Calling all lovers of animals! Learn all about rescue pets from the world’s leading animal welfare experts including tips and tricks to help train your pet.
What do you do when 25 sea turtles suddenly show up suffering from a major cold snap?
If you're the incredible team at the The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, you roll up your sleeves, warm up the patients, and get to work saving lives.
This Saturday, June 27 at 8:30 AM on Cox Television's national network, AnimalZone dives into one of the most heartwarming—and occasionally shell-shocking—adventures of the season!
Join host Arthur von Wiesenberger as he travels to the beautiful Florida Keys to visit a hospital unlike any other. There are no emergency rooms for humans here—just dedicated professionals helping some of the ocean's oldest and most charismatic residents recover from injury, illness, and the occasional bad day at sea.
Our guide is the energetic and inspiring Bette Zirkelbach, who introduces us to patients that arrive with stories ranging from boat strikes and fishing-line entanglements to mysterious ailments that require a little detective work—and a lot of compassion.
And yes, some of the patients have names and personalities every bit as memorable as their caretakers.
You'll discover:
Why sea turtles have been cruising the world's oceans since before dinosaurs disappeared
How veterinarians and volunteers help nurse these ancient mariners back to health
Why five of the world's seven sea turtle species visit Florida waters
What happens when Mother Nature unexpectedly turns the Florida Keys into a turtle popsicle emergency
And why releasing a recovered turtle back into the ocean never gets old
There are laughs, there are touching moments, and there may even be a few scenes that leave you rooting for a turtle you've only just met.
After all, it's hard not to admire an animal that can live for decades, navigate thousands of miles of ocean, and still need a helping hand from time to time.
So grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite chair, and spend a half hour with some truly remarkable creatures—and the remarkable people dedicated to protecting them.
AnimalZone – Season 15, Episode 7
Shell Shocked & Set Free: Saving Sea Turtles in the Florida Keys
Saturday, June 27
8:30 AM on Cox Television's national network.
Watch it right now at: https://t.co/4A1oPqfwGy
Because sometimes the best stories come with flippers, a shell, and a second chance.
#AnimalZone #SeaTurtles #TurtleHospital #FloridaKeys #WildlifeRescue #OceanConservation #MarineLife #AnimalLovers #ConservationHeroes #FeelGoodTelevision #HumanAnimalBond #RescueRehabRelease #ShellYeah
Did you know dolphins can mimic behaviors even when blindfolded? 📷📷This mind-blowing research by the Dolphin Research Center is now part of an award-winning documentary short! Animal Zone just took home top honors at the Dallas Shorts Film Festival.See how Tanner the dolphin did it: https://t.co/sD8diuB5aj....
#MarineBiology #DolphinResearch #AnimalCognition #AnimalZone #WildlifeDocumentary #KeysWeekly #DolphinLovers #ScientificDiscovery #DallasShorts
📷📷 And the winners are… the animals, and the people who love them. 📷📷
Tonight, as we celebrate 17 Awards from 17 Film Festivals around the world, we are reminded that every award on this page began with a simple story—one animal, one act of compassion, one person determined to make a difference.
On behalf of AnimalZone, I want to congratulate our extraordinary production team: Harlene Conlin, William G. Conlin, and Gary Conlin, whose creativity, talent, and tireless dedication have helped transform these stories into award-winning television.
But the true stars have always been the remarkable animals who have touched our hearts and the incredible people who care for them. We share these honors with the sanctuaries, shelters, rescue organizations, conservation groups, veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, and volunteers who welcomed us into their world and trusted us to tell their stories.
From talking dolphins and rescued bats to lemurs, horses, dogs, cats, foxes, and countless other ambassadors of the animal kingdom, each episode has reminded us that kindness is a universal language.
These awards belong to everyone who has appeared on AnimalZone, supported our mission, watched an episode, shared a story, adopted a pet, rescued an animal, or simply believed that the bond between humans and animals matters.
Thank you for helping us turn compassion into stories worth telling.
The curtain may come down on award night, but tomorrow we’ll be back where we belong—celebrating the next animal, the next hero, and the next story waiting to be told.
With gratitude,
Arthur von Wiesenberger
Executive Producer & Host, AnimalZone
📷📷📷
#AnimalZone #17Awards17FilmFestivals1Mission #AwardWinning #AnimalRescue #WildlifeConservation #HumanAnimalBond #FilmFestival #Documentary #MakingADifference #williamconlin
MONKEY BUSINESS IN PARADISE!
Next Saturday, June 20 at 8:30 AM on Cox Television's national network, AnimalZone takes you to one of the most extraordinary primate sanctuaries in America:
Primate Paradise (Season 15, Episode 6)
What happens when adorable baby capuchin monkeys grow up and remember they're actually wild animals?
Mary and Andy Wasko know the answer.
Many of the sanctuary's residents once lived as exotic pets. As babies, capuchins are irresistibly cute. As adults? Let's just say they're brilliant, mischievous, opinionated, and much happier spending their days swinging through trees with fellow monkeys than sitting on someone's sofa.
At Primate Paradise in Osteen, Florida, engineer Andy Wasko has created a one-of-a-kind sanctuary where capuchins can leap, climb, and race through living trees inside a secure habitat. In fact, it's the only place in the United States where rescued capuchins can enjoy this kind of freedom in a protected forest environment.
And the monkeys themselves? They're quite the characters.
Meet Sammy, a charming capuchin Casanova whose favorite flirting technique involves raising his eyebrows at the ladies.
Learn why grapes beat bananas in the monkey popularity polls.
And discover why showing your teeth—even in a friendly smile—might be considered extremely bad monkey manners!
With intelligence, curiosity, and personalities larger than life, these remarkable primates remind us that wild animals belong in environments designed for their needs—not ours.
Join Arthur for a fun, fascinating, and often hilarious visit to a sanctuary where rescued monkeys are finally free to be monkeys.
AnimalZone: Primate Paradise
Saturday, June 20
8:30 AM
Cox Television's National Network
🎬 Watch the episode now:
https://t.co/bplepxwFlF
🐒 Learn more about Primate Paradise:
https://t.co/aD25SXHKpo
Listen to our original song: Primate Paradise : https://t.co/LljkQadrAQ...
#AnimalZone #PrimateParadise #CapuchinMonkeys #MonkeyBusiness #MonkeySanctuary #PrimateRescue #WildlifeConservation #FloridaAdventures #NotAPet #AnimalWelfare #RescueAnimals #WildAtHeart #ArthurVonWiesenberger #Season15 See less
FROM FUR FARM TO FREEDOM
What do a quail egg, a celebrity fox, and the Florida Keys have in common?
You'll find out next Saturday, June 13 at 8:30 AM on Cox Television's national network when AnimalZone revisits one of our most unforgettable rescues:
From Fur Farm to Freedom: The Foxes of Pawsitive Beginnings (Season 15, Episode 5)
In Key Largo, Florida, Nicole Navarro has dedicated her life to giving rescued foxes a second chance after being saved from the fur industry. These beautiful animals may look cuddly, but don't let those adorable faces fool you—they're not dogs, they're not cats, and they definitely aren't ideal housemates!
Join Arthur as he meets the sanctuary's remarkable residents, including Reef, the award-winning white fox who has become a local celebrity throughout the Upper Keys. Along the way, you'll discover why foxes make terrible pets, why they love quail eggs, and how patience, compassion, and understanding can help heal even the deepest wounds.
Most importantly, you'll see why these intelligent wild animals deserve something far more valuable than a cage, a coat, or a living room sofa:
The freedom to simply be foxes.
As Nicole reminds us:
"Trauma doesn't discriminate between species—but neither does hope."
AnimalZone
From Fur Farm to Freedom: The Foxes of Pawsitive Beginnings
Saturday, June 13
8:30 AM
Cox Television National Network: https://t.co/7IuSVRUauG
Watch anytime:
https://t.co/r25Dw7tZYk
Learn more about the sanctuary:
https://t.co/Y99peK88il
#AnimalZone #FoxSanctuary #PawsitiveBeginnings #NicoleNavarro #KeyLargo #FoxRescue #WildlifeConservation #AnimalWelfare #ReefTheFox #RescueAnimals #FloridaKeys #ArthurVonWiesenberger
BIGGER DOGS. BIGGER HEARTS. BIGGER ADVENTURES.
This Saturday, June 6th at 8:30 AM, AnimalZone returns to Florida for Part Two of our visit to Big Dog Ranch Rescue — America's largest no-kill dog rescue!
Join us as we go behind the scenes at a remarkable 33-acre sanctuary where hundreds of dogs are waiting for loving homes. From playful puppies splashing in pools and romping through Puppy Town to gentle giants looking for a second chance, every tail wag tells a story.
Meet the dedicated team caring for hundreds of dogs every day.
Visit the heartwarming Senior Sanctuary, where older dogs enjoy comfort, companionship, and plenty of couch privileges.
Discover how dogs rescued from puppy mills are learning to trust, play, and love for the very first time.
Since its founding, Big Dog Ranch Rescue has saved more than 85,000 dogs — proving that when people open their hearts, amazing things happen.
AnimalZone: Big Hearts for Big Dogs – Part Two
Saturday, June 6
8:30 AM
Cox Television's National Network
Watch the full Big Dog Ranch Rescue special anytime:
https://t.co/W3rJd0KU4e
Learn more or support their lifesaving work:
https://t.co/iH9EQ1yp6n
Warning: Side effects may include smiling, cheering, and an irresistible urge to adopt a very large dog.
#AnimalZone #BigHeartsForBigDogs #BigDogRanchRescue #AdoptDontShop #RescueDogs #DogLovers #AnimalRescue #NoKillShelter #SecondChances #PuppyTown #Florida #AnimalZone
On Saturday, May 30 at 8:30 AM on Cox Television's National Network is the first of two episodes about the amazing Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Palm Beach County, Florida. Here is a little trailer to the episode which can be viewed at https://t.co/DMYKOth8Ia Click to see the trailer- https://t.co/lJgqAvd2xc
Big Hearts for Big Dogs
Saturday, May 30th at AM, join us on Cox Television’s national network for a special encore presentation of one of AnimalZone’s most inspiring episodes:
AnimalZone – Big Hearts for Big Dogs: Inside America’s Largest No-Kill Rescue (Season 15, Episode 03 & 04)
In this uplifting and emotional journey, AnimalZone travels to Palm Beach County, Florida, to visit — the largest no-kill dog rescue in America.
Founder Laurie Simmons opens the gates to a remarkable 33-acre sanctuary dedicated to saving the dogs most often left behind — big dogs. While puppies and small breeds are always in demand, nearly 70% of the dogs in care are large breeds, many surrendered simply because they exceed apartment rental weight limits.
Since its founding, the organization has rescued more than 85,000 dogs, offering hope during a nationwide shelter crisis where too many animals face impossible odds.
Here, dogs live cage-free in spacious bunk rooms, romp through playgrounds, splash in swimming pools, and rediscover joy. Behind the scenes, it takes an extraordinary village: 270 staff members, 5 veterinarians, and 10 adoption counselors caring for hundreds of dogs every single day.
We also visit the touching Senior Sanctuary — a cozy six-bedroom home where older dogs enjoy couches, companionship, and the comfort they deserve in their golden years. These gentle souls are often overlooked, yet they make extraordinary companions, especially for seniors.
And perhaps most moving of all, we meet dogs rescued from puppy mills — animals who have never known life outside a cage. Through patience, kindness, and love, they’re finally given something many have never experienced before: trust, dignity, and a second chance.
Watch the combined episode 3 & 4 filmed at Big Dog Ranch Rescue anytime: https://t.co/W3rJd0KU4e
To learn more or support their lifesaving work, visit: https://t.co/4KurfHnhfd
#AnimalZone #BigHeartsForBigDogs #BigDogRanchRescue #DogRescue #AdoptDontShop #AnimalLovers #FilmFestival #Documentary #RescueDogs #PetRescue #NoKillShelter #SecondChances #LaureeSimmons
This Saturday, dive into one of AnimalZone’s most talked-about and award-winning adventures:
AnimalZone – Echoes of Intelligence: Tanner and the Talking Dolphins
Dolphin Research Center • Grassy Key, Florida
Meet Tanner — the bottlenose dolphin with a mind so remarkable he’s been featured in respected scientific journals… and now apparently on the international film festival circuit too. Not bad for a guy without thumbs.
Guided by Dolphin Research Center specialist Abby Haddock, we explore the astonishing world of dolphin communication, echolocation, learning, trust, and interspecies connection. Blindfolded studies, playful interactions, and jaw-dropping moments reveal that Tanner doesn’t just “hear” the world… he understands it.
🏆 Award Winner – Dallas Shorts Festival
🌍 Official selections and honors from:
Chicago Filmmaker Awards, Austin International Art Festival, Paris International Short Festival, Berlin Indie Awards, Rome International Short Festival, Munich Short Film Awards, San Jose Independent Film Festival, Oslo Independent Film Festival, Calgary Indie Film Awards & Atlanta Movie Awards.
Equal parts science, wonder, and pure joy — this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
And yes… after hearing the song, you may find yourself walking around all weekend singing:
🎶 “Click-click splash…” 🎶
For more visit https://t.co/DMYKOth8Ia
#AnimalZone #TalkingDolphins #DolphinResearchCenter #FloridaKeys #MarineLife #AnimalDocumentary #WildlifeFilm #TannerTheDolphin #Echolocation #FamilyTelevision #AwardWinning #DallasShorts #NatureLovers #OceanMagic #AnimalIntelligence
We’re absolutely thrilled to share some bat-tastic news from the Los Angeles Movie & Music Video Awards!
🏆 BEST DIRECTOR – SHORT FILM 🏆
AnimalZone: Batty for a Cause: Guardians of the Night at Lubee
Directed by the wonderfully talented William G. Conlin
This award-winning AnimalZone special shines a spotlight on the extraordinary work being done by the Lubee Bat Conservancy and the remarkable bats who prove that heroes sometimes fly silently through the night.
Congratulations, Will! Your vision, storytelling, and passion have officially gone Hollywood!
Watch the award-winning film here:
https://t.co/8A7urqlqMH
#AnimalZone #FilmFestival #AwardWinner #BestDirector #LubeeBatConservancy #WildlifeConservation #DocumentaryFilm #Bats #WilliamGConlin #AnimalStories #NatureDocumentary
Here is a little taste of this coming Saturday's broadcast on Cox television national network at 8:30 AM and again at 5:30 PM (in California). These are the stations: https://t.co/kcAYN77NhL
AnimalZone’s award-winning Florida-filmed Season 15 returns this Saturday, May 16, with the unforgettable premiere episode:
AnimalZone – Paws, Prose & Polydactyls at Hemingway’s Home
Step through the gates of the legendary Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West for a rare VIP journey where literary history and feline royalty collide. Hidden among the tropical gardens and historic rooms roam 61 world-famous polydactyl cats — many with six, seven… even eight toes!
These extraordinary felines are the descendants of Hemingway’s beloved cat Snowflake, a gift from a sea captain that became the start of a living, purring legacy. Considered good luck by Hemingway himself, the cats now reign over the estate like furry guardians of one of America’s most iconic homes.
Guided by expert Alexa Morgan, AnimalZone goes behind the scenes for intimate encounters with these charismatic cats and exclusive access to Hemingway’s private writing studio — including a close-up look at the original typewriter where literary masterpieces were created.
Since its original airing earlier this year, this enchanting episode has already earned international recognition as a Semi-Finalist at:
• Rio de Janeiro World Film Festival
• Rotterdam Independent Film Festival
• Santa Monica International Filmmaker Awards
• Washington Film Awards
History, romance, literature, tropical beauty… and a few extra toes — the perfect way to begin the rerun of AnimalZone’s acclaimed Season 15.
Watch now: AnimalZone – Paws, Prose & Polydactyls at Hemingway’s Home: https://t.co/gCxjqTAT7r
#AnimalZone #Season15 #PawsProseAndPolydactyls #HemingwayHome #KeyWestCats #PolydactylCats #ErnestHemingway #LiteraryCats #FloridaFilmed #AnimalLovers #CatsOfKeyWest #SnowflakeLegacy #AwardWinning #FilmFestival #CoxTelevision
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news for AnimalZone!
Our episode “Animal Zone – Echoes of Intelligence: Tanner and the Talking Dolphins” has been awarded Best Documentary Short at the Dallas Shorts Film Festival (Spring 2026).
#AnimalZone#DallasShortsFilmFestival
This Saturday, May 9 at 8:30 AM… prepare for paws, punchlines, and one very opinionated pup. It’s the grand finale of Season 15 of AnimalZone—and we’re going out with a wag, not a whimper.
📷 **AnimalZone: Punchlines & Paw Prints: Bella Speaks! **
📷 Filmed in Montecito, California
What do you get when you mix:
📷 A comedy legend (Dennis Miller)
📷 A British Invasion icon (Peter Noone)
📷 And a dog who clearly runs the household?
Answer: 30 minutes of pure, tail-wagging entertainment.
But let’s be honest…
Bella isn’t just in the episode—she is the episode.
With help from renowned animal communicator Laura Stinchfield, Bella finally gets her moment to speak her truth… and she does not hold back:
📷 Longer walks (non-negotiable)
📷 More quality time (obviously)
📷 And a bold new initiative: Operation Pillow Takeover
Somewhere between the laughs, the music, and Bella’s quietly brilliant demands, you may start to wonder…
“Wait… is my dog thinking the same thing?” 📷
📷 Catch the grand finale this Saturday on Cox Television’s National Network at 8:30 AM
—or sneak a peek right now:
📷 https://t.co/ZrC5mh3x9f
Because when Bella talks… you listen. 📷
#AnimalZone #SeasonFinale #BellaSpeaks #DennisMiller #PeterNoone #ThePetPsychic #DogLife #AnimalLovers #FeelGoodTV #MustWatch
Can you believe it? Since 2018, we’ve filmed over 200 episodes of AnimalZone! 📷📷 From wagging tails to soaring wings (and a few curious critters in between), it’s been quite the wild ride.
If you’ve ever wondered which episodes really stole the spotlight over the past 7 years, we’ve got just the thing…
Head over to Pluto TV and explore a curated collection of some of our top-rated, fan-favorite shows—all in one place!
Whether you’re revisiting a favorite or discovering something new, there’s plenty of heart, humor, and unforgettable animal moments waiting for you. 📷📷📷
Click on this to get to PlutoTV's AnimalZone series ... and its free!
https://t.co/ptLoX5qqvO
#AnimalZone #AnimalLovers #PetStories #WildlifeWednesday #FeelGoodTV #StreamingNow #bestof #PlutoTV
We’re Back… and Still a Little Batty!
Just when you thought we’d flown the coop, AnimalZone returns to the incredible Lubee Bat Conservancy for Part Two of our high-flying adventure!
Join us as Brian Pope introduces us to the VIP section of bat living—custom-built cedar “bat houses” perched high above the ground, where up to 400 bats can hang out (literally), soak up the Florida sunshine, and snuggle like it’s a nightly pajama party.
We’ll travel the globe without leaving Gainesville, meeting magnificent species like the Malayan flying fox and their far-flung relatives—all of whom share one delicious obsession: cantaloupe… served at room temperature, of course.
And just wait until you see the tender moment between a bat mom and her pup—proof that even upside down, love is always right side up.
Plus, a special tribute to a true legend… Arthur the Bat—a charming overachiever who fathered 50 offspring (no small feat!) and now has his legacy preserved thanks to the University of Florida. Talk about leaving your mark!
Catch it this Saturday, April 25 at 8:30 AM on Cox Television’s national network.
Trust us… this episode will have you hanging on every moment.
For a sneak preview of the episode visit: https://t.co/dEbDjgoSLp
For more about Lubee Bat Conservancy visit https://t.co/8mf9DggG7M
#AnimalZone #LubeeBatConservancy #BattyForBats #WildlifeConservation #FloridaWildlife #DidYouKnow #NatureLovers #BatsAreAwesome #AnimalRescue #EducationalTV
Going Batty (In the Best Possible Way!)
This Saturday, April 18 at 8:30 AM, AnimalZone takes flight on Cox Television’s National Network with a winged wonder of an episode—featuring the incredible Lubee Bat Conservancy in Gainesville, Florida!
Ever wondered what 200 bats (from 9 species!) look like when they clock in for the night shift? Spoiler alert: they’re not spooky—they’re spectacular. Guided by the ever-engaging Brian Pope, we dive into a world where fruit bats dine on cantaloupe, insect bats munch through crop-destroying pests like tiny eco-warriors, and everyone hangs out upside down…because, well, gravity is overrated.
Meet the dynamic duo Fruit Loops & Captain Crunch (yes, really), get acquainted with Mr. Pitch—25 years young and still runway-ready (season permitting)—and discover bats so small they could audition for “Thumbelina: The Musical.”
Here’s the twist in the tale: these misunderstood marvels save farmers billions, help pollinate our planet, and are the only mammals that truly take flight. Not bad for creatures that usually get cast as villains.
So grab your morning coffee, flip your perspective, and join us for Part 1 of this two-part episode that proves bats are less “things that go bump in the night” and more “heroes who keep the night humming.”
Saturday, April 18 | 8:30 AM | Cox Television National
Watch it now: https://t.co/ucBJHxrRQ9
Because sometimes… the best stories come from hanging around.
For more on Lubee see https://t.co/CjJOPlPfmA
#AnimalZone #BattyForGood #LubeeBats #WildlifeHeroes #ConservationInAction #FloridaFilming #GoodNewsStories #AnimalAdvocates #EcoWarriors #NatureUnleashed
On Saturday, April 11 on Cox Television's national network at 8:30 AM is Law & Animal Order: Compassion Behind Bars in Key West.
In this unforgettable episode of AnimalZone, we head to the sunny shores of Key West—and straight into one of the most unexpected sanctuaries in America: the Monroe County Sheriff's Animal Farm.
Nestled beneath the county detention center, this extraordinary “farm with a badge” is home to a wildly diverse cast of rescued animals—from towering ostriches and curious lemurs to an unmistakably unbothered alligator. But what truly sets this place apart isn’t just the animals—it’s the people.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay shares the inspiring origins and mission of the Animal Farm, where rehabilitation takes on a whole new meaning. Here, inmates become caretakers, forging bonds with animals that often mirror their own journeys toward healing and redemption.
We meet one such inmate and his unlikely companion—a gentle donkey—offering a moving glimpse into how responsibility, trust, and compassion can transform lives on both ends of the leash.
Guiding us through this remarkable menagerie is the ever-enthusiastic Jeanne Selander, affectionately known as “Farmer Jeanne,” who introduces us to the farm’s eclectic residents and the stories behind them. From feathers to fur to scales, every creature here has found a second chance—and helps give one in return.
Blending heart, humor, and a touch of the unexpected, this episode proves that sometimes the most powerful rehabilitation programs don’t come with bars… but with hooves, paws, and a whole lot of heart. As Arthur puts it, this is one place where justice doesn’t just serve—it nurtures.
You can watch it now at: https://t.co/XL9vSHEdub
For more information about the Monroe County Sheriff's Animal Farm see: https://t.co/lQAOe7npjQ
#AnimalZone #MonroeCountyAnimalFarm #KeyWest #LawAndAnimalOrder #RescueAndRehabilitation #SecondChances #AnimalZoneShow #CompassionInAction #FloridaKeys #pawandorder