Pet Reporters to Know
Written by Emily Scuderi and Emily Auriemma
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), over 94 million U.S. households own a pet. And guess what? Many of those pet owners are always looking for the best of the best to keep those pets healthy and happy.
The good thing is that pet reporters have their paws on the pulse of the latest trends, products, and tips for pet owners. Pet reporters are experts in everything from pet nutrition and training advice to the latest must-have toys and accessories. From uncovering innovative toys to highlighting top gift ideas for pet lovers, these journalists dive deep into the pet world to provide readers with valuable insights.
Pro Tip: Just like many parenting reporters are parents, the same holds true for pet reporters. It makes them great candidates to physically test each product with their furry friends at home.
Here’s our list of go-to pet reporters and experts who should be on your radar.
5 Pet Reporters to Know
Mel Plaut
Mel Plaut is a seasoned pet-gear reporter for Wirecutter, covering and testing everything that makes caring for pets easier and more rewarding. As a longtime pet owner, Mel has firsthand experience selecting the right products for your pets. From the best dog beds to litter boxes, to even water fountains and tick treatment, Mel has the inside scoop.
Fun Fact: Mel actually brought their three cats along on a six-month residency in Italy!
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer with over seven years of experience. Her deep passion for animals, which started growing up on a farm, drives her to share authentic, helpful pet product reviews. Camryn currently has two dogs, two cats, a flock of chickens, and even some ducks and goats, giving her a personal and well-rounded perspective on pet care. She has contributed to top publications like The Spruce Pets and CNN Underscored, writing about everything from automatic litter boxes to dog beds to bird feeders!
Check out her article, which featured our client Petmate’s cat litter box!
Kristen Levine
Kristen Levine is a well-known pet expert, writer, and TV personality who has built a trusted platform dedicated to helping pets and their owners live happier, healthier lives together. She shares expert advice, product recommendations, and heartwarming pet stories, making her a go-to resource for pet parents looking for trustworthy insights.
Kristen is also a seasoned on-air expert, frequently appearing in syndicated TV media tours that reach audiences across the country, appearing in local TV markets such as Baltimore, Kansas City, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C. We've worked with her on multiple syndicated segments for pet brands, helping bring cool products to millions of viewers.
Pro Tip: Yes, Kristen’s syndicated media tours are paid opportunities. But they get your product in front of millions of potential customers, and are great tools during high-traffic periods like National Pet Month or major holidays. It’s important to connect well in advance of these promotional periods and supply samples for on-air demonstrations.
Megan Milstead
Megan covers pet product reviews, deals, buying guides and expert advice at PetsRadar, making her a great contact for brands looking to showcase innovative pet gear. With a lifelong love of animals and firsthand experience raising everything from dogs and cats to horses and guinea pigs, Megan brings both heart and knowledge to her writing. She collaborates closely with vets and certified trainers to ensure every product guide is grounded in trustworthy, expert-backed advice.
She has a special interest in pet behavior and emotional well-being, which shows in the types of products she gravitates toward. Enrichment toys, training tools, and solutions for anxious pets are right up her alley, especially when they support the bond between pets and their humans. Outside of work, she’s often digging into the latest research or tuning into webinars about dog behavior and cat communication.
Her own cats, Chilli and Nala, are frequent co-testers, giving her reviews a real-world, paws-on perspective—especially when it comes to litter boxes, smart feeders, and other high-tech pet essentials.
Pro Tip: Follow Megan’s latest coverage on PetsRadar to understand the types of products she’s currently interested in. Personalizing your pitch based on her recent articles will increase your chances of making an impression.
Jessica Hartshorn
As a cat owner with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content for top publications like Good Housekeeping, Parents, and Scary Mommy, Jessica Hartshorn always has the 411 on the latest and greatest pet products. She also has experience evaluating and testing home products, like this round-up of the best life jackets for dogs. She provides excellent feedback on products she features in her guides!
Check out her cat carriers round-up, which featured our client Petmate!
For pet brands, these reporters play an essential role in connecting passionate pet parents with the products that’ll keep their pets happy. As always with reporters, it’s important to check in with them and work to build a relationship, even if the product you’re pitching may not be a fit for them at that moment! After all, strong media relationships are a paw-sitive step for your brand.
