The Community Cats Podcast

Discussing Cat Behavior with the CCP Behavior Day Dream Team

"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." This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network , Buzz to the Rescues , and Maddie's Fund . In this episode, Stacy interviews her "Dream Team" of cat behavior experts, who are presenting at the 2022 Community Cats Podcast Online Behavior Day, which takes place on April 09, 2022. The panel features Pam Johnson-Bennett, certified cat behavior consultant and author; ...

Fixing Programs and Cats with Jonathan Howe, Public Defender and New York's 14th Congressional District Candidate

"Seeing the way that people make this [TNR] their priority, make doing something good for their community a priority, was really inspiring." 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 m...

Cat Cinema and Speech with Tracie Hotchner, Author, Animal Wellness Advocate, and Founder of The Radio Pet Lady Network

"When people use negative words, we need to help correct them. People might speak ill of cats because they don't understand them." 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 ...

Fill Your Toolkit with Amy Davila Sanchez, Marketing Manager for Strategic Initiatives at Best Friends Animal Society

"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." 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 anima...

Talking to Cats with Jessica Evans, Cat Communicator and Founder of Feline Ascension

"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." 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 we...

Building a Community with Two Crazy Cat Ladies, Jae Kennedy & Adrienne Lefebvre

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network , Doobert.com and Maddie's Fund . In this episode, Stacy speaks with Jane 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...

Feline Behavior with New Zealand's The Cat Counsellor, Molly Kelsey

"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." 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...

Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond, Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program, Part 2

"The door is always open to work together." 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 wit...

Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond, Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program, Part 1

Michael Bricker, Chief Strategy Officer of Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity™ (CARE)

"For anything—as far as animals are related—to be completely sustainable, it has to happen in the community, it has to happen by the community." 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 ...

Beverly Means, LMSW, Founder and Executive Director of Transitions Pet Care

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 plan...

Blending Holistic and Traditional Veterinary Care for Cats with Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM

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 i...

Aaron Hancox, Documentary Filmmaker of Running Wild: the Cats of Cornwall

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 play...

Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond, Colony Care Taking Tips and Tricks Part 2

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . In Part 2 of 2021 Colony Caretaking Tips & Tricks, Presented by Neighborhood Cats, Bryan Kortis offers insight into constructing and maintaining winter shelters for community cats. From purchasing a kit to building your own, to making excellent use of a styrofoam cooler, Bryan covers several options. Caretaker and neighbor relations can be tricky, but Bryan offers several solutions to minimize complaints. Changing colony t...

Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond, Colony Care Taking Tips and Tricks Part 1

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . In part one of the Colony Caretaking webinar Bryan Kortis explores the bond between the cat and caretaker. He covers best practices such as feeding patterns, types of food, and nutritional content for the value of the food offered. He talks about what caretakers can do so as not to disturb neighbors or create a neighborhood nuisance at the feeding site. Bryan explains the variables like weather and wildlife (feral chickens? Ye...

Jon Dunn, Senior Specialist of Communications of Best Friends Animal Society

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . As Kristen Bell is to sloths, so Jon Dunn is to cats. Senior Specialist of Communications and Host of the Best Friends Podcast by Best Friends Animal Society, Jon just really loves cats. He joins Stacy for his first-ever podcast sitting in the guest chair and answers questions instead of asking them. Jon and Stacy talk about TNR and how the mindsets around community cats have evolved. They touch on reunification challenges fac...

Chris Roy, Creator of Doobert.com & Host of The Animal Innovation Show Podcast

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . What started out as one man's system to record and coordinate his own animal transport work has since transformed into an online software platform, custom-built for animal rescuers. Chris Roy and Stacy talk about the creation of Doobert.com and the recent re-build which added new modules and optimized it for mobile use. Chris and Stacy discuss his podcast, The Animal Innovations Show, which explores innovations that are helpin...

Dr. Jacquie Rand, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Australian Pet Welfare Foundation

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . Dr. Jaquie Rand is currently using research to tackle issues around community cats and the criminalization of Trap, Neuter, Release practices in Australia. After navigating significant resistance for over a year and a half, she was able to launch a research project to negate arguments about disease spread by cats, the impact of cat predation on native wildlife, and the benefits of sterilization. In the midst of COVID, data col...

Steve Dale, Radio Host and Certified Animal Behavior Consultant

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . A few notes played on a toy piano by his showstopping cat Ricky, changed Steve Dale's understanding of cat behaviour, forever. Steve Dale began to "clicker train" Ricky the Devon Rex and the two became an inseparable duo. They continued to work together and began dispelling myths about what cats can be through public appearances and media spots. Steve discusses Ricky's diagnosis of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and ...

Emily Hall, Founder & Owner of kittycatgo.com

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . Emily discovered the joy that adventuring brought to cats—and their people—when she and her husband took their own cat with Cerebellar Hypoplasia outside for enrichment. From catio to stroller, to harness training, Emily and Stacy chat about the best steps to take when preparing your cat to go adventuring outside. Emily talks about pet tracking devices and which features she recommends especially for cats. For the holiday seas...

Sarah Swanty, CAWA, Executive Director and Co-founder, Animal Friends Alliance

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . Seven years into her work in veterinary clinics and with animal welfare organizations, Sarah Swanty learned a fact that devastated her. Of any 10 cats that were admitted to the local shelter, only four would make it out. A 60% euthanasia rate for cats drove Sarah to co-found Fort Collins Cat Rescue in 2006 which merged with Animal House Rescue in 2020 to become Animal Friends Alliance. Stacy and Sarah discuss the highs and low...

Special Episode! Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant & Author

In this special episode, Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and best-selling author, joins Stacy to discuss how Covid has changed cat behavioral concerns and her participation in the ARM & HAMMER™ Feline Generous program. This year, the program will host the 'Unsung Heroes' Awards which will recognize the most inspiring staff and volunteers at cat welfare organizations; those who have gone above and beyond to help "purrfectly impurrfect" shelter cats. Pam discusses how wi...

Dr. David Birse, HomeHeart Vets

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com . Home Heart Vets was founded in 2017 by two cat-loving Veterinarians passionate about improving end-of-life care for cats in New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Stacy and Dr. Birse discuss the emotional toll of practicing Veterinary medicine as well as the rewarding aspects of the profession, counseling owners in making end-of-life decisions for their pets, and advocacy around humane euthanasia. Dr. Birse outlines some...

Alison Hunter Frederick, Cat Behavior Consultant and Trainer

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com . Beginning her life as a dog person, Allison talks about the value of using dog training methods to benefit cat behavior modification, and vice-versa. After losing her first companion cat in 2014, Allison focused on making cats lives better through behavior as a labor of love. Volunteering with Husker Cats changed Allison's idea of a "feral" cat and inspired her passion for working with community and companion cats. Alli...

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, DVA, DACVAA, DACVB, Professor Emeritus—Tufts University, Author, and Co-founder of the Center for Canine Behaviour Studies

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com . If dogs and cats could choose a psychiatrist it would be Dr. Nicholas Dodman. With a drive for advocacy, a gift for research, and a never-say-quit treatment philosophy, it is no surprise that he is one of the world's most noted veterinary behaviorists. Co-founder of the Center for Canine Behaviour Studies, Dr. Dodman describes himself as a "secret cat person," as well. In this episode, Dr. Dodman and Stacy chat about en...

Dr. Kelly Diehl, D.V.M., Senior Director of Science and Communication of Morris Animal Foundation, Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist and Veterinary Journalist

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com . Dr. Kelly Diehl left private practice as a Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist to join the Morris Animal Foundation which funds research that benefits animals directly. Dr. Diehl and Stacy discuss the Happy, Healthy Cat campaign which continues to shape protocol around low-stress housing in shelters today. Dr. Diehl relates some surprising common ground uncovered in a study about bird people v. cat people and give...

Kristen Hassen, Maddie's® American Pets Alive! Director overseeing Human Animal Support Services (HASS)

Kristen Hassen is the Maddie's American Pets Alive! Director overseeing Human Animal Support Services (HASS) and serves as a board member of the National Animal Care & Control Association. Kristen describes HASS as the result of almost 1,000 animal welfare professionals coming together to recognize that the current animal services system is broken. Focusing on community-driven services as opposed to traditional shelter-driven services, HASS defines itself as a collaborative project to reimag...

Suzi Langer, Advocate for Specially Abled Animals

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com . Suzi Langer is a vet tech with a soft spot for specially-abled cats. Just a few hours into fostering her first cat with Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), a neurological condition that affects balance and coordination, she was hooked. Now Suzi and her kitty, Bifford, are on a mission to educate people and advocate for cats with this non-progressive condition. Stacy and Suzi discuss muscle memory, busting stigmas around special...

Mandy Evans, Better Together Animal Alliance

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com . Mandy Evans has spent over a decade as the executive director of Better Together Animal Alliance—formerly Panhandle Animal Shelter—in Ponderay, Idaho, and hosts the podcast People are animals too, Darnit! When Better Together experienced an increase in owner surrenders, the Home to Home program was born. As a result the shelter saw an astounding 33% decrease in owner surrenders and Mandy knew it was something that neede...

Hannah Senser, Ruff Start Rescue

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com . Hannah Senser is the cat foster manager for Ruff Start Rescue. RSR is a foster-based rescue with a network of 1,000 active foster homes instead of a brick-and-mortar shelter. Overseeing up to 300 cats/kittens and their foster families across the state of Minnesota, Hannah tells us it is vital that she can "manage a mean spreadsheet." Stacy and Hannah discuss empowering fosters, removing barriers faced by adopters, the c...