89. Pets in Crisis, Knoxville Pet Travel & Reptile Love

In this enriching episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, host Chris Bonifati is joined by guest co-host Tori Mistick as they dive into new trends in pet enrichment, a surprising Gen Z reptile boom, and the emotional power of the human-animal bond.

Story Time features: Tori shares the inspiring story of Chaser, the “smartest dog in the world,” who learned over 1,000 words.

Chris breaks down findings from the 2025 APPA Fish & Reptile Report, including the loyalty of fish and reptile owners to independent retailers and the rise of reptiles among Gen Z pet owners.

Special Guests: Kristen Combs Director of Communications at Visit Knoxville and author of 100 Things to Do in Knoxville Before You Die, Kristen shares her top pet-friendly recommendations in Tennessee's nature-loving capital, from the Ijams Nature Center and paddleboarding to dog-friendly breweries and events. Visit Knoxville: https://www.visitknoxville.com Pet-Friendly Knoxville: https://www.visitknoxville.com/things-to-do/pet-friendly/ Kristen's Guide: https://www.instagram.com/100thingsknoxville

Andy Bond Co-founder & CEO of BestyBnB, a tech platform revolutionizing crisis pet fostering. Andy explains how BestyBnB helps survivors of domestic violence and others in crisis by safely housing their pets while maintaining total anonymity — ensuring pets and people can reunite when it’s safe. BestyBnB Website: https://www.mybestybnb.com Home Away from Home Initiative: https://www.azpetproject.org/ Learn how to get involved or become a pet caregiver: https://auth.bestybnb.com/Account/FinishSignUp

Pet Product Recommendations: Wonderfold W4 Pet Stroller Wagon (for dogs up to 300 lbs!): https://wonderfold.com/collections/pet-strollers-collection/products/pxl-large-pet-stroller-wagon Zoo Med’s Lizard Ladder (mesh climbing accessory for reptiles): https://a.co/d/6jrRhBW

Q&A Topics: Tina from Austin asks about unique weekend activities with her dog — Tori suggests exploring dog sports like barn hunt and agility. Daniel from Seattle wants to mentally enrich his indoor cat — Chris explains how to simulate hunting behavior with vertical spaces and movement-based toys.

Special Holiday Freebie: DOGTV is offering 10 hours of free calming content for dogs this holiday season — no sign-up required. Download the DOGTV app and search for “Paws & Relax.”

Related Links: Visit Knoxville: https://www.visitknoxville.com BestyBnB: https://www.mybestybnb.com 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