The Community Cats Podcast

"I'm giving people the really good traps now. The ones that make their lives easier—because the cats shouldn't be the ones who suffer when we don't have our act together." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants . In this episode, Stacy sits down with KerryAnn May, founder of Animal Outreach of Shelby County, to talk about what it really takes t...

"They're not homeless. They know exactly where their home is, and they've chosen to be there. We're literally returning them home—vaccinated and spayed—so it's a win for the cat, the shelter, and the neighborhood." - Karen Little This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants . In this special on-location episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy Le...

"My biggest challenge is making sure the welfare of these cats is taken care of. I'll never desert these cats. Never." - Gloria Murli This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants . What happens when a prison island becomes a refuge for hundreds of community cats? In this powerful episode, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Gloria Murli, retired Rikers...

"Every single cat was easily trained to go into a drop trap with a roof on it. It's just about giving them time." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Community Cat Clinic . Picking up where we left off in Part 1, Bryan Kortis dives into the advanced techniques that helped his team trap the final 20% of cats in Maui's wildfire burn zone—arguably the most elusive cats of all....

"Sometimes the best tip is just not skipping the basics." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Community Cat Clinic . In the first half of this special two-part webinar replay, Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats walks us through the foundational and intermediate techniques that can make or break a successful Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) effort. Drawing from decades of field experi...

"Outdoor cats don't have behavior problems—they just have behavior. It's when we bring them inside that we need to understand how to meet their needs." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this enlightening and heartwarming conversation, feline behaviorist Stephen Quandt joins Stacy LeBaron to explore the intersection of empathy, education, and enrichment in the feline world. Wi...

"Everybody has a role, and if we open up the conversation just a little more, we can help change the numbers—and the lives of these animals." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this powerful and emotionally resonant episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Brandi Winkleman, President and Executive Director of A HOPE Inc., an animal welfare organization based in Milton, Florida. Br...

"Vaccinating community cats creates a barrier to disease between wildlife, domestic animals, and people." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this special webinar replay edition of the Community Cats Podcast, Brianna Lovell Myers of United Spay Alliance is joined by Dr. Bob Weedon, a leading expert in high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter and public health. Together, they delve...

"You're not trying to make the situation perfect. You're just trying to improve it." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Part 2 of "From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement" dives into the operational tactics that sustain and grow a Trap-Neuter-Return program. In this recorded webinar, Bryan Kortis shifts from early movement-building to the nuts and bolts of lo...

"Success attracts donors and grantors, and just provides that foundation for expanding into the wider community." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In Part 1 of this recorded webinar, "From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement," Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, presents a compelling behind-the-scenes look at how one of the nation...

"Stop treating cats like dogs—when we see them for who they really are, the right solutions start to emerge." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this dynamic episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron is joined by two passionate advocates making waves in Miami's cat welfare scene: Tia Williams, Director of Cat Solutions 305, and Dr. Matt Tano, Executive Director...

"Our industry is full of people with big hearts — but running a shelter takes more than heart. It takes structure, strategy, and systems." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Whether you're running a grassroots cat rescue or leading a multi-million-dollar shelter, the question remains the same: how do we keep the doors open and services running? Fundraising expert and shelter oper...

"If you can't fix 'em, don't feed 'em. You may think you're being kind, but make sure you do the responsible thing and spay and neuter." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . What started as a COVID-era effort to help feed pets in need has transformed into a full-fledged nonprofit tackling the staggering population of community cats in Orlando, Florida. In this powerful conversation...

"We all want to help, but without the right tools and resources, TNR can feel impossible. That's why we need technology to bridge the gaps." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Trapping and caring for community cats comes with numerous logistical challenges—finding vet appointments, securing transportation, and funding medical care. Alexa Kyler, software developer and TNR advocate...

"If you're struggling to catch the last cat in your colony, you just haven't figured out the right approach yet. Every cat is catchable with the right technique." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . From building Kuwait's first progressive animal shelter to developing global disaster response programs, John Peaveler has seen it all. In this episode, John shares his journey from mi...

"You have to feel good about what you can do, even if you can't help them all. Every small effort makes a difference." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Karen Menczer, founder of Animal Kind International, an organization that supports animal welfare groups in under-resourced communities worldwide. Karen shares her journey from passio...

"We want to be the example that proves you should never give up. No matter where you are, if you keep pushing, you can make change happen." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Mat Tougas of the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition back for an exciting update on the fight for trap-neuter-return (TNR) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Since his last ap...

"Nothing shows the benefits of TNR better than actually doing it. Once communities see the impact, they come on board, and that's when real change happens." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Harry Eckman, Global Advisor for Cat Population Management at International Cat Care, joins host Stacy LeBaron for an insightful discussion on the challenges and opportunities in managing un...

"We know how much the messages and stories we hear impact what we believe to be true. If we change our messaging, we can create real change for animals and communities." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . How can storytelling and messaging shape the future of animal welfare? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Hanna Lentz, executive di...

"We have to stop the endless cycle. Everyone loves kittens, but the goal should be to make sure they were never born into suffering in the first place." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this episode of The Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Robin Post, an experienced Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and the 2023 recipient of the Linda Markland Outstand...

"Cats are an incredible way to help new graduates with their surgical training. You never know what you're going to find, and that hands-on experience is invaluable." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and The Community Cat Clinic . How can we ensure the next generation of veterinarians is equipped to handle the unique challenges of community cats? In this episode, Stacy LeBaron we...

"Over 80% of the tagged cats didn't need to come into the shelter at all. This simple tool is keeping cats in their communities where they belong." – Dr. Amy Dalrymple This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and The Community Cat Clinic . What if a simple collar could help keep community cats out of shelters and reunite them with their families? In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron chats...

"Cats have finally come into their own. For so many years, cats were second-class citizens in veterinary research, but now we're finding treatments and diagnostics specific to them." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and The Community Cat Clinic . For our 600th episode, we're looking ahead to the future of feline welfare with Brianna Lovell Myers, Administrative Director of United...

"Cats have finally come into their own. For so many years, cats were second-class citizens in veterinary research, but now we're finding treatments and diagnostics specific to them." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this insightful episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacey LeBaron sits down with Dr. Maggie Placer and Vickie Fisher from the Every Cat Health Foundatio...

"Fixing a colony is more than just spaying and neutering; it's about creating healthier, happier lives for cats and fostering trust within the community." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and Arm & Hammer Feline Generous . In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Jenna Carr of Cool Cat Collective and Renae Woith of Tipped Ears about innovative...