ExoticHobbyist Chat Week 2003!
This is a partial lineup of the special guests scheduled for chat week. Watch this page as we add new names daily!
 Dr. Tom Lonsdale
Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health for Cats, Dogs, & Ferrets
Sunday, December 7, at 9 PM Eastern in The Dog Den
Tigers do it... owls do it... lions and wolves do it... heck, even some PLANTS do it! Why so much controversy over feeding whole prey animals to domesticated cats and dogs? Australian veterinarian and author Dr. Tom Lonsdale wants you to know that your dogs, cats, and ferrets are carnivores, and that there can be amazing health benefits for them when fed their natural diet. And it doesn't come in a bag or can! For more information and a free email reminder: Dr. Tom Lonsdale
 Mark O'Shea
From Animal Planet's "Mark O'Shea's Big Adventure"
Monday, December 8, at 8 PM Eastern, in kingsnake.com's MainRoom
This chat is being co-presented with kingsnake.com.
Come take a wild ride with Mark O'Shea! He's travelled to some of the world's most exotic locations, encountering some of the planet's deadliest and most fascinating reptiles and amphibians. From Arkansas to Argentina, India to Indonesia, and New Guinea to New Caledonia, Mark has come face to fang with king cobras, beaked seasnakes and silent rattlesnakes. He’s got up close and personal with snapping turtles, snappy gators and cryptic crocs. And he’s rubbed snouts with Komodo dragons, giant geckos, and skinks with an “extraterrestrial” twist.
 Jim Smith, Tejas Bengals
Myths About the Bengal Cat
Tuesday, December 9, at 10 PM Eastern in Cat Care Central
Jim Smith is the owner of Bengal-L, an active email list about Bengal cats with over 700 members. He is also the owner and founder of Tejas Bengals, which has produced some of the top winning Bengals in the world. He has worked with foundation stock and Asian Leopard Cats, and is currently working to establish the Savannah breed as well. He will discuss myths and misconceptions about the Bengal cat.
 Melanie Piazza , Director of Animal Care at WildCare in San Rafael, California
Helping Injured or Orphaned Wild Animals and Birds
Thursday, December 11, at 10 PM Eastern in the Aviary
This chat is co-presented with birdhobbyist.com.
WildCare is a unique organization located in Marin County, California, one of the few truly urban Wildlife rehabilitation centers. They care for ill, orphaned or injured wild animals in their hospital and rehabilitation center. Orphaned raccoons, injured barn owls, hurt migrating birds and ailing squirrels - any native wild critter - all receive the best medical care possible. Once healthy and vigorous again, they return them to their woodland and seashore homes. Melanie Piazza graduated from Elon University in North Carolina in 1996, and since then has been caring for and releasing wildlife. In 2002 she left her position as manager of a wildlife rehabilitation hospital in order to accept the postition of Director of Animal Care at WildCare. She will discuss questions regarding wildlife rehabilitation, from determining if an animal needs help, to temporary care until the critter can be transferred to a licensed rehabilitator, and how to find a rehabilitator in your area.
 Debbie Ducommun, "The Rat Lady"
Rats as Pets
Friday, December 12, at 9 PM Eastern in Exotic Pet Chat
Debbie Ducommun, known as “The Rat Lady,” is internationally recognized as an expert on domestic rats. She has worked in the animal care industry for over 18 years and has a background in animal training, nutrition, and animal health care. She graduated from California State University at Chico with honors and holds a bachelor of arts degree in animal behavior. Ducommun has had numerous articles published in national animal magazines and currently writes a column for Pet Business magazine. She is the founder of The Rat Fan Club and writes, edits, and publishes the Rat Report. Ducommun is also author of the book Rats: Practical, Accurate Advice from the Expert. Ducommun has promoted rats on television and radio including appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Howie Mandel Show, To Tell The Truth, Discovery Channel’s Nigel’s Wild Wild World, and Animal Planet’s The Most Extreme: Cheats. Ducommun lives in Chico, CA with her husband Larry and a varying number of rats.
 Jacki Hadra
IMOM.org
Friday, December 12, at 9 PM Eastern in The Auditorium
"No pet should ever have to die because their person didn't have the funds necessary to get proper medical treatment, or medicine and supplies." With those words, IMOM, Inc. founder Jacki Hadra expresses the mission of her organization, and the legacy of her cat, Magic, who died in 1998. IMOM works its magic by supplying funds, or helping pet owners raise funds, to pay veterinary bills for pets who need surgery or other medical care that the owners could otherwise not afford. You can read the moving story of IMOM's founding, as well as countless stories of pets helped by the organization, and learn how you can support IMOM, at IMOM.org.
How to Attend
These events will be held in chat rooms listed above. To access the chats:
If you are a registered user of our site, simply follow the direct link to the chat, which for the main exotichobbyist.com chat room is Exotic Pet Chat, and log in with your username and password. (Forgot them? Click here!)
Some chats are being held in the Auditorium: the Auditorium or other rooms - just follow the links listed with the chat.
If you are not already a registered user of the site, registration is not required - simply go to chat.pethobbyist.com and use the "Guest" log-in option, then select the scheduled chat room.
There is nothing to download or install, but the system does require you to have java enabled in your browser settings. We strongly suggest you access the room before the chat, so you have time to address any difficulties you might have. You might want to drop by one of our regular weekly chats as a test run. If you have trouble, please visit our Chat Help Area.
More Information
There is more information about each chat available at the links in the right hand column. Simply click on the species in which you are interested for a more detailed listing. Some of the chats even have free email reminders you can sign up for!
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