About Steve Dale

Pet Expert Steve Dale is the author of the twice weekly syndicated newspaper column “My Pet World” (Tribune Media Services). He’s also the host of nationally syndicated radio programs Steve Dale’s Pet World, The Pet Minute with Steve Dale; also Pet Central, at WGN Radio, Chicago. Steve is a contributing editor at USA Weekend.

Steve’s appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show; National Geographic Explorer; Pets Part of the Family on PBS; several Animal Planet Shows; Fox News Channel, and Balance TV (Canada). He was a regular on WGN-TV, Chicago.

Touted as reaching more pet owners than any other pet journalist, as a pet expert and holding passionate views, Steve’s a frequent radio guest on local and national radio. He’s been quoted in dozens of newspaper and magazine stories, including the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Redbook.  He’s hosted several TV and radio satellite tours.

His books include “American Zoos” and “DogGone Chicago,” and he’s written forwards and has been a contributing author to others. He’s special correspondent for Cat Fancy and editor-in-chief of PawPrints (a newsletter for veterinarians). He’s written for most pet publications including Dog World, Dog Fancy and Cats. He was once a regular contributor to People magazine, and a columnist in the Chicago Tribune.

Steve's certified as a Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. He’s a popular guest speaker for events, and has presented at many major veterinary and humane conferences, including several times at the Western Veterinary Conference and the Convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Also, the North American Veterinary Conference and World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, American Humane Association Leadership Conference, and Conference of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Steve serves on several Boards of Directors including the American Humane Association,   Winn Feline Foundation and Tree House Animal Shelter. He’s co chair of the Task Force on Companion Animals and Public Safety under the auspices City of Chicago/Alderman Gene Schulter.

Steve organized a Mardi Growl fundraiser for New Orleans (following Katrina) which prompted similar fundraisers around the country. When his cat Ricky died of a common but incurable heart problem, he created a fund though the Winn Feline Foundation to support research; since then, over $70,000 has been raised – and important progress has been made as a result. Steve teamed with the AVMA to raise thousands of dollars in a campaign, which the White House became aware, called “Pets for Afghan Kids.” Steve’s activism has made it possible for restaurants to allow dogs to dine outdoors in Chicago. Steve also helps communities to fight breed specific bans, and advises on animal assisted therapy – he’s on the Board of Directors of Angel on a Leash. Developed in Australia, he’s helping to popularize kitten classes in America.

He’s the recipient of many awards including the prestigious AVMA Humane Award (highest honor to a non-veterinarian), Syndicated General Feature Newspaper Writer of the Year, the American Kennel Club Responsible Dog Ownership Award, Winn Feline Foundation Media Award, American Humane Association Media Award, Cat Writers’ Association Shojai Mentor Award, and Humane Society of the United States Pets for Life Award. His dog and cat writing colleagues have awarded him many times with Best Newspaper Column, Best Newspaper Feature, Best Radio Broadcast and others.