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 contact me by email at amy @ shojai.com (no spaces) and 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, playwright 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 26 nonfiction pet books and more than 2000 published articles and columns.

Amy is the Puppies Guide at puppies.About.com, and the cat behavior expert at cats.About.com, has written 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 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.

She's a consultant to the pet products industry and has worked with a variety of clients such as Sergeant's Pet Care, HomeAgain.com, Tidy Cats, Purina, Chewy.com, PetCareRx.com and Pets Best. Amy toured as the national spokesperson for the Purina Cat Chow "Way of Life" Tour 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, speaking engagements or other inquiries send requests to the author via email. For pet parents looking for behavior help, please refer to one of Amy's books or request a behavior consult here.

AMY D. SHOJAI
AUTHOR'S RESUME

BOOKS:

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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

  • Puppies.About.com
    Puppies Guide
    8 Articles/4 Newsletters/6+ blogs month, 5-11 to present

  • cats.About.com
    Cat Behavior Expert, Contributing Writer
    12 Articles/Columns/Q&A each month, 2-10 to 5-11

  • PawNation.com
    Pet Columnist
    2-4 times monthly 2010-2012

  • 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 2008

  • 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)

  • Thrillerfest
    New York
    2008 to Present
    Various panels

  • Blog Paws 2013 Conference
    Washing DC area
    May 16-18
    "Kindle-ization" presentation

  • 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" & various seminars/presentation

  • Danish Swedish FarmDogs USA
    Webinars
    2011-2012
    "Senior Moments, Caring for Aging Pets"
    "Introducing A New Family Member"

  • Wichita Writers Conference
    Wichita, KS; April 2012
    "Kindle-ization for Writers"

  • 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.

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

Dog Writer's Association of America, Inc.

Oklahoma Writer's Federation, Inc., past president, Honorary Life Member

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WRITING AWARDS

  • 2012 DWAA Maxwell Medallion Award
      Best Dog Website, "Puppies.About.com

  • 2012 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Newspaper column, "PETiQuette" (Herald Democrat)

  • 2012 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Online article/health, "10 Tips to Keep Your Cat's Brain Forever Young" (VetStreet.com)
  • 2011 CWA MICHAEL BRIM DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
      for lifetime achievement

  • 2011 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Radio, "Pet Peeves: Feral Cats and TNR," (PetLifeRadio.com)

  • 2011 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Online article/behavior, "8 Kinds of Cat Aggression" (Cats.About.com)

  • 2011 DWAA Maxwell Medallion Award
      Best Website, "Puppies.About.com"
  • 2010 FRISKIES WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD
      for body of work

  • 2010 TIDY CATS® FELINE BEHAVIOR AWARD
      for "Cat Talk" (cats.About.com)

  • 2010 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Newsletter article, "Debunking 10 Feline Urban Legends" (Catnip)

  • 2010 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Online article/Behavior, "Cat Talk" (cats.About.com)

  • 2010 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Online article/Health & Care, "Old Cat Behavior & Senility" (cats.About.com)

  • 2009 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Televison, "Pet Talk: Allergies, Toxoplasmosis, Flea Product Safety" (KXII-CBS)

  • 2009 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Radio, "Pet Peeves: Cat-egorically Wrong!, Cats, Babies, Myth-takes" (PetLifeRadio.com)

  • 2009 CWA Muse Medallion Award
      Online Article, "Claw Training 101" (shojai.com)

  • 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 DWAA Maxwell Medallion Award
      Newsletter Feature, "When Dogs Battle For Status" (Your Dog)

  • 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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    MEDIA APPEARANCES (Representative List)

    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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    Last Updated: March 2013