Calling all animal lovers! Animal Matters is WBAI 99.5 FM’s newest show, bringing engaging, insightful, and fun conversations about pets and animals to the airwaves. Hosted by Jeff Simmons— a devoted dog lover (who also appreciate cats!)—the show features expert interviews, deep dives into legislation affecting animals, spotlights on nonprofits making a difference, and uplifting pet stories from the news. Listeners are invited to call in and share their thoughts, questions, and personal pet tales. Whether you’re a devoted pet parent, an advocate for animal welfare, or just someone who loves a good animal story, Animal Matters is your place to tune in and talk all things furry, feathered, and finned!

Emails:
Jeff@wbai.org

Jeff Simmons has more than four decades of experience in private and public sector communications, media, and journalism. A dog owner for much of his life (though both Brussels Griffons, Bruno and Stella, passed away in 2023), Jeff has always been fascinated by pets and wildlife (and behind the publicity campaign in which dogs were taught Yiddish in Central Park!).

A former journalist, Jeff now works exclusively with nonprofit organizations, supporting their communications efforts and causes. He currently serves as Managing Director of Anat Gerstein, Inc. He previously served in various communications roles for the Downtown Alliance, Office of the New York City Comptroller, and on various political campaigns.

Before that, he spent 17 years as a journalist at New York 1 News, New York Daily News, New York Post, and The (Bergen) Record of Hackensack. His freelance writing has appeared in Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, Metrosource, The Advocate, and New Jersey Monthly Magazine.