"No cat should be euthanized because it tests positive for a virus—period." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , Reduce Surrenders with Feline Behavior Support Certification Workshop , and The Community Cat Clinic . Feline leukemia (FeLV) has long been one of the most misunderstood—and often feared—diagnoses in the cat world. In this eye-opening episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes feline leukemia advocate and expert Ma...
Mar 24, 2026•36 min•Ep. 657
"You can't possibly trap every cat. So we teach the community how to do it themselves — and give them the tools to fully sterilize entire colonies." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , The Feline Behavior Summit , and The Community Cat Clinic . What happens when a community stops trapping two cats at a time — and starts thinking in entire neighborhoods? In this episode, Stacy LeBaron sits down with Chelsea Winter, Community Cat Program Manager at S...
Mar 17, 2026•29 min•Ep. 656
"The goal is really to do the maximum good. Not bring in kittens who don't need to be there today, but make sure we have a plan for the future … and importantly that we have a plan to return and sterilize everyone…" his episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , The Trapper's Tips & Tricks Workshop , and The Community Cat Clinic . What if the key to saving more kittens isn't working harder — but working smarter? In this powerful return to the show, Kitten ...
Mar 10, 2026•32 min•Ep. 655
"The board should govern, and the executive director should lead the day-to-day operations. When those lines blur, that's when things get messy." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , The Trapper's Tips & Tricks Workshop , and The Community Cat Clinic . Strong missions save lives but strong governance sustains them. In this essential episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Tim Crum, CEO and founder of Animal Shelter Ser...
Mar 03, 2026•44 min•Ep. 654
"Small to mid-size organizations can accomplish a tremendous amount of impact when they work together, shoulder to shoulder in joyful service." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , The Trapper's Tips & Tricks Certification Workshop , and The Community Cat Clinic . In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Dr. Cheryl McCormick, CEO of the Athens Area Humane Society, for an energetic and inspiring conversatio...
Feb 24, 2026•38 min•Ep. 653
"I just thought—why can't we know what care costs before we walk through the door? That's what FairVet is here to solve." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , The Underfoot Podcast , and The Community Cat Clinic . When a pet emergency nearly cost him both his beloved dog and thousands of dollars, Pietro Kabeya decided enough was enough. In this compelling episode, Stacy LeBaron chats with Pietro, the founder of Farevet, an app designed to bring pric...
Feb 17, 2026•28 min•Ep. 652
"The future is feline. Let's keep understanding our cats." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , The Underfoot Podcast , and The Community Cat Clinic . In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, Stacy LeBaron sits down with Dr. Angie Krause, a holistic small-animal veterinarian from Boulder, Colorado, and her veterinary nurse, JoJo Smith. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of feline veterinary care, community cat welfare, and the pow...
Feb 10, 2026•37 min•Ep. 651
"The cat was telling me—I was just the one writing it down." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , and The Underfoot Podcast . What if there were a scientifically validated system to help shy, fearful, or traumatized cats become adoptable and happy? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Director of Behavior at the Toronto Humane Society, sits down with host Stacy LeBaron to share her groundbreaking w...
Feb 03, 2026•41 min•Ep. 650
"No matter what's going on out there, there's always hope." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , and The Underfoot Podcast . What happens to cats deemed unadoptable due to behavioral challenges? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Mary Scott, Director of the ASAP Working Cats Program in Santa Barbara, California. With over 17 years of animal welfare experience, Mary sheds light on the complex and often mis...
Jan 27, 2026•28 min•Ep. 649
"The ultimate goal is to make cat welfare and population management so normal, so embedded in our communities, that it's simply what a community does." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Animal Rights Foundation , and The Underfoot Podcast . In this insightful follow-up to episode 605, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back global animal welfare strategist Harry Eckman, who shares groundbreaking findings from an ambitious five-country research initiative on cat population management. ...
Jan 20, 2026•35 min•Ep. 648
"It's not what we think they need—it's about what they actually need. And sometimes, that's just food and space to be left alone." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast . In this inspiring episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes longtime animal welfare advocate Carrie Weber to discuss her three-decade journey championing the needs of cats and how one tiny idea could solve a massive problem. Carrie's passion for animals stems from ...
Jan 13, 2026•25 min•Ep. 646
"One person can definitely make a difference. Don't be afraid to be the first voice—sometimes the biggest cases start with one person speaking up." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast . In this powerful and enlightening episode, Stacy LeBaron sits down with attorney Joyce Glass, a passionate and pioneering voice in animal welfare law. From her start as a bankruptcy attorney to becoming a tireless advocate for animals, Joyce shares the deeply personal jour...
Jan 06, 2026•30 min•Ep. 646
"Helping that one cat is incredibly valuable... but it also represents a new behavior, a new calling, as to how we are addressing cats in our community." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast . As 2025 draws to a close, host Stacy LeBaron takes the mic solo to share heartfelt reflections, bold vision, and a rallying cry for cat advocates everywhere. In this special year-end episode, Stacy unveils Community Cats Central, a transformative evolution of the Com...
Dec 30, 2025•34 min•Ep. 645
"Taking that first step is going to change your life—but it's also going to change the lives of so many animals." – Alex Ricard This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast . In this globally-minded episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Adelle Louise and Alex Ricard—two trailblazing young leaders reshaping the future of TNR. As founders of the Saaving the Streets podcast and grassroots nonprofits spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americ...
Dec 23, 2025•31 min•Ep. 644
"Knowing where the cats are is only half the battle—knowing how to reach the people who care for them is what makes targeting truly work." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In Part 2 of this dynamic webinar, Brian Kortis of Neighborhood Cats returns to guide us through the nuts and bolts of implementing a targeted TNR program. If Part 1 was the "why," this episode is the "how." Learn how to identify where to focus your resources using data such as shelter intake, complaint cal...
Dec 16, 2025•35 min•Ep. 643
"You don't need to fix all the cats to make a difference—you just need to fix the right ones, in the right places, at the right time." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In Part 1 of this two-part webinar, Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, breaks down the power of targeted TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and why it's essential for managing community cat populations effectively. Hosted in partnership with the Community Cats Podcast, this episode dives deep...
Dec 09, 2025•52 min•Ep. 642
"We are dedicated to making sure the kittens that we take in are the last kittens born in that colony." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . What do neonate kittens, a chance wedding conversation, and a global mission to stop kitten overpopulation have in common? Jackie Noble. In this lively episode, Stacy LeBaron welcomes Jackie Noble, Executive Director of the Orphan Kitten Club, to dish on all things kitten rescue, and the bold vision to end the cycle once and for all. With a ...
Dec 02, 2025•33 min•Ep. 641
"The goal is simple. Do what's best for this individual cat—not what's easiest for us." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In Part 2 of the Return to Field training, Bryan Kortis walks us through the practical side of RTF implementation—how to assess which cats qualify, how to safely house and return them, and what to do when friendly cats enter the system. With an emphasis on individualized outcomes, this session covers the real-world nuance of returning cats to their original...
Nov 25, 2025•41 min•Ep. 640
"Euthanasia is a dead-end policy. We've tried it for decades and the cats are still here." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In Part 1 of this informative workshop replay, Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond of Neighborhood Cats dive into the effective approach of Return to Field (RTF), reshaping how shelters manage community cats. As a key evolution of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), RTF empowers shelters to sterilize, vaccinate, and return healthy, unowned cats to their territories ra...
Nov 18, 2025•33 min•Ep. 639
"One of the worst things is to have a passion to do something, but no idea how or where to start. That's where we come in—we're a resource. You're not floating out there alone." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Courtney Protz-Sanders, founder of Paws for Life Rescue and board member of the Michigan Pet Alliance, shares her journey from individual rescuer to statewide advocate for animal welfare. In this episode, Courtney and host Stacy LeBaron dive into how collaboration, leg...
Nov 11, 2025•27 min•Ep. 638
"If they won't go hungry, feed them into the trap. We don't just wait—we adapt." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In Part 2 of our Drop Trap Workshop, we move beyond the basics into the advanced strategies and inventive solutions that make drop trapping even more powerful. Brian Cordes returns to unpack real-world tactics for high-stakes trapping scenarios—from uneven terrain and stubborn caretakers to high-volume colony projects and post-disaster recovery. This episode showc...
Nov 04, 2025•38 min•Ep. 637
"It's better to miss than to mistime the drop—because once they learn it's a trap, they won't come back." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this first installment of our Drop Trap Workshop, we're diving deep into the fundamentals of drop trapping—a powerful and underutilized tool in the TNR world. Join Community Cats Podcast Tech Tabby Kristen Petrie and expert guest Bryan Kortis, National Program Director of Neighborhood Cats, as he walks you through the mechanics, mindset...
Oct 28, 2025•37 min•Ep. 636
"Imagine if you told New Yorkers, 'Well, you want someone to take your trash away from your block? Oh, you're gonna have to find a volunteer to do that.' That's exactly what's happening here. But with animal care." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Stacy LeBaron talks with Allie Taylor, founder and president of Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), an organization she started in 2016 to bring political voice for animals throughout New York State. Allie is a volunteer TNR rescuer in...
Oct 21, 2025•23 min•Ep. 635
"Our goal here is really to work from the bottom up and help change the mentality, help the groups to negotiate better fundings with the municipality. We are only here for a limited time, right? So we wanna make sure that we are building a lasting, sustainable system." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and The Community Cat Clinic . Stacy LeBaron talks with Isabel (Isa) Borst, Communications, Engagement and Education Lead for Animal Action Greece's groundbreaking community cat c...
Oct 14, 2025•31 min•Ep. 634
"I think just the nature of having a shelter that's supportive and animal control has really expedited this as a success…And I think that made a big difference in the city." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Stacy LeBaron talks with Vanessa Forney, founder and president of Bay Area Cats, an organization in Sunnyvale, California focused on spay neuter for pets and trap neuter return. Since stumbling upon a kitten in her neighborhood in 2020, Vanessa has personally trapped over ...
Oct 07, 2025•34 min•Ep. 633
"We are a unique charity, very innovative in this space. What you're really doing is you're inviting people to touch your mission. The number one reason anyone gives to any charity or any cause is to fulfill something within themselves, within their own heart." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this financial innovation episode, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Adam Spencer, founder of Furlanthropy, the first charity-owned and operated crowdfunding platform exclusively for an...
Sep 30, 2025•24 min•Ep. 632
"What we do in Mexico is my dream for Minnesota. We provide free spay neuter to both owned and street animals every single week." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and The Community Cat Clinic . In this international perspective episode, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Maia Rumpho, founder of Pet Project Rescue, who turned a chance encounter with a street dog in Mexico into a binational animal welfare organization. Maia's journey began in 2007 during an engagement trip to Mexico,...
Sep 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 631
"A cat that is well socialized is highly adoptable. A cat that is not well socialized sits in the shelter. It's an important part of your fostering responsibility to get them ready to live outside. Before it was just saving their lives. But now we know better." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and The Community Cat Clinic . In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Marnie Russ, founder of National Kitten College, for an update on her innovative approach to neonatal kitt...
Sep 16, 2025•27 min•Ep. 630
"We want to turn cat haters into cat toleraters, and that has worked so well. Even the people who say 'I hate cats.' Okay, that's fine if you hate cats. But don't wish them dead. We're gonna work to keep them out of your yard." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats . In this inspiring episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Joy Smith, founder of FieldHaven Feline Center in Lincoln, California, who shares her remarkable journey from accidentally rescuing a few cats...
Sep 09, 2025•39 min•Ep. 629
"A community cat program does not just help cats. You think you're going in there to help cats and you turn out really having more impact on the people in that community." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats . In this insightful episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Elizabeth Finch, an impact-driven leader who has been transforming community cat programming since 2015. Elizabeth's journey from launching a robust community cat program serving over 4,000 ca...
Sep 02, 2025•31 min
