The Community Cats Podcast

"It's important to understand that nothing else works. There's no other method available if you want to control the cat population besides sterilization." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . If you missed Part 1 of this episode click here to listen now! In this special, two-part audio presentation of a recent live webinar, we'll Explore Return-to-Field...

"It's important to understand that nothing else works. There's no other method available if you want to control the cat population besides sterilization." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . In this special, two-part audio presentation of a recent live webinar, we'll Explore Return-to-Field (RTF) programs for community cats with Bryan Kortis of Neighbor...

"I didn't want to start another rescue that was going to fill up." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . In this episode of The Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Mat Tougas, also known as "Mat the Cat Guy," founder of the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition in southeastern South Dakota. Mat shares his unexpected journey from fostering wiener do...

"Shelters across the country are in crisis… sometimes keeping a pet at home where they're loved and safe is as simple as providing them with a bowl of food." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund . In this insightful episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Natalia Hansen, Marketing Coordinator for the Humane Canada Summit for Animals. Natalia shares her j...

"Giving back is way more powerful than receiving. The benefits are tenfold, and they come back to you in ways you can't explain." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . In this inspiring episode of The Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Michael Schneider, founder of Pilots to the Rescue, a pioneering nonprofit that merges his love fo...

"The reproductive justice framework is really useful for thinking about community cats and TNR because it opens us up to engaging with the lives of the cats both personally and before sterilization, but also afterwards." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and Tomahawk Traps . In this episode, Stacy LeBaron welcomes Katja Gunther, a professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at the U...

"We will not spay and neuter ourselves out of the problem...the education is the lasting part of it, and that will go from person to person." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund  and Tomahawk Traps . In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy interviews Dr. Christine Monroe, a seasoned veterinarian, and Rhonda Shaffer, a dedicated trapper from Spay Neuter Northwest. Togeth...

"When you're down to the last few cats and time is running out, the drop trap can be your saving grace." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund  and the Whisker Tracker app . In the second part of this special webinar series, Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats dives deeper into the complexities of drop trap techniques. Exploring the advanced applications of drop traps, including the i...

"The drop trap is the most humane and effective way to trap those hard-to-catch cats, and once you've mastered it, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Acatemy , and Tomahawk Traps . Join Bryan Kortis and Suzi Richmond from Neighborhood Cats for a special broadcast of two-part webinar on the drop trap. Bryan and Suzi, a dynamic du...

"Don't underestimate your cats. Elevate your expectations of them, and you'll be amazed at what they can achieve." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and The Acatemy . What if your cat's behavior problems could be solved with just a few simple changes to their environment? Today, we're speaking with Ingrid Johnson, a certified cat behavior consultant and the innovative mind behind...

"Our goal is to put as much public pressure on the town representatives as possible and to spread as much awareness as we can, because the more people that are aware of the problem, the more people are going to ask the town to do something about it." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund  and Tomahawk Traps . Are you ready to be inspired by a relentless advocate for feline welfare? In...

"Collaboration between animal welfare groups and local governments is the key to creating sustainable, humane community cat programs that work for everyone." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Keeping People and Pets Together Pet Food Pantry , and Tomahawk Traps . In the second half of this enlightening two-part webinar series, Stacy LeBaron is once again joined by TNR expert...

"Understanding the environment and how we approach the ecosystem with community cats is essential, not just for the cats but for the overall health of the communities they inhabit." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , Humane Canada , and The Keeping People and Pets Together Pet Food Pantry . In this first installment of a special two-part webinar series, Stacy LeBaron dives deep i...

"Think about all the things that cats go through…they're smart, they're clever and we can learn from them." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , Humane Canada , and Tomahawk Traps . Are you curious about the evolving landscape of community cat welfare in the United States? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron sits down with Daniell...

"The community building aspect of this is so key…that interconnectedness is really what allows us to have the impact that we do." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , the Keeping People and Pets Together Pet Food Pantry , and  Tomahawk Traps . Rural areas present pronounced challenges in community cat welfare, especially in times of veterinary and resourc...

"Animals were my friends, and even before I had words for it, they understood me and gave me comfort and love in a way that I didn't feel in my life, in my family." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Tomahawk Traps . Have you ever wondered if you could understand what your cat is thinking or feeling? In this moving episode of the Community Cats Podc...

"Understanding a cat's socialization history can be the key to determining the best outcome for community cats in shelters." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Humane  Canada's Summit for Animals . Join us for an insightful conversation with Dot Baisly, a certified behavior consultant with a rich background in animal welfare. Dot shares her story of...

"We were trying to rescue our way out, which is never going to happen." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Tomahawk Traps . Step into the world of Brandi Sherman as she shares her remarkable journey from a rural upbringing surrounded by vulnerable cats to leading Fresno TNR— an initiative dedicated to controlling and caring for community cats throug...

"Without dreaming big and showing people what we think is needed, we'll never get that dial changed and we need that to change mightily." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Tomahawk Traps . Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dawn Benefiel, founder of Indy Neighborhood Cats, as she shares her journey from encountering stray kittens to orch...

"Everybody that I speak with, I just emphasize that we are the answer. We are the solution and they need to be part of the solution." Episode #567  When Tracy Dean left her advertising career to dedicate herself to the welfare of community cats in Reno, she embarked on an unexpected and redefining journey. This episode is not merely a conversation; it is a vivid narrative about Tracy's profound en...

Our mission is to provide education, information and dialogue that will create a supportive environment empowering people to help cats in their community. 

How can you outsmart even the wariest of community cats? Join us for the second part of our conversation with expert trapper Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats, where he unveils advanced strategies for trapping elusive felines. Learn the art of camouflaging traps with natural materials like burlap, and discover innovative baiting techniques using food boats and duct tape. Bryan shares his wisdom...

What if you could turn the most elusive feral cat into a successfully trapped and cared-for community member? Join Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats as he brings extensive experience to the forefront in this special two-part audio presentation. Learn effective cat trapping techniques, established feeding patterns, and the use of various traps such as roundhouse and drop traps.  Get ready to expl...

Ever wondered how treating a nonprofit like a business can unlock millions in funding? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Mathers, a passionate animal welfare advocate and skilled grant writer, who has transitioned from the world of education to founding Grants for Animals.  Stephanie's journey began with the adoption of her first cat, Shakespeare, and led her to significant invo...

When Muffin, a little ball of fur with mischievous eyes, first claimed a corner of my heart, I never imagined where that love would lead. Now I'm joined by Kim Lengling, whose story mirrors the transformative power of companionship, not just with our four-legged friends but with those who share our human journey.  Kim, a vocal supporter of veterans and advocate for cats, delves into her life's nar...