United We Spay

Steve Tennant has spent more than 25 years advocating for animals in West Virginia — work that eventually led him to the board of the Federation of Humane Organizations of West Virginia (FOHO WV), which has been fighting for a statewide spay/neuter program since its founding in 1993. Getting there required years of grassroots lobbying at the state legislature, navigating unfunded laws, and waiting...

In 1998, Sara White graduated from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and went to work in a New Hampshire animal shelter. What she saw there — feral cats at a local Catholic shrine, accidental litters flooding shelters, communities with no access to affordable spay/neuter — convinced her that something had to change. With mentorship from Dr. Leslie Appel of Shelter Outr...

What does it take to go beyond what's prescribed, to follow a calling, and to tell a story that simply won't let you go? In this episode, Stacy LeBaron speaks with Melinda Grohol, a longtime freelance writer whose passion for people and animals led her to write the official biography of Dr. Jeff Young — the beloved veterinarian known to millions as Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet on Animal Planet. Me...

What does it take to disrupt the cycle of pet overpopulation in America—fast? In this replay from the United Spay Alliance Conference, Cathy Bissell of the Bissell Pet Foundation shares how a bold, scalable idea became one of the nation's fastest-growing spay/neuter initiatives. "Fix the Future" wasn't born from a long-term strategic plan—it emerged from urgency, collaboration, and a willingness t...

In this episode of United We Spay , host Stacy LeBaron talks with Julie Jacobson, founder of Spay Tennessee and a longtime advocate for prevention-focused animal welfare. Julie shares how her journey began in a small Tennessee county with no veterinarian, no shelter, and no animal control—and how that experience led her to shift from rescue work to a strategy centered on spay and neuter. Over time...

What happens when a financial professional is entrusted with a transformative philanthropic gift for cats? In this episode of United We Spay , Stacy LeBaron sits down with Deborah Cribbs , founder of the Give Them Ten Movement, to explore how a banker's mindset reshaped feline welfare in Cincinnati and beyond. Deborah shares how disciplined stewardship, business strategy, and unapologetically bold...

In this powerful episode of United We Spay , host Stacy LeBaron talks with Adelle Louise—Trap-Neuter-Return specialist, feral cat advocate, and Director of @travelanimalrescue—about what it truly means to build a sustainable, community-led cat care program. After launching her work in the Global South, Adelle recognized that meaningful impact required more than good intentions: it demanded equipme...

In this special episode of United We Spay , the mic flips as longtime host Stacy LeBaron takes the guest seat for the first time. Interviewed by United Spay Alliance's Administrative Director Brianna Lovell Myers , Stacy reflects on her 30+ years in animal welfare, her unexpected entry into the world of trap-neuter-return (TNR), and the pivotal moments that shaped her mission to prevent animal suf...

In this episode of United We Spay, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Cheri Storms, Executive Director of Pet Friendly Services of Indiana and Chair of the United Spay Alliance Vet Shortage Task Force. With a statewide view of spay/neuter services and firsthand experience navigating the challenges of veterinary access, Cheri brings clarity and urgency to a national crisis: the veterinary shortage threate...

On today's episode of United We Spay, join Stacy LeBaron as she welcomes Dr. Michelle Gonzalez, the passionate founder of the Rascal Unit, a mobile veterinary clinic making waves in Ohio. Dr. G shares her mission to tackle animal overpopulation through accessible and affordable spay-neuter services. Stacy and Dr. G's conversation reveals the hurdles pet owners face, from financial struggles to a n...

What if there was a way to directly impact animal welfare and environmental sustainability while honoring cultural traditions? Join us for United We Spay as we uncover the inspiring path of Patricia "Pat" Chan, a trailblazer in animal welfare and the first female division chief for the Panama Canal Commission. Through her vision, Spay Panama has become a beacon of hope, providing spay-neuter servi...

Imagine having the power to transform entire communities by addressing a single, crucial issue: pet overpopulation. Join us for this episode of United We Spay as we unfold the inspiring journey of Jennifer Raymond, whose unwavering passion for animal welfare has led to significant changes in Humboldt County and beyond. From her college days promoting animal birth control to founding the Humboldt S...

Could the key to solving New York City's animal overpopulation crisis be more accessible than we think? Join us for this episode of United We Spay as we unravel the transformative journey of Will Zweigart, the driving force behind Flatbush Cats and Flatbush Vet. Once an advertising executive, Will discovered that adoption and rescue efforts alone were insufficient to address the city's crowded she...

On this episode of United We Spay, Lisa Milot, a distinguished professor of Canine Welfare Law at the University of Georgia, shares her transformative journey from an animal rescue volunteer to a nonprofit founder focused on strategic spay-neuter programs. Her passion for systemic change in animal welfare underscores the episode as she recounts her "aha moment" that shifted her focus toward addres...

Dawn Wilkinson, the dynamic executive director of the Humane Society in South Carolina, joins us on this episode of United We Spay to share her inspiring journey from accounting and healthcare to animal welfare advocacy. Her leadership has been pivotal in transforming the organization by reducing costs and expanding programs to perform thousands of spay-neuter surgeries annually. Dawn's passion fo...

On this episode of United We Spay, join us for an enlightening conversation with JJ Hendrickson, former Chief Animal Control Officer at the Kenai Animal Shelter in Alaska, as she shares her insights into the world of spay-neuter programs and their crucial role in animal welfare. JJ recounts her journey from implementing a voucher system to adopting a more direct approach to fixing animals before a...

On this episode of United We Spay, Stacy welcomes Brianna Lovell Myers, the Administrative Director of the United Spay Alliance. Brianna shares her compelling journey and deep passion for promoting accessible spay-neuter services. Growing up in a low-income household, Brianna witnessed firsthand the challenges of managing cat overpopulation without affordable spay-neuter options. These personal ex...

On this episode of United We Spay, Dr. Blayra Maldonado Cabrera, a dedicated veterinarian from Mexico, shares her life-changing experiences in the spay-neuter services world. Dr. Maldonado's commitment to animal welfare blossomed through her work with a non-profit in Hermosillo and as a professor at the University of the Valley of Mexico. Her story powerfully demonstrates the impact of education a...

On this episode of United We Spay, Loren Breen, the Director of Policy, Research, and Government Affairs at the Animal Policy Group, joins Stacy to unpack the significant rise in spay-neuter legislative activity—from a mere 100 bills in 2017 to over 2300 in recent years. We navigate the landscape of spay-neuter laws, exploring prohibitive bills and creative tax initiatives like California's tax de...

What if a simple procedure could transform your community's future of animal welfare? On this episode of United We Spay, Vicki Deisner from Ohio Animal Advocates and community cat management expert Dan Spehar address this question through the lens of affordable spay-neuter services. Their conversation with Stacy underscores these initiatives' critical role in managing overpopulation and fostering...

Is there a humane way to tackle the daunting issue of animal overpopulation? On this episode of United We Spay, renowned veterinarian Dr. Jeff Young believes there is and is on a mission to prove it. Dr. Young reveals how his experiences in vet school ignited a lifelong commitment to high-volume, low-cost spay-neuter services, leading to the creation of Planned Pethood Plus and its international a...

Affordable spay-neuter services are the unsung heroes in the battle against feline overpopulation.   On this episode of United We Spay, Stacy welcomes Dr. Gay Senk, a feral cat surgeon from the Farmingdale Dog and Cat Clinic, who shares her extraordinary journey from equine practice to becoming a fervent advocate for spay-neuter initiatives. Dr. Senk recounts her awakening to the feral cat crisis,...

Unlock the secrets to overcoming the veterinary workforce shortage with insights from Stacy's expert guest, Stacy Pursell, founder and CEO of the Vet Recruiter. In this episode of United We Spay, we address the growing demand for veterinarians and the factors contributing to stress and burnout among current staff. Stacy shares her wealth of knowledge on the strategic, talent-centric solutions need...

What if the key to transforming animal welfare was hidden in the precision and efficiency of high-volume spay-neuter services? On this episode of United We Spay, Stacy sits down with Dr. Becky Morrow, a shelter veterinarian, and professor, who shares her incredible journey from aspiring wildlife vet to founding Frankie's Friends Cat Rescue. Dr. Morrow opens up about her motivations and the hurdles...

On this episode of United We Spay, learn how spay-neuter services are transforming animal welfare and reducing shelter overpopulation with our expert panel. Hear from Peter Marsh, who provides historical insights into effective sterilization laws from California and New Hampshire, and learn from Dr. Jeffrey Young and Dr. Phil Bushby about their extensive experience in spay-neuter programs and vete...