animal welfare Archives - The Community Cats Podcast

July 29, 2016

Interview! Kara Holmquist, Director of Advocacy, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

“It’s hard and it’s messy and it’s not pretty, but when it works we can really change policies that impact so many animals.” A veteran advocate for animals, Kara talks about her involvement in several game-changing initiatives — a license plate program and tax check-off — that created funding sources […]

August 20, 2016

Interview! Jon Cicirelli, Assistant Director Public Works, Director Animal Care and Services, San Jose, CA

“The program changed our view, philosophy, and focus and what we were saving on the cat side was helping us do better on the dog side as well.” John’s background in wildlife management and a biology degree from George Washington University led him to become an animal control officer in […]

August 23, 2016

Interview! Susan Krebsbach, DVM, Founder, Dane County Friends of Ferals and Founder of Creature Counseling

“We have a better option for this subset of underrepresented cats.” In the field of animal welfare, “Dr. Susan” possesses a prolific resume. She opened her own veterinary-behavioral consulting service in 2000, has maintained a position as veterinary advisor for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association since its beginning in 2008, runs a […]

October 1, 2016

Interview! Jennifer Blough, Psychotherapist in Compassion Fatigue and Author

“The best of us get compassion fatigue. It’s something that is inherent in this field… you’re not alone, you’re not weak, and you’re not crazy.” With experiences ranging from animal care attendant to animal control officer, Jennifer choose to passionately pursue the subject of compassion fatigue as a psychotherapist after […]

November 1, 2016

Interview! Kristen Petrie, Creative Director, Mellarium and Technical Cat, Community Cats Podcast

“The brand is important and it is an asset to any organization, whether they are big or small. It’s your face to the rest of the world.” Kristen began her career in cat rescue as an adoption counselor at the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society while launching her own graphic […]

November 22, 2016

Interview! Suzanne Kogut, Executive Director of the Petco Foundation

“Everyone wants the same thing, to do right by the cats. There’s just a disagreement often about how we get there. But I thought we could all work together to get there.” After her first career as a corporate finance and securities attorney, Suzanne took the road less travelled and […]

November 24, 2016

Interview! Alana Yanez, Manager of HSUS Pets For Life Los Angeles

“When we have literally put these vouchers in people’s hands at their doorsteps, there really is no excuse now.” An advocate for animals and residents of underserved communities in East Los Angeles, Alana brings compassion and political experience to her position as manager of Pets for Life Los Angeles and […]

January 14, 2017

Interview! Chris Roy, Founder, Doobert.com

“The concept behind Doobert was to automate those rescue tasks that can and should be automated.” Chris Roy is a pilot, a Milwaukeean, a husband and owner of several cats and dogs, and the creator of Doobert.com, an online software platform for animal welfare volunteers and organizations. Although Doobert started […]

January 17, 2017

Interview! Mary Peng, CEO & Founder, International Center for Veterinary Services (Part 1)

“This is a program for China. It is going to raise the bar on humane animal welfare.” In part one of this special two-part episode, Stacy interviews Mary Peng,CEO and founder of International Center for Veterinary Services. Based in Beijing, ICVS is the first international standard animal hospital in China. […]

February 28, 2017

Interview! Bruce Myers, Executive Director, United Spay Alliance

“The law tends to be way behind the needs on the ground… We’ve got to let the law catch up.” In this Spay Day episode, Stacy is joined by Bruce Myers, an animal protection lawyer and new director of the United Spay Alliance. The United Spay Alliance (USA) seeks to establish […]

June 22, 2017

Interview! Jim Tedford, President and CEO of SAWA

“The strength of SAWA is in its network.” Jim Tedford is the president and CEO of the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA). In the early 1980s, fresh out of college with a degree in animal science, he found his first job in animal welfare at a tiny humane society […]

April 21, 2018

Interview! Jennifer Blough, Compassion Fatigue Expert and Author

“Self care—it’s not selfish; it’s really charging your batteries so you can go out and have the energy to do what you love to do, which is saving animals.” Jennifer Blough, a licensed therapist, compassion fatigue expert and author of the bookTo Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for […]

August 26, 2018

Five Freedoms and Community Cats, I wonder?

Do you know what the Five Freedoms are? I find that any time I go to a conference and there are hard questions asked about our work, everyone seems to fall back on the Five Freedoms They are: Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury […]

January 24, 2020

Stacy’s Podcast Reviews – Part 1

As a podcaster, I thought I would share some of the other animal-focused podcasts that I listen to. Maybe you listen to podcasts on your commute, or maybe at work or just while out walking. Whether you have lots of time for podcasts or just a little time, we all […]

March 4, 2020

Jill Tucker, California Animal Welfare Association

“I really enjoy getting people aligned behind a vision and moving forward.” Listen to Episode #341 Now Jill Tucker, CAWA and CEO of the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), joins Stacy in this episode to talk about her career in animal welfare, which stretches back to 2002. They talk […]

April 7, 2020

Camille Labchuk, Animal Justice

“It’s not just about making sure [animals] don’t suffer; it’s about making sure they have lives worth living, that they’re respected as individuals.” Listen to Episode #346 Now In this episode, Stacy is joined by Camille Labchuk, an animal rights lawyer and the executive director of Animal Justice, Canada’s […]

April 14, 2020

Danielle Bays, Humane Society of the United States

“[There is] a major shift in how we’re thinking about how cats use their claws, and why they use their claws, and why they should keep them.” Listen to Episode #347 Now In this episode, HSUS Senior Analyst for Cat Protection & Policy Danielle Bays joins Stacy to talk […]

April 16, 2020

Let’s Appreciate Our Animal Control Officers This Week!

This week is Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. This is certainly a time to appreciate the great commitment of those who join this profession. Animal control officers enter homes to help animals impacted by the coronavirus crisis and risk their lives to save others, and we need to say thank […]

April 23, 2020

The Future of Volunteering in Animal Welfare

It is Volunteer Appreciation Week. Thanks so much to all of the volunteers that support animal welfare organizations. Most of us volunteer in many ways and this is the week to take time to celebrate everyone’s efforts—including those of the many folks who are fostering cats and dogs right now. […]

September 29, 2020

Jennifer Barnes, Trapper & Animal Welfare Advocate

“My niche is TNR.… Know your niche and stay focused.” Listen to Episode #371 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com’s FosterSpace, Boulder Holistic Vet, and Community Cat Coalition of Clark County. In this episode, Stacy chats with Jennifer Barnes, a US Marine Corps veteran who has […]

December 8, 2020

Best of 2020 – Camille Labchuk, Animal Justice

“It’s not just about making sure [animals] don’t suffer; it’s about making sure they have lives worth living, that they’re respected as individuals.” Listen to Episode #381 Now In this episode, Stacy is joined by Camille Labchuk, an animal rights lawyer and the executive director of Animal Justice, Canada’s […]

March 2, 2021

Dr. Aysha Akhtar – Author & Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics

“I really use try to use my position as doctor and a public health specialist to advocate for the rights and protections for all other species on this planet, for all other animals” Listen to Episode #393 Now This episode is sponsored in part by KittySift and Doobert.com. Aysha Akhtar, […]

April 20, 2021

Danielle Bays, Senior Analyst for Cat Protection & Policy, HSUS

“Let’s be proactive, let’s build relationships, let’s share all the good work and success that people are doing, even if it’s a small thing.” Listen to Episode #400 Now This episode is sponsored in part by CDE Cages and Doobert.com. Can you believe it’s our 400th episode? This week we […]

July 13, 2021

Michelle Fern, Host of Podcast Cattitude

“I think cats are coming into their own lately, because it was always about dogs…but I think [cats] are getting their moment.” Listen to Episode #412 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com. This week the script is flipped and Stacy is the […]

July 20, 2021

Becky Mossor, Registered Vet Tech, Executive Director Human Animal Bond Association

“There are so many people out there who are trying to make sure that animals have a better life. And that’s because animals make us feel good as people. That human animal bond is essential to mental health, physical health, emotional health.” Listen to Episode #413 Now This episode […]

August 31, 2021

Michelle Major, Author

“To me, it’s really important that people understand that yes, [foster kittens are] cute and it’s sweet, but we’re also doing something to make sure these animals have the best futures they can have.” Listen to Episode #419 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat […]

November 30, 2021

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

“The problem is that TNR is illegal across Australia. For example, the state that I live in, un-owned cats are classed as 3, 4, and 6 ‘restricted matter.’ They can’t be fed, they can’t be moved, they can’t be rehomed or sold.” Listen to Episode #432 Now This episode […]

December 6, 2021

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

“I’m hopeful that we’re going to inspire the next generation of idea people.” Listen to Episode #433 Now 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 […]

December 14, 2021

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

“We want the podcast to play a role in lifesaving. So people will hear the podcast and change what they’re doing.” Listen to Episode #434 Now 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 […]

October 14, 2022

Special Episode! Forward-Thinking Fundraising with Chris Roy, Doobert Forward – Better than Amazon Smile For Fundraising

“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 […]

April 11, 2023

Building Understanding and Compassion for Cats with KJ McGlinn, Author and Kitty Correspondent for Pet Pals TV

“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 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with KJ McGill, Kitty […]

April 18, 2023

Women Helping Cats in West Michigan with Janet Vormittag, Author and Founder of Cats and Dogs, a Magazine

“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 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In this episode, Stacy sits down […]

June 20, 2023

A Mass Trapping Powerhouse with Dawn Benefiel, Executive Director of Indy Neighborhood Cats

“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 […]

July 18, 2023

Tracking the Stats for Cats with Stephanie Filer, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count

“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 […]

July 25, 2023

Felines, Forensics and Affordable Care with Dr. Michelle Gonzalez (aka Dr. G), Owner of the Rascal Unit

“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 […]

August 15, 2023

Shifting the Mindset in Municipal Sheltering with Heidi Williams, Director of the Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter

“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 […]

August 22, 2023

Reporting on Resources with Daniel Spehar, Co-Founder of the Together Initiative for Ohio’s Community Cats

“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 […]

December 12, 2023

It’s a special episode! Mike Phillips, LVT and President of Urban Cat League, interviews Stacy LeBaron.

“The cats are a vehicle for us to all get our act together and take responsibility for every part of the community.” Listen to Episode #538 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Meow Cat Lounge, Doobert.com, and Maddie’s Fund. In this special episode, Mike Phillips of UrbanCatLeague.org […]

December 19, 2023

It’s a special episode! Part One of The Drop Trap: A Trapper’s Best Friend Presented by Neighborhood Cats

“It’s great to have the cat you’re after, see another cat come in, have a bite to eat, and then leave. Nothing happens. Nothing dramatic. That can help persuade them that it’s just fine to go in; nothing to worry about here.” Listen to Episode #539 Now This episode […]

December 26, 2023

It’s a special episode! Part Two of The Drop Trap: A Trapper’s Best Friend Presented by Neighborhood Cats

“Another specialized use of the drop trap is when you’re trying to catch a mom and her kittens…” Listen to Episode #540 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund. This is part two of a special audio presentation of a free webinar offered to trappers earlier […]

January 2, 2024

Spurring Change for Cats from the Top Down with Jonlyn Freeman, Founder of NYC Cat Rescuer Alliance and Meagan Licari, President of Puppy Kitty NY City

“I wanted to go into city hall and say, “We need millions of dollars now.” Apparently, that’s not how it works.” Listen to Episode #541 Now This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund and Tomahawk Live Trap. Ever wondered about the hurdles faced by animal rescuers in […]

July 29, 2016

Spurring Change for Cats from the Top Down with Jonlyn Freeman, Founder of NYC Cat Rescuer Alliance and Meagan Licari, President of Puppy Kitty NY City