The Community Cats Podcast

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #586 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep586_Kortis_241112.mp3

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 (RTF) programs for community cats with Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats. With years of experience managing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs, Kortis and his wife, Suzi Richmond, provide an expert perspective on the RTF approach, discussing its benefits, challenges, and impact on communities. From the origins of RTF programs to their evolving role in shelters across the U.S., they share success stories and compelling data showing how RTF reduces shelter euthanasia rates, frees up resources, and helps create a humane solution for managing feral and stray cat populations. They also touch on practical strategies for implementing RTF in various communities, legal considerations, and the important differences between RTF and TNR. Tune in to explore a groundbreaking approach that’s changing the future of animal shelters and the lives of community cats.

Press Play Now For:

The Journey of RTF Programs: How RTF went from concept to common practice in U.S. shelters
Defining Terms: Understanding RTF, TNR, and their specific impacts on cat populations
Success Metrics: How RTF programs reduce euthanasia rates and shelter costs
Community and Shelter Benefits: Lower complaints, higher public support, and fewer shelter admissions
Legal and Advocacy Tips: What municipalities should know about implementing RTF
Practical Advice for Shelters: Managing intake, assessing eligibility, and effective returns

Additional Resources:

Return-to-Field Handbook
Neighborhood Cats
TNR Certification Workshop

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Saving Lives with Return-to-Field: The Future of Humane Cat Management, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #585 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep585_Kortis_241105.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Whisker Tracker App.

Press Play Now For:

The Journey of RTF Programs: How RTF went from concept to common practice in U.S. shelters
Defining Terms: Understanding RTF, TNR, and their specific impacts on cat populations
Success Metrics: How RTF programs reduce euthanasia rates and shelter costs
Community and Shelter Benefits: Lower complaints, higher public support, and fewer shelter admissions
Legal and Advocacy Tips: What municipalities should know about implementing RTF
Practical Advice for Shelters: Managing intake, assessing eligibility, and effective returns

Additional Resources:

Return-to-Field Handbook
Neighborhood Cats
TNR Certification Workshop

Follow & Review:

The post Saving Lives with Return-to-Field: The Future of Humane Cat Management, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I didn’t want to start another rescue that was going to fill up.”

Listen to Episode #584 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep584_Tougas_241029.mp3

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 Matt Tougas, also known as “Matt the Cat Guy,” founder of the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition in southeastern South Dakota. Matt shares his unexpected journey from fostering wiener dogs to becoming a fierce advocate for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, despite ongoing legal hurdles in Sioux Falls.

He highlights how a stray kitten sparked his love for feline welfare and how his organization is now leading the charge to reduce cat overpopulation through TNR efforts.

With over 275 cats spayed and neutered in their first year, Sioux Empire TNR is making remarkable strides, even without legal backing in some areas. Matt talks about the challenges of securing affordable spay/neuter services, building community support, and overcoming public misconceptions about TNR. Tune in to hear about Matt’s mission to bring humane cat management to South Dakota and his hopes for the future. If you’re passionate about saving cats, you’ll want to press play on this one!

Press Play Now For:

Matt’s transition from fostering wiener dogs to rescuing cats
The uphill battle to legalize TNR in Sioux Falls
The importance of affordable spay/neuter services in rural communities
Matt’s advice for small rescue groups navigating early-stage challenges
Insights on the growth of TNR efforts across South Dakota
How to balance rescue work with local politics and advocacy
The vital role of education in overcoming opposition to TNR

Resources Mentioned:

Sioux Empire TNR – Learn more about Matt’s organization and how to get involved.
Community Cat Calculator – A tool to estimate the number of cats needing TNR in your area.

Follow & Review:

The post Matt the Cat Guy Took Up a TNR Torch in South Dakota and He’s Not Stopping with Matt Tougas Founder and President, Sioux Empire TNR appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #583 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep583_Hanson_241022.mp3

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 journey from being unsure of cats to becoming a self-professed “cat lady,” all while playing a pivotal role in Canada’s animal welfare movement. She highlights the work Humane Canada does, from advocating for animal welfare legislation to organizing Canada’s largest animal welfare conference.

Natalia discusses the successes of Humane Canada, such as their advocacy for the ban on whale and dolphin captivity for entertainment, and the challenges that remain, including a nationwide shortage of veterinarians. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration in animal welfare and sheds light on innovative solutions like mobile spay and neuter programs, as well as pet food banks, which help keep pets in loving homes during times of hardship.

As Natalia gears up for the 2025 Summit for Animals in Montreal, she invites listeners to attend and connect with other professionals dedicated to improving animal welfare. Whether through volunteering, donations, or simply sharing knowledge, Natalia urges everyone to get involved and support the work of local humane societies.

Press Play Now For:

How Humane Canada advocates for stronger animal protection laws and supports shelters across the nation.
The inside scoop on the Summit for Animals, and why it’s a must-attend event for animal welfare professionals.
A deep dive into Canada’s veterinary shortage and its impact on spay and neuter services.
The lifesaving role of mobile spay/neuter units in reaching underserved communities.
The critical importance of collaboration in advancing cat welfare across Canada.
How Humane Canada’s pet food banks are keeping pets in their homes during financial hardships.

Resources Mentioned:

Humane Canada Website
Humane Canada Summit for Animals
Collaboration in Cat Welfare Initiatives Report

Follow & Review:

The post From Fearful to Fearless and the Push to Protect Canada’s Cats with Natalia Hanson, Marketing & Communications Consultant Humane Canada appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Giving back is way more powerful than receiving. The benefits are tenfold, and they come back to you in ways you can’t explain.”

Listen to Episode #582 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep582_Schneider_241015.mp3

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 for aviation with his dedication to saving animals. Michael shares the remarkable journey that led him to establish this unique organization, which has successfully transported over 3,000 animals from overcrowded shelters to new homes across the country.

Michael reveals the behind-the-scenes logistics of these lifesaving missions, discussing the special considerations of flying with animals and the profound fulfillment of combining passion with purpose. Beyond the flights themselves, he emphasizes the transformative power of hands-on involvement in rescue work, challenging listeners to move beyond donations and actively participate in the causes they care about.

This conversation is filled with heartwarming stories of rescued animals, valuable insights into running a mission-driven nonprofit, and a call to action for anyone looking to make a real difference in the lives of animals. Whether you’re a seasoned rescuer or new to the world of animal advocacy, this episode will uplift and motivate you to think about how you can help those in need—from the ground or the sky.

Press Play Now For:

The inspiring story behind Pilots to the Rescue and how it has saved over 3,000 animals
Unique challenges and heartwarming rewards of transporting animals by plane
Why hands-on involvement in rescue work brings profound personal fulfillment
Michael’s approach to running a nonprofit like a business for long-term impact
How Pilots to the Rescue uses both air and ground transport to maximize their reach
Practical tips on combining your passion with purpose to make a difference

Resources Mentioned:

Pilots to the Rescue: www.pilotstotherescue.org
Connect on Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn

Follow & Review:

The post Taking Rescue to New Heights with Michael Schneider, Founder of Pilots to the Rescue appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #581 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep581_Guenther_241008.mp3

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 University of California, Riverside, and an avid animal rights advocate. Katyja’s research delves into the intersections of human-animal relationships, feminist activism, and the challenges of animal sheltering. Her work, especially focused on community cats in Los Angeles, brings a fresh perspective to the ongoing debates around TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), reproductive justice, and the ethics of animal care.

Stacy and Katja explore the unique challenges faced by community cats in Los Angeles, the cultural and ethical considerations surrounding TNR, and the concept of reproductive justice as it applies to animal welfare. This conversation highlights the importance of spay/neuter programs, the complexities of abortive spays, and the necessity of clear communication and organizational coherence in animal advocacy.

In this episode, Stacy and Katja discuss:

The significance of reproductive justice in the context of community cats and TNR.
Understanding the ethical dilemmas surrounding abortive spays and how they impact community cat management.
The cultural and regional differences in community cat advocacy and the importance of tailoring strategies to local contexts.
The critical role of clear organizational policies and communication in managing the complexities of community cat programs.
Insights into the day-to-day realities and challenges of advocating for community cats in a major urban area like Los Angeles.

Resources:

Find Katja on the web at www.katjamguenther.com
Looking for Katja’s Books?
Curious what a spay procedure looks like?

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post A Reproductive Revolution: Reframing TNR in Urban Landscapes with Katja M. Guenther, Professor at the University of California, Riverside appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #580 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep580_Monroe_241001.mp3

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. Together, this two-woman team has enormously impacted feral cat populations in Whatcom County, pioneering innovative programs that provide compassionate care for thousands of cats. Through hands-on efforts, strategic collaboration, and a deep-rooted passion, they are leading the way in transforming how communities manage feral cats.

Dr. Monroe and Rhonda share the origins of their work, which began with a simple idea over breakfast and evolved into a model for managing feral colonies. They discuss their unique approaches, from mass trappings to individual cat rescues, and their efforts to educate and empower local communities. Listeners will learn about the practical challenges of TNR (trap-neuter-return), the evolution of their feral cat program, and the “No Excuses” initiative that equips individuals to take action themselves.

Tune in to hear the heartwarming stories behind the program, the incredible work being done to reduce cat overpopulation, and the powerful takeaways that can inspire any animal welfare advocate.

Resources

Visit Spay + Neuter Northwest on the web

Follow & Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then add a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post 3500 Cats and Counting: A Two-Woman TNR Success Story with Dr. Christine Monroe, Owner/Veterinarian & Rhonda Shaffer, Assistant/Trapper, Spay + Neuter Northwest appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Article and Photos Contributed by Kendall Wapner

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a captivating catio tour, presented by the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, Bird Alliance of Oregon, and Bird Conservation Oregon. The event showcased a diverse array of catios, each reflecting the creativity and dedication of their builders. Here’s a deeper look into the highlights of this inspiring tour.

Our first stop was the Garden View Purr-ch, a contractor-built catio completed in 2024. This spacious 6’ x 11’ enclosure stands out with its cedar construction and pet-safe stain, ensuring durability and safety. What makes this catio particularly special is its design. Suspended from a window, it features numerous shelves and a human access door, allowing for easy maintenance. Heather, the proud owner, was driven by a desire to create a generous outdoor space for her three cats—Mo, Billy, and Cookie. The catio overlooks a sunlit garden and bird feeder, offering a serene retreat for the feline trio. Heather’s thoughtful design includes features that accommodate her cats’ varying personalities, ensuring they all have their own favorite spots. She’s delighted with the result and advises future builders to consider easy access for cleaning and potential expansions.

Next, we visited the Whisker Purr-imeter, a DIY project completed in 2022. This impressive catio transforms the entire backyard into a secure playground for three cats—Milo, Buttercup, and Chico. Built using PVC and large-gauge wire mesh, the catio’s most striking feature is its innovative use of space and materials. Ben, the creator, wanted to give his cats the freedom to explore while ensuring the safety of local wildlife. The yard now boasts a reinforced fence and creative barriers to keep adventurous felines contained. Ben’s advice to aspiring catio builders is to think big and be inventive, emphasizing that you don’t need a fancy structure to provide your cats with a wonderful outdoor experience.

The Olive & Frodo’s Shire catio, built in 2023, was another highlight of the tour. This DIY project measures 15’ x 10’ x 10’ and is constructed from reclaimed and recycled materials. The catio features a screened back porch where humans can relax while their cats, Frodo and Olive, enjoy their multi-tiered playground. The design reflects a beautiful blend of functionality and style, with high shelves and ramps that cater to the cats’ playful nature. Alana and Amanda, the hosts, were inspired to create this cozy retreat after attending a previous catio tour. Their advice? Start your project sooner and utilize recycled materials to keep costs down while adding a personal touch.

Our next stop was the Pawsome Platform, a raised window catio completed in 2023. Measuring 51” x 43” x 50”, this DIY creation makes efficient use of vertical space with its multi-tiered shelving covered in indoor-outdoor carpet. The clear corrugated plastic roof ensures that the cats—Edie and Raven—stay dry during rainy weather, while the heavy wire fencing provides security. Mark, the builder, was inspired by a previous catio tour and chose a location that made the most of an existing window. He learned the importance of precise measurements and planning, advising future builders to carefully consider dimensions and materials to avoid unnecessary complications.

Finally, we explored the Rhododendron Den, a charming DIY catio built in 2023 using scrap wood, metal mesh, and Manzanita branches. This 5’10” x 4’3” x 12’ enclosure seamlessly integrates with the home and landscape, offering a harmonious extension of the living space. The catio features shelves at different elevations, allowing cats to observe their surroundings from various vantage points. The hosts, who wished to create a beautiful and functional space for their cats, achieved their goal with this aesthetically pleasing design. Their advice for others? Focus on blending the catio with your home’s design and landscaping to enhance both functionality and visual appeal.

The catio tour was a delightful experience, highlighting the ingenuity and care of cat owners who have transformed their spaces to better accommodate their feline friends. Whether you’re considering a DIY project or hiring a contractor, there’s no shortage of inspiration to be found. For those interested in learning more or getting involved with the organizations that made this event possible, here’s how you can reach them:

Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
FeralCats.com
503-797-2606
4522 S Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97239
Bird Alliance of Oregon
BirdAllianceOregon.org
503-292-6855
5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210
Bird Conservation Oregon
BirdConservationOregon.org
503-380-9728

I hope this tour inspires you to create or enhance your own catio, providing a safe and enriching outdoor experience for your feline companions.

This article was contributed by Kendall Wapner • With a fervent dedication to animal welfare, Kendall has been an advocate for the rights and well-being of animals since 2013. Over the years, she has contributed to the cause in various capacities, ranging from hands-on work in animal shelters to orchestrating impactful exhibitions aimed at raising awareness for animal rights. Currently collaborating with the Community Cats Podcast, Kendall is excited to amplify the message of the critical importance of spaying and neutering cats, particularly through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives. Through Kendall’s multifaceted engagement in the realm of animal advocacy, they aim to inspire positive change and foster a compassionate understanding of the needs of our furry companions.

The post Transforming Outdoor Spaces: A Celebration of Catios appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“When you’re down to the last few cats and time is running out, the drop trap can be your saving grace.”

Listen to Episode #579 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep579_Kortis_240924.mp3

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 innovative auto drop trap system developed by Neighborhood Cats, you will get all the insights of their recent experiences from the Maui wildfire rescue operation, highlighting how they adapted their techniques to save hundreds of cats in a disaster zone.

This episode not only provides a wealth of practical advice but also inspires listeners with stories of perseverance and creativity in the face of challenging TNR situations. Whether you’re new to community cat care or a seasoned TNR veteran, this episode will expand your toolkit for managing feral cat colonies effectively.

Key Takeaways:

Auto Drop Trap Innovation: Learn about the auto drop trap system, how it works, and why it was crucial in the Maui wildfire rescue.
Adapting to Challenging Conditions: Understand how to adjust your trapping strategy for difficult environments, such as uneven ground or wary cats.
Rescue Operations Insights: Gain insights from the Maui wildfire rescue, including how to manage large-scale rescue efforts and the importance of being adaptable.

Resources:

Find Neighborhood Cats on the web
Check out the Tomahawk traps mentioned
Be sure to visit our YouTube channel to check out all of our videos, episodes, and presentations. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find them, along with many other TNR and community cat care educational opportunities.

Follow & Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Mastering the Drop Trap: Essential Skills for Feline Trapping – Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #578 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep578_Kortis_240917.mp3

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 duo known for their deep expertise in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and community cat management, share their experiences, practical tips, and innovative strategies for effectively managing feral cat colonies, focusing on advanced trapping techniques. Bryan discuss everything from the basics of using drop traps to the intricacies of dealing with challenging cats and unique trapping scenarios.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the thought processes behind effective TNR, learning not just how to trap cats, but why certain methods work better in different situations. This episode is packed with information that’s crucial for anyone involved in or interested in community cat care.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Drop Traps: Learn why drop traps are a game-changer in trapping feral cats, especially for those who are wary of standard box traps.
Practical Trapping Tips: Discover the importance of patience, proper bait placement, and how to avoid common mistakes when using traps.
Advanced Strategies: Get an introduction to advanced trapping techniques, including the use of drop trap pads for uneven ground and how to manage multiple cats at once.

Resources:

Find Neighborhood Cats on the web
Check out the Tomahawk traps mentioned
Be sure to visit our YouTube channel to check out all of our videos, episodes, and presentations. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find them, along with many other TNR and community cat care educational opportunities.

Follow & Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Mastering the Drop Trap: Essential Skills for Feline Trapping – Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Don’t underestimate your cats. Elevate your expectations of them, and you’ll be amazed at what they can achieve.”

Listen to Episode #577 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep577_Johnson_240909.mp3

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 Fundamentally Feline. Ingrid’s expertise in feline behavior and environmental enrichment has helped countless cat owners create happier, healthier lives for their pets.

In this episode, Ingrid shares her journey from starting in the field of feline behavior in the early 2000s to becoming a leading expert in the industry. We delve into the importance of environmental enrichment for indoor cats, the benefits of food puzzles, and how these tools can prevent boredom and reduce behavior problems. Ingrid also discusses the challenges of medicating cats and offers practical strategies for making this process smoother and less stressful for both cats and their owners. Additionally, she highlights the integration of medical and behavioral approaches to ensure holistic care for our feline friends.

In this episode, you will learn:

The critical role of environmental enrichment in maintaining feline well-being
How to effectively introduce and use food puzzles and foraging toys to stimulate your cat
The principles of clicker training and how it can enhance your relationship with your cat
Techniques for successful and stress-free medication administration for cats
The importance of combining medical and behavioral strategies to address feline issues comprehensively

Resources:

Learn more at Fundamentally Feline, Food Puzzles for Cats, IAABC
Follow and subscribe to @FundamentallyFeline on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Mastering Feline Behavior and Enrichment, with Ingrid Johnson, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, Fundamentally Feline appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #576 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep576_Kroll_240902.mp3

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 this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Stuart Kroll, a passionate animal rights advocate with over 15 years of experience. Stuart’s journey began with feeding a small colony of semi-feral cats in Port Washington, Long Island, which led him to become deeply involved in animal rescue and political advocacy. He shares his mission to establish a cat shelter in North Hempstead, a wealthy town with no municipal shelter for cats, and the challenges he faces in holding municipalities accountable for animal welfare.

Join us as Stuart discusses the complexities of creating a supportive environment for community cats, the vital role of municipal responsibility, and the power of public pressure in driving change. Discover how his unique background as a commodities trader has equipped him with the skills to navigate the political landscape and advocate for the rights of homeless cats. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about animal rescue, community engagement, and the fight for better conditions for our feline friends.

In this episode, you will hear:

Stuart Kroll’s journey from commodities trader to animal rights advocate
Challenges of creating a cat shelter in North Hempstead, Long Island
The intersection of animal welfare and politics
The importance of public pressure in driving municipal change
Strategies for implementing effective Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs
The role of nonprofits and community organizations in supporting cat welfare
The need for legislative change to mandate municipal responsibility for cats
Stuart’s vision for a comprehensive municipal cat shelter
The impact of community engagement and awareness in animal advocacy

Resources:

Join the conversation on Facebook
Visit Stuart’s Website
Connect with Stuart by email at SRKTrader@aol.com
Call Stuart at 516-578-8587

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Are Cats the Underdogs in Municipal Politics with Stuart Kroll, Animal Rights Advocate, Port Washington, Long Island appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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The Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition was born out of a deep commitment to collaboration among animal welfare organizations in the state. The idea emerged through ongoing conversations about the growing challenges in the field of animal welfare. The participating organizations, already familiar with working together, recognized that the issues they were facing could not be solved in isolation. This shared understanding fueled the desire to form a coalition that would not only address these challenges but also create a lasting impact.

The MSPCA-Angell’s involvement in Best Friend’s Shelter Collaborative Program, where they assist shelters in South Carolina, was a crucial part of this inspiration. Meanwhile, TJO had been in discussions with Best Friends about the need for mentorship support. As these conversations progressed, it became clear that there was an opportunity to expand their efforts into something more substantial—a coalition that could connect individual initiatives and foster a collective approach to solving the issues at hand. The formation of MASS represents a commitment to finding solutions through collaboration, addressing the challenges in Massachusetts by working together as a unified force.

MASS is focused on sharing resources and strategies to increase adoptions, reduce euthanasia rates, and provide better support for both animals and the people who care for them. The coalition has outlined several initiatives to achieve these goals:

Community Outreach Program Expansion
The MSPCA’s Community Outreach program will be extended into Springfield, with the aim of reducing disease outbreaks, increasing access to affordable veterinary care, and keeping pets with their families. This will involve collaboration with Dakin and TJO staff.
Behavior Outreach
The MSPCA’s adoption center behavior team will offer behavior outreach services to all coalition members, ensuring that animals receive the support they need to thrive in their new homes.
Adoption Events
To boost dog adoptions, the coalition will reduce barriers to adoption and host a series of adoption events across various locations.
Medical Support
Resources will be shared among coalition members to address urgent and specialty medical needs, ensuring that animals receive the care they need.
Operational Best Practices
The coalition will provide programmatic support for operational best practices, including volunteer programming, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of all member organizations.
Foster Network Expansion
The MSPCA’s foster network will be extended to support animals at all MASS organizations, helping more animals find temporary homes until they can be adopted.
Animal Transfers
When possible, adoptable animals will be transferred from other organizations to MSPCA adoption centers, where they may have a better chance of finding a forever home.

The expansion of the Community Outreach program into Springfield is a strategic move aimed at addressing specific needs in a historically underserved area. The coalition has hired a Community Outreach Manager and a veterinarian who will work with local animal welfare organizations to bring essential services to the communities that need them most. This includes offering free or low-cost vaccine clinics to prevent disease outbreaks, providing access to spay/neuter services, and supplying necessities like pet food. By building strong relationships with human service organizations, the coalition aims to create a lasting impact in Springfield, ensuring that pets and their owners have the support they need to stay together.

One of the coalition’s key strategies to increase adoptions is to share successful practices across all member organizations. The MSPCA has had significant success with fee-waived adoption events, which have helped increase adoption numbers during times of high capacity. These events will be replicated across the coalition, with each shelter benefiting from the shared experience and resources.

In addition, the coalition is committed to reducing barriers to adoption by employing a conversational adoption process. This approach focuses on understanding the needs and preferences of potential adopters and matching them with animals that are likely to thrive in their homes. Rather than imposing rigid criteria, the coalition trusts adopters to make decisions that are best for their new pets and provides ongoing support if circumstances change.

The long-term goals of the MASS coalition are to increase adoptions, reduce the length of stay for animals in shelters, lower euthanasia rates, and solidify each shelter’s position as a trusted resource in their community. By working together, the coalition hopes to create a sustainable impact on animal welfare in Massachusetts, ensuring that more animals find loving homes and that shelters can continue to support their communities effectively.

The public can play a vital role in supporting these efforts by adopting, fostering, or volunteering at local shelters. Donations are also crucial, as they enable the coalition to continue its work and expand its initiatives. Now more than ever, community support is essential to the success of MASS and the well-being of animals across the state.

What motivates the coalition members to continue their work is the belief that success is not measured by the achievements of individual organizations but by the collective progress of all animal welfare groups in Massachusetts. The MASS coalition embodies this philosophy, with each member contributing to a shared mission and a common goal. The support and collaboration that have defined the coalition’s formation are a testament to the strength of the animal welfare community—a community that knows that by working together, they can achieve more than any one organization could alone.

For more information, please contact Jamie Garabedian at jgarabedian@mspca.org.

The post A Unified Effort to Tackle Pet Overpopulation – Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) Coalition appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Collaboration between animal welfare groups and local governments is the key to creating sustainable, humane community cat programs that work for everyone.”

Listen to Episode #575 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep575_Kortis_240827.mp3

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 experts Susie Richmond and Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats. In this episode, Brian details the complexities of maintaining and expanding a targeted TNR program once it’s off the ground.

Brian shares his and Susie’s experiences with overcoming common obstacles, such as community resistance, resource limitations, and the difficulties of keeping momentum going after the initial campaign. You will hear the importance of setting realistic goals and timelines and gain practical advice on how to sustain your efforts over the long term.

This episode is packed with actionable insights and proven strategies to help you navigate the challenges that come with targeted TNR. Whether you’re dealing with limited resources or struggling to keep your program on track, this conversation will provide the tools and inspiration you need to succeed.

To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, please visit their website.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel to check out all of our videos, episodes, and presentations. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find them, along with many other TNR and community cat care educational opportunities.

Follow & Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Targeted TNR: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #574 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep574_Kortis_240820.mp3

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 into the world of Targeted Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) with Bryan Kortis, the TNR dynamo from Neighborhood Cats. His expertise in managing high-impact TNR programs is unparalleled, and in this episode, he uncovers the strategies that have made their programs so successful.

You will be guided through the critical first steps of a targeted TNR campaign, focusing on how to identify the most impactful areas for intervention. Learn, from his experiences and insights, why geographical focus is essential for long-term success and how it can dramatically change the landscape for community cats.

Whether you’re just getting started or are looking to refine your existing TNR program, this webinar rebroadcast offers invaluable advice on making every trap count. Join us as we explore how to start strong and build the foundation for a successful targeted TNR effort.

To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, please visit their website.

Follow & Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Targeted TNR: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Think about all the things that cats go through…they’re smart, they’re clever and we can learn from them.”

Listen to Episode #573 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep573_Bays_240813.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, Humane Canada, and The Keeping People and Pets Together Pet Food Pantry.

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 Danielle Bays, Senior Analyst for Cat Protection and Policy at the Humane Society of the United States. With more than 20 years of experience, Danielle shares her view on the current state of community cat programs, the challenges posed by veterinary shortages, and the logistic solutions being championed nationwide.

Danielle discusses her journey from discovering a family of felines in her backyard to building a city-wide community cat program. She emphasizes the importance of effective legislation and policy in supporting these programs and offers practical advice for individuals and organizations facing barriers to spay-neuter services.

Join us for an engaging conversation that highlights the resilience and adaptability of both cats and the dedicated people working to improve their lives. Whether you’re a seasoned cat advocate or new to the world of community cat management, this episode offers valuable perspectives and strategies to help you turn your passion for cats into action.

In this episode, you will hear:

Current state of community cat programs in the U.S.
Challenges with veterinary shortages and spay-neuter services
Rethinking solutions and policies to help more community cats
Importance of effective legislation and community collaboration
Practical advice for increasing spay-neuter capacity
The role of community cat coordinators and shelter staff

Resources:

Email Danielle at dbays@humanesociety.org
Visit the http://humanepro.org/ for additional information

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Improving the Lives of Cats Through Logistics and Legislation with Danielle Bays, Senior Analyst for Cat Protection and Policy, HSUS appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“The community building aspect of this is so key…that interconnectedness is really what allows us to have the impact that we do.”

Listen to Episode #572 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep572_Howse_240806.mp3

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 resource shortages. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Savannah Howes, a dedicated veterinarian from Alberta, and RJ Bailot, the Executive Director of the Canadian Animal Task Force. Together, they share their journeys and the impactful work they’re doing to help community cats across Canada.

Dr. Savannah and RJ discuss the unique challenges of providing veterinary care in remote areas, the importance of community cohesiveness in building impact, and the critical role of establishing trust within communities. Discover how they’ve developed smart solutions, like large-scale spay/neuter clinics, to address overpopulation and improve the lives of both cats and people.

Learn about the significance of community involvement and collaboration with local groups and municipalities. Dr. Savannah and RJ emphasize the importance of working together to create sustainable and humane approaches to managing cat populations. Tune in to hear their perspective and gain insights into how you can make a difference in your community.

In this episode, you will hear:

Addressing rural cat overpopulation
Building community trust and relationships
Creative solutions for remote veterinary care
Collaboration to create cohesion and build impact

Resources:

Visit the Canadian Animal Task Force on the web
Follow @canadiananimaltaskforce on Facebook

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Creative Solutions for Rural Cats in Canada with Dr. Savannah Howse, Veterinarian and RJ Bailot, Executive Director, Canadian Animal Task Force appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #571 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep571_Mello_240730.mp3

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 Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Nancy Mello, an animal communicator and psychic from Mystic, Connecticut, with over 500 five-star Google reviews. Nancy candidly shares her profound journey, starting from her childhood on a rural Northern California farm where animals were her closest friends. With a background in clairvoyance and mediumship, Nancy has honed her skills to bridge the gap between pets and their human companions, helping identify behavioral issues and even locating over 100 missing pets since 2020.

Nancy discusses her deep connection with animals and how she uses her abilities to assist community cats and feral cat organizations worldwide. She emphasizes the importance of asking animals what they want and need, which can greatly improve their chances of finding and staying in a forever home. Nancy also highlights the role of animal communicators in conjunction with veterinarians and behaviorists to provide holistic care for pets.

As they explore the effect of the pandemic on pet behavior and the rising awareness of feline emotions and needs, Nancy shares insights on integrating spiritual and scientific approaches to animal welfare. Tune in to discover how you can support and understand the cats in your care better, and why education and collaboration are key to advancing animal welfare.

In this episode, you will hear:

Nancy Mello’s journey as an animal communicator
Role of animal communicators in pet welfare
Integrating animal communication with veterinary care
Impact of the pandemic on pet behavior
Strategies for helping community cats
Importance of educating the younger generation in TNR

Resources:

Find Nancy Mello on the web at nancymello.com
Connect with Nancy on Instagram and Facebook @NancyMelloOfficial or on TikTok @nancy.mello
Listen to Nancy’s podcast at creaturepreacherpod.com

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Connecting with Cats to Bridge the Communication Gap with Nancy Mello, Animal Communicator and Evidential Medium appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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At the 2024 Online Feline Leukemia Day we had a new session, called Tough Questions panel where we had presenters Margaret Tompkins, president of the Tompkins Foundation for FeLV Advocacy, and Dr. Nathalie Dowgray, head of the International Society of Feline Medicine at icatcare.org, responded to some of the “tough questions”. This is a sampling of a couple of questions from this session. If you would like to see more you can purchase access to the recording of this session and the other sessions during the day by going to Online Feline Leukemia Day. Thank you to all of our presenters for making this such a successful event.

“How can feline leukemia positive cat owners get involved in feline leukemia research?”Answer Summary: Margaret suggested that cat owners can contribute to feline leukemia research by actively tracking and reporting data on their cats. This involves measuring viral loads using quantitative PCR and documenting changes over time. Although this data is anecdotal and not scientifically rigorous, it can still provide valuable insights. Owners can share their observations with research groups or online communities, which may help identify trends or potential treatments. Margaret also mentioned that survival data and long-term observations from cat owners have significantly impacted how researchers approach FeLV cases.

Nathalie agreed with Margaret, emphasizing that informal data, such as survival and viral load information collected by cat owners, can be very valuable. While formal research requires rigorous protocols, the longitudinal and observational data from owners contribute to the broader understanding of FeLV. She highlighted the importance of continued follow-up and tracking, even though such studies can be costly and challenging to conduct.

“We are an orphan, neonatal kitten rescue, and we are looking for best practices in combining solo kittens, combining litters around six weeks of age, and maximizing our foster capabilities. Can we test at six weeks, or what other recommendations are there?”Answer Summary: Nathalie confirmed that testing kittens at six weeks is possible. She mentioned using IDEXX/SNAP tests for this purpose and noted that testing can be done using pooled blood samples to reduce costs, though individual testing is preferred for accuracy. If any kittens test positive, it may be best to avoid combining them with others to prevent the spread of FeLV. Negative kittens from different litters can be combined with more confidence.

Margaret added that quantitative PCR (QPCR) is another testing option but requires a larger blood sample and is typically used after two months of age. She emphasized the importance of testing each kitten individually rather than pooling samples to ensure accurate results. Nathalie also mentioned RNA PCR, which can be run on saliva and may be a more sensitive option for detecting FeLV.

Both experts agreed on the importance of socialization for kittens, advocating for combining them whenever possible to support their behavioral development and overall health.

“Why is feline leukemia not that common anymore in the UK?”Answer Summary: Nathalie attributed the decline in feline leukemia cases in the UK primarily to effective vaccination and high rates of neutering. Pre-COVID, around 96-97% of UK cats were neutered, and many received vaccinations during neutering. This preventive approach has significantly reduced the incidence of feline leukemia, now mostly seen in localized pockets among community cats. However, post-COVID financial pressures and reduced neutering rates are concerning and could potentially lead to a resurgence of feline leukemia. Despite this, the availability of effective vaccines has contributed to a substantial decrease in cases.

“What are the general trends regarding indoor versus indoor-outdoor cats in the UK?”Answer Summary: In the UK, the trend has traditionally been towards indoor-outdoor cats, where cats have free access to roam outside but usually return home for meals and sleep. This practice is common in both the UK and New Zealand. However, there has been a noticeable increase in indoor-only cats, particularly in urban areas and apartment living.

Nathalie shared her own experience, noting that her cats have limited outdoor access due to her yard’s high walls, which helps minimize potential risks. While outdoor cats are at risk of injuries and accidents, feline leukemia transmission is more associated with close, prolonged contact rather than casual outdoor roaming. As a result, the risk of feline leukemia from outdoor access is relatively low compared to the risk from close contact with infected cats.

I hope you enjoyed this sampling of our tough questions from Online Feline Leukemia Day. To find out more, please register to receive the Online Feline Leukemia Day recordings.

The post Tough Questions (and Answers) from Online Feline Leukemia Day appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Understanding a cat’s socialization history can be the key to determining the best outcome for community cats in shelters.”

Listen to Episode #570 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep570_Baisly_240723.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, and Tomahawk Traps.

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 growing up with cats and how her experiences led her to a career in feline behavior. With roles at IAABC and various shelters, she has a wealth of knowledge to share.

In this episode, Dot and Stacy discuss how feline behavior training has evolved, moving from outdated methods to humane, science-based techniques. Learn about the role of behavior consultants in shelters, their collaboration with veterinarians, and the importance of behavior assessments in TNR programs. Dot explains how understanding a cat’s socialization history can determine the best outcomes for community cats.

Dot also sheds light on the challenges facing the animal welfare industry, from staff burnout to the need for standardized education. She emphasizes the importance of shelter behavior programs and the benefits of hiring certified professionals to ensure the mental health and well-being of animals.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into the world of feline behavior and discover how collaborative efforts can enhance the lives of cats in shelters and communities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in animal rescue, behavior consulting, or shelter management.

In this episode, you will hear:

Evolution of feline behavior training
Role of behavior consultants in shelters
Insights on TNR programs and behavior assessment
Challenges and solutions in animal welfare

Resources:

Find IAABC on the web at iaabc.org
Email Dot Baisly at director@iaabc.org
Email Membership Director at membership@iaabc.org
Find Tabitha Kucera on the web at chirrupsandchatter.com

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Enhancing Feline Welfare in the Community and Shelters through Behavior Insights and Socialization Techniques with Dot Baisly, Executive Director, IAABC appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We were trying to rescue our way out, which is never going to happen.”

Listen to Episode #569 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep569_Sherman_240716.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, and Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals.

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 through Trap-Neuter-Return.

In this episode, Brandy reveals how her childhood observations of animal hardship fueled her commitment to change and ignited a mission to save lives through spay and neuter programs. Brandi discusses the logistics of organizing large-scale spay and neuter operations, collaboration with local entities, and the public education efforts necessary to foster a community supportive of feral cat welfare. Through her story, listeners will gain insight into the powerful impact of community-driven initiatives.

Enjoy this session, filled with heart, wit, and grit as we uncover what a community can accomplish together, such as more than 6700 cats spayed and neutered in just a year’s time. Acquire understanding on how you, too, can fuel efforts in your own community and turn personal commitment into community leadership.

This discussion is not just about a few individuals saving cats; it’s about fostering a compassionate community ethos that recognizes the dignity and worth of every feline life.

In this episode, you will hear:

Brandi’s inspiring story from childhood to change-maker
The impact of community cooperation in TNR
Behind-the-scenes look at running a volunteer-driven initiative
Expanding reach beyond Fresno

Resources:

Find FresnoTNR on the web at fresnotnr.org
Follow Fresno TNR on Facebook: @FresnoTNR
Contact Fresno TNR at info@fresnotnr.org

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Collaboration is Curbing the Cat Population in Fresno with Brandi Sherman, Co-Founder, Fresno TNR appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #568 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep568_Benefiel_240609.mp3

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 orchestrating an essential shift in community cat management. This episode delves into how Dawn’s initial act of kindness led to the creation of a strategic plan aimed at remodeling animal welfare in Indianapolis. Through her story, we explore the challenges and breakthroughs in shaping a city-wide approach that not only addresses immediate needs but also sets a sustainable path forward for cat welfare.

Discover how Indy Neighborhood Cats, under Dawn’s leadership, has developed advanced programs to comply with local ordinances while significantly improving the lives of thousands of cats through trapping, neutering, and vaccinating. The conversation also highlights the organization’s strategic responses to the pandemic’s impact on animal welfare, showcasing how thoughtful planning and community engagement can lead to impactful results.

In this episode, you will hear:

Reimagining animal welfare through community-centric programs
Pandemic impact on animal services
Effective community outreach
Strategic planning for increased capacity

Resources from this episode:

Indy Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.indyneighborhoodcats.org/
Indy Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/indyneighborhoodcats

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Catalyzing Change in Community Cat Care with Dawn Benefiel, Executive Director, Indy Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“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.”

Listen to Episode #567 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep567_Dean_240602.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, and Tomahawk Traps.

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 engagement with the world of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and her leadership at Community Cats of Reno. Her story is a testament to how a single person’s passion can evolve into a major force for community change and animal welfare.

In this earnest dialogue, Tracy shares the evolution of her commitment—from discovering the urgent needs of community cats to spearheading collaborative solutions. We delve into the daily challenges and victories in the life of feral felines and the dedicated people who strive to bridge the gap between needs and solutions. Discover the barriers Tracy dismantles and the insights she offers.

This episode is a celebration of the tireless efforts of those in the field and a call to action for everyone who believes in making a difference. Discover how the power of community and dedicated advocacy continues to brighten the landscape of animal welfare, one cat at a time.

Join us for an inspiring journey through the passion-fueled world of community cat care, where every small action sparks a larger movement towards a compassionate future for all.

In this episode, you will hear:

Emotional insights from the field of feline welfare
Collaborative solutions for community cats
The impact of local support in animal welfare
Facing obstacles and resource challenges

Resources:

Community Cats of Reno website: communitycatsofreno.org
Contact Tracy Dean: communitycatsofreno@yahoo.com
Paper Collar Template for identifying potentially owned cats

Follow & Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post From Advertising to Advocacy with Tracy Dean, Director of Community Cats of Reno appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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This article was contributed by Jackie Van Loan, Content Writer, and Marketer at Helps2 for Non-Profits and Purpose-Driven Brands. The 2024 Georgia Pet Foundation plate was designed by popular Georgia street/folk artist Kyle Brooks seen above.

In the heart of Georgia, a unique initiative by the Georgia Pet Foundation is driving change and making a significant difference in the lives of countless cats. Through its innovative license plate program, the Foundation channels crucial funding to Fix Georgia Pets, which in turn provides grants for vital animal welfare services across the state. This is an urgent crisis in Georgia: last year, nearly 20,000 dogs and cats were euthanized, a heartbreaking consequence of rampant overpopulation and the stark reality of jam-packed shelters. These grants are pivotal in offering free or low-cost spay/neuter services, especially benefiting pets from low-income families and homeless cats and dogs awaiting adoption. This effort not only alleviates the burden on local shelters but directly tackles the root cause of animal overpopulation by preventing the birth of unwanted litters.

The Power of TNRTrap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane, effective approach for managing the population of community cats. By trapping, neutering, and then returning cats to their original locations, TNR reduces the number of animals suffering and dying on the streets. More importantly, it curtails the breeding cycle and minimizes negative behaviors associated with unneutered cats, such as spraying and fighting.

The grants facilitated by the Georgia Pet Foundation license plate program and Fix Georgia Pets are critical for supporting and expanding TNR services. These grants enable local TNR practitioners and shelters to perform surgeries that would otherwise be financially unfeasible. Through these efforts, the cycle of reproduction is broken, leading to fewer cats entering shelters and ultimately, fewer euthanizations.

Georgia Pet Foundation Grant presented to Planned PEThood of Georgia to provide low-cost, affordable spay/neuter services to pet owners and shelters.

A Testimonial of Success: Good MewsGood Mews, a no-kill cat shelter in Georgia is a recipient of the Georgia Pet Foundation/Fix Georgia Pets grant program

A shining example of the positive impact of these grants is seen in the work of Good Mews. As one of the few virtually cage-free, no-kill cat shelters in Georgia—and the first in the metro Atlanta area—Good Mews boasts an impressive adoption rate of 600 cats per year. However, their commitment to feline welfare extends beyond adoptions.

In partnership with Fix Georgia Pets and funding through the Georgia Pet Foundation license plate program, Good Mews was able to spay and neuter 340 cats in 2023 alone. These surgeries included not only cats in their program but also extended to shelter and foster cats. This effort is a testament to how targeted financial support can amplify the capabilities of animal welfare organizations, directly contributing to the stability and health of the cat population in local communities.

The Broader ImpactThe success stories of TNR and the spay/neuter initiatives supported by Fix Georgia Pets grants are numerous. Each story underscores a simple truth: proactive, preventative measures are the most humane and effective method to manage pet populations. This approach not only saves lives but also reduces the strain on animal shelters and improves the quality of life for the cats and the communities they live in.

Moreover, these initiatives foster a greater sense of community responsibility. They encourage collaboration among local governments, non-profits, and residents, uniting them towards a common goal of humane treatment and care for animals.

Art Meets AdvocacyThe Georgia Pet Foundation specialty license plate isn’t just a funding tool; it’s also a work of art. Designed by renowned Georgian southern street/folk artist, Kyle Brooks, the plate captures the vibrant spirit of Georgia’s artistic community. Brooks, a native of the area just outside Atlanta, has seen his unique and colorful artwork collected across the Southeast. He has been commissioned by iconic brands such as Coca-Cola, Delta, Google, Accenture, Netflix, and many others. In 2019, Brooks published his first children’s book, “Smile A While,” which combines his distinctive artwork with poetry, encouraging smiles across all ages.

How You Can Help: Buy a Plate, Save a LifeOrdering your specialty plate is simple and contributes directly to these life-saving efforts. You can order your plate through the Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division website or at your local county tag office. Each plate sold translates into more resources for spay/neuter grants, empowering organizations like Good Mews to perform life-saving operations and manage cat populations effectively.

The Georgia Pet Foundation’s license plate program exemplifies the transformative power of collective action in addressing cat overpopulation. Through the TNR services it supports, the program not only ensures better lives for thousands of cats but also promotes a culture of care and respect for animal life across Georgia.

By supporting this program, every Georgian can play a role in this noble cause. Whether through advocacy, volunteering, or spreading the word even while on the road, your involvement can lead to significant changes in the lives of many animals. Together, let’s drive towards a future where every cat in Georgia lives a life of safety, health, and dignity. Learn more at gapetfoundation.org.

The post Drive Change with Every Mile: How the Georgia Pet Foundation License Plate Program Supports Community Cats through TNR Initiatives appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“If you have a lot of tools in your tool kit you can start getting really creative.”

Listen to Episode #566 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep566_Kortis_240625.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund and The Community Cat Clinic.

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 on the dowel trick for cats that step over trip plates and the value of experimenting with various baits such as herbal options and fried chicken. Don’t miss his crucial advice on always being prepared with sheets to cover traps immediately after a cat is caught.

We also spotlight the indispensable services of the Community Cat Clinic in Woodstock, Georgia, where TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) techniques go beyond the basics. Explore how tools like headlamps, laser pointers, and clear rear doors can transform your trapping success, especially when dealing with mother cats and kittens. You’ll hear about the advantages of cellular trail cameras for real-time trap monitoring and gain practical tips illustrated by the heartwarming story of Lulu. From using sunshade netting to baiting with sardines, and employing laser pointers and YouTube videos of kittens meowing, discover the creative methods that led to her successful capture.

In this episode, you will hear:

Camouflage techniques to trap cats
Effective baiting strategies
Catnip and sound for cat traps
Trapping stray cats and kittens
The fate of cats from fire area
Achieving 100% cat rescue success

Resources from this episode:

For the Full Recording and Downloadable Handouts – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/tnrtraining
Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr
Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits – If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

The post Trappers Tips and Tricks, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Now we can say, six months later, that there were over 600 cats who survived the fire and were living in the burn zone.”

Listen to Episode #565 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep565_Kortis_240618.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, and Tomahawk Traps.

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 explore the nuts and bolts of using the uniquely designed roundhouse trap to catch feral cats. We’ll discuss why having a variety of traps is crucial and offer practical tips for transferring cats and selecting the right bait. The episode also covers the best practices for trap placement, making sure you maximize your capture success rate, especially for those tricky, hard-to-catch felines. Additionally, you’ll discover cost-effective methods like using trap mats for a more comfortable and effective trapping experience.

Finally, hear the riveting story of rescuing cats after a fire and the innovative techniques that emerged from this crisis. Learn about the development of the tunnel trap and auto drop trap – two game-changing innovations that are set to become new standards in cat rescue. Don’t miss this episode if you’re passionate about cat rescue and want to stay updated on the latest trapping technologies.

In this episode, you will hear:

Cat trapping tips and tricks
The intricacies of using the roundhouse trap for catching cats
Trap mats and catching cats with drop traps
Rescuing cats after a fire
The basics of trap training for community cats
Feral cat trap preparation
Trap innovation for cat rescue

Resources from this Episode

For the Full Recording and Downloadable Handouts – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/tnrtraining
Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr
Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Trappers Tips and Tricks, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Just the nature of grants overall is no matter how good you are you’re going to hear nos and you’re going to have different foundations and organizations that aren’t perfect fits.”

Listen to Episode #564 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep564_Mathers_240611.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund and The Community Cat Clinic.

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 involvement in TNR programs in Michigan. Overcoming numerous challenges, she has since secured over $2 million in funding for animal-related nonprofits, profoundly impacting TNR initiatives and beyond.

Discover the essential steps to getting your nonprofit grant-ready, from solid financial systems to maintaining an up-to-date board member list. Stephanie highlights the importance of building an active online presence and cultivating relationships with grant-giving entities like corporate and community foundations. Learn how understanding their specific grant cycles and requirements can dramatically increase your chances of securing necessary funding. We also discuss various platforms for finding grant opportunities and the significance of treating your nonprofit with the same rigor and professionalism as any thriving business.

Marketing and outreach are crucial, and Stephanie shares effective strategies for animal welfare organizations. Stephanie offers best practices for grant writing, including researching foundation histories and building relationships with funders without compromising your mission.

In this episode, you will hear:

Funding trap neuter return programs
Grants for community cat care
Preparing for grants with necessary documents
Finding funding for animal welfare organizations
Prospecting foundation money for cats
Grant readiness importance for nonprofits

Resources from this Episode

Grants 4 Animals Website – http://www.grants4animals.com
Grants 4 Animals Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/grants4animals
Grants 4 Animals Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/grants4animals
Grants 4 Animals YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@grants4animals
This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies564) and The Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga).

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Blending the Head and Heart to Help Animals, with Stephanie Mathers, Founder of Grants 4 Animals appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I love to hear people talk about the love they have for their pets and hope much joy their pets bring and how much they enrich their lives. I just love hearing them. It just fills your heart right up.”

Listen to Episode #563 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep563_Lengling_240604.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, and Tomahawk Traps.

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 narrative that wove together the threads of animal love and the resolve to aid those battling PTSD. Her poignant experiences, beginning with a childhood feline friend and extending to her advocacy for female veterans, are a testament to the healing that comes from caring – both given and received.

As we navigate the landscape of feline welfare and veteran support, the conversation blossoms into a rich exploration of community connections. We discuss the anticipation surrounding the 2024 online kitten conference and the imperative work of the Community Cat Clinic, a beacon of hope for TNR proponents and feline health.

Our chat culminates with a touching look at “Pawprints on the Couch,” Kim’s latest anthology that’s been warming the hearts of readers and topping charts. It’s a reminder of the deep bonds we share with our pets, and how these stories of love and loss resonate within us all. This episode is an open invitation to embrace storytelling’s power to unite, inspire, and embolden us in the face of life’s challenges.

In this episode, you will hear:

Advocating for veterans in need
Unconditional love between animals and humans
Writing anthologies for a cause

Resources from this Episode

Kim’s Website – http://www.kimlenglingauthor.com
Kim’s Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/letfearbouncepodcast
Kim’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lenglingauthor
Kim’s Amazon Link – https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kim-Lengling/author/B00L9N6VBO?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Nuggets of Hope, with Kim Lengling, Author and Host of the Let Fear Bounce Podcast appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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This article was contributed by Colette Resnikoff, Virtual Volunteer

I found myself injured in 2019 in a car accident that broke my dominant wrist in 3 places. I was diagnosed with early arthritis, and with repetitive motion injuries to wrists, back, and shoulders from dog grooming, I was in chronic pain. While I was unable to groom dogs as a career any longer, I still wanted to remain involved in the animal world. I offered to groom on a volunteer basis at our local shelter and found the setup was impossible for me to work in. I tried to find a couple of other locations, but no shelter was accommodating to ergonomics or bodily considerations for bathing or grooming.

I shifted to advocating for those animals, and to write legislators about quality of life for our sheltered animals, while also advocating for the folks who care for them. I’d heard firsthand stories of how other volunteers were treated poorly, and that was concerning to me. At that time we had no foster program in place. It’s taken years to get that concept to the forefront and acknowledge that fostering actually costs less than housing the animals in a shelter. They receive the bonus of experiencing life inside a home and receiving regular attention, quality of life, exercise, bathing, and vetting at the shelter’s expense. We’re finding that expenses and inflation in Central Texas have left many potential adopters financially strapped in a post-Covid world. Also, the rescue community is small and it’s been tough to grow that group. I believe that compassion fatigue sets in when too much burden rests upon the shoulders of a small group, and causes a tremendous amount of stress and discord. I was approached by another advocate in our community who expressed that she felt like a singular voice of advocacy and needed support. I agreed and began to explore the learning resources she directed me toward.

That list of resources has nearly quadrupled since then and I’ve been able to build some new relationships within those organizations while reaching out and seeking new sources to supplement my curiosity. I learned about those who specialize in TNR, fighting puppy mills, creating legislation, educating law enforcement, local ordinances, spay/ neuter and access to care, the statistics that support the effectiveness of microchips, and educates about cruelty laws for the general public, and who the educational groups are that raise the bar in animal welfare standards nationally. I broadened my scope to include wildlife and livestock audiences in addition to companion animals. After all, this is all about animals, ALL animals, and how we view them as coexisting sentient beings in our environment. It’s in respect to public health and safety, environmentalism, stewardship of dollars, our environment as well as quality of human and animal life. A bigger picture became clear to me when I learned of The Link, which is FBI and DOJ information gleaned from studies that evidence 77% of animal cruelty is co-occurring with interpersonal violence. The primary targets of that violence are domestic partners, children, and the elderly population. We often look to the skies for inspiration in how to present these passionate causes in a light other than the bleeding hearts of society. As we piece together the puzzle of the human-animal bond, I found that not only are the bonds between companion animals and their people life-changing and even lifesaving at times, but they also improve our mental and physiological health. They decrease stress levels and bring comfort and support to many who have no support systems in place or find it difficult to relate to other humans.

I reached out to legislators consistently to explain that zoonotic and contagious diseases fall under the realm of public health and safety. Starving, unsocialized strays pose a danger and we’ve begun to see increased numbers of attacks in public within large cities due to the lack of budget, staffing, public education, access to care, and attention to these matters. I found a study conducted by a wildlife scientist who did a TNR experiment in Linosa, Italy. Often it’s wildlife enthusiasts who discourage TNR; this was compelling data that supported the effectiveness of Trap Neuter Return for the sole purpose of protecting wildlife. If we can partner with public services such as animal protection departments, health departments, and neighborhood code enforcement, we can share the burden of the work of trapping, the cost of spay/ neuter, and the transport logistics in order to have the large concentrated effect that the Community Cats Podcast elaborated on. That initial aggressive push to make a large dent in the population with an effort to recruit colony keepers can significantly decrease shelter intake numbers. When we add return-to-owner strategies of microchipping and catio education, along with greater access to care for low-income communities and marginalized populations of pet owners, we can make an even greater impact.

As the spay/neuter resources become available, we reduce the effects of backyard breeding of dogs in addition to cats. I began to discuss the health benefits of spay/neuter. My physical challenges keep me from boots-on-the-ground activities like trapping, rescuing, fostering, or even joining the microchip scan volunteer team. I devoted two years to crossposting lost & found online posts including the pet’s picture, the nearest cross streets, and the city; we’re in a sprawling semi-urban county with many rural areas between cities and in county jurisdictions and the online exposure was reuniting anywhere from 3-5 pets per day in one group alone. We had 5 or 6 groups in total. I realized that shelter intake prevention was tremendously effective in assisting the shelter and also in leading to happy reunions for pets and their families. We are desperately understaffed in animal protection officers to manage the exploding population as the fastest-growing county in the country outside of Austin, TX, and all hands on deck are needed. After a year on the official team and finding myself utterly obsessed with reunions (it’s addictive for sure), I stepped back from those efforts for the sake of my own mental health.

I also learned that that whole process could be automated from the model El Paso has implemented; the onus now lies on county and state leadership to implement and prevent that burnout for volunteers, improve cybersafety, reduce labor hours, improve efficiency and efficacy, protect citizens from scams, fraud, and the potential stranger dangers of meeting up with ill-intentioned characters out of desperation to find their pets and match our efforts in dollars and initiative for genuine improvement. I passed these case studies along to “the powers that be” about 5 months ago. Most of the time my letters do not generate a response from the recipients, but things do change. We’ve begun to talk about domestic violence, and how many pets are affected by it, either keeping the victim from leaving due to fear of retaliation toward their beloved pet, or animals who’ve also suffered abuse as a means to inflict emotional suffering on the owner. We discuss how housing situations and student populations impact matters. We discuss how closed shelter intake of neighboring counties impacts us in regards to abandonment, and how we can learn useful statutes of non-livestock animal cruelty laws.

I looked to other communities, cities, and shelters where dramatic change and successes were apparent and created a small Facebook page called Texas Animal Progress Newsletter, or TAP Newsletter for short, where I could share these discoveries for free with other interested advocates wanting change and improvement in their communities. It outlined the ideas behind a no-kill equation, a no-kill community, how there cannot be a successful no-kill shelter without all the community resources needed to address the social issues, and the inspiration from other places that are embracing creativity, enrichment, fostering, access to care, field strategies to return to owners, shelter diversion initiatives, community engagement, marketing and social media, robust foster, adoption, and volunteer programs, and investing in the needed tools and software to manage and organize those programs with consideration to ROI, or Return on Investment. The work being done is incredible and revolutionary.

We need to acknowledge compassion fatigue, mental health, sufficient staffing, mindful environments that encourage open-door communication, and a work environment of respect and receptiveness, free of biases and judgment. We need to have hard conversations where we can feel safe exploring uncomfortable topics and conversations while avoiding subjective language like “negativity”. We grow and learn the most when we’re uncomfortable and it doesn’t give us an open license to be hurtful, abusive, or judgmental toward the public or other members of the rescue and volunteer community. I pursued continuing education outside of dog grooming and becoming a certified canine esthetician to include every tidbit of knowledge I could find that pertained to animal sheltering, sociology, non-livestock animal cruelty laws, mental health, disabilities, health and quality of life, pet stewardship, compassion fatigue and have widely promoted all the local events in regards to affordable preventative vetting and the new virtual shelter resources we now have from our upcoming adoption center. I’ve made sure that some of that marketing is bilingual in consideration of our local demographics. We’ve had to consider the veterinary shortage of the industry, even though my research led me to the fact that we have 35 veterinarians in our county, but not one of them provides 24/7 emergent care. We still need 24/7 first responder animal protection services, because they protect people as well and emergencies don’t choose convenient hours. There’s still work to be done. I hope this wandering journey can offer a path to anyone else reading and wanting to know how they can make a difference in a Virtual Volunteering role.

The post From Grooming to Advocacy: A Journey of Compassion in Animal Welfare appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Our ultimate clients are the cats and we want to make and we want to make sure we’re maximizing the positive impact on them.”

Listen to Episode #562 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep562_Kortis_240528.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

Join us as we continue our exploration of the transformative power of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs in the second part of our series with Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats. He shares invaluable insights on adapting TNR initiatives to various community sizes, the balance between grassroots efforts and expert approaches, and the essential steps for involving community members.

Listen in as we discuss the journey from awareness to action for local caretakers and the strategic expansion of TNR efforts that embrace the entire community. We take a deep look at what makes an effective TNR program tick. From not testing feral cats for FDLV or FIV without clinical necessity to the value of TNR certification, we share proven best practices. We also discuss the critical partnership with service providers and the importance of support networks that provide resources, affordable veterinary care, and even crowd-funded assistance for urgent cases.

Plus, learn how ongoing support for caretakers post-TNR, including food and shelter provisions, is vital for the well-being of cats and communities alike. Whether you’re a seasoned TNR advocate or just starting, get practical advice for nurturing a robust TNR network in both urban and rural settings.

In this episode, you will hear:

Building a grassroots TNR movement
Creating an effective TNR program
Community cat TNR program best practices
Community TNR program support and resources
Building a movement in rural areas

Resources from this Episode

For the Full Recording and Downloadable Handouts – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/tnrtraining
Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr
Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Special Episode! From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“You want to be strategic in the beginning. Choose your projects. Don’t let your projects choose you. They are all deserving cats.”

Listen to Episode #561 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep561_Kortis_240521.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

Unlock the secrets behind the transformative Trap-Neuter-Return movement with Neighborhood Cats’ Bryan Kortis as we take you on a riveting two-part adventure. Dive into the grassroots story of New York City’s cat population control, discovering how targeted TNR projects and collaborative community efforts dramatically reduced euthanasia rates. Be inspired by the model colony’s success, where cat numbers plummeted through strategic interventions and the passionate involvement of local caretakers.

This week, we’re not just talking about TNR; we’re showcasing the strategic mastery that has reshaped neighborhoods and saved feline lives. We explore how pilot projects can snag government support and the monumental breakthrough with Rikers Island that vaulted TNR into the limelight in NYC. Learn how focused, high-profile initiatives can amplify the impact of TNR and yield significant, documentable successes in community cat care, all while gaining insights into how you can apply these approaches in your backyard.

In this episode, you will hear:

Community efforts to control the cat population
Effective colony-level targeting for population decline
Maximizing caretaker participation in TNR
Model neighborhood project success
Building success through real-life examples
TNR success at Rikers Island

Resources from this Episode

For the Full Recording and Downloadable Handouts – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/tnrtraining
Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr
Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Special Episode! From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“It’s really special to go through that process, to start with a cat that is hissing at you, growling at you, sometimes lunging at you trying to scratch you, bite you, being very defensive. And then to, over time, have that cat sometimes turn into a lap cat, those are the really, really special, heartwarming, brings me to tears moments is when a cat decides it wants to come to sit in my lap when four months ago it wanted nothing to do with me.”

Listen to Episode #560 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep560_Porter_240514.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and Tomahawk Live Trap.

Have you ever looked into the eyes of a feral cat and wondered what it would take to transform that wary creature into a contented purring pet in your lap? Our guest, Caitlin Porter from From Feral to Family, joins us to weave an inspiring tale of how she navigates the delicate path from mistrust to affection with adult feral cats. With her at the helm, we journey through the intricate socialization process, revealing not just the dedication and patience required, but the immeasurable rewards of witnessing a feral cat’s leap of faith into family life.

Caitlin’s stories of hissing, defensive ferals evolving into loving lap cats under her watch are nothing short of miraculous, reminding us all that every creature deserves a second chance at happiness. This episode also sheds light on the finer points of kitten care and the importance of advocacy within the cat community.

Listen in and get a taste of practical advice for building trust with feral cats, the benefits of fear-free techniques, and the invaluable local resources supporting our mission of cat care. We also share an inside look at the 2024 Online Kitten Conference, with its wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities for cat enthusiasts worldwide.

In this episode, you will hear:

Caitlin’s inspiring journey from cat lover to advocate for feral cat socialization
The process of turning hissing ferals into affectionate lap cats
Learn about the meticulous steps from containment to trust-building and adoption
Exploring kitten care and the importance of advocacy within the feline community
A sneak peek into the 2024 Online Kitten Conference with its valuable resources for cat enthusiasts
Cat ownership in Vermont

Resources from this Episode

From Feral to Family Website – http://fromferaltofamily.org
From Feral to Family Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/fromferaltofamilyvt
From Feral to Family Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/fromferaltofamilyvt/
From Feral to Family YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRfq5I8z4hx7RwFUfAYMj1Q

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Earning Ferals’ Faith and Trust, with Caitlin Porter, Executive Director of From Feral to Family appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“So we really got pretty good at communicating with our audience and part of means we became transparent with our audience. So we just let them know “We’re having problems. Here’s our problem. But we also have ideas. Here’s our ideas for saving more animal lives. Are you in?”

Listen to Episode #559 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep559_Mann_240507.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

When compassion meets innovation, extraordinary things happen. That’s the story we’re telling today, with Dr. Kimberly Mann and Steven Martinez, who are changing the lives of thousands of community cats through the York County SPCA spay/neuter clinic. Kimberly, a veterinarian with surgical prowess and a big heart, alongside Steven’s business acumen, has led their clinic to an astounding 11,000 surgeries in a single year. Their shared dedication not only speaks volumes about their love for animals but also sets an inspiring standard in animal welfare.

The complexities of managing feline populations are at the forefront of our discussion, as we tackle the intricacies of trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. Discover how Kimberly and Steven navigate the logistical challenges of caring for community cats while providing insights into the strategic functions of spay and neuter clinics. As we celebrate the astounding success of their clinic, we also gear up for the highly anticipated 2024 Online Kitten Conference, an event that promises to be the cat’s meow for enthusiasts everywhere.

In this episode, you will hear:

Passionate about community cats
Spay-neuter clinic operations and success
Community cats and strategic communication
Community cat spay-neuter program sustainability

Resources from this Episode

York County SPCA Website – http://www.ycspca.org
York County SPCA Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/YorkCoSPCA
York County SPCA Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/yorkcountyspca/
York County SPCA Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/ycspca

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Dr. Kimberly Mann, Medical Director & Surgeon of the York County SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic, and Steven Martinez, Executive Director of the York County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Something that a lot of people don’t necessarily know about staffing challenges in the shelter space is that not all veterinarians are trained in TNR.”

Listen to Episode #558 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep558_Grieg_240430.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and Tomahawk Live Trap.

Get a glimpse of what it’s like on the front lines of feline welfare. Cameron Greig joins us from the Humane Society of Huron Valley to discuss the trials and triumphs of their TNR (trap-neuter-return) program. It’s a revealing chat about the ingenuity required to navigate staffing shortages, the shift towards online systems to streamline TNR efforts, and the crucial weekend spay-neuter events that help keep their mission afloat.

Cameron’s dedication to the care of community cats shines through as he explains the intricacies of dealing with unsocialized felines and the critical need for TNR-savvy vets in an industry currently facing a crunch for qualified staff. At the heart of our discussion, we confront the hard truths of veterinary staffing woes and their ripple effect on essential services like TNR. The conversation is seasoned with tales of innovation and adaptation, from enticing veterinary clinics with educational “lunch and learns” – to embracing digital tools for managing the TNR workload.

We also let you in on some top-notch baiting tips for successful cat trapping and why appropriate recovery times are important for our feline friends post-neutering. For those compelled to support community cats or who are simply curious about the inner workings of the TNR initiatives at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, this episode is an invaluable trove of knowledge and encouragement.

In this episode, you will hear:

The current challenges of the TNR program
TNR’s transition to an online sign-up system
The complexities of working with unsocialized cats
The importance of having veterinarians skilled in TNR
Veterinary staffing challenges and solutions

Resources from this Episode

Humane Society of Huron Valley Website – http://hshv.org/tnr
Humane Society of Huron Valley Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/humanesocietyhuronvalley
Humane Society of Huron Valley Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/humanesocietyofhuronvalley/

Follow & Review

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The post Fine Tuning TNR Clinics with Cameron Greig, Community Cat Coordinator at the Humane Society of Huron Valley appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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This article was contributed by Kendall Wapner, Social Cat at the Community Cats Podcast

In the ongoing battle against pet overpopulation, innovative solutions like mobile veterinary clinics are proving to be game-changers. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Leah Craig Chumbley, the Executive Director at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, North Carolina, about her experience running a mobile clinic and its impact on their community.

Leah has been leading Brother Wolf Animal Rescue for the past five years, with their mobile clinic having been in operation for about 5 and a half years. The clinic, open 4 days a week for 10 hours each day, performs about 15-25 surgeries daily. This dedication reflects a deep commitment to addressing the critical issue of pet overpopulation.

Leah shared that the inspiration behind starting their mobile clinic was sheer desperation. Their town’s brick-and-mortar clinic reduced their available slots for spaying and neutering plummeted from 60 to just 10 per week. Faced with this stark reduction in services, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue had to find a solution to meet the community’s needs, which included over 2,000 adoptions annually.

Running a mobile clinic comes with its own set of challenges. Leah highlighted the difficulties in managing public appointments, dealing with no-shows, and addressing owner concerns about costs despite offering low-cost services. To tackle these challenges, they implemented strategies like auto text reminders, non-refundable deposits, and sought more grant funding for subsidies to assist owned pets.

Managing a mobile clinic has empowered Leah in the veterinary industry. It required a strong entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, especially in navigating financial hurdles. Working closely with veterinarians, who have a unique perspective due to their doctorate-level training, provided valuable insights into optimizing clinic operations and addressing staffing concerns.

One of the initial hurdles was funding, but with strategic management and community support, the clinic achieved financial stability. Leah emphasized the importance of understanding donors’ backgrounds and motivations, noting that donors with business acumen and a focus on impact are particularly valuable for sustaining mobile clinic operations.

Despite the challenges, Leah remains optimistic about the impact of mobile clinics in addressing pet overpopulation. Their clinic, which initially traveled 4 days a week, now focuses on local areas, minimizing travel strain on the team while maximizing their outreach.

The story of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s mobile clinic is a testament to the power of innovation, dedication, and community collaboration in combating pet overpopulation. Through their experiences and lessons learned, veterinarians and animal welfare advocates are encouraged to explore mobile clinic initiatives as impactful solutions in their own communities.

Are you a veterinarian passionate about making a difference in pet overpopulation? Consider starting or supporting a mobile clinic in your area. Your expertise and dedication can save countless lives and contribute to building healthier, happier communities for pets and people alike.

The post Empowering Veterinarians to Combat Pet Overpopulation: Insights from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s Mobile Clinic appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I love this family, who took the time to thoughtfully dive in and roll around with, “Why are they [their two cats] spatting?” I would love to clone them as people in the world and say, “Yeah I’d like everyone to be a detective,” and say, “Hey my cats seem to be young but maybe they do have pain.”

Listen to Episode #557 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep557_McVickers_240423.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

Have you ever watched your cat move with less of its usual grace or hesitate before leaping onto its favorite perch? In this episode, understand the complex world of feline pain with Dr. Stacy McVicker. These whiskered companions are masters at masking discomfort, but Dr. McVicker’s expertise, inspired by the stories of James Herriot, equips us with the tools to uncover what our cats cannot voice. We chart the journey from the veiled signs of pain in our feline friends to actionable steps that can significantly enhance their quality of life.

Ferris, a community cat with hyperthyroidism and spine pain, becomes our case study in understanding the importance of a patient veterinarian. This episode isn’t just about sad tales; it’s about real solutions, including groundbreaking treatments like Solensia and simple yet effective environmental changes that can transform a cat’s golden years. We also talk about the “lift the lid” strategy, which might just revolutionize how shelters and pet owners handle litter box challenges.

The connection between pain and behavioral changes takes center stage as we share the stories of Zeno and Argo, two cats whose sudden aggression indicated deeper issues. From the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index Tool to cold laser therapy, we discuss the vast array of resources and treatments available to cat owners. This conversation with Dr. McVicker is a heartfelt reminder of our role in recognizing and treating our cats’ silent suffering, ensuring they live full, comfortable lives within our loving homes.

In this episode, you will hear:

Exploring pain in animal behavior
Recognizing pain in cats without x-rays
“Lift the lid” campaign benefits
Feline musculoskeletal pain index tool

Resources from this Episode

Animal Care Center of Castle Pines – http://animalcarectr.com

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Keeping an Open Mind to Reduce Stress and Pain in Cats with Stacy McVicker, DVM, CVA, CCRT, Veterinarian & Crazy Cat Lady appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“How do you keep cats healthy? So you don’t reach a point where they need veterinary intervention? It doesn’t have to be, you know, costly or difficult and if you do some of these simple preventative things, you might save yourself some big vet bills and some difficult trapping.”

Listen to Episode #556 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep556_Kortis_240416.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund and Tomahawk Live Trap.

Brace your whiskers for a deep dive into the heartwarming world of community cat care as we reveal secrets to crafting the perfect winter shelters and share non-invasive tricks for keeping our feline friends safe and neighbors happy. Our guide through this chilly chapter is Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats. His expertise is just what we need to navigate the wintry challenges that face community cats.

Bryan brings a wealth of knowledge and practical advice on constructing winter shelters that not only provide warmth but also blend seamlessly into urban landscapes. Whether it’s crafting shelters from scratch or adapting readily available materials, his insights are invaluable. And it’s not just about the physical structures – Bryan delves into the nitty-gritty of keeping peace with neighbors, non-invasive cat deterrents, and ensuring the overall health and well-being of the cats we cherish.

From vitamin C supplements to cranberry extracts for urinary health, we cover all the essentials and even sprinkle in some wisdom on leveraging the community for support. Storms may howl and snow may fall, but with this episode’s guidance, you’ll have the tools to shield your community cats from nature’s challenges. Discover the significance of proper shelter placement and the art of prepping a storm-ready haven to keep their tails wagging while giving you peace of mind.

In this episode, you will hear:

Tips for winter shelter building and cat management
Using Mylar blankets for cold climates
Cat-proofing garden and car
Nature’s remedies for cat health
Community cat care and support
Funding and food for animal colonies

Resources from this Episode

Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr

Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Colony Caretaking Tips & Tricks Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Often, people who are tolerant of the cats, not particularly cat lovers, they end up not wanting them around not because of the cats themselves but because of the people and the people not showing respect for the neighborhood, and the number one way people are disrespectful when they aren’t is by leaving all this trash behind them. So pick everything up, including the non-cat trash…an area is clean or not clean. When someone comes along, they’re not going to think, “Oh the feeder didn’t leave that bag of garbage.” They’re just going to think the place is a mess….we just pick up everything and be a good neighbor.”

Listen to Episode #555 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep555_Kortis_240409.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, Urban Cat League, and Tomahawk Live Trap.

Unlock the secrets to managing a thriving community cat colony as we team up with experts Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats shares essential tips on maintaining a consistent feeding schedule and crafting secure feeding locations that benefit our feline companions.

Prepare to enhance your caretaking skills. Learn how to keep mealtime peaceful and food safe from wildlife intruders. Join us for a deep dive into cat nutrition as we dissect pet food labels, revealing the necessity of meat-based ingredients for your colony’s carnivorous diet. We demystify the grain vs. meat debate and serve up practical advice on delivering quality nutrition without breaking the bank. Whether you’re navigating the aisles for wet or dry food options, we’ve got you covered with brand recommendations that strike the perfect balance between cost and the health of your colony cats.

As the winter winds blow, we wrap up with vital strategies for adapting your care routine to the colder months. Discover how to keep water unfrozen and the importance of providing adequate shelter to ensure the comfort and safety of your community cats. Plus, we emphasize the role of responsible feeding practices and the significance of spay-neuter programs in humanely controlling cat populations. This episode is a must-listen for both seasoned caretakers and newcomers eager to make a meaningful impact in the lives of community cats.

In this episode, you will hear:

Colony caretaking tips and tricks
Feeding patterns and wildlife management
Understanding cat nutrition and behavior
Spay-neuter advocacy and feeding stations
Feeding tips for cats in winter

Resources from this Episode

Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr

Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Colony Caretaking Tips & Tricks Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Listen to United We Spay’s Episode Featuring Dr. Philip Bushby Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep5002_UnitedWeSpay_240406.mp3

Today we wanted to share an episode of The United We Spay Podcast. It’s a new monthly show from the United Spay Alliance and it’s hosted by the one and only Stacy LeBaron. In each episode, they delve into the heart of a movement that’s changing the lives of animals and communities for the better with the mission to build awareness, educate, and empower. Their episodes are always interesting and there’s a lot of crossover with Community Cats Podcast’s favorite topics so we thought you’d enjoy their show as much as we do.

On this episode of United We Spay, they sit down with Esther Meckler and Dr. Phil Bushby, two trailblazers in the fight against pet overpopulation, to unravel the effectiveness of spay and neuter programs and how they align with animal care ethics. Esther, the founding force behind Spay USA and United Spay Alliance, shares her passionate journey towards advocating for the “fixed by five months” initiative. Dr. Bushby, with decades of veterinary experience, reveals the harsh realities of shelter euthanasia rates he saw in the ’70s and champions spaying and neutering as the ethical response to this persistent issue.

In a heart-to-heart that’s both enlightening and inspiring, they reflect on the successes of early spay and neuter campaigns, such as the Fixed by Five movement, and discuss the landmark meeting of veterinary minds in Orlando in 2016. This gathering marked a turning point, leading to a shift in the recommended age for these vital procedures. They also explore the tangible benefits of the “Feline Fix by Five” initiative, investigating the welfare improvements and the economic and time-saving advantages for veterinary practices. Esther and Dr. Bushby’s dedication to these initiatives is palpable, and their stories are a powerful call to action for all of us to contribute to a future where every pet is wanted, loved, and cared for.

Join the conversation and hear how united efforts can forge a more compassionate world for our four-legged companions.

In this episode, you will hear:

Esther Meckler’s path from Spay USA to United Spay Alliance
Esther’s commitment to the “fixed by five months” initiative for reducing shelter overpopulation
Dr. Phil Bushby’s experience at ASPCA in the ’70s with high euthanasia rates
The need for early spay and neuter as an ethical solution to pet overpopulation
A recap of the landmark Orlando meeting in 2016, where veterinary leaders considered changing the recommended age for spay and neuter procedures to five months
Celebrating the Fixed by Five campaign’s success with unanimous endorsement by National Veterinary Associations
The “Feline Fix by Five” initiative’s benefits, including time efficiency for veterinary practices and economic advantages
The critical role of early spay and neuter interventions in preventing unwanted feline populations and reducing shelter euthanasia
Why veterinarians and clinics should consider joining the “Feline Fix by Five” program to help ensure every pet has the opportunity for a loving home

Resources from this Episode

Feline Fix by Five – www.unitedspayalliance.org/feline-fix-by-five

The post A Special “Because We Love It” Episode! Check Out the United We Spay Podcast with Stacy LeBaron and Dr. Philip Bushby appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“If you think you can’t start a clinic all on your own, you may be right, but you can absolutely partner with other people, and find people with the skills and talent that is needed and approach them and ask them to help play a roll in making the clinic a reality.”

Listen to Episode #554 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep554_Brown_240402.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund, Urban Cat League, and Tomahawk Live Trap.

It’s the passion of people like Bonney Brown that fuels today’s conversation on the vital role spay and neuter programs play in controlling cat overpopulation. We reminisce about the early days of trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs and explore how her journey, from being inspired by her parents’ rescue endeavors to leading impactful animal welfare initiatives, underscores the importance of accessible veterinary care and community collaboration.

Navigate the complex landscape of non-profit veterinary clinics, shedding light on how they operate financially and serve local communities with compassion and efficiency. We also discuss the nuances of staffing, from leveraging the expertise of retired veterinarians to creating supportive environments for part-time staff free from the pressures of upselling. Discover why these models cater so effectively to demographics in need, like senior citizens, and how they adapt to ensure everyone has access to the care they deserve.

In this episode, you will hear:

Passion for community cat welfare
Non-profit vs. traditional veterinary practice
Recruiting part-time veterinarians for non-profit clinic
Consulting services for animal welfare organizations
Promoting podcast engagement and connection

Resources from this Episode

Humane Network’s Website – http://www.humanenetwork.org
Options Veterinary Care’s Website – www.optionsveterinarycare.org
Find Humane Network on Instagram – https://www.facebook.com/HumaneNetwork
Find Options Veterinary Care on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OptionsVeterinaryCare
Bonnie’s Previous Episodes – Episode 364, Episode 30, and Episode 181

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Just Getting Started with Bonney Brown, President of Humane Network and Options Veterinary Care appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Story submitted by Kristen Petrie, Technical Tabby, The Community Cats Podcast.

Tucked into a colonial-style building in the heart of historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, lies a truly unique and educational experience for history enthusiasts and cat lovers of all ages: Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum. This hidden gem offers visitors an immersive journey through one of the most critical chapters in American history—the Civil War. What sets this museum apart from others is its creative approach to storytelling: through intricately crafted miniature dioramas populated not by human soldiers, but by meticulously uniformed and armed model cats.

I started my day walking the battlefield, taking in the story and visiting the hundreds of monuments that dot the landscape. Then I headed to the museum, and I’m excited to tell you what I found!

Educating with Precision and Whimsy: The Accuracy of the Models and the Answer to Your Number One QuestionUpon entering Civil War Tails, one is immediately struck by the remarkable level of detail present in each diorama. Every aspect, from the uniforms and weaponry to the landscapes and architectural elements – even the locations of rocks and boulders – is painstakingly researched and faithfully recreated in 1/32 scale.

But what everyone wants to know is, “Why cats?” It’s an unusual way to tell a historical story to be sure, but when you talk to the passionate women behind this museum, it makes total sense.

The creators, an enthusiastic set of twins named Ruth and Rebecca Brown, began creating these scenes when they were young children. “When we began making our soldiers, it was just for fun, and making them cats came naturally,” Ruth said, “We just thought of them as our little guys.”

The use of cats as the protagonists in these dioramas may initially seem whimsical, but it serves a purpose beyond mere amusement. “We did not want our cats to be ‘cutesy’ and trivialize the soldiers,” said the twins. And they don’t. Each cat represents a soldier. They stand on two legs and ride horses like humans unless they’ve been injured or killed. For me, this drove home the emotional devastation the friends and families of the fighting men must have felt at the time, in a more moving way than anything I’d seen in the battlefield’s visitors center up the street.

The other striking detail is that Ruth was able to tell me many stories about specific soldiers. She’d point out a particular cat and tell me the soldier’s name, what regiment he was in, where he’d come from, and what he was doing there. There were cats with interesting hats, so I asked why their uniforms were different and then learned how uniforms were procured, who paid for them, and how the supply chain worked. It was minutia not often covered but it was FASCINATING. These sorts of stories (of which there were many!) made the experience of these historic figures more relatable. They clearly have gone to great lengths to ensure that each character and scene accurately represents real historical events and figures.

Behind the Scenes: Historical Research and Attention to DetailThe creation of the dioramas at Civil War Tails involves an extensive research process. Curators and model makers collaborate closely with historians, archeologists, and experts to ensure that every scene adheres to historical accuracy. Original photographs, letters, diaries, and other primary sources become invaluable references in reconstructing the intricate details of clothing, equipment, and the environment. It was interesting to learn that the northern armies are more straightforward to research than the southern ones since many of the records were lost or destroyed during the war.

The museum prides itself on its commitment to unbiased storytelling – no easy feat in the current political climate. It aims to present the events of the Civil War as accurately and objectively as possible, without romanticizing or sugarcoating the era’s harsh realities. This approach allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted issues surrounding the war.

Preserving History for Generations to ComeCivil War Tails not only educates but also contributes to preserving history. The dedication to accuracy and the depth of historical research that goes into creating the dioramas serves as a testament to the museum’s commitment to honoring the past, and its enduring significance in shaping the present and future – with cats of all stripes!

A visit to Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum in Gettysburg offers an educational and eye-opening experience for anyone interested in history, and the use of kitties as soldiers makes it incredibly approachable for the young or less historically buff visitor. Through its lovingly crafted models and dedication to historical accuracy, the museum breathes life into the events of the Civil War, allowing visitors to better understand the complexities of this pivotal period in American history. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a curious traveler, or a family looking for an immersive educational experience, the Civil War Tails Museum promises to leave an indelible mark on your understanding of the past. Don’t miss the opportunity to unravel history in a truly unique and engaging way. Plan a trip – I promise you won’t regret it!

To plan your visit or to learn more about this endearing and engaging museum, please visit civilwartails.com and check out the book Civil War Tails: 8000 Cat Soldiers Tell the Panoramic Story, written by Rebecca and Ruth Brown for an in-depth story of the cats, the models, and the museum.

Kristen Petrie is a graphic, web, and sound designer, as well as the Technical Tabby at The Community Cats Podcast. Since 2005, she’s filled a variety of roles while volunteering in animal welfare and was part of the MRFRS board of directors for the better part of a decade and enjoys using her skills to help promote animal welfare causes and feline-friendly culture. In her spare time, Kristen fosters cats who need time and patience to overcome behavioral issues or recover from trauma and is always up for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

The post Cat Culture in America – Unraveling History at The Civil War Tails Museum in Gettysburg, PA appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“This is just a crucial stage when the cat is first brought in and it’s really important to train your staff to be able to gather as much information as possible because that’s the moment, you may never see the finder again.”

Listen to Episode #553 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep553_Kortis_240326.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund and The United Spay Alliance.

Ever wondered how a stray feline’s journey through a Return to Field (RTF) program can lead it back home? This week, we continue our deep dive into the world of community cats, focusing on the pivotal steps from shelter intake to safe return, and the intricate assessments that ensure these whiskered wanderers thrive. Join in as we examine the critical information that shelters must gather and the art of interpreting feline behavior – a true detective story of piecing together each cat’s past.

Explore how shelters can best communicate with those who find stray cats and the creative solutions that can address community concerns, from sprinkler systems to cat-proof fencing. Deciding which cats qualify for RTF involves a blend of factors like health and temperament, and we debate whether it’s a job for one or a task for a team.

This segment offers a playbook for harmonizing the needs of community cats with those of their human neighbors. We also cover effective strategies for managing RTF and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, including a study that illustrates the significant impact these programs have on reducing shelter intake and euthanasia rates.

In this episode, you will hear:

Return to field programs in shelters
Evaluating cat health and safety
Individual assessment in field programs
Caring for cats in traps and cat release location considerations
Community cat population trends over time
FVRCP and microchipping in community cats

Resources from this Episode

Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr
Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/
And if you’re excited to start a return-to-field program and would like to connect with other Community Cats Podcast listeners to get more tips and tricks, to ask about issues you might run into, and of course to post pictures of your successful trapping, you can join our Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/communitycatspodcast/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Return-to-Field: How Shelters Save Community Cats, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I think it’s important to acknowledge that there’s a reason we’re trying to solve community cat over population because this is, ya know, not always a great situation for the cats. When it comes to return to field, we’re looking at animals coming into the shelter…they have good body condition scores, they appear quite healthy, and that lets you know that they’re figuring it out. That they’re surviving in their territory. And when you return them, they’re not facing any more or fewer risks than they faced before they came into the shelter and allowing them to continue to navigate that environment is better than ending their lives.”

Listen to Episode #552 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep552_Kortis_240319.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund, Urban Cat League, and Tomahawk Live Trap.

Why do we think return-to-field is important and what does “field” even mean? You’re about to find out! This week we’re bringing you a special audio presentation of an advanced webinar we held late last year in partnership with the experts at Neighborhood Cats. The conversation will start this week with part one and part two will be available next week.

You see, it used to be that a feral cat had little chance of exiting a shelter alive after he entered. But that’s no longer the case. In recent years, more and more shelters have adopted Return-to-Field (RTF) programs. Instead of euthanizing healthy community cats (whether feral, friendly or otherwise), the shelter will spay or neuter, eartip and vaccinate, then return the cat back to where he was found.

Come along as Bryan talks about the policies behind RTF, the mechanics of implementing the program, current controversies over the RTF of friendly cats, and how to combine RTF with TNR in general to lower cat populations and create sustainability. These programs are a game changer for community cats and whether you work or volunteer in sheltering, TNR or community cat programs or just value the lives of our feline friends, you won’t want to miss a second of this show!

In this episode, you will hear:

The definition of Return-to-Field
How RTF leads to lower intake and euthanasia rates in shelters
Examples of RTF programs/projects and how they worked
How these programs help improve moral and ease the stress of staff and volunteers
Joyful stories about releasing cats in their environment
How to educate the community about the benefits of RTF
Managing misinformation, myths, and fear

Resources from this Episode

Neighborhood Cats Website – https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist – https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr
Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this – https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

The post Return-to-Field: How Shelters Save Community Cats, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I pulled up to the parking lot and I baited the trap and watched a cat go in, and oh my gosh, the endorphins and the goosebumps simultaneously going off because it was that moment, I was like, “Oh my gosh, I’m going to fix the world one cat at a time.”

Listen to Episode #551 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep551_Oseguera_240312.mp3

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

Sometimes life surprises you with a mission when you least expect it, like during a routine pizza run that suddenly catapults you into the world of community cat care. That’s exactly what happened to Nadia Oseguera and Chris Ramon, who found themselves drawn into the compassionate web of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and fostering initiatives.

Filled with both unexpected challenges and profound fulfillment, their stories showcase the emotional investment required to effect positive change for feline friends and their human counterparts. As you delve deeper into their inspiring journeys, uncover the deep-seated dedication that drives volunteers to tirelessly work towards a future where every cat is cared for and respected.

They also discuss creative solutions emerging in response to California’s veterinarian shortage – a critical bottleneck in the quest to control cat populations. By bringing dairy veterinarians into the fold and focusing on specialized training, witness a community adapt and thrive even in the face of adversity. Join this heartfelt dive into the world of animal welfare, where every action and every volunteer can make an impactful difference.

In this episode, you will hear:

Dedication to helping community cats
Community Cat care challenges in California
Improving efficiency in veterinary practices
Community cat care program implementation
Enhancing equity in animal shelter funding
Building a strong support network

Resources from this Episode

CA for All Animals Website – https://www.californiaforallanimals.com/
Nadia’s Instagram – @nadiaoseguera
https://www.instagram.com/nadiaoseguera/
Pasadena Humane’s Website – https://pasadenahumane.org/
Chris’ Instagram – @christhecatguy
https://www.instagram.com/christhecatguy/

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The post Picking Up Pizza and Saving Cats with Nadia Oseguera, Program Manager for the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and Chris Ramon, Chief Program Officer for Pasadena Humane appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Animals are wonderful in helping comfort you and provide an opportunity for you to take care of someone rather than just worrying about yourself.” Listen to Episode #525 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with […]

The post A Friend for Life with Julie Totten, Founder of Cat Companions appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“First and foremost, before me telling them [why they should neuter their indoor/outdoor cat], I want to find out what will move the needle for them.”

Listen to Episode #524 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep524_LeBaron_230905.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In today’s special podcast, we are proud to bring you the audio version of “Strategies for Reducing Cat Populations”.

In this episode, Stacy LeBaron, host of The Community Cats Podcast, long-time TNR advocate/practitioner, and non-profit administrator, shares her experience and offers suggestions to address the most common situations that can arise when birds, raccoons, coyotes, and other species live alongside a managed community cat colony. She discusses how she navigated working with various agencies to promote TNR and gives details on cases where both cat lovers and bird enthusiasts have come together to make it work for the benefit of all the animals – and people – involved. The session includes a Q&A period where the audience gets their questions answered and learns some talking points to explain to others how TNR benefits wildlife. Additional insight is given by special guests Mike Phillips, president of the Urban Cat League (you can hear more from him in episode 71), and Shelia Massy, president and founder of Hard Hat Cats (who was featured on episode 494).

If you’d like to watch this presentation, you can visit our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Pyramid page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

The post Strategies for Reducing Cat Populations, with Stacy LeBaron, Host of The Community Cats Podcast appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Story submitted by Kristen Petrie, Tech Tabby, The Community Cats Podcast. I was delighted to visit the bustling heart of the Flatbush neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, to check out the exciting development of the Flatbush Veterinary Clinic. The brainchild of the Flatbush Cats organization, this new vet clinic will surely […]

The post Unveiling the Flatbush Veterinary Clinic: Tackling Cat Overpopulation in Brooklyn, New York appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“One cat at a time, we can make a difference.” Listen to Episode #523 Now This episode is sponsored in part by The Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Niki Cudsworth, a board member of the Visalia Feral Cat Coalition (VFCC), an […]

The post Fostering Relationships with Niki Cudsworth, Board Member of the Visalia Feral Cat Coalition appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We really need to explore the unique needs and challenges that exist in the different parts of the state . . . so that when potential remedies are offered or additional resources are created, they can be targeted.” Listen to Episode #522 Now This episode is sponsored in part […]

The post Reporting on Resources with Daniel Spehar, Co-Founder of the Together Initiative for Ohio’s Community Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Have integrity, do the right thing, and the rest of it falls into place.” Listen to Episode #521 Now This episode is sponsored in part by The Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. This week, Stacy sits down with Heidi Williams, director of the Ingham County Animal Control […]

The post Shifting the Mindset in Municipal Sheltering with Heidi Williams, Director of the Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“You also want to know your community so your outreach is effective.” Listen to Episode #520 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In today’s podcast, we are proud to bring you part two of the audio version of “Targeted TNR […]

The post Targeted TNR & Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“…if you do it in this concentrated way, where you’re focused on one part of the community…by in larger you’ll have defeated the vacuum effect.” Listen to Episode #519 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In today’s podcast, we are […]

The post Targeted TNR & Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Story submitted by Kristen Petrie, Tech Tabby, The Community Cats Podcast. When it comes to caring for our feline friends, the Community Cat Clinic in Woodstock, GA, stands out as a beacon of hope and compassion. This unique veterinary clinic has begun to make waves in the community for its […]

The post A Feline Forward Business Model: The Community Cat Clinic in Woodstock, GA appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“As veterinarians, we have to educate people.” Listen to Episode #518 Now This episode is sponsored in part by The Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Dr. G, owner of the Rascal Unit, which consists of two mobile veterinary hospitals that provide […]

The post Felines, Forensics and Affordable Care with Dr. Michelle Gonzalez (aka Dr. G), Owner of the Rascal Unit appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There’s a lot of tools that we offer to make really understanding the data easier and start to identify where the need still exists.” Listen to Episode #517 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy […]

The post Tracking the Stats for Cats with Stephanie Filer, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We’re not going to the with a sense of entitlement…that’s not going to get you very far…you have to let organizations move at a pace they’re comfortable with and realize things can accelerate once they get involved.” Listen to Episode #516 Now This episode is sponsored in part by […]

The post Mobilizing the Community to Make TNR Happen, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“How do you manage TNR on a much larger scale…as more of a program manager?” Listen to Episode #515 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In today’s podcast, we are proud to bring you part one of the […]

The post Mobilizing the Community to Make TNR Happen, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Allison Hunter-Frederick, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and Trainer, Allison Helps Cats Thinking of new ways to enrich the lives of our cats is a fun part of being a cat owner. Enrichment is also good for our cats. It provides them with opportunities to express species-appropriate behavior, which […]

The post Low-Cost Enrichment Ideas to Keep Your Cats Healthy & Happy appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There’s a lot of people that really need a cat and they don’t realize they do. So if I can marry up those two, I think that’d be a really great thing.” Listen to Episode #514 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, […]

The post Picking, Protecting, and Pampering Cats with Justin Donne, Founder of The Kitty Boss appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“You don’t have to be a cat person to support TNR.” Listen to Episode #513 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Dawn Benefiel, the executive director of Indy Neighborhood Cats (“INC”), a […]

The post A Mass Trapping Powerhouse with Dawn Benefiel, Executive Director of Indy Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“This brings us to one of the hot-button issues happening right now in return-to-field…what about friendly cats?” Listen to Episode #512 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In today’s podcast, we are proud to bring you the audio […]

The post Return-to-Field and Targeting Part 2 with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“How do you organize a TNR program on a very large scale and get the best results…” Listen to Episode #511 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, we are proud to bring you the audio […]

The post Return-to-Field and Targeting with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“The National Kitten Coalition believes that every kitten deserves a chance to survive and thrive.”

Listen to Episode #510 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep510_Peterson_230530.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

On this episode, Stacy chats with Nancy Peterson, Board Member of the National Kitten Coalition and Neighborhood Cats and former Community Cats Program Manager at the Humane Society of the United States.

In her conversation with Stacy, Nancy describes the advocacy efforts of the National Kitten Coalition, an organization that strives to increase kitten survival rates through the power of education. She highlights several of the many useful resources that the National Kitten Coalition provides, including its Kitten Nursery Manual.

Nancy also previews the upcoming 2023 Kitten Conference, presented by the National Kitten Coalition in partnership with CCP, which is scheduled for June 9-11, 2023. Additionally, she addresses kitten nurseries, veterinary burnout, and her experience as a veterinary technician.

To learn more about the National Kitten Coalition, visit their website,

The post Saving Kittens with Nancy Peterson, Board Member of the National Kitten Coalition appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Cheri Storms, Executive Director of Pet Friendly Services of Indiana

Elected officials are tasked with making a multitude of decisions, many that they’d never contemplated. When it comes to Community Cat programs, most elected officials are unfamiliar with the topic and don’t understand the solutions. Instead, they are likely to hear the loud voice of one person who dislikes cats and set to work to address their complaint.

This was the case in Indiana – one repeated complainer put a small, well-managed colony in harm’s way. To help municipal leaders understand Community Cat programs, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana created a guide to not only explain the benefits of community cat programs but to also showcase local and state elected officials who have passed laws to protect cats (and dogs.)

What’s the difference between a state guide vs. a guide from a national organization?Elected officials in each state know each other. In Indiana, mayors routinely attend “roundtable meetings” where they rely on one another as they seek solutions. Mayors also know state representatives, as they work on issues within their party – or across the aisle. Ditto for county council members and other elected officials.

Because the Indiana guide mentions several elected officials, along with the work of various cities and towns, the guide provides a level of comfort for those seeking solutions. As readers learn what other communities have done, they feel reassured that allowing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return is the correct decision.

What else needs to be in the guide?Elected officials are generally interested in keeping the peace and fiscal policy. Reassure them that people really do care about the fate of cats and look for news articles with cost savings information. Make the guide very professional so that elected officials will see you as the expert (which you are!)

Getting the word out!Once your guide is complete, add it to your website, and be sure to let every Community Cat program in your state know that it is available. If groups have an issue in their area, encourage them to get this guide into the hands of every elected official as soon as possible. This will allow them time to read it and discuss it with their colleagues.

The Indiana cat colony that was in harm’s way was saved by our guide! The town council had already gotten to work and had found a person who would remove the cats for $75 each. Time was of the essence! Pet Friendly Services worked with our local community cat group to get the guide into the hands of town council members immediately. After reading the material and discussing community cats, the colony was allowed to remain in place.

About Cheri Storms

Cheri joined Pet Friendly Services of Indiana in 2005 and has worked in different capacities to increase spay/neuter surgeries. Under her leadership, Pet Friendly Services has grown from a central-Indiana-based program to a statewide program, funding thousands of surgeries each year. Cheri also serves on the board of directors of the United Spay Alliance, where she chairs the Vet Shortage Task Force, composed of industry experts in need of additional veterinary capacity.

The post Remove Barriers to TNVR: Create a Community Cat Guide for Your State! appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I firmly believe that spay-neuter is an essential element of access to care.” – Dr. Weedon

Listen to Episode #509 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep509_Murtaugh_230523.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy chats with veterinarians Dr. Robert Murtaugh and Dr. Robert Weedon. Dr. Murtaugh is a veterinary specialist based in Austin, Texas and a candidate for the next president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (“AVMA”). Dr. Weedon, a frequent conference guest and former guest of the show (CCP episodes 361 and 383) is a high-volume spay/neuter surgeon with TLC PetSnip in Lakeland, Florida.

In their conversation with Stacy, Dr. Murtaugh and Dr. Weedon discuss the current state of the veterinary field, including some of the challenges, such as the veterinary shortage and lack of access to care. Dr. Murtaugh describes how the AVMA is addressing these issues through advocacy and legislative initiatives and outlines ideas for future initiatives to overcome these challenges.

Additionally, Dr. Murtaugh and Dr. Weeden discuss topics involving high volume spay neuter, licensure reciprocity, veterinarian technicians, and staffing issues. They also debunk some of the misconceptions surrounding the quality of high-volume spay-neuter.

To learn more about the work of AVMA, visit its website.

The following organizations are mentioned during this episode:

Austin Pets Alive
Shadow Cats
United Spay Alliance

The post Increasing Spay-Neuter Access for Cats with Robert Murtaugh, DVM, and Robert Weedon, DVM. appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Willow’s mission is to show that black cats are adorable, fun, and magical and they need to be loved just as much as any other cat.”

Listen to Episode #508 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep508_Malik_230516.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

On this episode, Stacy speaks with Linda Malik, author of Willow’s Tale, a children’s picture book about the adventures of a black cat named Willow.

In her discussion with Stacy, Linda describes the inspiration behind this story and why she chose to publish a children’s picture book. She discusses the unfair stigma surrounding black cats and the importance of dispelling this fallacy at a young age.

Linda talks about Willow’s additional projects, including an upcoming second book and an animated series. This animated series was produced by autistic animators (link to prior episode), who she believes are similarly unfairly stigmatized. Linda strongly encourages anyone looking to adopt to consider black cats.

To learn more about Linda’s work and Willow’s Tale, visit her website or Instagram.

The post Dispelling Myths About Black Cats with Linda Malik, Author of Willow’s Tale appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“It’s empowering to realize that you can actually make a difference just by making different choices in the things that you do every day.”

Listen to Episode #507 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep507_Bryne_230509.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

On this episode, Stacy chats with Ashley Byrne, Associate Director of Campaigns for PETA. PETA, short for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is the largest animal rights organization in the world with more than 9 million members and supporters globally.

In her discussion with Stacy, Ashley explains how PETA’s philosophy centers on the notion that animals exist for their own purposes, not for human purposes. She describes some of PETA’s recent campaigns, which strive to change the way people think about animals.

Ashley also talks about PETA’s Mobile Clinic, its 24-hour cruelty hotline, and Beauty Without Bunnies, a searchable database of companies that don’t test on animals. She stresses the importance of knowing where your products come from. Additionally, Ashley describes PETA’s stance on TNR and encourages pet lovers to adopt their pets from shelters rather than buy them from breeders.

To learn more about PETA, visit their website.

The post Cats and Common Ground with Ashley Byrne, Associate Director of Campaigns, PETA appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Don’t say, I wish somebody would help them. Go out and do it.”

Listen to Episode #506 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep506_Robinson_230502.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy speaks with individual animal rescuer and advocate, Nancy Robison. After receiving help to TNR the cats outside her home in Long Island, NY, Nancy made it her personal mission to gather all the information she could on low-cost or free services for animals, including spay/neuter and TNR resources. She shares those resources whenever she has the chance, to minimize obstacles and help even more people get the help they need.

Today, Nancy works with two local organizations and continues to support TNR efforts in Long Island. She also works closely with caregiver and rescuer, Cathy Moore, in upstate New York to provide as much help as she possibly can.

Stacy and Nancy talk about the role of individuals in animal rescue, and stepping up when something needs to be done. They talk about compassion, and how it impacts our approach to animals and people with unique needs and challenges.

A teacher for 35 years, Nancy strongly believes in the importance of teaching children compassion for animals. She and Stacy talk about the children’s books she has authored, which were inspired by the bedtime stories her own mother used to tell about her childhood cat, Stubbs.

Nancy’s books are available for sale on Amazon. All proceeds from her books are donated to animal-related charities:

Stubby: A Cat’s Story
Stubby: Her Continuing Adventures
The Dogs of My Life

To get in touch with Nancy, send an email to nanrobison@gmail.com or connect with One At A Time Cat Rescue via their Facebook group.

The post Inspiring Compassion for Animals with Nancy Robinson, Author and Animal Advocate appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Without fail I approach spring and summer with trepidation. I will be honest and ever since I became involved in animal welfare, “kitten season” was never a time of the year I looked forward to. February has become my favorite month. Unfortunately, we do have “kitten season”. Some parts of the country have it longer than others. The summer is when we get lost to rescue vs the focused high volume spay/neuter efforts that we need to have in place to be able to reduce the community cat populations. Here is a link to my first blog post about the pyramid.

Strategy is so important during the summer to stay the course and continue to provide access to as much spay/neuter as possible in your community. When I was involved in the day to running of an organization I would use the components of the Community Cat Pyramid to keep me “grounded” in a strategic direction. In the summer please continue to focus on the base of the pyramid helping support the community and their cats/kittens. Don’t lose your way.

Kristen, our technical cat, and I have updated the Community Cat Pyramid page with some new resources. Please take a look at this page and download the flyers (in English and Spanish) that you can add your logo to. Post it in your community and use it as a tool to help explain your strategy for reducing cat populations!

The post The Community Cat Pyramid and Kitten Season-Strategy appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We are passionate about cats. That’s what we live for. If we can help other companies, other nonprofits that are helping pet parents do things that we don’t do directly, I think that’s a great way to support pet parenting overall, especially for cats.”

Listen to Episode #505 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep505_Tyszka_230425.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy interviews Yvethe Tyska, Vice President of Marketing for H&H Group, whose mission is to make millions of people and their pets healthier and happier. The H&H Group houses many brands, including Zesty Paws pet supplements.

Yvethe talks about the recent support Zesty Paws gave to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, covering all adoption and related fees during the grand opening of their new cat facility in September 2022. She recalls what it was like to be a cat parent or cat lover in Orlando when the Pet Alliance’s former cat facility caught fire in 2021, and how the community came together to support the organization and see it back on its feet.

Yvethe shares her insight as a marketing professional, her recommendations for nonprofits looking for support from for-profit corporations, and the important role that passion has to play for all involved.

Zesty Paws supplements are available for sale online or in most retail locations. You can also purchase products from their website at www.zestypaws.com. For questions about events or product donations, email bark@zestypaws.com. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

The post Partnering For-Profit Business and Nonprofit Causes with Yvethe Tyszka, Vice President Marketing for H&H Group and Zesty Paws appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“That’s the cool thing. Some of these older groups are closing, but we have a whole new crop of young women who are starting rescues and taking over.”

Listen to Episode #504 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep504_Vormittage_230418.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy sits down with Janet Vormittag, founder and publisher of Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals, and author of multiple books about animals, including You Might Be a Crazy Cat Lady If…(volumes 1 & 2) and Cat Women of West Michigan: The Secret World of Cat Rescue.

Janet shares a few of her favorite stories from her career as a reporter, writer, and animal advocate. She talks about the euthanasia numbers for her community, and how drastically things have improved over the past 15 years.

Stacy and Janet chat about her most recent book, Cat Women of West Michigan, and the incredible women who are making the community a better place for cats. Janet highlights a few of the women readers will encounter in the book, including women who start rescues, women who serve cats as individual volunteers and caregivers, and women who support cats in other unexpected – but equally significant – ways.

To learn more about Janet and see the complete list of books she’s written, visit her website at www.janetvormittag.com. Books can also be purchased directly from Amazon:

Cat Women of West Michigan: The Secret World of Cat Rescue
You Might Be a Crazy Cat Lady If…
You Might Be a Craz Cat Lady If… (volume 2)

Some of the groups Janet mentions in this episode are:

Focus on Ferals
Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary
Happy Cat Cafe
Hands for Paws West Michigan

The post Women Helping Cats in West Michigan with Janet Vormittag, Author and Founder of Cats and Dogs, a Magazine appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We have to honor the cat’s wishes…we have to honor the community cat who wants to be outside and have a safe, happy life there.”

Listen to Episode #503 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep503_McGlinn_230411.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy chats with KJ McGill, Kitty Correspondent for the nationally syndicated show, Pet Pals TV, and author of the book, Raised by Cats: Behind the Mic and the Meows.

Stacy and KJ talk about her work with cat-focused groups in Indianapolis, and how she has used her platform as a radio personality to promote positive stories about cats, and the people and organizations helping them. KJ talks about the importance of community education, and the positive impact of collaboration and support between TNR organizations, cat rescues, and animal services in Indianapolis.

KJ talks about her book and her hope that sharing her own story with cats will help others have a better story with their own cats. Stacy and KJ talk about compassion fatigue and burnout, and KJ’s belief that at the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal.

To learn more about KJ and her work, visit her website at www.kjtodayshow.com or join her Facebook group, KJ’s Cat Club.

During her interview, KJ refers to these organizations:

Indy Neighborhood Cats
Grateful Rescue & Sanctuary
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana

The post Building Understanding and Compassion for Cats with KJ McGlinn, Author and Kitty Correspondent for Pet Pals TV appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Our whole lives are really to get the word out that this is the solution.” – Louise on TNR

Listen to Episode #502 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep502_Holton_230404.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy talks with Louise Holton, Founder of Alley Cat Rescue, and Deborah Holzer, Development Assistant at Alley Cat Rescue. Louise founded National Cat Protection Association in 1997 as the nation’s first national cat protection association and an organization that advocates for all cats.

In their conversation with Stacy, Louise and Deborah talk all about community cats. The pair touches on some of the campaigns spearheaded by Alley Cat Rescue. Debbie describes the Global Feral Fix Challenge, an annual initiative promoting the spaying and neutering of community cats. Louise highlights some of the resources available on the Alley Cat Rescue website, including the contact information for Cat Action Teams in each state.

Louise and Deborah touch on how Alley Cat Rescue educates the general population about TNR. They also discuss veterinary challenges, cat behavior, and how to get involved in TNR.

To learn more about Alley Cat Rescue, visit their website.

The post Campaigns for Community Cat Education with Louise Holton, Founder of Alley Cat Rescue and Co-Founder of Alley Cat Allies, and Deborah Holzer, Development Assistant at Alley Cat Rescue appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I’m glad that there are organizations that . . . dispel the myth [about black cats].”

Listen to Episode #501 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep501_Sharp_230328.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy chats with Marlene Sharp, a TV and film writer and executive and proprietor of Pink Poodle Productions.

In her discussion with Stacy, Marlene talks all about her work in the animation industry and details some of her cat-related projects. She describes her recent experience at CatCon, as well as her collaboration with Linda Malik (author of Willow’s Tale).

Additionally, Marlene describes her work as a mentor at the Center for Learning Unlimited, where she collaborates with students on the autism spectrum in the school’s animation program. She likens the unfair perception of black cats to that of the perception of those with autism.

To learn more about Marlene and her work, visit Pink Poodle Productions. You can also connect with her through LinkedIn.

During her interview, Marlene mentions the following organizations:

Black Cat Holistic Rescue
The Center for Learning Unlimited

The post The Animated, Illustrated Cat with Marlene Sharp, TV and Film Writer and Executive and Proprietor of Pink Poodle Productions appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Allison Hunter-Frederick, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant & Trainer

Are you thinking about adopting a new kitten? My husband and I have raised a kitten of our own and fostered almost 40. This article will cover the basics of how to prepare your home for a new kitten and how to help your kitten settle into your home. I’ll also briefly address how to curb unwanted behaviors and how to socialize your kitten.

You should first prepare your home ahead of time. Your kitten will need a food bowl, water bowl, litter box, scratching post, soft bed, cat brush, and toys. It is critical that you use non-clumping litter until your kitten matures; some kittens will eat litter and clumping litter can clump in their intestines and cause very serious health problems and even death.

If possible, bring your kitten home when you have a few quiet days to spend with him. Try to bring him home in the morning, so that he’ll have time to acclimate to your home before bedtime. Also, collect the scent from your kitten’s current environment to ease the transition. Rub an unscented cloth on his siblings, his bed, and other surfaces that he’s touched. Put this cloth in his kennel and then in your home.

Make the car ride home safe and pleasant. Either fasten the cat carrier in the back seat with a seat belt or place the carrier on the floor behind the passenger seat to keep the carrier secure. Spray cat pheromones on the carrier and drape a blanket over it. Play quiet music or speak soothingly to your kitten on the drive, and keep the drive gentle.

When you arrive home, place your kitten and her carrier in a small, quiet room away from noise and commotion. Then open the carrier door and allow her to explore her new surroundings. Keep the room door closed initially so your kitten can first become familiar with one room; this will overwhelm her less than if you allow her immediate access to your entire house.

On a similar note, allow your kitten to dictate interactions for the first few days. If he comes up to you and rubs into you, go ahead and pet him. Otherwise, realize that he might be scared and uncertain of what to expect. He may feel more comfortable hiding in his carrier or elsewhere in the room than interacting with you.

Initially, stick to the same diet and feeding routine that your kitten is used to. The stress of moving to a new home may cause your kitten to not eat much at first, and sudden changes in a cat’s diet can cause digestive upsets. Once your kitten has settled into your home you can transition him to new foods and new feeding times. Remember that after weaning, kittens lose the ability to digest the sugar in cow’s milk and so it can give them diarrhea. Also, if you feed kittens people food they could turn into beggars. If you have any concerns about your kitten’s eating habits, contact your vet.

After a few weeks, your kitten should start to feel more comfortable in your home. At this point, she may start to test boundaries, so it’s important to teach good manners early on. If she begins to swat or bite, say “OW!” and then cease all interactions until she stops. Play sessions at different times throughout the day should help her release her energy in an appropriate way. To prevent the destruction of furniture, provide her with a scratching post and chew toys and sticks. The scratching post should be tall enough for your cat to stretch to her full body length when using it. If there is furniture you don’t want your kitten on, use treats to entice her to acceptable places. Also, provide her with acceptable climbing alternatives. You should also keep your counters food-free, so you don’t teach her that countertops can be a great source of snacks.

Along with instilling good manners, it’s also important for you to begin socializing your kitten. When kittens are 8 to 16 weeks old their personalities are shaped and they are most open to new experiences. Proper socialization during this time will start your kitten out on the right paw and give it skills that will last a lifetime. To do this, expose him to as many people, animals, places, sensory stimuli, and handling as possible in a positive way. The key word here is positive; otherwise, a new experience might end up scaring your kitten and cause him to develop an aversion to it. Exposing your kitten in a positive way involves using reinforcers that he likes, whether it be treats, toys, or attention. It also involves watching his body language to gauge how he feels and continuing with an experience only if your kitten is acting comfortable with it. Exposure to things that are likely to be scary initially should be done very slowly.

Although kittens can be tiring and challenging, they also bring fun and joy to our lives. May you enjoy your new adventure! Feel free to email me if you have questions.

About Allison Hunter-Frederick

Allison Hunter-Frederick is a certified cat behavior consultant and trainer. She is also a mother of three furkids and several revolving foster cats, a host mom to an international student, and the wife of a supportive husband. Allison is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Pet Professional Guild (including the PPG Cat Committee), and Best Friends Network Partners. Currently, she volunteers with The Capital Humane Society, The Cat House, Lincoln Animal Ambassadors, and Love on a Leash.

The post Bringing Home a New Kitten: What You Need to Know to Make Your Baby Cat Feel Safe, Happy, and Comfortable in Their New Home appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I’ve always tried to make a difference. . . I want to make a difference in the long run.”

Listen to Episode #500 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep500_Young_230321.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

On this special 500th episode of Community Cats Podcast, Stacy is joined by Dr. Jeff Young, star of Animal Planet’s Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet. Dr. Young is also the founder of Planned Pethood Plus, a low-cost spay/neuter clinic known for its mobile neutering clinics.

In their conversation, Stacy and The Rocky Mountain Vet elaborate on the services provided by Planned Pethood. He also touches on the state of veterinary practice, including recent challenges and obstacles.

Dr. Young emphasizes the need for TNR and strongly encourages all humane groups to have a TNR program. He explains the consequences that arise from failing to implement an effective program. Dr. Young also stresses that fixing your cat is “the most important thing you can do” in caring for them.

To learn more about Dr. Young and his work, visit his Instagram or YouTube. Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet airs on Animal Planet and can be streamed online.

To learn more about Planned Pethood International, visit their website or Facebook.

The post A Mountain of Veterinary Conversation with Dr. Jeff Young, Founder of Planned Pethood and star of Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There’s definitely a lot of good . . . that I’ve seen from the cat community on social media.”

Listen to Episode #499 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep499_Baker_230314.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

On this episode, Stacy chats with Harris Baker, founder of Catfluence, a social media platform that promotes everything feline related.

In their discussion, Stacy and Harris talk all about social media. Harris describes how rescue organizations and individuals can use social media to generate awareness about their efforts, and he strongly encourages all rescue organizations to have a social media presence.

Harris touches on the importance of posting meaningful content, engaging with the community, and utilizing different social media platforms to reach every demographic. He also describes how to use hashtags to reach a larger audience and provides tips on attracting more followers.

To learn more about Catfluence, visit their website, Instagram, or TikTok.

The post Cats Generating Awareness on Social Media with Harris Baker, Founder of Catfluence appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Head Cat, Stacy LeBaron.

Last week, I presented Strategies to Reduce Cat Overpopulation as a free webinar to Community Cats Podcast listeners. I received quite a few comments after the session that reminded me how important it is that we all focus on fundamental basics. If we strive to reduce the number of free-roaming cats in our communities, we can’t lose our way. I hope you take the time to watch this session and share it with others. In the meantime, I am listing some of the key takeaways below:

We need to focus our access to care initiatives to ensure spay/neuter and rabies vaccinations are central to the conversation.
After a TNR initiative, the community must continue to embrace and support our community cat members and provide them with the best quality of life. This is called elevating the status of the community cat.
Continue educational opportunities and conversations for all to support, maintain, and monitor community cats and the cat landscape in your community.

We don’t need to make it complicated- we need to go back to basics and keep the messaging clear so we can be united in how we are helping cats and those that care for them.

Below is a listing of several resources that I think would be helpful to you as you consider your organization’s or community’s approach to cat overpopulation:

Better Together: TNVR and Public Health, presented by veterinarian Dr. Bob Weedon during the 2021 United Spay Alliance Online Conference
The Community Cat Pyramid and how to apply it in your community
Cat Cycling – How to Make Your Spay/Neuter Programs Most Impactful and not Overwhelm Your Staff
How is Kitten Season Affecting Your? and creating a Kitten Free Zone

I am looking for 2-3 organizations or communities to work with me to help develop the Community Cat Calculator. If you are interested in working on this project in April please email me directly at stacy@communitycatpodcast.com.

As we enter springtime, I recommend we all take a step back to examine our programs and get back to basics to help turn your passion for cats into action.

The post It all started with Adam and Eve: Going back to basics appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“If anything, we should be doing more to address the anxiety, fear, and stress [of community cats]”

Listen to Episode #498 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep498_Kucera_230307.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy follows up with Tabitha Kucera, a registered veterinary technician, certified cat behavior training consultant, and former guest of the show (CCP Episode 319).

Stacy and Tabitha discuss numerous cat health and behavioral issues. She provides tips on identifying whether a cat is in pain (which she created a handout for). Tabitha explains that a cat’s physical and mental health are often intertwined. She stresses the importance of minimizing anxiety and stress by employing Fear Free techniques, trap training, and cooperative care.

Additionally, Tabitha talks about her podcast Tails from a Vet Tech, where she highlights, educates, and advocates for veterinary, shelter, and behavior animal professionals. She also previews her upcoming presentation for Community Cats Podcast’s 2023 Online Behavior Day on April 8.

To learn more about Tabitha and her work, visit Chirrups and Chatter.

The post Banishing Stress and Fear in Cats with Tabitha Kucera, Owner of Chirrups & Chatter appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Often times, providing people with the necessary items, the support, the kindness, [and] the caring – that can be the very important difference between a person keeping the cat and surrendering the cat.”

Listen to Episode #497 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep497_Geller_230227.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy chats with Dr. Rachel Geller, a cat behaviorist and prior guest of the show (CCP Episodes 18, 146, and 310), to discuss her new project, All Cats All the Time. This nonprofit is dedicated to promoting the adoption of cats and preventing their surrender and abandonment by providing free cat behavior counseling to cat animal shelters and cat owners.

Dr. Geller describes the situations she often encounters as a cat behaviorist. She covers some of the most common behavioral issues, many of which will stem from declawing. She explains how removing a cat’s claws removes a layer of comfort, stresses out the cat, and causes sensitivity issues.

Dr. Geller also touches on Fear Free and on her book, Saving the World, One Cat at a Time, the proceeds of which go to shelters and cat advocacy organizations. Additionally, she provides advice on socializing cats. She underscores the importance of going at the cat’s pace and giving them time and space to adjust.

To learn more about Dr. Geller and her work, visit her website. There is also a submission form here where you contact her for advice.

The post Saving the World One Cat at a Time with Rachel Geller, President of All Cats All the Time appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

Saving the World, One Cat at a Time: What I Know About Cats - And Why You Should Know It, Too

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“You save yourself a lot of administrative time by being organized up front by setting up a system and a space to be organized.”

Listen to Episode #496 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep496_Skylar_230221.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy talks with Dara Sklar, the founder of Synced with Dara and producer of the Get Productive with G-Suite program. Dara’s work focuses on helping people streamline their work processes, which allows them to become as efficient and productive as possible.

In chatting with Stacy, Dara talks all about Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). She describes how organizations and small nonprofit groups can utilize this set of communication and productivity apps to become more efficient.

Dara also provides tips on managing passwords through LastPass and emails through filtering and archiving. She further discusses her program Get Productive with G-Suite, an online course that serves as a comprehensive, step-by-step, way of learning to use Google tools, apps, and integrations.

To learn more about Dara and her work, visit her website. You can learn more about Get Productive with G Suite and Top 40 Time-Saving Google Hacks on her website as well.

The post Your More Efficient Future with Dara Sklar, Founder of Synced with Dara appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I thought about it from a small business . . . [or] nonprofit standpoint of here are some of the basics to help you at least upstart and continue marketing, especially if you’re on a shoestring budget.”

Listen to Episode #495 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep495_Darr_230213.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy speaks with Laurren Darr, founder of Left Paw Press and the Pet Fashion Guild and author of the Pet Business Marketing Almanac.

In her discussion with Stacy, Laurren talks about her involvement in managing her son’s racing career. She talks about the “Racing for Rescues” initiative, which entails delivering supplies to the pet shelters in the cities where he races.

Laurren also talks about the Pet Business Marketing Almanac, which is a marketing planning tool for pet businesses or businesses wanting to incorporate pet themes in their marketing. She discusses the inspiration behind this book. Additionally, Laurren touches on social media, where she emphasizes the importance of consistency.

To learn more about Laurrenn and her work, visit the Left Paw Press website.

The Pet Business Marketing Almanac 2023 is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The post Racing for Rescues with Laurren Darr, Author appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by United Spay Alliance. Special thanks to Brettt Albren for sharing his story with us!

February is Feline Fix by Five month! All month long, we’re asking everyone we know to get those kittens fixed before five months. You can help! Find simple ways to get involved on our campaign page here.

Brett thought he was adopting a pair of sisters. After all, they’re nearly identical in age. Come to find out, they were mother and daughter – just five months apart!It’s shocking, but not entirely uncommon. Female cats can go into heat when they’re just four months old. And just as Brett found out – they can give birth when they’re still just a kitten themselves!

There is no standardized recommendation from the veterinary community on the best time to spay/neuter kittens, but as of July 2017 there is an agreed-upon recommendation.

A veterinary task force convened on January 16, 2016 to put forth a recommendation for the age of spay/neuter surgery for cats. As of July 2017 the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), and the American Animal Hospital Administration (AAHA) had all officially agreed – fixing kittens before five months is the recommended best practice.

In the past, many may have recommended waiting until cats were six months or older. However, with all the science and information available today, we know that six months is too late.

Spreading awareness and resources to empower veterinarians to talk with their clients about the best time to spay/neuter is what Feline Fix by Five is all about. By ensuring more kittens are spayed/neutered before five months of age, we can greatly reduce the number of litters being born – and protect the long-term health of the kittens already in our care.

We asked Brett a few questions about his precious kitties. Here’s what he had to say:What are your cats’ names and their ages?

Chai, she’s the mom, and she’s about eight-and-a-half years old. Puff, her daughter, is eight years old. (Puff is the one with the adorable mustache!)

When did you adopt them- from where and were they already spayed?

We adopted them in February 2015 from the Marblehead Animal Shelter in Marblehead, Massachusetts. They were already spayed – which was a huge relief! One less thing for a new adopter to worry about.

Do you know anything about their background? How did the organization get them?

Chai and her kitten were found outside. Puff was the only kitten to survive. The shelter took them in, and named them Purr & Meow.

Were you surprised that they were mother/daughter?

Yes, especially with them being so close in age. I didn’t think that would be possible.

What are your thoughts about getting cats spayed/neutered at six months knowing what you know now?

Definitely recommend! Chai is the perfect example – kittens can (and do!) go into heat and have kittens of their own before they even hit the six months mark. By spaying and neutering earlier, more litters can be prevented and more kittens can live their lives as kittens – without the stresses of mating and pregnancy.

Anything else you can share about their story or about the personalities of the cats?

They make us laugh every day. They have playful personalities, and still act like mother and daughter!

The post Six Months is Too Late – Fix Before Five! appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“The presence of cats is really beneficial to humans and that especially holds true in an urban setting where you have a lot of rats.”

Listen to Episode #494 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep494_Massey_230207.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by TervaPet, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy speaks with Sheila Massey, president and founder of Hard Hat Cats and former guest of the show (CCP Episode 98). Hard Hat Cats, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, places working cats with organizations seeking non-toxic rodent control.

In her discussion with Stacy, Sheila talks all about Hard Hat Cats and the working cats that inspired her to found this organization. These former community cats are rescued from the New York City public animal shelter and placed with organizations that provide food, shelter, healthcare, and TLC in exchange for the cats’ expertise and a poison-free work environment.

Sheila describes how she matches the cats with the right site and touches on the integration process as well. This program, she explains, is a win-win-win for the cats, the employers, and the planet. Hard Hat Cats work in breweries, distilleries, hotels, parks, and gardens and are always seeking new employers.

To learn more about Hard Hat Cats, visit their website or Instagram. You can also connect with Hard Hat Cats by email at hardhatcats@gmail.com.

The post The Purrfect Job for Cats with Sheila Massey, President and Founder of Hard Hat Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I think we need to teach young people more that animals need to be treated with the same respect you treat a person.”

Listen to Episode #493 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep493_Montgomery_230131.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by TervaPet, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

Meet Anne Montgomery, former sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, author, and amateur sports official. Anne currently works as an author and has published several fiction novels in various genres, including historical fiction and mystery/suspense.

In her discussion with Stacy, Anne talks about all things cats, from breeding to veterinary care costs. She talks about her introduction to TNR and touches on some of the issues that arise in its absence. Anne stresses the necessity of effective communication and teaching to enlighten the public on the importance of TNR and animal welfare.

Additionally, Anne discusses her work experience and explains how it has impacted her approach to animal welfare. She strongly encourages all listeners to “give a black cat a chance.” She also discusses her work as an author, as well as the inspiration behind her stories.

To learn more about Anne’s work, visit her website.

The post Teaching, Inspiration, and Black Cats with Anne Montgomery, Author and Former Television Sportscaster and Teacher appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There are so many possibilities for organizations where this money could go.”

Listen to Episode #492 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep492_Williams_230124.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by TervaPet, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy talks with Sally Williams, the founder, and president of Mission Meow and former guest of the show (CCP Episodes 104 and 324). Sally was also the founder and executive director of the now-retired Brodie Fund, an organization that raised money to provide financial assistance to families with pets fighting cancer.

Sally reflects on her time with the Brodie Fund and the difficult decision to close the organization. She celebrates the organization’s accomplishments, which included over 70 grants and over $200,000 distributed, and explains how it inspired her to found Mission Meow.

Mission Meow works to increase the level of charitable donations for small feline-centric nonprofits, including TNR groups, to help create meaningful change for cats in need. Sally describes the specifics of this program, which entails recruiting businesses for quarterly donations and then distributing these funds to a different nonprofit each month. She also explores some of the challenges and aspirations for Mission Meow.

To learn more about Mission Meow, visit their website.

The following organizations/programs were also mentioned during this episode:

Charity Navigator
Community Cats Grants
GuideStar

The post Amplifying Your Fundraising Efforts with Sally Williams, Founder and President of Mission Meow appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Because they’re so territorial, it’s hard to introduce a new cat regardless of where they came from into a new cat household.”

Listen to Episode #491 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep491_DeVoss_230117.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

In this special episode, Stacy chats and co-hosts with Molly DeVoss, a Certified Feline Training and Behavior specialist, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and Fear Free Certified Trainer. Molly is also the founder of Cat Behavior Solutions and host of Cat Talk Radio, where she addresses cat behavioral issues.

In Stacy and Molly’s conversation, they discuss all things cats, including cat behavior, community cats, declawing, TNR and return-to-field programs, and the veterinary shortage. Molly highlights the importance of acclimating “working cats” (or barn cats) to their new environment and the engagement required to keep these cats safe. She also touches on distinguishing and identifying behavioral issues from medical issues that would require veterinary care.

To learn more about Molly’s work or to listen to her podcast, visit Cat Behavior Solutions.

The post Working Cats with Molly DeVoss, Founder of Cat Behavior Solutions appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Stacy LeBaron, Head Cat at Community Cats Podcast

At the Community Cats Podcast this year we are going to focus on giving you (both organizations and individuals) actionable tips and tricks to ensure that you have the tools necessary to help any cats in need in your community. Below are a few ideas that I have. Feel free to check out our Facebook page to add more ideas to the list. What are your ideas?

If you see a cat, don’t immediately bring the cat indoors. Assess, evaluate, and communicate. Check out this episode podcast for some great advice from Corinne Bourgoin at the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center.
Reach out to neighbors to identify and connect to the cat(s).
Establish a safe environment for the cat, including housing and food. See the latest recording here of our Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks webinar, presented by Neighborhood Cats for more recommendations and ideas.
Be proactive. Encourage neighbors/the community to take advantage of low-cost spay/neuter resources. Visit the United Spay Alliance spay/neuter directory here to find resources near you.
Be an advocate with your local veterinarian, and encourage them to support trap, neuter, return (or at least accept feral cats for TNR) and share with them Feline Fix by Five, a campaign to encourage more vets to talk with clients about spaying and neutering kittens before they are five months of age. (This campaign doesn’t change anything in practice, but it can save lives and the unnecessary births of many kittens.)
Fundraise for community cats. We need to think outside of the box to support the community’s cats.
Make sure to have a trapping plan and the proper equipment for when you decide to TNR. Read this blog by Dawn Benefiel of Indy Neighborhood Cats to ensure success with your next trapping event!
Plan a nice recovery space. (Wouldn’t we all like the one that Neighborhood Cats has access to in Maui!) Check out the recording here of the latest Trapper’s Tips and Tricks webinar for more helpful suggestions.
Be collaborative about your spay/neuter strategy in your community. Check out the information on the Community Cat Pyramid here and here. Network with other organizations and individuals to create a pack of folks who want to turn their passion for cats into action.
Be an optimist. Be positive. We can and will do this together!

The post Ten Ways to Care for Community Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I’m hoping by changing people’s perspective on what play looks like and giving them really concrete suggestions on how they can improve their play technique that more cats will get the play they deserve.”

Listen to Episode #490 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep490_Delgado_230110.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

On today’s episode, Stacy talks with Dr. Mikel Delgado, an Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. Dr. Delgado is the co-owner of Feline Minds, a cat behavior consulting group, co-author with Jackson Galaxy of the 2017 book, “Total Cat Mojo” and the author of the forthcoming book “Play with Your Cat!”.

In her conversation with Stacy, Dr. Delgado talks all about cat behavioral issues, which she saw were increasingly prevalent throughout and following the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. She provides some helpful tips on addressing behavioral issues, litter boxes, and more.

Dr. Delgado discusses some of the limitations of her practice, the veterinary shortage, and the importance of having an established relationship with your veterinarian. She also touches on her work with Flabush Cats, a TNR-focused rescue organization based in Brooklyn, New York, and with the San Francisco SPCA. Additionally, she previews her upcoming book, which focuses on the importance of playing with your cat.

To learn more about Dr. Delgado and her work, visit Feline Minds.

If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy Stacy’s conversation with Tabitha Kucera, Chirrups & Chatter Cat Behavior Consulting and Education, in episode 319.

The post Cats at Play with Dr. Mikel Delgado, Co-Owner of Feline Minds appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Shar[ing] our skills and work[ing] in the best way that we individually can with our skills has been really helpful in allowing us to help more animals.”

Listen to Episode #489 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep489_Levin_230103.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobet.com and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy connects with Anne Levin, Executive Director of Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and founder of the Brooklyn Cat Cafe, a non-profit cat cafe that serves as an adoption center and community space working to reduce animal homelessness through education, TNR, and outreach.

In her conversation with Stacy, Anne discusses the current landscape of community cats in New York City. She touches on how the lack of protection for community cats inspired her efforts in the cat welfare field. Anne talks about the origins of the Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and the Brooklyn Cat Cafe. She explains how the cafe setting allows the cats to be situated in a more comfortable compared to adoption events.

Anne explores some of the challenges these organizations and cat care in general encountered during the height of the Covid pandemic. She also stresses the importance of a collaborative effort in addressing animal issues.

Visit the websites of Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and Brooklyn Cat Cafe to learn more about these organizations.

If you enjoyed this interview, you might also enjoy Stacy’s conversation with Darlene Duggan, Director of Operations at Tree House Humane Society, in episode 265.

The post Anger Drives Change with Anne Levin, Executive Director of Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and Founder of the Brooklyn Cat Cafe appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Stacy LeBaron, Head Cat at Community Cats Podcast

Wow, what a year it has been. When asked to share my highlights for the last year, I just didn’t know where to begin. During 2022 many of us returned to work and in-person events. The Community Cats Podcast started offering online education in 2016 and we are committed to continuing to offer online education going forward. Online education is accessible and affordable and that is what we are about. I am also committed to bringing voices forward that you may not see at a national level.

It just amazes me that in 2022 we have had over 6,250 registrations for our events. We have had more than 24,200 downloads of the podcast in 2022! I am so proud of our partnerships with other organizations; the National Kitten Coalition, Neighborhood Cats, and United Spay Alliance have all been incredibly supportive in partnering with us for events.

It is so hard to choose favorites when the speakers and podcast guests are so giving of their time. Reflecting on our events, Online Return to Home Day and Online Diversity Day really stand out to me, as the presentations were fantastic, and featured topics we don’t necessarily cover that often. If you haven’t already, you can purchase access to the recordings for our 2022 Online Return to Home Day here and Online Diversity Day here. (Scholarships for Online Diversity Day are still available! Fill out the form here to apply. You’ll receive complimentary access to all session recordings, speaker slides, and handouts.)

From the podcast side of things, below are just a few of the conversations that stood out during 2022:

Dr. June Long’s 6-minute spay program is music to my ears! If everyone could do a six-minute spay, just think how many more cats we could spay throughout the country! What a fantastic online training program she has.
Community cat trappers are always near and dear to my heart–these folks are the ones truly doing the work and making a difference for cats. Some of these shows profile individuals and some are with organizations, but they are all making a difference:
- Esmeralda Alavarez, TNR Advocate and @TheTNRGirl
- Sterling Davis, aka TrapKing
- Angeline Fahey, Community Cat Program Manager at Humane Society of Southern Arizona
- Bryan Kortis, Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats
Corinne Bourgoin was my WOW! Episode – the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center has a Return to Owner rate over 30% for cats! Can we make this happen across the country?!
The podcast featuring Caleb Curtis and Marilyn Monroad was my favorite “feel good” episode. Their journey around the country by bike, and the conversation around mental health and feline companionship is relevant to many. Caleb’s passion and his relationship with Marilyn is inspiring.

People often ask me if I ever run out of people to interview. Yet, in every interview, I learn something new and have several “a-ha” moments. I want to thank you all for subscribing to the show and for supporting our sponsors.

If you aren’t a subscriber, please click here and hit the subscribe button. Episodes will be automatically saved to your device for easy listening. Plus, you’ll be giving us a boost! The more subscribers we have, the easier it will be for new listeners to find us. The wider our reach, the greater our potential to turn even more folks’ passion for cats into action.

There were a number of relevant blogs this year, sharing important information on topics relevant to community cats and the rescue work we do. Some of my favorites topics have been:

A look at ethical storytelling and maximizing fundraising capacity. Contributed by Caitlin Quinn of HeARTs Speak.
Setting yourself up for success when it comes to large-scale trapping. Contributed by Dawn Benefiel at Indy Neighborhood Cats.
Understanding the important role veterinarians have to play in recommending the right age for spay/neuter in kittens. Contributed by Dr. Philip A Bushby and Esther Mechler of United Spay Alliance and the Feline Fix by Five campaign.
The importance of language and the words we use to talk about our work. Contributed by Danielle Bays at The Humane Society of the United States.

Plus, my own tips to keep your cat from getting pregnant – especially as low-cost spay/neuter appointments have become harder to find.

Thank you to all who let Community Cats Podcast help them turn their passion for cats into action! Have a safe and happy holiday. We’ll see you in the new year!

The post Best of The Community Cats Podcast 2022 appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There were so many ways that this little being helped to bring us closer together, to teach us about love, to teach us about unconditional love.”

Listen to Episode #488 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep488_Richardson_221227.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobet.com and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy chats with Cheryl Richardson, the author of several books and audio programs, including her recent audiobook How to Survive the Loss of a Pet, which helps listeners navigate the journey of grief, acceptance, and renewal after a pet passes.

In her conversation with Stacy, Cheryl discusses the strong bond that we have with our pets and how they can play such major roles in our lives. She describes how her late cat, Poupon, taught her about love and how, towards the end of his life, the most profound act of love was to let him go as gently as possible.

Cheryl discusses her book “How to Survive the Loss of a Pet”, and talks about how her role is that of a grief coach. She emphasizes the importance of giving yourself space to grieve, and explains how each person handles grief differently. She believes it’s critical to respect and honor your own unique way of grieving. Most importantly, Cheryl wants listeners to know that if you’ve lost a pet and are grieving: you are not alone and will get through this.

To learn more about Cheryl and her work, visit her website.

To purchase How to Survive the Loss of a Pet, visit Sounds True, Audible, or Amazon.

The post Honoring Our Best Friends with Cheryl Richardson, Author of How to Survive the Loss of a Pet appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There’s still a disconnect between the grassroots groups (that are primarily doing trap-neuter-return) and the larger shelters (that are involved in return-to-field) and we need to get to a point where those two parts of the system are working together.”

Listen to Episode #487 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep487_Kortis_221219.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by TevraPet and Maddie’s Fund.

On this episode, Stacy chats with Bryan Kortis, Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats, who frequently collaborates with the CCP in running the Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshops.

In his discussion with Stacy, Bryan talks about the rise of the community cat coordinator position in shelters. He provides a preview of the 6th Annual Online Cat Conference, which will take place from January 27th through January 29th, 2023. This conference, Bryan explains, will further explore the community cat coordinator position.

Bryan discusses the increasingly popular return-to-field programs. He describes the differences between these programs and trap-neuter-return programs and discusses the collaborative efforts and interaction between those running the programs.

Bryan also talks about Cat Stats, a TNR program management tool developed and offered by Neighborhood Cats, which allows non-profit organizations to track colonies and caretakers in their service area. He discusses his partnership with Tomahawk Live Trap and the collaborative efforts in developing traps. Additionally, Bryan touches on the DC Cat Count and the upcoming Maui Cat Count.

To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, visit their website.

To learn more about or register for the 6th Annual Online Cat Conference, click here.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy’s interview with Mary Howard, Community Cat Coordinator at McKamey Animal Center, in episode 356.

The post Training Tomorrow’s Trappers with Bryan Kortis, Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Stacy LeBaron, Head Cat at Community Cats Podcast

The Community Cats Podcast has had an incredible year, and I want to thank everyone for joining us and turning your passion for cats into action. I can’t wait to finalize our programs for 2023. Much of our theme this year will be focused on strategy and how we can individually make a difference in the lives of community cats.

With that being said, we are expanding our partnership with Neighborhood Cats and creating a series of free webinars that focus on strategy and how to work with your community to support community cats. Neighborhood Cats is also going to do a special 4-hour session at the Online Cat Conference (click here to sign up) that focuses on the Community Cat Program Manager and what that really means to an organization or group. And we continue our focus on spreading the word about trap, neuter and return, and how to do it safely and efficiently via the monthly TNR Certification Workshops.

Another new addition in 2023 is the Surrender Prevention Certification Workshops, presented by Dr. Rachel Geller of All Cats All the Time. There will be three sessions in 2023, in which attendees will be trained on how to be a surrender prevention specialist. Our first session will be on January 18, 2023, at 7 pm ET. Please click here to sign up and join us.

We continue to offer our ongoing programs of the Online Cat Conference, Online Kitten Conference, United Spay Alliance Conference, Online Behavior Day, and Online Feline Leukemia Day. We want to bring you accessible and affordable educational opportunities so that anyone who wants to help community cats, can. Our Community Cats Pass holders are going to really enjoy all of the information to share!

During 2023, the podcast already has some incredible guests scheduled. In 2022, there were many challenges; spay/neuter appointment shortages, intakes rising at area shelters. Managing intake has become a challenge. Those that run rescues and practice TNR have become the “sandwiched” group, feeling pressure from the public asking for assistance, and push-back from larger organizations who may not have the boots-on-the-ground presence. We try to talk about these sensitive tops during the podcast in an open and productive way. We are on the search for solutions, options, tools, and ways that we can move forward to help more cats.

In 2023, the blog will have more editorial commentary by me and a focus on really working hard to promote the Community Cat Pyramid, the importance of spay/neuter, and the challenges we face. I really think 2023 is the year to go back to basics. We can’t be all things to all people and it is time to ensure we are offering the basic resources that families need to help cats. We need to spend extra time building relationships with our local veterinarians, technicians, animal control, rescuers, animal shelter staff, and citizens. We need to work together in private and public partnerships. I am hoping to find more tools to help address some of the challenges faced by others. In order to do that I will need to reach out to you more often with polls. I will need feedback and communication as I am here to help you-–the readers, the caregivers, n and the folks who are passionate about cats.

Lastly, if you haven’t noticed, the Community Cats Podcast shop has had a major upgrade! We wanted to design merchandise that looked good, but also shared a message. Something that you can wear with pride, but also have it be a bit of a conversation starter, too. Please take a look and share it with others.

So feel free to reach out to me. Take our sentiment survey. Don’t be shy and we will see you in 2023.

The post A Sneak Peek at 2023 appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I would tell people: stay open, learn, [and] keep learning.”

Listen to Episode #486 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep486_Diehl_221213.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by TevraPet and Maddie’s Fund.

On today’s episode, Stacy chats with Dr. Kelly Deihl, the Senior Director of Science and Communication at Morris Animal Foundation and a prior guest of the show (CCP Episode 425).

In her conversation with Stacy, Dr. Deihl discusses the foundation’s Happy Healthy Cat Campaign. She explores the initiatives and research campaigns that the foundation has undertaken, including one that looks at non-surgical spay-neuter options. She also provides a preview of an ongoing study that is looking at the effects of chronic inflammation, and cognitive behavior and health.

Dr. Deihl shares her perspective on the veterinary shortage and how she believes we should address it. She also discusses her podcast through Morris Animal Foundation, where she explores animals scientific and research issues.

To learn more about Morris Animal Foundation, visit their website, Instagram, or Facebook.

Dr. Deihl’s podcast can be found through Morris Animal Foundation here.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy’s interview with Marvin Mackie, DVM, Co-Creator of the Quick Spay Technique, way back in episode 40.

The post Open to the Possibilities with Dr. Kelly Deihl, Senior Director of Science and Communication at Morris Animal Foundation appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I think the best way to rescue the most cats is through TNR.”

Listen to Episode #485 Nowhttps://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep485_Alvarez_221206.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie’s Fund.

Meet Esmeralda Alvarez, a TNR advocate and cat foster who performs TNR on a weekly basis. Her efforts began back in 2015, and she strongly believes that TNR is a social justice issue. In her conversation with Stacy, she discusses the importance of TNR and explains how its performance saves future generations of cats.

Esmerelda also discusses the many difficult choices that trappers encounter, such as deciding whether to return or keep a trapped cat. She encourages trappers to make these decisions based on what is ultimately best for the cat. “I always tell people just listen to what the cat has to say and try to the best of your ability to remove your personal feelings . . . [and] to prioritize them over your feelings.”

Additionally, Esmerelda touches on her participation in the recent film “Crazy Cat Lady”, which is a documentary that focuses on the feral cat crisis in Los Angeles and the dedicated (though often mischaracterized) volunteers who are on the front line.

To learn more about Esmerelda and how to get involved in TNR, visit her Instagram or TikTok.

To learn more about the documentary “Crazy Cat Lady”, visit their website or Instagram.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy’s interview with Tina Traster, an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and documentarian of “Catnip Nation”, in episode 186.

The post Justice, TNR, and Not-So-Crazy Cat Ladies with Esmerelda Alvarez, TNR Advocate appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Sheila Massey, Founder of Hard Hat Cats What do you do when a neighbor says, “I hate cats!” or, “the cats are killing the birds,” or, “just get rid of the cats!” Do you try to convince them to like cats? Do you argue and say the cats […]

The post Dealing with Neighbors Who Don’t Like Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Nothing feels better than helping a pet get back to their family that loves them.” Listen to Episode #484 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Corinne Bourgoin, who serves as the Operations Coordinator at the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center. […]

The post How to Reunite Pets and Owners with Corinne Bourgoin, Operations Coordinator, MSPCA Boston Adoption Center appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Once you get one cat, you can’t stop getting cats. It’s an addiction like none other.” Listen to Episode #483 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie’s Fund. Meet Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes, stand-up comedians and entrepreneurs based in Los Angeles. The pair grew weary of […]

The post Picture Perfect Cats with Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes, Frame Your Feline Founders appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Andrea Dorn, CVT, Vice President of Cat Writers’ Association You may have heard of a disease referred to as FIP. It usually brings up fear in cat owners’ hearts and thoughts of losing their cats. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is the mutated form of a coronavirus. When a […]

The post What I’ve Learned About FIP: Question’s Legacy appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We really believe in collaboration, not just in animal welfare but in human welfare.” Listen to Episode #482 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie’s Fund. On today’s episode, Stacy chats with Marisa Hernandez, one of the co-founders of Ruff Haven, an organization that helps people encountering […]

The post Help When Animal-Loving Humans Have It Ruff with Marisa Hernandez, Director of Operations & Co-Founder Ruff Haven appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I’d prefer to have cats in my yard instead of vegetables but other people might, justifiably, feel differently and that’s perfectly fine…” Listen to Episode #481 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. *A Quick Note from the Production Team – There is […]

The post Part 2 of Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director of Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Dr. Rachel Geller, Certified Cat Behavior & Retention Specialist As summer turns to fall and then winter, we humans can throw on a sweater or a blanket to stay warm. We may wear layers to save money if we have drafty windows or we don’t want to put […]

The post Keeping a Cat Safe and Warm Inside appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“It starts off as you’re their feeder but overtime they form a special relationship with you…” Listen to Episode #480 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. This is a special audio presentation of our free webinar Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks presented […]

The post Part 1 of Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director of Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“And, so I wrote a book that is for all of those people out there who just want to be who they are.” Listen to Episode #479 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy talks with Winter Miller, an […]

The post Letting Gato Be Gato with Winter Miller, Author of Not a Cat appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Allison Hunter-Frederick, Cat Behavior Consultant, Trainer, & Educator at Allison Helps Cats If you foster cats, you may be asked to socialize feral kittens. My husband and I first faced this challenge in 2020. I’ve also worked with fearful cats of all ages at our local shelter for […]

The post Feral to Friendly: Tips for Socializing Shy Kittens and Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“They are love engendering machines. They are love giving machines of an unconditional nature. That’s all they want to do, is love you.” Listen to Episode #478 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Janice Cobb, the […]

The post One Less Thing To Worry About with Janice Cobb, Founder of ZInzie Pie appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“How do we give tools to organizations so that they have revenue coming in on a regular basis?” Listen to Episode #477B Now This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Doobert.com’s Chris Roy returns to the show to share some of […]

The post Special Episode! Forward-Thinking Fundraising with Chris Roy, Doobert Forward – Better than Amazon Smile For Fundraising appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We do, in those two worlds, share some goals. We can recognize that there might be suspicion or assumptions or disagreements about how well TNR works to manage populations but by working together, those two worlds can certainly make it better.” – John Boone Listen to Episode #477 Now […]

The post Contraception for Cats with Valerie Benka and John Boone from Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Catinlin Quinn, Director of Operations at HeARTs Speak Has anyone outside of the field of animal welfare ever said to you, “I could never do what you do, I care about animals too much.” That sentiment seems to reflect the frequent assumption that our work is primarily about […]

The post 9 Steps to Ethical Storytelling appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I always tell everyone, ‘Even if you don’t like animals, you can still help. If you don’t have what it takes, you can still help.’” Listen to Episode #476 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Melody […]

The post Thinking Vertically with Melody Kwan of MeloCat appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Fear free is all about educating people to understand their cat’s emotional needs, which are deep and complex.” Listen to Episode #475 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy speaks with Mikkel Becker, a certified trainer and behavior consultant, […]

The post Reducing Cats’ Distress with Mikkel Becker, Leader Trainer for Fear Free Pets and Fear Free Happy Homes appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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This week, we are taking a look at past blog posts that will give you all the tips and information you need to refresh and ready your cat colonies for winter weather: Prepare for Winter and Prep Community Cat Shelters (2016) Time to Think About Winterizing Feral Cat Shelters (2017) […]

The post How to Winterize Those Feral Cat Shelters appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Keep following your dreams. Keep following your heart. Keep going to where you’re led to go because it’s a life worth living when you’re following your heart.” Listen to Episode #474 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Dr. Pussum’s Cat Nip, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. After dropping out […]

The post Pedaling and Paws with Caleb Curtis and Marilyn Monroad, Founder(s) of Calico Cycles appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“It’s very important to try to be diplomatic and to try to understand their point of view. . . . You have to be understanding.” Listen to Episode #473 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Dr. Pussum’s Cat Nip, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats […]

The post Romance, Suspense, and Trapping with Angela Campbell, Best-Selling Author, The Psychic Detective appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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This is a blog post that I honestly thought I would never write, but here we are. We are living through an unprecedented period where I am frequently hearing statements like: In terms of access to affordable spay/neuter resources in a timely manner, we are set back 20 years! Families […]

The post Six Tips on How to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Pregnant! appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Let’s ensure that we’re starting the conversation from that place of all of the things we have in common and real compassion and understanding for why community members might be confused around these issues.” Listen to Episode #472 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s […]

The post Community Communication with Caitlin Quinn, Director of Operations at HeARTs Speak appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“[Pets] are empathy machines, and they can sense how we’re doing without us having to say anything. Often our pets will know how we’re doing before we do, and they’ll connect in that way.” Listen to Episode #471 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s […]

The post Emotional Support Animals with Daniel Maigler, LCSW, Mental Health Advisor for Paws for Patrick appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Dawn Benefiel, Executive Director of Indy Neighborhood Cats When a colony exceeds 20 cats, setting up your project can be a challenge. We know that in order to make a dent in a large unaltered colony, we need over 90% of the cats to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear […]

The post Mass Trapping Success: Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I think it’s great to bring that lens of diversity and inclusion to anything you’re working on.” Listen to Episode #470 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Stacy speaks with Emily Miethner, who is the co-founder of Travel Cat, which produces products used […]

The post Pack Up Your Cat and Travel with Emily Miethner, Co-founder Travel Cat appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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So if you’re doing something where they’re feeling engaged with that fun, I think it’s a better experience for people to bond with a cat.” Listen to Episode #469 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Mario Abore returns to the […]

The post Habitats for Cats with Mario Arbore, Founder and Owner of Square Paws appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Aaron Smith When people travel often and want a pet to keep them company, they usually turn to a canine companion. But dogs need a lot of attention and can’t be left alone for long periods. Cats, on the other hand, can be quite independent when they are […]

The post How to Make Your Cat a Better Traveling Companion appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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On trapping in tight locations…“We put a spotter up on the slope who could watch the whole thing and give us a signal when to drop the traps.” Listen to Episode #468 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. This week, The Community Cats Podcast […]

The post Part 2 – A Drop Trap Master Class with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Because they (cats) are less afraid of drop traps, you don’t need them to be as hungry to trap them… ” Listen to Episode #467 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. This week, The Community Cats Podcast is excited to bring you a special […]

The post A Drop Trap Master Class with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Cristin Bates Have you ever come across stray kittens outside and wondered what you should do? You might be surprised to learn that leaving them where they are is oftentimes the most helpful thing you can do. From birth to eight weeks, mother cats provide their kittens with […]

The post What To Do If You Find Kittens appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“It’s important that we learn to work together or learn not to work against one another.” Listen to Episode #466 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, “Trap King” Sterling Davis returns to the show to share some of the projects […]

The post Same Team with Sterling Davis, Atlanta’s “Trap King” appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I think it all comes from being compassionate and coming to them from a place of empathy [and] understanding.” [on dealing with community members] Listen to Episode #465 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Stacy speaks with Angéline Fahey, who is the Community […]

The post Together We Trap with Angéline Fahey, Community Cat Program Manager at Humane Society of Southern Arizona appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Devon Smith, Executive Director, League for Animal Welfare, and panelist for Real World FeLV Success during Online Feline Leukemia Day, this Saturday, July 16, 2022 Want more FeLV content? Register for Online Feline Leukemia Day on July 16. You’ll hear from Devon and so many others who are […]

The post A Shift in Sheltering? FeLV Vaccines and Adoption appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We’re trying . . . [to] demonstrate that this can be done, done effectively with great results, and . . . exemplify this to every town, because my ultimate belief is that there should be TNR in every town.” Listen to Episode #464 Now This episode is sponsored in […]

The post Just Give TNR a Try with Joe Federico, Co-Founder & Director of Stray Paws Animal Haven appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“These techniques are successful because they focus on what’s essential in the procedure . . . and [this] allows the surgeon to work more effortlessly and therefore more efficiently.” Listen to Episode #463 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Stacy chats with […]

The post Pump Up the Volume with Dr. June Long, Happy Pets Housecall appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Rachel Geller, Ed.D. Certified Cat Behavior and Retention Specialist Cats find fireworks, with their loud noises and bright lights, stressful. Fireworks loudly go off at irregular intervals, and your cat has no way of knowing when the next loud bang will happen or how long the noise will […]

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“Really my big thing in TNR is education and awareness; I want as many people to know about TNR as possible so that they can help save the cats.” Listen to Episode #462 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Stacy chats with Cameron […]

The post Strategy and Collaboration with Cameron Greig, Community Cat Coordinator for the Humane Society of Huron Valley appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Just to make people aware: pet insurance is a very helpful tool; veterinary financing is a very helpful tool. When they’re combined, it creates a unique situation where they really piggyback and help each other.” Listen to Episode #461 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and […]

The post Handling Costly Surprises with Edwin Plotts, Director of Marketing at Pawlicy Advisor appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by Valerie Benka, Director of Programs at Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACC&D) Computers, specifically computer modeling, can save the lives of free-roaming cats (FRCs). Despite the increasing popularity of TNR, there are still limited real-world data on what makes a TNR project most successful in terms […]

The post Computers Are Good For More Than Cat Memes appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I think we probably overthink it sometimes. And sometimes it’s just a matter of trying different things to see what the cat seems to prefer or what eliminates the behavior that we’re trying to eliminate.” Listen to Episode #460 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and […]

The post Stress in Pets with Kristen Levine, Nationally Acclaimed Pet Expert and Influencer appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“This is for when you’re really desperate to get the tomcat.” Listen to Episode #459 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Drawing from over 20 years of experience working with feral cats, the folks at Neighborhood Cats have gathered together their favorite ways […]

The post Special Episode! Trappers’ Tips & Tricks Part 2 with Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Contributed by: The National Kitten Coalition Get your kitten-fix during the Online Kitten Conference, June 10-12! Proudly presented in partnership with The National Kitten Coalition. Learn more and register here. For all of you in animal welfare, especially those caring for kittens, THANK YOU! Despite the seemingly never-ending line of […]

The post You’ve Come a Long Way, Kitten! appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“What about the ones where you do all the basics – you do the feeding pattern, you withhold the food, you use the good traps, and all that – but they just won’t go in?” Listen to Episode #458 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and […]

The post Special Episode! Trappers’ Tips & Tricks Part 1 with Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“The good thing about spay/neuter is one cat fixed: thousands saved. So you get one done, you can feel really good that night about what you’ve done. You don’t have to have these big huge numbers to make a difference in your community, in your neighborhood.” Listen to Episode #457 […]

The post A Small Organization Making a Big Impact with Linda Chitwood, Volunteer Director, Homeless Animals Relief Project appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Written by Philip A. Bushby, DVM, MS, DACVS | Previously published on March 3, 2022, by DVM360.com Foreword & Afterword by Esther Mechler, President, and Founder of Marian’s Dream and United Spay Alliance Foreword For decades, shelters were overrun by enormous numbers of unplanned, unwanted litters of kittens. The phenomenon even […]

The post Feline Sterilization at 5 Months Accepted as New Normal appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“So I think it’s really important when you start something that you really feel part of it and you have the feeling that you really want to talk about it all of the time.” Listen to Episode #456 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and Maddie’s […]

The post When Pets Fly with Marta Negro, Founder of Help the Dog Fly appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There’s so much noise in the world that really holds us back from doing our best work. We should just be kind to each other and work together.” Listen to Episode #455 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Dr. Sara Pizano returns to […]

The post Doing Our Best Work for Animals with Dr. Sara Pizano, DVM appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Last month, Community Cats Podcast’s own Technical Tabby, Kristen, packed up her car and made her way from Massachusetts to Florida, bound for the 2022 HSUS Animal Care Expo. Here’s what she had to say about her experience: After two years of virtual gatherings, it was refreshing to see the […]

The post CCP Goes to HSUS Animal Care Expo appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“There’s a person behind every animal and we’re trying to translate that person’s care and concern for the animal into action.” Listen to Episode #454 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Joe Elmore has served as the President and CEO of Charleston Animal […]

The post Supporting Animals and Their People with Joe Elmore, Charleston Animal Society appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“They have cats for companionship to give them company because they’re so isolated. There are so many stigmas attached to people who are homeless.” Listen to Episode #453 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Telecom Consultants, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie’s Fund. Stacy chats with Dr. Jon Geller, […]

The post Taking Care of Both Ends of the Leash with Jon Geller, The Street Dog Coalition appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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By Rachel Geller, Ed.D. Certified Cat Behavior & Retention Specialist Earth Day is April 22, so let’s look at ways we can celebrate by going green with your cat! First of all, recycle everything that you can. If you feed your cat canned food, buy the biggest cans. It’s more […]

The post Ideas for Celebrating Earth Day with your Cat appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“If people know what you’re doing, they will come out of the woodwork. If the commitment’s there and you really want to do it, it’s definitely possible.” Listen to Episode #452 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Telecom Consultants, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie’s Fund. Stacy speaks with […]

The post Extra Credit with Carla Betlem, Instructor and Senior Staff Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology & Founder of the Student Club Caring Hearts for RIT Cats appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“By being able to document [TNR] with photo and video . . . you can get those conversations started and start educating people why TNR is great, why it’s so helpful for everybody.” Listen to Episode #451 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, […]

The post Documenting the TNR Experience with Photographer Erica Danger appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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By Allison Hunter-Frederick, Cat Behavior Consultant, Trainer, & Educator at Allison Helps Cats Like what you’re reading? Catch Allison’s interview with Stacy on Episode #427 of the podcast here. Survey responses are needed! If you’ve ever experienced non-recognition aggression as discussed in this blog post, Allison would like to […]

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“It’s important for TNR groups who trap cats to realize the same “feral” behavior you see in [true] ferals, may be a sign of a scared cat and not necessarily a feral cat.” Listen to Episode #450 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, […]

The post Lost and Found Pets with Kat Albrecht-Thiessen, Pet Detective and Founder/Director of The Missing Animal Response Network appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We’ve advanced so much in terms of understanding cat behavior but yet, we still have so far to go. We need more days like this.” Listen to Episode #449 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy interviews […]

The post Discussing Feline Behavior with the CCP Behavior Day Dream Team appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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By: Tabitha Kucera RVT, CCBC, KPA-CTP, Owner of Chirrups & Chatter

Like what you’re reading? Hear her speak! Join us for Tabitha’s session during Online Behavior Day on April 9. Learn more and register here.

Cats going to the bathroom outside of their litter boxes is a common complaint among owners. Contrary to popular opinion, cats do not do this to punish or spite their housemates. Instead, house-soiling is often due to a medical problem or fear, anxiety, and stress.

In many cases, a cat’s litter box is not set up properly, which can lead to them not using it. One litter box does not fit all as there are preferences for cats. There are four basic things to consider when setting up a litter box to help prevent accidents and create positive associations with their box. Here, learn how to ensure you have the best home environment possible for your cat’s needs.

Choosing a Litter Box Size does matter when it comes to litter boxes-bigger is always better. Even the so-called “large” litter boxes sold in pet supply stores are too small for most cats. When choosing a box, your cat should be able to comfortably turn around in the box and, ideally, the box should be at least 1.5 times the length of the cat from nose to the base of the tail. Under the bed storage containers, 30-gallon storage containers, and cement mixing tubs are a few appropriately sized alternatives to their small commercial counterparts.

When choosing boxes for small kittens, declawed, or senior cats, it’s recommended to use low-sided boxes, or purchasing a storage container and cutting a low entry so that the cat can easily walk in and avoid lifting their legs high or jumping in, which can be painful.

The majority of cats are not fond of covered boxes for a variety of reasons. These boxes are often too small, and they trap odors and dust inside, which is very unpleasant for the cats. Cats are both prey and predator animals. Due to them being prey animals, asking them to go in a covered box where, from a cat’s perspective, they cannot see possible predators and are made to feel exposed to threats is not ideal. A clear litter box can be helpful to make cats feel safer.

Based on research, cats prefer soft, unscented, and clumping litters. Cats have a strong sense of smell (about 14 times stronger than humans), which is why scented litter can be very unpleasant to most cats.

This is also a good reason to avoid using litter deodorizers or air fresheners near the litter box. Odor should not be a problem if you are keeping the litter box clean. Cats also have a natural instinct to bury their waste in order to avoid attracting predators and will look for a soft, loose substrate that’s easy to dig into. It’s recommended to stick with what cats prefer and if your cat prefers a specific litter, try not to change it.

Where to Place the Litter Box (and How Many to Purchase) The golden rule for the number of litter boxes in a house is one box per cat plus one. Remember, three boxes right next to each other are considered one box from a cat’s perspective. Location of litter boxes is key in preventing litter box aversions and accidents. Do not place litter boxes in the same area as your cat’s food and water. You would not want to eat where you use the restroom and neither does your cat.

Cats prefer to use their boxes in quiet and private places. When placing litter boxes, avoid high traffic areas and locations where a cat could be cornered or unable to flee (for example, if the box is in a closet where another cat or dog can block the exit). Frequently, people place litter boxes in the laundry room, but these areas are not ideal. Washers, dryers, and furnaces are all loud appliances that turn on randomly-if a furnace kicks on when the cat is in a box, this can scare them and cause them to associate the litter box with a negative situation. Ideally, to prevent issues and encourage cats to use litter boxes, there should be a box on each floor. It’s recommended that you avoid placing the boxes in busy areas or where a cat could be trapped by another cat, a dog, or other people in the house.

If your cat begins to not use the box, reach out to your veterinarian to address medical issues and certified behavior professionals for help.

The post Four Ways to Set Your Cat Up for Litter Box Success appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Seeing the way that people make this [TNR] their priority, make doing something good for their community a priority, was really inspiring.”

Listen to Episode #448 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep448_Howe_220321.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie’s Fund.

Stacy speaks to Jonathan Howe, who is a public defender in Bronx County Family Court and has declared his candidacy for Congress in New York’s 14th Congressional District. Jonathan and his wife were trained and certified in TNR during the COVID lockdown and now manage a small colony in Astoria, Queens. The couple shares their home with two of their own cats, Clara and Art Bell, and have helped two other kittens from the colony find new homes.

Jonathan recounts his story of never having had a cat of his own but first seeing a lot of hungry outdoor cats at a friend’s house about eight years ago. Fast forward to the COVID lockdown and Jonathan noticed the outdoor cats in his neighborhood and realized he needed to take responsibility for them. His early efforts at trapping were somewhat unsuccessful but he eventually trapped and fostered his first kitten. He got tips and advice from Neighborhood Cats and Astoria Cat Rescue on how to manage the colony, feeding, and trapping and attempted to get the colony cats spayed and neutered, even though some vet clinics were not open during COVID. Jonathan and Stacy briefly discuss the shortage of vet appointments and the decision that was made to determine that some vet clinics were considered non-essential services during the COVID shutdown.

With the help of a court clerk Jonathan happened to speak to in a virtual meeting, he was able to get some colony cats fixed at an open clinic in Westchester, NY, and then pursued TNR certification. Jonathan encourages anyone interested in this work to get certified first before trying to learn the hard way. He tells Stacy, “Anyone who heard about what we were doing was eager to help”, including members of the community who dropped off supplies to feed and house the colony cats.

Jonathan would like to see support for TNR at the Federal level and believes local government can also help by “giving vouchers for spay/neuter to local vets.” He thinks that anything that can be done on a legislative front to “make it clear that this [TNR] is a policy that works and is a policy that works to address a problem that we as humans have caused” will help to show that managing outdoor cats can be done in a humane way.

Managing the colony and connecting with his neighbors through his work has made him feel “part of the community” and at the end of the process, he knew everyone in the neighborhood. He is currently fundraising for his campaign and is hoping, for every one hundred dollars he raises, to be able to put out one winter cat shelter he purchased from a company in Long Island, for the colony to use in the winter months ahead.

Listener Links:

Jonathan’s campaign website www.howe2022.com
Neighborhood Cats www.neighborhoodcats.org
Astoria Cat Rescue www.astoriacatrescue.com
To sign up to attend the Community Cats Podcast TNR certification, go to www.communitycatspodcast.com and click on Virtual Education

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Stacy’s earlier interview with animal rights lawyer, Camille Labchuck. | Episode 346.

The post Fixing Programs and Cats with Jonathan Howe, Public Defender and New York’s 14th Congressional District Candidate appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“When people use negative words, we need to help correct them. People might speak ill of cats because they don’t understand them.”

Listen to Episode #447 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep447_Hotchner_220315.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie’s Fund.

Stacy talks to Tracie Hotchner, author, podcaster, animal wellness advocate and founder of The Radio Pet Lady Network, a network of informative radio programs, co-hosted by Tracie with top veterinarians and other pet experts. Tracie is also the founder and director of the annual NY Cat Film Festival and NY Dog Film Festival, which feature short cat-centric and dog-centric films. Premiering in New York City every year, the festivals then travel across the country, partnering with local animal welfare groups in every location that receives a portion of every ticket. Tracie lives in Vermont with her two rescue dogs and enjoys playing tennis.

The discussion partially focuses on the results of a recent British research study, which surveyed pet owners to rate their cats’ level of psychopathy as defined by human psychological standards. Tracie explains how using certain words and labels can contribute to viewing cats in a negative way. Tracie agrees with Stacy that standard field terminology (such as TNR) and messaging in the animal welfare community needs to be consistent and simple to make it accessible and easily understood by a wider audience. She believes in “elevating the status of cats” since society’s view of community cats as the cause of problems like the decimation of birds and wildlife and even cartoon depictions of cats as “clever and slightly villainous” has led to negative stereotypes of cats. Tracie ponders whether that is partly based on the ability of community cats to thrive and survive outdoors.

Notes:

To learn more about Tracie Hotchner, find links and information about her podcasts, and sign up for her newsletter, visit www.radiopetlady.com
To learn more about the Cat Film Festival www.catfilmfestival.com
Connect with Tracie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/traciehotchner or
Twitter @traciehotchner
Film – “Kedi” (documentary about Istanbul’s street cats and the community that cares for them)
Research study on cat psychopathy published in Journal of Research in Personality, Volume 95, December 2021 (A domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) model of triarchic psychopathy factors: Development and initial validation of the CAT-Tri+ questionnaire)
Tracie’s books are “The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know” “The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know”

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Stacy’s earlier interview with Tracy. | Episode 184.

The post Cat Cinema and Speech with Tracie Hotchner, Author, Animal Wellness Advocate, and Founder of The Radio Pet Lady Network appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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By Rachel Geller, Ed.D. Certified Cat Behavior and Retention Specialist

Like what you’re reading? Hear her speak! Join us for Dr. Geller’s session during Online Behavior Day on April 9. Learn more and register here.

If you live in an apartment, small home, or other shared space, you already know that cats are good apartment pets. They’re quiet and they don’t have to be walked or taken outdoors to go to the bathroom. This also means that their litter box is now a part of your home. And when you live in a small apartment, it can be difficult to find a place to keep your cat’s litter box hidden away from your own living space or areas where you entertain guests. So, where do you put a litter box in a small apartment so it’s out of sight yet accessible for your cat?

Sometimes small apartments have funny-shaped nooks and spaces that aren’t really useful. If you can hang a curtain in front of those spaces, it can be the perfect spot for a litter box. You can buy a tension rod along with a curtain, so you won’t be risking your damage deposit. The curtain hides the litter box but ensures your cat will never be locked out of the space. You can also place the curtain in such a way so that it doesn’t go all the way up the sides of the walls or all the way to the bottom of the floor in order to provide your cat with a visual field. Do you have a corner that could be a litter box location? You could purchase a corner closet rod and place it in a corner and hang a curtain from it. Before buying, measure your litter box and how much room you will have behind the curtain to be sure the litter box will fit.

Another idea is to place a litter box between two bookshelves. Place the bookshelves a few feet apart and use a tension rod to hang a curtain between them. If the bookshelves aren’t wide, place them a foot or two away from the wall. This will add extra depth to the litter box, and give your cat a backway entrance to her litter box. If you don’t mind having the litter box in the main living space of your apartment, or perhaps you have a studio, you can place the litter box in the main living space with some minor adjustments. Consider making or buying a simple room divider and placing the litter box behind it.

Room dividers and portable partitions come in countless configurations and sizes to instantly create the litter box space you need. Room dividers and partitions can instantly transform a space into a litter box area by carving out a small or separate area from the open space. Using a paneled mirror as a room divider is a clever idea. It’s practical for getting ready in the mornings and mirrors also help create an illusion of a larger space. If you want to separate a part of your room for a litter box area for your cat, but also create the image of a larger space, a mirror may be the way to go! An easy and simple way of separating a part of a room for a litter box is with a folding screen. Not only are these types of room dividers cheap, but they come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. You will be sure to find one that is perfect for your apartment.

Maybe you and your cat can share a bathroom? If there’s room for the litter box on either side of the toilet, this is a great place for it. This works best for traditional open litter boxes since the litter boxes with covers take up more space. If space is really tight but you like the bathroom idea, try the Litter Genie Cat Litter Box. It’s a thin, narrow box and it even flexes to help fit into tight spaces: www.chewy.com/litter-genie-cat-litter-box/dp/185252

Should you place a cat litter box in your bedroom? Your bedroom is a good location for a cat litter box since it’s usually a quiet place. Plus your cat can smell a familiar scent – your scent. However, you will have to decide if smelling the after-hours deposits in the litter box while trying to get a good night’s sleep is something you are OK with. If you decide to keep the cat litter box in your bedroom, an open door is critical. Your cat will need 24/7 accessibility. You should also consider a cat’s litter box habits such as burying and scratching noises after elimination. Most cats bury their waste as an instinctive trait. They do this to avoid being detected by predators. Depending on if you are a deep or light sleeper, think about whether you will be able to sleep through the night when your cat is burying his waste and scratching the sides of the litter box at 3:00 in the morning.

It really doesn’t matter how big or small your apartment is. As long as your cat feels safe and comfortable and the box is kept clean, he will use the litter box.

The post Litter Box Locations for Apartments and Small Spaces appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“It’s really about expanding the amount of resources that we can give to these caretakers, to these volunteers that day in and day out go out to the field to help these cats.”

Listen to Episode #446 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep446_Sancheze_220308.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy speaks with Amy Davila Sanchez, Marketing Manager for strategic initiatives for Best Friends Animal Society. Raised in a family that loves cats and dogs, Amy has grown up with a special connection to animals, especially with cats. Her passion for animals started at a young age when she was in Puerto Rico. She currently has two rescue dogs and two rescue cats and loves to travel, cook and hike in her downtime.

In her day to day at Best Friends Animal Society, Amy works with her team to provide resources and education for shelters and rescue organizations. Across the country, she helps provide these solutions and education materials. Amy and her team develop toolkits, courses, and resources to help individual people provide life-saving solutions for cats and dogs within their own lives. Best Friends also hosts adoption and foster locations across the country to better assist on the ground.

When it comes to the greatest challenges facing community cat caretakers, Amy says, “Everybody is overwhelmed. There are a lot of cats out there, there are limited resources and there is still some misinformation or not a clear understanding from community members.” While some states within the country openly provide solutions and resources for community cats, other states are more challenging for community cats.

Amy tells us more about the community cats’ situation in Texas, California, and North Carolina, and how there is limited to no access to veterinary care and spay/neuter services. Best Friends is focused on these three states to identify communities that specifically need help and support them with marketing and educational materials. The goal is to inspire communities to want to take action themselves. If you’re a small grassroots organization helping community cats, you’ll want to tune in as Amy shares advice on how to support your local community and access resources from Best Friends Animal Society!

Notes:

To learn more about Best Friends Animal Society and their work across the country, visit their website here.
You can also learn more about community cats and ways you can take action by visiting their Community Cats page here.
If you’re a rescue organization looking to partner with Best Friends Animal Society and access the network partner program, visit their website.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Stacy’s interview with Karen Anderson, Animal Communicator, Afterlife Expert, and Coach | Episode 291.

The post Fill Your Toolkit with Amy Davila Sanchez, Marketing Manager for Strategic Initiatives at Best Friends Animal Society appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“It’s really important for us to be aware of our energy. Because the imbalance that we’re currently experiencing as a collective is now translating into our cats.”

Listen to Episode #445 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep445_Evans_220301.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie’s Fund.

Jessica Evans is a certified cat communicator and founder of Feline Ascension, which offers on-demand energy healing for cats and their owners. Jessica has been a cat lover all of her life and now dedicates her life to helping kitties be welcomed into homes with open arms and not be returned to a shelter due to behavior issues.

It began with her first cat Dora and for Jessica, it was love at first sight. Ever since then, she’s always had cats in her life. Her childhood dream was to talk to cats and now she does! She discovered energy healing while she struggled with her own health issues in 2018. She learned how to communicate with her own body through energy healing and eventually became a certified healing practitioner. Over the past few years, clients started coming to her and asking for help with their felines. Now, she’s dedicated to working with clients to help them live the best life possible.

Her mission as a cat communicator is to help shift unhealthy energies, reduce stressors that might be triggering negative behavior, give cats a way to communicate their boundaries, and translate messages from cats to their owners. Jessica and Stacy talk more about energy healing overall and discuss the meaning and impact of reiki, emotion code, and body code to help us uncover the best versions of ourselves. Jessica also teaches classes on cat communication to help cat owners and advocates develop a stronger connection to the cats they’re working with.

Notes:

To learn more about Jessica Evans and Feline Ascension, visit her website here!
You can also connect with Jessica on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to learn more about her work.
For more info on courses, live events, and additional support for you and your amazing felines, visit her cat-alog here!

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Stacy’s interview with Karen Anderson, Animal Communicator, Afterlife Expert, and Coach | Episode 291.

The post Talking to Cats with Jessica Evans, Cat Communicator and Founder of Feline Ascension appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Written by Esther Mechler, President & Founder of United Spay Alliance

Interested in hearing the latest about Staff Burnout? The impact of Covid-19 on spay/neuter clinics, or the need for collaboration in dealing with the backlog? How to run small-scale spay/neuter wet labs to train more vets in your area? Ways to make a mobile spay clinic far more efficient? Or do you want to hear about a fully equipped spay clinic on wheels that is rented out to effective nonprofits in spay/neuter deserts, for just one dollar a month?

Fido Fixers finds qualified partners who agree to provide at least 200 spay and neuter surgeries a month, working four days a week with a dedicated vet. They lease the mobile clinic, directly from Fido Fixers, after signing a one-year agreement for $1 per month. Fido Fixers covers vehicle insurance, repairs, property taxes, and DMV costs directly related to the mobile clinic. If a partner can no longer fulfill its commitment, Fido Fixers will re-locate the mobile clinic to another qualified organization.

You can hear about all this and far more at the United Spay Alliance Online Conference this weekend – February 25 to February 27. Sign up here!

One major focus of this year’s conference is the ongoing veterinary shortage, a reality that has impacted so many of us in this line of work. We hear of too many clinics and programs complaining of this very problem. Cheri Storms, executive director of Pet Friendly Services and the Indiana state leader for United Spay Alliance, has been holding meetings and gathering data on this very topic, and recently forwarded this letter of interest to us: AVMA Is Urged to Address Veterinarian Shortage – Today’s Veterinary Business. Leaders in the field of companion animal food and health care joined forces to ask the AVMA to address this very issue. Possibly spay/neuter clinics and programs would want to join the chorus.

Cheri’s panel presentation on Sunday (February 27) will feature creative workarounds and solutions to increase spay/neuter capacity. Cheri runs a statewide (population 6.7 million) spay/neuter subsidy voucher program. Drs. Bob Weedon and Tess Peavy will speak about training vets in the latest techniques of high-quality, high-volume spays. Other speakers on the veterinary shortage include Ruth Steinberger, who will discuss sustainability, and Joeseph Henson who will share his thoughts on increasing profit without increasing prices.

We will also hear updates from our friends around the globe! We will touch base with groups in Europe, Mexico and Central America, Japan, and India – what is happening in some of the countries may surprise and delight you! Their true stories are inspirational to us, seeing what is being done with very little money.

There will also be sessions on running a large spay/neuter clinic efficiently, fundraising for nonprofit clinics, and launching a digital marketing campaign. Also on our list is the introduction to three of our newest state leaders – South Carolina, Ohio, and Wyoming. Each year we will introduce several of our newest leaders. As an example of the talent we have been finding we offer this wonderful video produced by Spay Wyoming: Spay/Neuter Wyoming | Animal Adoption Center | Jackson, Wyoming It captures the heart of our work – thank you Carrie, and well done!

The overall theme of the conference is public health for pets (and strays) – meaning that the way to a brighter future for all companion animals, and their best hope for a good outcome, is for their numbers to be reduced. This movement has been slowed down by several factors over the past ten years including the denial that a surplus exists, and a pandemic resulting in economic pressures, supply chain issues, and increased homelessness and poverty.

It is up to us to join forces to make spay-neuter a priority again in the animal welfare landscape and to work around the shortages of veterinarians and staff to bolster our capacity. We welcome you to join us! Come to the conference and encourage others to sign up. There is no better way to find out what is happening and to help make things better!

Esther has assisted with the start-up of hundreds of affordable spay and neuter programs and clinics, both fixed-site and mobile throughout the United States. Thanks to the SPAY/USA model and willingness to share and empower other groups, similar programs have started in other countries as well.

For her work, Esther Mechler won the prestigious Geraldine R. Dodge Award for Humane Ethics in Action in 1995, Outstanding Women of Connecticut in 2003, and the Bates College Alumni Community Service Award in 2014.

The post Staff Burnout, a Mobile Clinic for Rent, and The Veterinary Shortage appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“We have learned so much about how to enrich our cats’ lives. Whether that means diet, nutrition, supplementation. But even more so, the environmental things that they need like vertical space.”

Listen to Episode #444 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep444_Kennedy_220222.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

In this episode, Stacy speaks with Jae Kennedy and Adrienne Lefebvre of Two Crazy Cat Ladies, an all-natural feline product line designed to help kitties live longer and healthier lives. In addition to their products, they also host a blog and podcast called “Back In The Closet,” to help bring cat parents together and raise awareness for the health and well-being of all kitties. They also host regular Facebook and Instagram lives, connecting with cat parents and sharing helpful tips.

Jae and Adrienne always thought they were dog people. That all changed when cats started coming to them and they found themselves enthralled in the care of the kitties in their lives. In 2015, they realized how much they didn’t know about nutrition when one of their cats went through a heartbreaking situation with feline leukemia. They searched for more answers and solutions but couldn’t find much information.

They ended up building their own community to support cat parents and address cats’ specific needs. Oftentimes, it feels like we live in a dog-dominated world and there are negative stereotypes associated with being a cat parent. Jae and Adrienne are changing this and inspiring cat lovers to fully embrace their love for cats. They tell us more about how they started their business, what they learned along the way and how they use social media to build this supportive community. “Cats really are some of our best teachers. We’ve all had that special cat in our life that helps us be a better human and helps us better take care of the cats that come into our lives.”

Notes:

To learn more about Jane Kennedy & Adrienne Lefebvre of Two Crazy Cat Ladies, visit her website!
You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to follow their latest tips
For their Back In The Closet podcast, learn more and tune in here!

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Stacy’s interview with Bridget Bowhay, Director of Content and Social Media for Cuddly | Episode 394.

The post Building a Community with Two Crazy Cat Ladies, Jae Kennedy & Adrienne Lefebvre appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“I wanted to focus on keeping not just cats happy but owners happy with their cats and reducing owner surrender and things like euthanasia due to problem behaviors.”

Listen to Episode #443 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep443_Kelsey_220215.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

Meet Molly Kelsey, a former vet nurse who worked with in-patient care and clinic administration, and now runs The Cat Counsellor as a feline behavior consultant, offering 1-on-1 support for cats and their owners. She’s based in New Zealand where it’s tough being a community cat. TNR practices are more restrictive and led by only grassroots volunteer-run organizations. In addition, there is public scrutiny regarding TNR due to ongoing concerns for local wildlife.

In this episode, Molly tells us more about the community cat situation in New Zealand and shares more about how she started The Cat Counsellor as a way to advocate for and empower people to become more effective cat companions.

She also shares important tips on how to understand and find solutions for common problem behaviors that might be happening at home. Molly tells us more about house soiling, litter box issues, and aggression to other pets and people in the home. Here’s one tip that Molly shared with us: “If you’re playing with a laser toy, finish the laser beam on a tangible item. A physical toy they can touch or a treat, and this prevents frustration from not getting anything from the chase.”

Notes:

To learn more about Molly Kelsey and The Cat Counsellor, visit her website here.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with her feline behavior tips and 1-on-1 sessions.
To book a session with Molly, visit her booking link here!

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Stacy’s interview with Suzy Langer (President Bifford) | Episode 423.

The post Feline Behavior with New Zealand’s The Cat Counsellor, Molly Kelsey appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Written by Cristin Bates, Edited by Brianna Lovell Myers

As a loving pet parent, you want your cat to have the best life possible. Spaying (a female cat) and neutering (a male cat) are procedures that prevent them from reproducing. Spay/neuter provides many benefits and makes life better for you and your cat.

Understandably, you may have questions and want to learn more before scheduling your cat’s spay/neuter.

Here are ten of the most common myths about spaying and neutering your cat:

Myth #1: Spaying and neutering is expensive. Many organizations and shelters offer low-cost spay/neuter services. United Spay Alliance has put together a comprehensive state-by-state, county-by-county referral list to help you locate affordable spay/neuter services in your area. The organization routinely reviews, audits, and updates this information to provide the most accurate referral directory around.

Myth #2: My cat’s personality will change. Spaying or neutering will not change your cat’s personality, but it will reduce unwanted behaviors.

An unspayed female cat goes into heat for six days (on average) every three weeks during the breeding season, which lasts from January to late fall in the Northern Hemisphere.

When a female cat is in heat, she makes yowling sounds, repeatedly rubs against you or objects, and may mark areas by spraying urine. If there are unneutered outdoor male cats in your neighborhood, they may start hanging around your house, spraying urine on it, and even try getting into your house.

Unneutered male cats are also prone to fighting with other cats and roaming, which can expose them to dangers like traffic.

Myth #3: Spaying or neutering will cause my cat to become overweight. Spaying or neutering does not cause your cat to gain weight or develop a saggy belly. The most common reasons for weight gain are overfeeding and lack of exercise.

All felines have saggy bellies (called primordial pouches), even big cats like tigers! The primordial pouch serves important functions like protecting a cat’s stomach during fights with other cats, allowing them to store more food in their stomachs, and enabling them to fully extend their back legs.

Myth #4: It’s painful and unsafe. While you might be nervous about your pet having surgery, it can help to know that spay and neuter surgeries are the most common procedures that vets perform. Your cat will be under general anesthesia and will be treated with medication to reduce pain. You can typically bring your cat home the same day of surgery, and you can help their healing process by keeping them as quiet as possible for a few days after surgery to allow time for their incision to heal.

Myth #5: It does not provide health benefits. Spaying and neutering is very beneficial to your cat’s health. It decreases their chances of developing some kinds of cancers and will help them live longer.

A study by Banfield Pet Hospital found that spayed female cats live 39% longer and neutered male cats live 62% longer than cats who aren’t spayed or neutered.

According to the ASPCA, spaying your female cat helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors. By neutering your male cat, you protect him from testicular cancer and some prostate issues.

Myth #6: It’s unnecessary because my cat won’t be around other cats. Even if you keep your cat indoors, it could still escape. Cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered have a biological drive to reproduce and will try to get outside to find mates. When cats roam outside, they can be injured in fights with other cats or they may be hit by cars.

Myth #7: My cat is too young or too old. Did you know that cats can become pregnant when they’re just 4 months old? To prevent that, it’s helpful to know that kittens can be spayed or neutered as soon as they are two pounds, which is generally around eight weeks old.

There are notable advantages to having your kitten spayed or neutered at an early age. That is why Feline Fix by Five, a program of Marian’s Dream and United Spay Alliance, is working hard to educate pet parents and veterinarians, advocating for cats to be spayed and neutered by five months of age. Spaying and neutering your cat before five months provides the best health and behavioral benefits. Female cats will get the strongest protection against uterine infections and breast tumors. Male cats won’t begin getting into fights. And it will prevent both male and female cats from starting to mark their territory by spraying urine. Learn more and find a list of participating veterinarians at FelineFixbyFive.org.

If your adult cat has not been spayed/neutered yet, it’s not too late! According to Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, if a vet examination and blood work results show that a cat is healthy enough to have anesthesia, then they can be spayed/neutered.

Myth #8: It’s unnecessary because my cat is male. Since your male cat cannot become pregnant, you may think that it’s not as important to have him neutered. But when your male cat is unneutered, he is more prone to fighting with other cats, urine marking, and roaming. Neutering will prevent those behaviors, and protect your cat from testicular cancer and some prostate issues.

Myth #9: Female cats should come into heat or have a litter before being spayed. There are no benefits to allowing a cat to come into heat before being spayed. A cat could become pregnant the first time that she comes into heat and mates.

Having a litter of kittens will not make your cat more affectionate, and you’ll have the responsibility of trying to find a home for her litter of kittens.

Myth #10: Pet overpopulation is not an issue in my community. Animal shelters are full of beautiful, loving cats and kittens waiting for forever homes. Unfortunately, many never find that perfect match, and about 530,000 cats are euthanized in shelters each year. You can help end this cycle by spaying and neutering your kittens and cats!

Cristin Bates works in higher education fundraising and believes deeply in the transformative power of education. Outside of work, she is passionate about animal welfare and has volunteered with organizations on Trap-Neuter-Return efforts to improve cats’ lives.

The post 10 Myths & Facts About Spaying & Neutering Your Cat appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“The door is always open to work together.”

Listen to Episode #442 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep442_Kortis_220207.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

In part two of the Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program webinar Bryan Kortis explores what fears people have prior to starting a return-to-field and targeting program and some of the studies and statistics that will put those fears to rest. Bryan also touches on how to discuss RTF programs with public officials and how to find common ground with bird enthusiasts and environmentalists so RTF can be used to effectively and humanely control the free-roaming cat population. Bryan also answers questions from attendees moderated by Stacy.

Session Presenters:

Susan Richmond Executive Director, Neighborhood Cats
Bryan Kortis National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats

Notes:

View the video

Download the handouts

Learn more about Neighborhoodcats.org. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and view more of their content on Vimeo. Be sure to follow the Community Cats Podcast on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The post Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond, Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program, Part 2 appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“…are you going to serve the majority who likes the cats there, or at least the majority that’s suggested by the data that we have, or are you going to throw in your lot with the others?”

Listen to Episode #441 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep441_Kortis_220201.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

In part one of the Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program webinar Bryan Kortis explores what return-to-field and targeting are and how we can use them to save lives and reduce the number of cats living on our streets. Learn about these progressive approaches, the policies behind them, and the mechanics of how they work. Plus find out how return-to-field and targeted TNR can be combined to achieve dramatic, sustainable reductions in both euthanasia and intake at open admission shelters.

Session Presenters:

Susan Richmond Executive Director, Neighborhood Cats
Bryan Kortis National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats

Notes:

View the video

Download the handouts

Learn more about Neighborhoodcats.org. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and view more of their content on Vimeo. Be sure to follow the Community Cats Podcast on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The post Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond, Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program, Part 1 appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Guest post by Danielle Bays, Senior Analyst for Cat Protection and Policy at the Humane Society of the United States

World events over the past two years have rippled into animal welfare in many ways: pandemic pets and virtual adoptions, shortages of veterinarians and canned cat food, a focus on community-centered sheltering, and an examination of the lack of diversity in our field. A racial reckoning swept the country along with some changes in vocabulary. I didn’t think this would impact the language we use about cats until someone shone a spotlight on the word colony.

Admittedly, I was skeptical at first. There is a lot of complex history with colonization, and certain groups of people taking over distant lands inhabited by others. But what does this have to do with a group of cats? Is calling the gathering of tabbies in my backyard an offense to the BIPOC community? The term colony is commonly used in biological sciences to describe groups of the same species that live together, like bees and bacteria. Where is the harm?

I don’t know the answers to all those questions, but the more I thought about the word colony, the more I think it, colony may be a word we want to leave in the past.

There is a faction of conservationists who classify domestic cats as invasive species, including many government wildlife agencies. Invasive species are characterized as non-native invaders that easily adapt and flourish in the new environment, to the detriment of native flora and fauna. Invasive species is clearly a negative term, and the definition is akin to that of colony.

Considering invasive species policies and regulations are often focused on eradication and these agencies regularly take steps to curtail TNVR efforts and ban the feeding of community cats on public land, we might want to pay a bit more attention to using the word colony.

When we refer to colonies of community cats, are we inadvertently supporting this perspective of cats as invaders?

I always cringe when I hear a reference to “establishing” colonies. I’ve seen this used by both conservationists and in media articles about community cat programs. In most cases, the cats just went through a TNVR program, or someone started managed feeding of a group of cats who were already congregating at a site. “Establish” makes it sound like the cats were brought in, imported, like a colony. And just like invasive species language, one may be left with the impression that these cats don’t belong here.

Best Friends Animal Society recently held some focus groups to gain some insight into how the public perceives community cats. The term colony was flagged, though some respondents had a more sci-fi take on the word. Colony conjured up images of cats populating other planets and a future of life on Mars or whatever planet is most feline-friendly. When we talk to people in our communities about cat colonies, we may not be talking the same language.

It’s hard to change the words we use. When I write, I can review and edit my word choices. Yet when speaking, my mental muscle memory still says colony and finds other terms awkward. Clowder? Kindle? Maybe we are overthinking all of this. They are cats and they live in groups.

Use of words like colony and feral is part of an ongoing conversation about how our portrayal of cats may unintentionally hamper our efforts to help them. I hope you will join me along the way and share your perspective.

Danielle Bays is a frequent speaker and award-winning author. As the Senior Analyst for Cat Protection and Policy at the Humane Society of the United States, Danielle works with animal shelters, cat advocates, policymakers, and other stakeholders to broaden support for community cats nationwide.

We’re looking forward to Danielle’s session during the Online Cat Conference! She will be hosting Catpurrdy, a Jeopardy-like game of current affairs and the latest news from the world of cats. If you haven’t already, register for the Online Cat Conference here. Then join the fun on Saturday, January 29 at 3 p.m.

Danielle is also a longtime friend of the podcast! Catch up on her episodes here: Episode #261; Episode #293; Episode #347; Episode 400

The post The Language We Use Matters More Than You Think appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“For anything – as far as animals are related – to be completely sustainable, it has to happen in the community, it has to happen the community.”

Listen to Episode #440 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep440_Bricker_220125.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

Mike Bricker has spent years in animal welfare improving live outcome percentages, innovating new programming, rewriting policies, and modernizing medical operations as director of operations at Camden County Animal Shelter. He then transitioned to Best Friends Animal Society as the Director of Operations of the Shelter Embed program and used his time to connect with communities and listen to the people he worked with.

Stacy and Mike dive into what makes CARE, as Mike describes, “Unlike almost anything else in Animal Welfare.” He outlines the current divisions of CARE and talks about how CARE Centers, Research and Development, Narrative, and The CARE Circle work together to progress their mission.

Mike discusses the importance of narrative and visibility as a core of what CARE does to highlight Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) doing the unrecognized animal welfare work in their communities.

This visibility also has an impact on the future of BIPOC in the veterinary profession and animal welfare world. He relates, “Once they see themselves in the movement they find it way easier to jump into that movement.”

Mike and Stacy talk about the sustainability of animal transport, creating an organization that reflects the population they serve, and how communities/changemakers can find and work with CARE.

Notes:

During his interview, Mike mentions these organizations:

Little Earth United Tribes
Braveheart Animal Rescue
Jodie Blackwell Fund to develop scholarships/support for Black Veterinarians.
TrapKing Humane

To learn more about CARE, visit them online or follow them on Facebook,and Instagram. Stay up-to-date with their programs and projects by becoming a member of the CARE Circle. To join, text CIRCLE to 52886.

The post Michael Bricker, Chief Strategy Officer of Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity™ (CARE) appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“When people are facing these major illnesses…they are unable to get the support they need to care for their pet and they’re not ready to rehome them either…they count on that comfort.”

Listen to Episode #439 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep439_Means_220118.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

Turning her perspective around on being a single pet caretaker inspired Beverly Means to think about what kinds of help she would want if she could no longer care for her pets due to terminal illness or an end-of-life event. After looking for options in her community, Beverly saw the need for supportive services around this common problem, and Transitions Pet Care was created.

Offering services from estate planning to rehoming options, and even supportive pet care in Decatur, GA, Transitions Pet Care is a 501(c)3 foster-based rescue. TPC serves a population of elderly, health-compromised, or terminally ill people and their pets.

Stacy and Beverly discuss estate planning with our animal companions in mind. Beverly outlines options from a formal and legally-binding Pet Trust to an informal written plan including care details, veterinary info, and the pet’s own preferences. She emphasizes the importance of planning for animal companions, especially with multiple pets or even a colony of community cats on your property.

“It doesn’t take that long to have the conversation, to write it down, and to share it with the person who may be managing that,” she advises.

As a trained social worker Beverly is uniquely prepared for navigating the emotional hardships that come with this work and she believes in preparing volunteers of the program for the loss and grief that comes with helping the population they serve.

“At the end of the day, it’s about helping people take care of their pets in a way that helps them keep their pets and keep that pet healthy.”

Learn more about Transitions Pet Care by visiting them online, or by following them on Instagram.

The post Beverly Means, LMSW, Founder and Executive Director of Transitions Pet Care appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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An elderly woman who regularly feeds 8 cats.

A disabled resident with dozens of cats on their property.

An abandoned warehouse, known as a site for abandonment, with more than 40 cats.

Suburban homes. Urban apartment buildings. Mobile home parks. Crowded commercial areas.

They are stories we all know so well. One cat becomes two cats, becomes six cats. Kind neighbors start feeding cats, but soon become overwhelmed. Compassionate citizens want to help, but lack the means to safely trap, transport, or pay for the cats’ veterinary care.

There are so many cats that need our help–so many people unsure of where to turn or what to do. That’s why we created the Community Cats Podcast Grants Program. To help more organizations do more for cats and the people who care for them. And that’s just what the organizations in Group 12 were able to do.

Photo by Indy Neighborhood Cats

Group 12 of the Community Cats Grants Program consisted of eleven different groups from all around the country. From Arizona to New York, Virginia to Alabama, each group embraced the challenge and committed themselves to the process of fundraising in order to first qualify for the matching grant. They then used that money to help the cats and people in their community who needed it most.

Jins Bottle Babies in Phoenix, Arizona managed to TNR a total of 72 cats from seven different colonies. The grant increased their TNR capacity for the year by 46% and provided some much-needed support for the caregivers in their network.

Fix West Texas in Midland, Texas covered the cost of TNR for 40 community cats from residents who could not afford services otherwise.

Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) of New Mexico in Los Lunas, New Mexico used the grant as an opportunity to assist a disabled individual who had 36 cats on their property. Thanks to the grant, they were able to coordinate targeted trapping efforts to trap all 36 cats over two clinic days. In the end, 8 kittens were pulled for socialization and adoption, while 28 cats were spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and returned to live in their outdoor home.

Photo by Indy Neighborhood Cats

Indy Neighborhood Cats in Indianapolis, Indiana was able to kick off a targeted trapping project for a mobile home park with 68 cats on site. They worked closely with management and residents to train trapping volunteers and identify long-term caregivers. They even built permanent feeding stations and shelters for the cats. The project was a success, and they are hoping to expand the model to all 40 mobile home parks in Indianapolis.

Collectively, Group 12 raised over $20,914. Using those funds, and the matching grants they received, they were able to provide spay/neuter services for over 564 community cats.

Since its beginning in 2017, the Community Cats Grants Program has worked with 174 organizations to supercharge their fundraising and provide over $165,000 in matching grant funds. Through the program, more than 9,000 community cats have been spayed/neutered.

Congratulations to all grantees in Group 12: Central Virginia Regional Rescue

Fix West Texas

Happy Paws

Homeless Animal Rescue Team of New Mexico

Indy Neighborhood Cats

Jins Bottle Babies Johnson County Community Cats

Lewisburg Animal Shelter Volunteers

Salem’s Community Cats

Smith County Humane

Whiskers TNR of Warren County Photo by Indy Neighborhood Cats

The Community Cats Grants Program is open to all grassroots nonprofit organizations who can commit to organizing a brand new fundraiser for their organization, with a goal of raising at least $1,000 in order to receive a matching grant of $1,000 from Community Cats Podcast. Learn more about the grants program and apply online.

Apply now! Applications for Group 15 are due by February 28, 2022. Organizations selected for the grants program will be notified by March 25, 2022.

Starting in 2022, the Community Cats Grants Program will have two grant cycles per year. Applications for the spring/summer cycle are due by February 28. Applications for the fall/winter cycle are due by July 31.

Questions? Start by watching our short webinar here (scroll to the very bottom of the page). More questions? Email us at grants@communitycatspodcast.com.

The post A Community Cats Grants Program Update: Group 12 Saved the Day appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Now there’s a lot more thought put into what the animal’s experience is.”

Listen to Episode #438 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep438_Richter_220111.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

This week, Stacy checks in with the very accomplished Dr. Gray Richter. Dr. Richter is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and certified veterinary chiropractor. In 2007 and 2008, Dr. Richter and his Montclair Veterinary Hospital team received awards from the community, including Best Veterinarian in the East Bay from Oakland Magazine, East Bay Express, and KRON 4 TV. Dr. Richter’s professional interests are in emergency, general practice, alternative care medicine, and wildlife rescue. He is also the California Veterinary Medical Association’s Alameda county representative regarding animal disaster planning. Dr. Richter is now an international bestselling author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide.

They discuss the shift in veterinary medicine away from treating cats as small dogs, and what might have prompted this enlightenment, including the Fear Free movement, more owner engagement, and the advantages it has for both veterinarian and patient. Dr. Richter also touches on the ongoing staffing shortages many veterinary clinics are experiencing and how important veterinary technicians are within the industry.

The conversation continues with a discussion about how western and alternative medicine can be integrated for remarkable outcomes and he even offers valuable tips on feline nutrition. Dr. Richter tells Stacy about the importance of diet for outdoor community cats and gives some details about supplements he’s created to help enhance the traditional diets we feed cats. As the conversation comes to a close, Dr. Richter shares his thoughts about end-of-life care for animals.

If you’d like more information about Dr. Richter’s supplements, you may visit ultimatepetnutrition.com and his book, The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, is available on Amazon. (It includes 50 recipes for dog and cat food you can make at home!) To learn more about integrated care, check out petvetexpert.com.

The post Blending Holistic and Traditional Veterinary Care for Cats with Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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“Until the average person understands the implications of putting a cat outside —whether it is owned or not — and how there can be this huge ripple effect, we’re not going to get anywhere.”

Listen to Episode #437 Now https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cc-podcasts/CommunityCatsPodcast_Ep437_Hancox_220103.mp3

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund.

Stacy connects with documentary Filmmaker Aaron Hancox to discuss how he came to find inspiration from his early documentary Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit that lead him to his latest documentary, Running Wild: The Cats of Cornwall. Aaron confides that he initially expected the plight of cats in Cornwall to be a unique occurrence. Through his filmmaking, he has since learned that it is a story playing out in rural and underfunded communities all around the world.

Aaron discusses the film’s main characters as they try to reduce the number of un-owned cats in Cornwall. He relates that telling their story looked like a David v. Goliath fight, but yielded insight into possible solutions to community needs in Cornwall and beyond. Much of the progress made was impacted by COVID-19 and the constant need for accessible spay and neuter.

Aaron touches on municipal support, academic support, and private citizen support as being factors in the lives of community cats, as well as the importance of resources and financial support for education and community buy-in.

“Sometimes it might feel like you are chasing your own tail when you are doing this kind of work, and I hope that is a wake-up call to people who don’t understand this world.”

Watch Running Wild: The Cats of Cornwall now on iTunes, Prime Video, Google Play, Microsoft Xbox, VUDU, YouTube, and other VOD platforms. Follow Running Wild: The Cats of Cornwall on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Notes:

Visit Tiny but Mighty Cat Rescue in Cornwall, to connect with Mellissa Alepins
Visit Cattrap to connect with Mary Jane Proulx
Learn more about Markum Street Films

The post Aaron Hancox, Documentary Filmmaker of Running Wild: the Cats of Cornwall appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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Happy New Year! Well, almost. I hope everyone has been able to take some time off to just rest and breathe a bit. As many of you know, I begin thinking about goals for the next year in early November. It is never too late to set goals. Back in 2017, I wrote a nice piece about goal setting that I went back to in order to refresh my mind on this process. I have read so many “how to” articles that the goal can feel a bit overwhelming. I have continued to use my goals worksheet and I hope you will too.

When I went back and checked it out, I thought the article was pretty good–so here is a new and improved version of the article I wrote back then.

We all strive for a better and more effective year ahead. In every non-profit that I have worked with, I have always encouraged the importance of reflection and goal setting each year. If I had to share the main takeaway it would be to be realistic with your goals and aggressively purge as much from your “to do” closet as possible.

May the New Year bring you a new start, new energy, and new focus.

Goal Setting for 2022 What is a goal? They are new achievements. Things you have done before would be classified as maintenance items. For example, if an organization sterilized 200 cats in 2021, it wouldn’t be a goal to say that the organization will spay/neuter 200 cats in 2022. That is maintenance, which should be a given. Certainly, it should be documented and celebrated. But instead, to say that organization will double the number of cats sterilized from the year before (meaning 400 cats)? Now THAT is a goal that involves change and stretching of the organization.

Other types of goals could be to:

develop an orientation program and recruitment program for board members (assuming you don’t have one)
train 5 new members of the community on how to do TNR and encourage them to become certified.
create a fundraising plan
try a unique adoption program technique (event or foster home ambassadors)
draft a communications plan
provide one in-service program for staff/volunteers during the year
write one more grant application this year
do one more fundraising event
set up a catstat.org account and track your colonies
send one or two employees to a conference and have them present to your supporters

Think outside of the box and share these ideas with your staff and board of directors. You shouldn’t be afraid of growth. If your organization doesn’t grow and change as the environment changes, you will find that you will lose the support of your volunteers and donors. Most importantly, continue trying new ideas. You will be able to discover more ways to help the many community cats in your community that desperately need your help and support by never giving up.

Finally, during January, I want to ask everyone to take the time to fill in my newly updated Goals Worksheet that I use every year. You will find it helpful personally, as well as professionally and you can adjust it to make it the most useful to you. Feel free to download the sheet now!

Feel free to share your goals in our Facebook Group or Our Online Cat Conference Community!

The post It’s never too late to set goals. Here’s to 2022! appeared first on The Community Cats Podcast.

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