ABOUT AMY
(informally speaking…)

Amy, furry friend & stained glass door panelGreetings and salutations - and welcome to the author website that features dog and cat care books, interactive pet advice and writing tips for those of every furry persuasion. (Writers, editors, and other inquiring minds, take note: You can find my writers bio further down this page along with my writer's resume, as well as information about speaking opportunities and TV or other appearances.

I've been an equal-opportunity pet lover since birth. All kinds of furred, feathered, finned and fanged beasts have shared my life, but I must admit that dogs and cats top my list. I'm very grateful for my success as a pet writer, but feel even more fortunate that I truly love my work. Bottom line, I get paid to talk and write about dogs and cats-wow!

My college double-majors in music and theater prepared me for performance, and I've worked professionally as a singer/actor, pianist and cellist, and as a television news anchor. This experience also comes in handy when I make appearances and give talks about my writing.

But it was the first job as a veterinary technician back in 1981 that paved the way for my career as a pet writer. Clients didn't always understand health care information-so from the beginning, my work translated medicalese into language all of us non-veterinarians could understand. When successful, my articles and books help make you an equal partner in the health and wellbeing of your cats and dogs.

Stained Glass windowFor those curious about my schedule, I spend 10 to 12 hours, six days a week in my home office on book projects or writing-related work--or on the road speaking. Most times, researchers and other experts are only a phone interview away-you do NOT want to have my phone bills! When I need the break, I explore our 13-acre "spread" called Rosemont located in North Texas-named for the more than 700 antique rose bushes that bloom a kaleidoscope of color each spring and fall. RosesMy office window looks out on the garden, pond, and horse field, and offers a view of wildlife that includes hawks and bobcats, bluebirds and coyotes. The house, a Georgian colonial, contains about ten floor-to-ceiling stained glass floral panels, and seven "Tiffany-style" stained glass lampshades that make inside work much more pleasant. I design and make them in my spare time. Writers tend to bleed for their art anyway, doncha know, so glass-cutting fits right in! And of course, assorted critters make their home at Rosemont. From time to time, I'll post a photo or two of one or more of my furry crew.

Writing can be a lonely business so I hope you'll take a peek at my what's new? page and drop me a line. And if my calendar schedules an event in your neck of the woods, please stop by to say hello-I'd love to meet you and swap pet stories!

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified animal behavior consultant and nationally known authority on pet care and behavior. She began her career as a veterinary technician and is the award-winning author of 23 nonfiction pet books and more than 1000 published articles and columns.

Amy is the Puppies Guide at puppies.About.com, and the cat behavior expert at cats.About.com, writes features for AOL's PawNation.com and Huffington Post, provides a weekly PETiQuette newspaper column, produces a free E-newsletter Pet Peeves, and hosts a weekly half hour Internet radio "podcast" also called Pet Peeves. Amy appears in a twice monthly Pet Talk feature at KXII-TV and appears as a pet expert on Animal Planet's DOGS 101 and CATS 101. Some of these TV features are posted on the Speaking page.

In the past she was newsletter columnist for Sergeant's Pet Care, the dog and cat behavior columnist for HomeAgain.com, hosted a pet care forum at ivillage.com, served as the official "Cat Blogger" for the NBC Universal Television www.petside.com, and was a feature writer for PetsBest.com. She toured as the national spokesperson for the Purina Cat Chow "Way of Life" Tour for four years and wrote the award-winning "Cats Emotional Health" column as a Cat Chow "Mentor" for more than a decade.

Amy Shojai - CWA President Ms. Shojai has written widely in the pet field on training, behavior, health care (both allopathic and holistic), and the health benefits of keeping cats and dogs. She is the founder and past president of the international Cat Writers' Association, a certified member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Dog Writer's Association of America, Inc., a past president and honorary lifetime member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc., and an active member of International Thriller Writers. She has won numerous awards for her books and articles.

Debate Ms. Shojai frequently lectures at conferences about writing as well as a variety of pet-related issues. Ms. Shojai has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, and in USA Weekend, The New York Times, Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Woman's World, and many other leading newspapers and magazines. She regularly appears on national radio and television in connection with her pet writing. Most recently, she appeared as a dog and cat expert on Animal Planet's DOGS 101 and CATS 101. Perhaps most memorably, she represented the "cat side" and won a nationally televised tongue-in-cheek debate (NBC Today Show, Fox, CNN and others) arguing whether cats or dogs are the more appropriate White House pets.

To schedule interviews or speaking engagements send requests to the author via email.

AMY D. SHOJAI
AUTHOR'S RESUME

BOOKS:

  • AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
      Hardcover, 222 pages, color photos/DVD
      TFH Publications

    • CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE DOG LOVER'S SOUL
        Co-Author
        Health Communications Inc.

    • CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CAT LOVER'S SOUL
        Co-Author
        Health Communications Inc.
        CWA MUSE MEDALLION WINNER

    • P'ETiQuette: Solving Behavior Problems In Your Multi-Pet Household
        M. Evans and Company
        DWAA PetSafe Award Winner

    • COMPLETE CARE FOR YOUR AGING DOG
        Trade Paper, 304 pages, B & W photos
        New American Library
        DWAA Maxwell Medallion Winner

    • COMPLETE CARE FOR YOUR AGING CAT
        Trade Paper, 304 pages, B & W photos
        New American Library
        CWA Muse Medallion Winner & Multi-award Winner

    • COMPLETE KITTEN CARE
        New American Library
        CWA Muse Medallion Winner

    • PET CARE IN THE NEW CENTURY: CUTTING-EDGE MEDICINE FOR DOGS AND CATS
        New American Library

    • THE FIRST-AID COMPANION FOR DOGS & CATS
        Rodale Press

    • MY CAT'S TALE: A JOURNAL OF MY CAT'S LIFE & TIMES
        Delacorte Press

    • NEW CHOICES IN NATURAL HEALING FOR DOGS & CATS
        Rodale Press, Hardcover & Soft Cover editions

    • THE PURINA ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DOG CARE
        Ballantine Publishing Group

    • COMPETABILITY: A Practical Guide to Building a Peaceable Kingdom with Cats & Dogs
        Trade Paperback, 240 pages/illustrations
        Three Rivers Press (Crown Publishing Group/Three Rivers Press)

    • THE PURINA ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CAT CARE
        Hardcover, 496 pages/illustrations & photos
        Ballantine Publishing Group
        Winner of the CWA Muse Medallion, Best Care/Health Book

    • THE DOCTOR'S BOOK OF HOME REMEDIES FOR DOGS AND CATS
        hardback, 400 pages/illustrations (contributed 16 chapters)
        Rodale Press

    • KITTEN CARE AND TRAINING: An Owner's Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet
        hardback, 160 pages/color photos
        Howell Book House
        Winner of CWA Muse Medallion, Purina Kitten Chow Kitten Care Award & OWFI Award

    • FOR THE LOVE OF CATS
        hardback, 100+ color illustrations
        Publications International

    • A DOG'S LIFE
        paperback, 100+ color illustrations
        Friedman/Fairfax

    • THE INCOMPARABLE CAT
        paperback, 100+ color illustrations
        Friedman/Fairfax

    • THE DOG COMPANION: The history, culture and everyday life of the dog
        hardback, 120 color photos
        Mallard Press (BDD Promotional Books)

    • THE CAT COMPANION: The history, culture and everyday life of the cat
        hardback, 120 color photos
        Mallard Press (BDD Promotional Books) A featured selection in the "Best of 1992/Beautiful Books and Unusual Gifts" of the Book of the Month Club.

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    COLUMNS

    • Herald Democrat newspaper (Don Rey Media Group)
            "P'ETiquette," weekly column, 2003 to present

    • Woman's World (Heinrich Bauer, N. America Inc.)
            "Woman's Best Friend," bi-weekly pet behavior column, 1994 to 1996

    • CATS Magazine (CATS Magazine, Inc.)
            "Health Handbook" monthly column, 1992 to 1997

    • Denison Herald newspaper (Don Rey Media Group)
            "Pet Talk", bi-weekly column, 1990-93

    • Sherman Democrat newspaper (Don Rey Media Group)
            "Pet Talk," bi-weekly column, 1990-92

    • Pet Health News (Fancy Publications)
            "Unforgettable Patient" monthly column frequent columns from 1988 to 1991

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    REGULAR MAGAZINE ARTICLES & FEATURES

    • Catnip (Tufts University)
      Various Features, 2005

    • HealthyPet (Veterinary Learning Systems)
      [1+ million circulation, to VCA Animal Hospital clients]
      Various Features, 2003-2004

    • ASPCA Animal Watch (ASPCA)
      Various Features, 2003

    • PetLife Magazine (Magnolia Media Group)
            frequent features, 1995 to 1997

    • Woman's World (Heinrich Bauer, N. America Inc.)
            Frequent features, 1994 to 1997

    • CATS Magazine (Primedia Special Interest Publications)
            Contributing Editor, 1992 to 1997

    • Pet Product News & PNN (Fancy Publications)
            Contributing Editor, 1992 to 1995

    • Cat Fancy, (Fancy Publications)
            Frequent articles and features 1988 to 1996,
            Contributing Editor 1991 to 1995

    • Dog World and Puppy Guide (Primedia Special Interest Publications)
            frequent articles and features, 1989 to 1998

    • AKC Gazette (American Kennel Club)
            articles, 1994 to 1997

    • Dog Fancy (Fancy Publications)
            frequent articles and features, 1988 to 1993

    MAGAZINE ARTICLES IN:

    • Cats USA
    • Animals
    • Popular Cats
    • Kennel Healthline
    • Pet Age
    • Pet Business
    • CFA Almanac
    • Neku Kurabu (Japanese Cat Magazine)

    NEWSPAPER ARTICLES IN:

    • The Elkhart Truth
    • The Denison Herald
    • The South Bend Tribune
    • The Sherman Democrat
    • Lake Texoma
    • The Paintsville Herald
    • The Mountain Chronicle

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    INTERNET APPEARANCES

    • cats.About.com
      Cat Behavior Expert, Contributing Writer
      12 Articles/Columns/Q&A each month, 2-10 to Present

    • Purina Cat Chow
      Cat Care Expert, Emotional Health Mentor
      Weekly Q & A Column, 2000 to 2010

    • Discovery Channel pet articles
      Several interactive articles, 2008

    • ivillage.com
      "Your Pet's Well-Being with Amy Shojai"
      Host, several discussion forums, 3-04 to Present

    • HomeAgain Pet Identification
      "Dog & Cat Behavior Columns"
      Website content, 1-06 to 1-08

    • Sergeants.com
      "Pet Care Columnist"
      Email and website newsletter content, 2006 to 2008

    • Tidy Cats Cat and Kitty Litter (Nestle Purina PetCare Company)
      glossary of cat terms, 1998

    • CompuServe, CatsForum
      Section Leader of Behavior/health, and Holistic/Natural Care, 1998 to 2006

    • CompuServe, DogsForum
      Section Leader of Family Pet (behavior/health) 2003 to 2006

    • TheCatSite
      TabbyTudes cat behavior expert
      Monthly Q & A column, 2-03 to 8-03

    • PetPath (Time Warner Electronic Pub.)
      200 misc. pet articles, 1996

    • PeerlessHealth.com
      Columnist and Q & A pet advice, 2000 to 2002

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    APPEARANCES AND LECTURES

    (note: representative list, not all-inclusive)

    • Cat Writers' Association, Inc. Annual Writing Conference
      Atlanta, Chicago, Anaheim, Kansas City, Houston, & More
      Various Lectures and Seminars, 1993 to Present

    • Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc
      Annual Conference, Oklahoma City
      First Weekend of May, 2004 to present
      "Famous Author" presentation

    • Border Queen Book Festival
      Comanche, OK;, March 29, 2008

    • Abilene Writers Group
      Abilene, Texas; October 26-27, 2007
      Keynote: "Creating A Platform"

    • Books 'n Authors 'n All That Jazz
      Ft Worth, April 2006
      Lecture: "Sell Yourself (AND Your Book)"

    • National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Inc. (NAPPS)
      Atlanta, January 2005
      Lecture: "Senior Moments: Caring for Aging Cats & Dogs"

    • Pet Food Regulatory Workshop, and Nutrition Summit
      St. Louis, 2000 to 2001
      Lecture, "Consumer's Perception of Pet Foods and Pet Food Labels"
      Lecture, "Ingredient Issues: Pet Owner's Perceptions"

    • Tufts Animal Expo
      Boston, 2001
      Lecture, "Hot Topics in Feline Nutrition: Answering Consumers' Concerns"
      Lecture, "Senior Moments: Quality of Life Issues for Aging Cats"

    • Federation of Texas Humane Societies Annual Conference
      Keynote Speaker, New Braunfels, TX 2002
      "The Forever Home: Achieving Lifetime Adoptions"

    • Pet Food Forum
      Chicago, 2002
      Lecture: "The Consumer's Perceptions: Pet Food Labels-Do They Serve the Purpose?"

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    PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

    International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

    International Thriller Writers, Inc.

    Public Relations Spokesperson for Purina pet foods

    Cat Writers' Association, Inc., founder and current president

    Dog Writer's Association of America, Inc.

    Oklahoma Writer's Federation, Inc., past president

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    WRITING AWARDS

    • 2008 North Shore Animal League America Award (DWAA)
        Radio, "Pet Peeves: Sex & the Single Pet" (PetLifeRadio.com)

    • 2008 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Radio, "Pet Peeves: A Win-Winn Situation" (PetLifeRadio.com)

    • 2008 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Online Article, "It's All About the Cat!" (shojai.com)

    • 2008 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Newspaper Column, "P'ETiQuette"

    • 2007 Sticky Paws Training Award
        for "Cat Meets Dog: Bringing Magic Home" (Animal Behavior Consulting, Theory & Practice)

    • 2007 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Online Column, "Purina Emotional Health" (catchow.com)

    • 2007 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Essay, "Dr. James R. Richards, A Lasting Legacy" (shojai.com)

    • 2006 Friskies Writer of the Year Award
        for year's body of work

    • 2006 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul

    • 2005 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Newspaper Column, "P'ETiQuette"

    • 2005 DWAA PetSafe Award
        for PETiQuette: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multipet Household

    • 2005 AKC Companion Animal Recovery Award
        for "Finding Lost Pets" (Herald Democrat news article

    • 2005 Friskies Writer of the Year Award
        for year's body of work

    • 2005 Purina O.N.E. Health Award
        for "The Many Faces of Feline Infectious Peritonitis" (Herald Democrat news article)

    • 2005 Sticky Paws Training Award
        for "Trick Training Tabby" (Herald Democrat news article)

    • 2004 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award
        for Complete Care for Your Aging Cat

    • 2004 Hartz Award for writing on senior cat issues
        for Complete Care for Your Aging Cat

    • 2004 PetMate Safe Cat Award
        for "Avoiding a Cat-astrophe" (Herald Democrat news article)

    • 2004 Purina Cat Chow Nutrition Award
        for "A Weighty Problem" (HealthyPet magazine)

    • 2004 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Online Column, "Way of Life-Emotional Health"

    • 2004 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Newspaper Editorial, "Don't Make Litter-ary Errors"

    • 2004 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Newspaper Column, "P'ETiquette"

    • 2004 DWAA Maxwell Medallion Award
        for Complete Care for Your Aging Dog, best care/health book

    • 2003 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Newspaper Column, "P'ETiquette"

    • 2003 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Television Presentation, "Pet Talk"

    • 2003 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Online Column, "TabbyTudes"

    • 2003 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Online Article, "Love to the Max"

    • 2002 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for Complete Kitten Care, best cat behavior/training book

    • 2002 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for Complete Kitten Care, best single B&W photo

    • 2002 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for Complete Kitten Care, best series B&W photos

    • Purina Kitten Chow Kitten Care Award (with CWA) -- 2002
        for Complete Kitten Care, best entry on kittens

    • 2002 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        Online Column, "Way of Life-Emotional Health"

    • 2001 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for Way of Life-Emotional Health(CatChow.com), best cat online column

    • 2001 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for PeerlessHealth.com Series Article, "The Healing Power of Touch"

    • 2001 DWAA Certificate of Nomination
        for The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats, general reference book

    • 2001 DWAA Certificate of Nomination
        for PeerlessHealth.com Article, "The Healing Power of Touch"

    • 2000 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for Way of Life-Emotional Health (CatChow.com), best cat online column

    • 2000 DWAA Certificate of Nomination
        for New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats, general reference book

    • 1998 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for The Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care, best cat health/care book

    • 1998 Cat Writers' Association, Inc., Certificate of Excellence Award
        for ComPETability: A practical guide to building a peaceable kingdom between cats and dogs, behavior and training books

    • 1996 Oklahoma Writers Federation "OKIE" Award
        for Kitten Care & Training, best nonfiction book

    • 1996 DWAA Maxwell Medallion Award -- 1996
        for "Pets Are Good For Your Health" published in PetLife

    • Purina Kitten Chow Kitten Care Award -- 1996
        for Kitten Care & Training, best entry on kittens

    • 1996 CWA Muse Medallion Award
        for Kitten Care & Training, best cat care book

    • Dog Writer's Association of America, Certificate of Nomination -- 1995
        for "Pets: Powerful Medicine" published in Woman's World

    • Cat Writers' Association, Inc., Certificate of Excellence Award
        for "Health Handbook" monthly column, CATS Magazine -- 1994

    • The Sulfodene/Scratchex Award for Journalistic Excellence
        in Dog Grooming and Skin Care -- 1993

    • The Eukanuba Nutrition Award -- 1993
        Presented by IAMS for the best article on canine nutrition

    • The Mark Francis Award for Journalistic Excellence -- 1993
        Presented by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association

    • National Federation of Press Women National Communications Contest -- 1993:
        for The Cat Companion

    • Texas Press Women Communications Contest -- 1993
        First Place, The Cat Companion; First Place, Science/Health Articles

    • The Mark Francis Award for Journalistic Excellence -- 1992
        Presented by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association

    • Hill's Nutrition Award -- 1992

    • Dog Writer's Association of America, Certificate of Nomination - 1992
        For a series of articles published in Dog World on "Early Spay/Neuter"

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    RECENT MEDIA APPEARANCES

    TWICE MONTHLY PET TALK FEATURE ON KXII-TV/CBS

    ANIMAL PLANET'S "DOGS 101" AND "CATS 101"

    CNN EARLY PRIME

    TODAY SHOW, NBC-TV

    FOX MORNING NEWS

    GOOD DAY NEW YORK

    FOX NEWS/PET NEWS

    KXAS-TV, NBC, FT.WORTH, TX

    TEXAS CABLE; "DAILY TEXAS SHOW" DALLAS, TX

    WFFA-TV, ABC; DALLAS, TX

    KTRK-TV, ABC; HOUSTON, TX

    KHOU-TV, CBS; HOUSTON, TX

    KPRC-TV, NBC; HOUSTON, TX

    KRIV-TV, FOX; HOUSTON, TX

    WTSP-TV, CBS; ST.PETERSBURG, FL

    WFLA-TV, NBC; TAMPA, FL

    WTVT-TV, FOX; TAMPA, FL

    HTZ/Z-100 RADIO, NY, NY

    WQCD-FM, NY, NY

    KTSA-ABC/SAN ANTONIO

    KDKD/ABC-KANSAS CITY

    KIKK, AP BUSINESS TALK RADIO NETWORK, HOUSTON

    KRST-ALBUQUERQUE

    KBRC-ABC/SEATTLE

    KLDE-HOUSTON

    KISS-LA

    WERZ/WQSO, NH

    WINK-FM, PA

    WBMX-FM, BOSTON

    KRAK-FM/SACRAMENTO

    KRLA-LA

    KATD, SAN FRANCISCO

    KSTZ, IOWA

    WJJG, CHICAGO

    "AROUND ARLINGTON" with Cheryl Nason

    "BOOKS IN REVIEW" with Susan McDaniels (Ft. Worth)

    720 WGN Chicago, "Pet Central" with Steve Dale

    WILI Radio, Hartford, CT

    "The Breakfast Club" with Peter Nichols

    CBS Radio, New York, NY

    WDAY-AM, Fargo, ND

    with Brad Anderson & Les

    KFWB-AM, Los Angeles, CA with Ron Kilgore

    WRHI-AM, Rockhill, SC with John Collins

    USA Radio Network (National Syndication) with Kim Taylor

    WWMX, WLIF, WQSR-BALTIMORE

    WKTU-FM/NY & NJ

    WMJI/WGAR/CLEVELAND

    WBMX-FM/BOSTON

    WDRC-FM/HARTFORD, CT

    KBEZ/TULSA, OK

    PET TALK AMERICA w/BOB VELLA

    KRBE-HOUSTON

    WMGF-ORLANDO

    FLZ/SSR/MTX-TAMPA

    WGCH-NBC/JONES SATELLITE SERVICE

    WLIF-BALTIMORE

    WQSX-BOSTON

    KRMG/ABC-NEWS TALK/TULSA

    WDRC/HARTFORD

    TEXAS NEWS NETWORK/ABC

    WIHS-HARTFORD

    WCHS-AM, Charleston, WV

    Newstalk Station with Jenny Murray

    WWJ-AM, Detroit/Southfield, MI with Greg Gowman & Pat Vitale

    WDOK-FM, Cleveland, OH Fun, Fun, Fun with Trapper Jack

    KFBK-AM, Sacramento, CA with Ken Jackman

    KRSO, Hollywood Pets (Nat. syndicated) with John Avalon Reed

    "Sleepless in South Florida" with Dr. Roberta Firtell

    KRLD AM Dallas/Ft. Worth, "News Talk CBS Radio" with Clarissa Douglas

    USA Radio Network, with John Clemens

    WGET Radio, "Breakfast Nook" with Fred Snyder, Gettysburg, PA

    WHJJ-AM, "Pet Care" with Dr. Dan Simpson, Rhode Island

    KDKA Pittsburgh, with Chris Bailey

    UPI Morning News, with Shirley Smith

    KSCO "AnimalTalk" with Kitty Fields, Santa Cruz, CA

    "The Gil Gross Show" WOC-AM, Davenport, IA with Gary Lee Wright

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Copyright© 1999 Amy D. Shojai.
Site design by Karen Lawrence
Background & buttons courtesy of Jelane.
Last Updated: June 29, 2009