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 ris...
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
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