pet tech is exploding, and a lot of it looks amazing right up until you’re the one charging it, cleaning it, troubleshooting it, and regretting the money you spent. In this episode, AI and tech consultant Debbie Richards brea...
Jan. 18, 2026

Seniors And Pets: Don’t Wait For A Crisis, Make A Plan

Are you caring for aging parents with pets, or aging with a pet yourself, and hoping it’ll all “work out” when something changes? Because the biggest risk usually isn’t age, it’s waiting for a fall, a hospitalization, or memo...
Jan. 11, 2026

Do Pets Grieve After a Loss? A Pet Loss Doula Explains

Do pets actually grieve, or are they reacting to routine changes and stress in ways we don’t recognize? And how much of what we label as “grief” is really our own emotion spilling over into the way we interpret their behavior...
Jan. 7, 2026

Pet Parent Power-Up: 1 Question Ends Wasted Time (Quick Fix)

Ever feel like you’re doing a ton for your pets, but nothing is actually getting easier? If you’re stuck repeating the same corrections, overcomplicating your routines, or carrying a low-grade stress cloud all day, this quick...

About the Host

Amy P. Castro, MA, CSP Profile Photo
Amy P. Castro, MA, CSP

Host

Amy Castro is a professional speaker, author, trainer and consultant, and columnist for Pet Age Magazine. She's the founder and president of Starlight Outreach and Rescue (www.StarlightOutreachandRescue.org), a Houston, Texas area 501c3 nonprofit animal rescue whose mission is to rescue animals from the community, support shelters in providing medical treatment for at-risk pets, community outreach for pet owners in need, and educating pet parents to help keep pets in homes and off the streets.

Amy started the Starlight Pet Talk Podcast in 2023 as an extension of the rescue's education efforts to be able to reach more pet parents and help them solve their biggest problems so they can live their best lives with the pets they love.

Amy is also a proud USAF veteran and has personally fostered more than 3000 animals during her time in animal rescue.

Reviews

Im Obsessed!

"I am totally obsessed with this podcast! Amy the host, is amazing and so knowledgeable about everything pets. She brings such a warm and genuine vibe to every episode, making it a must-listen I tell …"

Alex | June 13, 2024

Pet Parent Therapy!!

"Amy’s advice is practical, her stories are hilariously relatable, and she reminds you that no pet parent has it all figured out (and that’s totally okay)!"

PodLaunchHQ.com | Jan. 26, 2025