"Empathy must guide us—if we truly feel for our feline friends, declawing wouldn't exist." Declawing might sound harmless, but what if it's one of the most misunderstood and harmful practices affecting cats today? In this powerful conversation, Stacy LeBaron chats with Dr. Jennifer Conrad, the trailblazing veterinarian behind The Paw Project, an organization on a mission to stop declawing for good. Dr. Conrad unravels the dark history of declawing, explaining why it's less about trimming claws a...
Jan 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 597
"The fatality rate for kittens is appalling, and the goal is to reduce their suffering while ensuring healthier, happier lives for the cats that remain." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Join us this week for an enlightening conversation as Stacy LeBaron sits down with Gary Evans, the visionary President of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D). Together, they explore groundbreaking advancements in non-surgical sterilization and their potential to transf...
Jan 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 596
"Every challenge in colony care has a solution. Whether it's predators, pests, or even harsh winters, the key is preparation and creativity." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Get ready to take your colony caretaking skills to the next level in part two of our action-packed webinar series! Bryan Kortis tackles the biggest challenges faced by community cat caretakers, from crafting winter shelters to battling pests and promoting feline health. Discover creative solutions to com...
Jan 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 595
"Community cats are creatures of habit. By feeding them on a routine schedule, you're not just meeting their needs—you're building trust and making caretaking easier for everyone." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . Welcome to part one of our two-part series on colony caretaking, where we uncover the secrets to thriving community cat colonies! Join Susan Richmond and Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats as they share game-changing strategies to create strong bonds with community...
Jan 07, 2025•59 min•Ep. 594
"My job is to figure out ways to get cats fixed. It's about strategy, collaboration, and making humane care accessible to every community." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . In this reflective and forward-thinking episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron takes center stage, offering listeners an intimate look at her mission and the exciting plans for 2025. Joined by Mike Phillips of Urban Cat League, Stacy discusses her journey of nearly three decades in anima...
Dec 31, 2024•44 min•Ep. 593
"Pick that project you've been dreaming of and dive in—you'll be amazed by what you can accomplish for your community's cats!" This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . This week, we're pulling back the curtain on the Community Cats Podcast with Kristen Petrie, our behind-the-scenes "Technical Tabby." Join host Stacy LeBaron as they dive into the highlights of a year filled with innovative ideas, cross-country adventures, and practical solutions for cat advocacy. From groundbreaking t...
Dec 24, 2024•34 min•Ep. 592
"Trap-neuter-return is one piece of the puzzle. When it's part of a strategic cat population management program, TNR becomes a powerful tool for addressing feline overpopulation." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund . How do we piece together the puzzle of cat overpopulation? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron chats with Vicky Halls, Head of Unowned Cats at International Cat Care, about innovative strategies to address this global challenge. Drawing on de...
Dec 17, 2024•33 min•Ep. 591
"By creating this barrier to rabies between wildlife, pets, and people, it's not just about the well-being of the cats—it's about the well-being of the community." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and the Whisker Tracker App . In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Dr. Bob Weedon, an expert in veterinary public health and a leading advocate for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs. Dr. Weedon shares ...
Dec 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 590
"97 percent of Meals on Wheels clients say that this type of programming does help them keep their pets. So it is really impactful and we're so grateful for that." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . In this episode, Stacy LeBaron dives into the inspiring intersection of pet welfare and human services with Morgan Hulquist of Meals on Wheels America and Dan Capone of Meals on Wheels South Texas. They discuss the groundbreaking Meals on Wheels Loves Pet...
Dec 03, 2024•32 min•Ep. 589
"Trap-Neuter-Return isn't just a method; it's a mission to bring community, compassion, and a little mystery into the world of cats." 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 speaks with animal advocate and mystery author Sharon Marchisello. Sharon's lifelong passion for cats began early, sparking a journey that would lead her to volunteer work, board membership at the Fayette Humane Society...
Nov 26, 2024•25 min•Ep. 588
"Working cat programs historically have been programs of last resort... I like to think of the working cats program as really going beyond that, where every cat has the possibility of a live outcome…" This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and the Whisker Tracker App . In this episode filled with insight and inspiration, Stacy LeBaron, host of The Community Cats Podcast, sits down with Mary Scott, a dedicated animal advocate with over 15 years in the fiel...
Nov 19, 2024•34 min•Ep. 587
"It's important to understand that nothing else works. There's no other method available if you want to control the cat population besides sterilization." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . If you missed Part 1 of this episode click here to listen now! In this special, two-part audio presentation of a recent live webinar, we'll Explore Return-to-Field (RTF) programs for community cats with Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats. With years of experience m...
Nov 12, 2024•51 min•Ep. 586
"It's important to understand that nothing else works. There's no other method available if you want to control the cat population besides sterilization." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . In this special, two-part audio presentation of a recent live webinar, we'll Explore Return-to-Field (RTF) programs for community cats with Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats. With years of experience managing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs, Kortis and his wife,...
Nov 05, 2024•45 min•Ep. 585
"I didn't want to start another rescue that was going to fill up." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . In this episode of The Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Mat Tougas, also known as "Mat the Cat Guy," founder of the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition in southeastern South Dakota. Mat shares his unexpected journey from fostering wiener dogs to becoming a fierce advocate for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, despite ongoing legal hurdle...
Oct 29, 2024•26 min•Ep. 584
"Shelters across the country are in crisis… sometimes keeping a pet at home where they're loved and safe is as simple as providing them with a bowl of food." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund . In this insightful episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Natalia Hansen, Marketing Coordinator for the Humane Canada Summit for Animals. Natalia shares her journey from being unsure of cats to becoming a self-professed "cat lady," all while playing a pivota...
Oct 22, 2024•25 min•Ep. 583
"Giving back is way more powerful than receiving. The benefits are tenfold, and they come back to you in ways you can't explain." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker App . In this inspiring episode of The Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Michael Schneider, founder of Pilots to the Rescue, a pioneering nonprofit that merges his love for aviation with his dedication to saving animals. Michael shares the remarkable journey that led him...
Oct 15, 2024•30 min•Ep. 582
"The reproductive justice framework is really useful for thinking about community cats and TNR because it opens us up to engaging with the lives of the cats both personally and before sterilization, but also afterwards." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and Tomahawk Traps . In this episode, Stacy LeBaron welcomes Katja Gunther, a professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of California, Riverside, and an avid animal rights advocate. Katyja's research delves int...
Oct 08, 2024•33 min•Ep. 581
"We will not spay and neuter ourselves out of the problem...the education is the lasting part of it, and that will go from person to person." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and Tomahawk Traps . In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy interviews Dr. Christine Monroe, a seasoned veterinarian, and Rhonda Shaffer, a dedicated trapper from Spay Neuter Northwest. Together, this two-woman team has enormously impacted feral cat populations in Whatcom County, pioneering i...
Oct 01, 2024•37 min•Ep. 580
"When you're down to the last few cats and time is running out, the drop trap can be your saving grace." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and the Whisker Tracker app . In the second part of this special webinar series, Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats dives deeper into the complexities of drop trap techniques. Exploring the advanced applications of drop traps, including the innovative auto drop trap system developed by Neighborhood Cats, you will get all the insights of thei...
Sep 24, 2024•41 min•Ep. 579
"The drop trap is the most humane and effective way to trap those hard-to-catch cats, and once you've mastered it, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Acatemy , and Tomahawk Traps . Join Bryan Kortis and Suzi Richmond from Neighborhood Cats for a special broadcast of two-part webinar on the drop trap. Bryan and Suzi, a dynamic duo known for their deep expertise in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and community cat management, share the...
Sep 17, 2024•40 min•Ep. 578
"Don't underestimate your cats. Elevate your expectations of them, and you'll be amazed at what they can achieve." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and The Acatemy . What if your cat's behavior problems could be solved with just a few simple changes to their environment? Today, we're speaking with Ingrid Johnson, a certified cat behavior consultant and the innovative mind behind Fundamentally Feline. Ingrid's expertise in feline behavior and environmental enrichment has helped ...
Sep 10, 2024•30 min•Ep. 577
"Our goal is to put as much public pressure on the town representatives as possible and to spread as much awareness as we can, because the more people that are aware of the problem, the more people are going to ask the town to do something about it." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund and Tomahawk Traps . Are you ready to be inspired by a relentless advocate for feline welfare? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Stuart Kroll, a passionate...
Sep 03, 2024•26 min•Ep. 576
"Collaboration between animal welfare groups and local governments is the key to creating sustainable, humane community cat programs that work for everyone." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Keeping People and Pets Together Pet Food Pantry , and Tomahawk Traps . In the second half of this enlightening two-part webinar series, Stacy LeBaron is once again joined by TNR experts Susie Richmond and Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats. In this episode, Brian details the complex...
Aug 27, 2024•40 min•Ep. 575
"Understanding the environment and how we approach the ecosystem with community cats is essential, not just for the cats but for the overall health of the communities they inhabit." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , Humane Canada , and The Keeping People and Pets Together Pet Food Pantry . In this first installment of a special two-part webinar series, Stacy LeBaron dives deep into the world of Targeted Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) with Bryan Kortis, the TNR dynamo from Neighborho...
Aug 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 574
"Think about all the things that cats go through…they're smart, they're clever and we can learn from them." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , Humane Canada , and Tomahawk Traps . Are you curious about the evolving landscape of community cat welfare in the United States? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron sits down with Danielle Bays, Senior Analyst for Cat Protection and Policy at the Humane Society of the United States. Wit...
Aug 13, 2024•27 min•Ep. 573
"The community building aspect of this is so key…that interconnectedness is really what allows us to have the impact that we do." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , the Keeping People and Pets Together Pet Food Pantry , and Tomahawk Traps . Rural areas present pronounced challenges in community cat welfare, especially in times of veterinary and resource shortages. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Savannah Howes, a dedicated veterinarian from Albert...
Aug 06, 2024•27 min•Ep. 572
"Animals were my friends, and even before I had words for it, they understood me and gave me comfort and love in a way that I didn't feel in my life, in my family." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Tomahawk Traps . Have you ever wondered if you could understand what your cat is thinking or feeling? In this moving episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Nancy Mello, an animal communicator and psychic from Mystic, ...
Jul 30, 2024•28 min•Ep. 571
"Understanding a cat's socialization history can be the key to determining the best outcome for community cats in shelters." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Humane Canada's Summit for Animals . Join us for an insightful conversation with Dot Baisly, a certified behavior consultant with a rich background in animal welfare. Dot shares her story of growing up with cats and how her experiences led her to a career in feline behavior. With roles at I...
Jul 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 570
"We were trying to rescue our way out, which is never going to happen." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Tomahawk Traps . Step into the world of Brandi Sherman as she shares her remarkable journey from a rural upbringing surrounded by vulnerable cats to leading Fresno TNR— an initiative dedicated to controlling and caring for community cats through Trap-Neuter-Return. In this episode, Brandy reveals how her childhood observations of animal hards...
Jul 16, 2024•29 min•Ep. 569
"Without dreaming big and showing people what we think is needed, we'll never get that dial changed and we need that to change mightily." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund , The Community Cat Clinic , and Tomahawk Traps . Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dawn Benefiel, founder of Indy Neighborhood Cats, as she shares her journey from encountering stray kittens to orchestrating an essential shift in community cat management. This episode delves into how Dawn's initia...
Jul 09, 2024•24 min•Ep. 568
