TNR Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Community Cats Podcast

TNR

September 15, 2018

Interview! Darlene Duggan, Director of Operations at Tree House Humane Society

“We’re not going to solve this problem on our own … we have to team up, we have to get together with our community members … to solve this problem.” Darlene Duggan, the Director of Operations at Tree House Humane Society in Chicago, holds a master’s degree in public health […]
December 15, 2018

A Best of CCP Episode! Adam Myatt, The Cat Man of West Oakland

“These cats are street smart, tough as nails, and have definitely seen some stuff, but they are our neighborhood cats and are softies at heart.” Durning the month of December, we’re revisiting some of our favorite, most informative shows. This is a rebroadcast of episode 222 featuring The Cat Man […]
December 29, 2018

A Best of CCP Episode! Kim Freeman, Professional Missing Cat Finder

“I would really like anyone who has anything to do with lost cats to realize how important it is not to give up, and not to assume anything.” Durning the month of December, we’re revisiting some of our favorite, most informative shows. This is a rebroadcast of episode 248 featuring […]
January 5, 2019

Interview! Larry Shively, Owner, ProVetLogic

“At the end of the day, the most important thing is consistency in [sanitation] protocol.” In this episode, Stacy talks with Larry Shively, owner of ProVetLogic, one of the sponsors of 2019 Online Cat Conference, about controlling the spread of disease among cats, particularly in shelter-type environments. Nine years ago, […]
January 19, 2019

Interview! Dr. Graham Brayshaw, Director of Animal Services at Animal Humane Society

“We’ve got to sterilize absolutely everyone we can.” Dr. Graham Brayshaw, a 2004 graduate of Texas A&M’s veterinary school, is both the chief veterinarian and the director of animal services for the Animal Humane Society (AHS), an organization based in the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Brayshaw’s interest […]
January 28, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: Laura Burns

This week, we are starting an occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we interviewed Laura Burns, president of Hub Cats, a community cat group working in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She is also president of Habitat for Cats, […]
February 23, 2019

Interview! Kay Stout, ED of PAAS Vinita

“What hurts us so often in rescue is that the passion gets in the way of progress.” Kay Stout is the Executive Director of PAAS Vinita in Oklahoma, a multi-faceted group that grew out of the initial shelter that gives the group its name (PAAS stands for “Peaceful Animal Adoption […]
March 3, 2019

Trapper Tips and Tricks Profile: Bryan Kortis, Neighborhood Cats

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we interview Bryan Kortis, co-founder and National Programs Director of Neighborhood Cats, a leading community cat advocacy group with hands-on programs […]
March 25, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: Charlotte Fox

This week, we have the next installment in our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which profiles folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Charlotte Fox, Field Coordinator at Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC. Charlotte has been trapping cats since […]
March 30, 2019

Interview! Danielle Bays, Director of Cat Protection and Policy, HSUS

“We’ve seen…so much progress so rapidly across the country.” Danielle Bays, Director of Cat Protection and Policy at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is a frequent flyer here on CCP, having appeared before on Episode 55 and Episode 261. She joins Stacy again here to talk about […]
April 6, 2019

Interview! Nikki Martinez, Trapper, Foster Mom, and Feline Welfare Activist

“Fostering absolutely saves lives, but TNR saves more.” Nikki Martinez was always a dog person. That all changed one day when a kitten ran in front of her car on her way to a post-surgical doctor appointment. Feeling down and overly focused on herself after her surgery, Nikki poured her […]
April 13, 2019

Interview! Kate Hurley, DVM, Director of U.C. Davis Koret School of Veterinary Medicine and Co-founder of Million Cat Challenge

“In the time I’ll talk to you, twenty fewer cats will lose their lives in animal shelters because of the progress we’ve made in this field in the last five years.” You may remember Dr. Kate Hurley, Director of U.C. Davis Koret School of Veterinary Medicine and co-founder of Million […]
April 14, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: Penny Leisch

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Penny Leisch, President of Catnip Casa Cat Refuge in Austin, Texas. If you have tips and tricks […]
April 27, 2019

Interview! Keith Williams, C5 (Community Cat Coalition of Clark County)

“C5 has exactly one program: we trap, neuter, and return free-roaming, unowned cats for colony caretakers.” In this interview, Keith Williams of C5 in Las Vegas joins Stacy to discuss the group’s founding and how they have managed to trap 35,000 cats in just 10 years of operation. You may […]
May 11, 2019

Interview! Lindsay Hamrick, Policy Director for Companion Animals, HSUS

“On the community cat front, it’s abundantly clear that cats have been second in all of the policies that have been pushed forward.” Lindsay Hamrick, Policy Director for Companion Animals at the Humane Society of the United States, works to support local, state and federal policies protecting pets. She holds […]
May 18, 2019

Interview! Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats

“Things can get better, no matter how long they’ve been bad.” For the 300th episode of Community Cats Podcast, Stacy is joined by Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs for Neighborhood Cats. Previously featured on CCP Episode 13, Episode 127, and Episode 218, Bryan is back to talk about how […]
May 19, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: C5’s Keith Williams

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Keith Williams, President and Founder of C5 (Community Cat Coalition of Clark County) in Las Vegas, Nevada, […]
May 24, 2019

Interview! Christina Ha, Cat Camp & Meow Parlour Cat Café

“If you love cats, we’ll have something for you this weekend.” Christina Ha joins Stacy again (having been interviewed by Stacy in CCP episode 144 and episode 245), this time to discuss the third annual Cat Camp event, to be held this June 1 and 2 in New York City at […]
June 15, 2019

Scott Giacoppo, Director of National Shelter Outreach, Best Friends Animal Society

“Across the board, [TNR]’s working. We have yet to find a place where it’s not working.” Listen to Episode #304 Now   Scott Giacoppo (previously interviewed by Stacy on CCP Episode 25) has been involved in animal welfare since 1989. Among other roles, he has worked as an animal control […]
June 17, 2019

Trapper Tricks & Tips – Liz Pease

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Liz Pease, former executive director of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, who has been trapping […]
June 22, 2019

Peter Wolf, Research & Policy Analyst for Best Friends Animal Society

“If [Return to Field is] not happening where you are, it’s probably coming soon.” Listen to Episode #305 Now   Peter Wolf, previously featured on CCP Episode 74, joins Stacy again, this time to discuss a newly released research paper that he and Dan Spehar (CCP Episode 240) have co-authored. […]
June 29, 2019

Dr. Sara Pizano, DVM, Team Shelter USA

“Ending euthanasia doesn’t take years, and it doesn’t take millions of dollars.” Listen to Episode #306 Now   Stacy sits down with Dr. Sara Pizano (a previous CCP guest on Episode 56, Episode 171, and Episodes 246 and 247) to discuss Dr. Pizano’s new book,The Best Practice Playbook for Animal […]
July 6, 2019

Steve Lawrence, Director of “The Cat Rescuers”

“This is a very emotionally engaging film.” Listen to Episode #307 Now   Steve Lawrence, an award-winning filmmaker previously interviewed by Stacy on CCP Episode 178, returns to CCP to discuss the documentary film he co-directed, The Cat Rescuers. The film premiered in October 2018 at the Hamptons International Film […]
October 10, 2019

No-Kill vs. SCS Theory

There are many organizations and individuals that feel that having the goal of being “no-kill” is too polarizing. Back in the 1990s, the “no-kill” label drew a line between different types of behavior for organizations, as back then, many organizations did euthanize for space constraints. But now the case is […]
October 29, 2019

Colleen Bray, Director, Boone County (KY) Animal Shelter

“We’ve really been able to look at the numbers and … show that [TNR] is working.” Listen to Episode #323 now Colleen Bray, Director of the Boone County Kentucky Animal Shelter, has seen a lot of change with regards to cats in her time in animal welfare. She has worked […]
November 26, 2019

Ashley Morrison, Foster Caregiver & Cat Advocate

“You realize that you’re making a difference and it’s helping you just as much as it helps them.” Listen to Episode #327 now Ashley Morrison is an independent kitten foster home and cat advocate in Washington state. She has fostered over 300 cats and kittens over the past four years. […]
December 12, 2019

The Cat Rescuers- A Review

I recently had an opportunity to watch The Cat Rescuers, a documentary by Rob Fruchtman and Steve Lawrence. I have had the opportunity to interview Steve (CCP Episodes 178 and 307) about his experience making the film and following the main characters, Clare, Sassee, Tara, and Stuart around. We follow […]
January 21, 2020

A Best of CCP Episode! Dr. Sara Pizano, DVM, Team Shelter USA

“Ending euthanasia doesn’t take years, and it doesn’t take millions of dollars.” Listen to Episode #335 now   Stacy sits down with Dr. Sara Pizano (a previous CCP guest on Episode 56, Episode 171, and Episodes 246 and 247) to discuss Dr. Pizano’s new book, The Best Practice Playbook for […]
February 13, 2020

Animal Podcast Reviews Part 2

A few weeks ago, I reviewed several animal welfare-related podcasts. Here are some more reviews of some of the podcasts that I listen to and my thoughts about them. Humane Voices Did you know that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has its own podcast called Humane Voices? It is […]
March 10, 2020

Debbie Chatenever, community cat caretaker

“Going out and helping those cats gave me reason to want to get up and get dressed and go outside.” Listen to Episode #342 Now   In this episode, Stacy chats with community cat caretaker Debbie Chatenever, who walks several miles each day to feed the community cats in her […]
March 31, 2020

Elaine Spencer and Melanie Gardner, T-Town TNR

“If you want to run a successful nonprofit TNR organization that relies on outside funding … capturing data is essential.” Listen to Episode #345 Now   In this episode, Stacy chats with Elaine Spencer and Melanie Gardner from T-Town TNR, an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to resolving the feline overpopulation crisis […]
April 21, 2020

Tina Traster, Catnip Nation

“That’s really the point of the film … to show that we’re not powerless.” Listen to Episode #348 Now   Award-winning journalist, author, and filmmaker Tina Traster, previously featured on CCP Episode 186, joins Stacy again to update us on her documentary, Catnip Nation. The film advocates for TNR through […]
April 30, 2020

Where Are the Foster Homes for People Trapping Community Cats During COVID-19?

An Open Letter to Folks Who Trap Community Cats I am concerned that there will be kittens and cats that need our help and we won’t be to help them. You might think I am crazy, as the whole world seems to want to be a foster home. Groups are […]
May 7, 2020

Small is Beautiful During COVID-19

“Small is Beautiful” is going to be my mantra for community cat programs and clinics this summer. As states begin to open up their restrictions on what businesses can and can’t do, we will need to be creative in adjusting to different working conditions. The most nimble organizations are going […]
May 14, 2020

COVID-19: The Impact on Pets in Chelsea, MA

As we all do, I wear many hats. In addition to heading up the Community Cats Podcast and all of our educational programs, I am also the program administrator for a small group in Chelsea, MA called HubCats Chelsea (HCC). This group started up about four years ago to do a […]
June 2, 2020

Karen Little, Alley Cat Advocates

“We’re here and we’re here to stay.” Listen to Episode #354 Now   Karen Little, featured previously on CCP Episode 17 and Episode 112, joins Stacy to discuss the new things going on with the organization she and her husband founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 1999, Alley Cat Advocates. In […]
June 16, 2020

Mary Howard, Community Cat Coordinator at McKamey Animal Center

“We just have to make sure that [the caregivers] understand … how we’re there to help them.” Listen to Episode #356 Now   In this episode, Stacy talks with Mary Howard, the community cat coordinator at McKamey Animal Center in Chattanooga, TN. The program started in 2018 with a grant […]
June 18, 2020

A Question for the CCP Community – Is it time to lose our spay/neuter mission?

Spending the weekend talking at the Online Kitten Conference about how to care for, nurture, spay/neuter, transport, and adopt out kittens really got me thinking about the role of spay/neuter in our animal welfare movement. Twenty-plus years ago, when I first started out with the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, […]
June 23, 2020

Elizabeth Finch, Good Mews Animal Foundation

“We’re now able to expand our mission to help community cats.” Listen to Episode #357 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. Stacy talks with Elizabeth Finch, a member of the board of directors and full-time marketing and communications […]
July 14, 2020

Sterling Davis, Atlanta’s “Trap King”

“I see a lot more people getting engaged.” Listen to Episode #360 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. In this episode, Stacy sits down with Sterling Davis again (she talked with him before in CCP Episode 243) to […]
July 21, 2020

Dr. Bob Weedon, TLC PetSnip & Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs

“When you start talking about the public health benefits of TNVR programs, you engage a whole different group of stakeholders.” Listen to Episode #361 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. In this information-packed episode, Stacy sits down with […]
July 28, 2020

Carrie Lippert Gillaspie, Television & Podcast Host

“We’re changing the culture and we’re shifting how people are viewing community cats in our area.” Listen to Episode #362 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com. Other sponsorship consideration provided by The Cat Fanciers’ Association and The American Association of Feline Practitioners.  In this episode, Stacy […]
August 3, 2020

Pastor Larry Vandever, Coalition for Feral Cats of Lehigh Valley (PA)

“Our slogan is: We speak for them because they cannot. Our motto is: We never say no.” Listen to Episode #363 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, The Cat Fanciers’ Association, Kitty Sift, and The American Association of Feline Practitioners. Pastor Larry Vandever, a former police officer […]
August 18, 2020

Julie Jacobson, Spay Tennessee and CCP Community Cats Grants Program

“I fear a complete loss of services in some areas that already had little to nothing.” Listen to Episode #365 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, The Cat Fanciers’ Association, and The American Association of Feline Practitioners. Stacy chats with Julie Jacobson of Spay Tennessee, who is […]
August 20, 2020

Anyone Can Trap! How to Get Involved with Your Local TNR Program

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs can be a wonderful way to deal with community cat population issues. It is important that community/feral cats get spayed/neutered and vaccinated so that their colonies don’t grow exponentially. In […]
September 1, 2020

Anna Raines, Best Friends Animal Society

“If you want to protect wildlife, if you want to protect birds, then you need to do a full dive into TNR and cat programming.” Listen to Episode #367 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com’s FosterSpace, Kitty Sift Litter System, and The American Association of Feline […]
September 24, 2020

Caring for Your Feral Working Cat

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast.  Employing a feral working cat at your barn, warehouse, vineyard, garden center, or workshop serves the dual purpose of controlling the rodent population and helping a feral cat find a safe place to […]
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 […]
October 6, 2020

Sarah Moore & Dr. Teri Kidd, Animal Protective League

“Veterinary medicine in general and spay/neuter in particular are essential services.” Listen to Episode #372 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, Boulder Holistic Vet, and Kitty Sift. In this episode, Stacy chats with Sarah Moore, the clinic manager for the Animal Protective League (APL) of Springfield […]
October 27, 2020

Kathleen O’Malley, TNR educator

“It’s a real relationship we have between ourselves and our feral cats.” Listen to Episode #375 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Heaven Can Wait. Kathleen O’Malley is a longtime practitioner and educator of TNR. She has worked for the Hudson County Animal League, the ASPCA, […]
November 12, 2020

International TNR Spotlight: Let’s Adopt Indonesia

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Great TNR work is being done all over the world! This week we’re traveling (virtually) to Indonesia to learn more about the organization Let’s Adopt Indonesia. Note: this interview with Let’s Adopt Indonesia […]
November 19, 2020

International TNR Spotlight: CopsCats Cyprus

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Great TNR work is being done to support community cats all over the world! This week we have an interview with CopsCats, an organization in Cyprus. CopsCats is a small group of volunteers […]
December 22, 2020

Best of 2020 – Dr. Bob Weedon, TLC PetSnip & Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs

“When you start talking about the public health benefits of TNVR programs, you engage a whole different group of stakeholders.” Listen to Episode #383 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. In this information-packed episode, Stacy sits down with […]
January 21, 2021

We Can Do Better Than Lethal Control of Outdoor Cat Populations

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. As cat lovers, we hate seeing stories about communities employing lethal removal techniques to combat feral cat populations. But it isn’t distressing only because we hate the idea of cats being hunted and […]
January 28, 2021

The Bluegrass Cat Project

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. This week I chatted with Dr. Sara Pizano, founder of Team Shelter USA, LLC, about her work with the Bluegrass Cat Project and the recent grant they received from the Joanie Bernard Foundation. […]
February 4, 2021

Feline Fix by Five

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Fix cats by five months? To those of you working in a shelter setting, this idea might not make a lot of sense, as you’re probably already spaying and neutering kittens by 8 weeks […]
March 16, 2021

Mariah McCulley – Director of Operations at Animal Friends Alliance

“After people try [fostering feral kittens] and they have that first successful adoption, or that first purr or that first play, they’re hooked.” Listen to Episode #395 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by TICA and Doobert.com.  Stacy chats with Mariah McCulley, Director of Operations at Animal Friends Alliance, […]
May 4, 2021

Deborah Cribbs, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Joanie Bernard Foundation & The Ten movement

“Our donor probably would have been happy…that every cat in Cincinnati had a bed and a telephone.” Listen to Episode #402 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Kitty Sift and Doobert.com. Deborah Cribbs, a banker by trade, is the chair of the board of trustees for Joanie […]
May 7, 2021

Special Episode! Care Dare

TrapKing Sterling Davis and Mike Bricker of Best Friends join Stacy to talk about the Care Dare challenge. Listen to Episode #402A Now   Find out all the details about Care Dare, taking place this May, in this special episode! CARE will be sponsoring the first ever CARE DARE Community […]
June 1, 2021

Daralyn Kelleher, YouTuber and Amateur Woodworker

“That’s sort of the vibe I’m going for: mid-century with a touch of cats.” Listen to Episode #406 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com. Daralyn Kelleher is an LA-based YouTuber who turned to furniture making during quarantine, documenting the process on her […]
June 2, 2021

The Whole Kit and Caboodle: TNR of Kittens

This week’s guest post is authored by Nancy Peterson of The National Kitten Coalition. Best TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) practices involve trapping the entire colony of cats at the same time, although there are times when this is not possible. When there are kittens to be trapped, there are additional considerations. You will be […]
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 27, 2021

Christi Metropole, Founder of Stray Cat Alliance

“It was a struggle for getting [cats] a voice.” Listen to Episode #414 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com. Christi Metropole, founder of the Stray Cat Alliance shares with Stacy how she got started with TNR in the 90s and how trapping […]
September 7, 2021

Caron Tuttle, Atascosa Animal Allies

“The more people are involved, the happier they are when they see progress and see that they have done good for animals. It’s a cycle.” Listen to Episode #420 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com. In 2017, Caron Tuttle answered a call […]
October 6, 2021

Fall means cool weather, warm drinks, and preparing cats for winter.

Original article contributed by Liz Pease | Update by Brianna Lovell Myers  It’s that special time of year. The leaves are changing, the weather is turning, and pumpkin spice is in demand. As fall takes hold, I bet we’re all starting to think the same thing–time to winterize our feeding stations […]
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 21, 2021

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

“The bond that is formed between the cats and their carer is all about food… The cats learn, pretty quickly, who is feeding them, and the attachment forms from there.” Listen to Episode #435 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com. In part one of […]
December 28, 2021

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

“Once you’ve listened and once you’ve empathized [with neighbors] you’ve diffused the situation and most, 90%, of people are not going to be angry.” Listen to Episode #436 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com. In Part 2 of 2021 Colony Caretaking Tips & Tricks, […]
January 4, 2022

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

“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   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s […]
February 1, 2022

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

“…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   This episode is sponsored in part by […]
February 8, 2022

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

“The door is always open to work together.” Listen to Episode #442 Now   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 […]
February 15, 2022

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.” Listen to Episode #443 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund. Meet Molly Kelsey, a former […]
March 22, 2022

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.” Listen to Episode #448 Now 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 […]
April 12, 2022

Documenting the TNR Experience with Photographer Erica Danger

“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, […]
April 19, 2022

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

“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 […]
May 3, 2022

Supporting Animals and Their People with Joe Elmore, Charleston Animal Society

“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 […]
May 24, 2022

A Small Organization Making a Big Impact with Linda Chitwood, Volunteer Director, Homeless Animals Relief Project

“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 […]
May 31, 2022

Special Episode! Trappers’ Tips & Tricks Part 1 with Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats

“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 […]
June 7, 2022

Special Episode! Trappers’ Tips & Tricks Part 2 with Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats

“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 […]
June 16, 2022

Computers Are Good For More Than Cat Memes

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 […]
June 27, 2022

Strategy and Collaboration with Cameron Greig, Community Cat Coordinator for the Humane Society of Huron Valley

“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 […]
July 19, 2022

Together We Trap with Angéline Fahey, Community Cat Program Manager at Humane Society of Southern Arizona

“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 […]
July 26, 2022

Same Team with Sterling Davis, Atlanta’s “Trap King”

“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 […]
July 28, 2022

What To Do If You Find Kittens

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 […]
August 2, 2022

A Drop Trap Master Class with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

“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 […]
August 9, 2022

Part 2 – A Drop Trap Master Class with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

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 […]
August 25, 2022

Mass Trapping Success: Here’s What You Need to Know

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 […]
September 8, 2022

Six Tips on How to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Pregnant!

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 […]
September 13, 2022

Romance, Suspense, and Trapping with Angela Campbell, Best-Selling Author, The Psychic Detective

“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 […]
September 22, 2022

How to Winterize Those Feral Cat Shelters

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) […]
October 11, 2022

Contraception for Cats with Valerie Benka and John Boone from Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

“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   […]
November 29, 2022

How to Reunite Pets and Owners with Corinne Bourgoin, Operations Coordinator, MSPCA Boston Adoption Center

“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. […]
December 1, 2022

Dealing with Neighbors Who Don’t Like Cats

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 […]
December 6, 2022

Justice, TNR, and Not-So-Crazy Cat Ladies with Esmerelda Alvarez, TNR Advocate

“I think the best way to rescue the most cats is through TNR.” Listen to Episode #485 Now   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, […]
December 13, 2022

Open to the Possibilities with Dr. Kelly Deihl, Senior Director of Science and Communication at Morris Animal Foundation

“I would tell people: stay open, learn, [and] keep learning.” Listen to Episode #486 Now   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 […]
December 15, 2022

A Sneak Peek at 2023

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 […]
December 20, 2022

Training Tomorrow’s Trappers with Bryan Kortis, Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

“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 Now   This episode is sponsored […]
September 15, 2018

Interview! Darlene Duggan, Director of Operations at Tree House Humane Society

“We’re not going to solve this problem on our own … we have to team up, we have to get together with our community members … to solve this problem.” Darlene Duggan, the Director of Operations at Tree House Humane Society in Chicago, holds a master’s degree in public health […]
December 15, 2018

A Best of CCP Episode! Adam Myatt, The Cat Man of West Oakland

“These cats are street smart, tough as nails, and have definitely seen some stuff, but they are our neighborhood cats and are softies at heart.” Durning the month of December, we’re revisiting some of our favorite, most informative shows. This is a rebroadcast of episode 222 featuring The Cat Man […]
December 29, 2018

A Best of CCP Episode! Kim Freeman, Professional Missing Cat Finder

“I would really like anyone who has anything to do with lost cats to realize how important it is not to give up, and not to assume anything.” Durning the month of December, we’re revisiting some of our favorite, most informative shows. This is a rebroadcast of episode 248 featuring […]
January 5, 2019

Interview! Larry Shively, Owner, ProVetLogic

“At the end of the day, the most important thing is consistency in [sanitation] protocol.” In this episode, Stacy talks with Larry Shively, owner of ProVetLogic, one of the sponsors of 2019 Online Cat Conference, about controlling the spread of disease among cats, particularly in shelter-type environments. Nine years ago, […]
January 19, 2019

Interview! Dr. Graham Brayshaw, Director of Animal Services at Animal Humane Society

“We’ve got to sterilize absolutely everyone we can.” Dr. Graham Brayshaw, a 2004 graduate of Texas A&M’s veterinary school, is both the chief veterinarian and the director of animal services for the Animal Humane Society (AHS), an organization based in the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Brayshaw’s interest […]
January 28, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: Laura Burns

This week, we are starting an occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we interviewed Laura Burns, president of Hub Cats, a community cat group working in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She is also president of Habitat for Cats, […]
February 23, 2019

Interview! Kay Stout, ED of PAAS Vinita

“What hurts us so often in rescue is that the passion gets in the way of progress.” Kay Stout is the Executive Director of PAAS Vinita in Oklahoma, a multi-faceted group that grew out of the initial shelter that gives the group its name (PAAS stands for “Peaceful Animal Adoption […]
March 3, 2019

Trapper Tips and Tricks Profile: Bryan Kortis, Neighborhood Cats

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we interview Bryan Kortis, co-founder and National Programs Director of Neighborhood Cats, a leading community cat advocacy group with hands-on programs […]
March 25, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: Charlotte Fox

This week, we have the next installment in our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which profiles folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Charlotte Fox, Field Coordinator at Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC. Charlotte has been trapping cats since […]
March 30, 2019

Interview! Danielle Bays, Director of Cat Protection and Policy, HSUS

“We’ve seen…so much progress so rapidly across the country.” Danielle Bays, Director of Cat Protection and Policy at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is a frequent flyer here on CCP, having appeared before on Episode 55 and Episode 261. She joins Stacy again here to talk about […]
April 6, 2019

Interview! Nikki Martinez, Trapper, Foster Mom, and Feline Welfare Activist

“Fostering absolutely saves lives, but TNR saves more.” Nikki Martinez was always a dog person. That all changed one day when a kitten ran in front of her car on her way to a post-surgical doctor appointment. Feeling down and overly focused on herself after her surgery, Nikki poured her […]
April 13, 2019

Interview! Kate Hurley, DVM, Director of U.C. Davis Koret School of Veterinary Medicine and Co-founder of Million Cat Challenge

“In the time I’ll talk to you, twenty fewer cats will lose their lives in animal shelters because of the progress we’ve made in this field in the last five years.” You may remember Dr. Kate Hurley, Director of U.C. Davis Koret School of Veterinary Medicine and co-founder of Million […]
April 14, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: Penny Leisch

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Penny Leisch, President of Catnip Casa Cat Refuge in Austin, Texas. If you have tips and tricks […]
April 27, 2019

Interview! Keith Williams, C5 (Community Cat Coalition of Clark County)

“C5 has exactly one program: we trap, neuter, and return free-roaming, unowned cats for colony caretakers.” In this interview, Keith Williams of C5 in Las Vegas joins Stacy to discuss the group’s founding and how they have managed to trap 35,000 cats in just 10 years of operation. You may […]
May 11, 2019

Interview! Lindsay Hamrick, Policy Director for Companion Animals, HSUS

“On the community cat front, it’s abundantly clear that cats have been second in all of the policies that have been pushed forward.” Lindsay Hamrick, Policy Director for Companion Animals at the Humane Society of the United States, works to support local, state and federal policies protecting pets. She holds […]
May 18, 2019

Interview! Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats

“Things can get better, no matter how long they’ve been bad.” For the 300th episode of Community Cats Podcast, Stacy is joined by Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs for Neighborhood Cats. Previously featured on CCP Episode 13, Episode 127, and Episode 218, Bryan is back to talk about how […]
May 19, 2019

Trapper Tips & Tricks Profile: C5’s Keith Williams

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Keith Williams, President and Founder of C5 (Community Cat Coalition of Clark County) in Las Vegas, Nevada, […]
May 24, 2019

Interview! Christina Ha, Cat Camp & Meow Parlour Cat Café

“If you love cats, we’ll have something for you this weekend.” Christina Ha joins Stacy again (having been interviewed by Stacy in CCP episode 144 and episode 245), this time to discuss the third annual Cat Camp event, to be held this June 1 and 2 in New York City at […]
June 15, 2019

Scott Giacoppo, Director of National Shelter Outreach, Best Friends Animal Society

“Across the board, [TNR]’s working. We have yet to find a place where it’s not working.” Listen to Episode #304 Now   Scott Giacoppo (previously interviewed by Stacy on CCP Episode 25) has been involved in animal welfare since 1989. Among other roles, he has worked as an animal control […]
June 17, 2019

Trapper Tricks & Tips – Liz Pease

This week, we have the next installment of our occasional series called Trapper Tips & Tricks, which will profile folks who are involved in trapping community cats. This week we bring you tips from Liz Pease, former executive director of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, who has been trapping […]
June 22, 2019

Peter Wolf, Research & Policy Analyst for Best Friends Animal Society

“If [Return to Field is] not happening where you are, it’s probably coming soon.” Listen to Episode #305 Now   Peter Wolf, previously featured on CCP Episode 74, joins Stacy again, this time to discuss a newly released research paper that he and Dan Spehar (CCP Episode 240) have co-authored. […]
June 29, 2019

Dr. Sara Pizano, DVM, Team Shelter USA

“Ending euthanasia doesn’t take years, and it doesn’t take millions of dollars.” Listen to Episode #306 Now   Stacy sits down with Dr. Sara Pizano (a previous CCP guest on Episode 56, Episode 171, and Episodes 246 and 247) to discuss Dr. Pizano’s new book,The Best Practice Playbook for Animal […]
July 6, 2019

Steve Lawrence, Director of “The Cat Rescuers”

“This is a very emotionally engaging film.” Listen to Episode #307 Now   Steve Lawrence, an award-winning filmmaker previously interviewed by Stacy on CCP Episode 178, returns to CCP to discuss the documentary film he co-directed, The Cat Rescuers. The film premiered in October 2018 at the Hamptons International Film […]
October 10, 2019

No-Kill vs. SCS Theory

There are many organizations and individuals that feel that having the goal of being “no-kill” is too polarizing. Back in the 1990s, the “no-kill” label drew a line between different types of behavior for organizations, as back then, many organizations did euthanize for space constraints. But now the case is […]
October 29, 2019

Colleen Bray, Director, Boone County (KY) Animal Shelter

“We’ve really been able to look at the numbers and … show that [TNR] is working.” Listen to Episode #323 now Colleen Bray, Director of the Boone County Kentucky Animal Shelter, has seen a lot of change with regards to cats in her time in animal welfare. She has worked […]
November 26, 2019

Ashley Morrison, Foster Caregiver & Cat Advocate

“You realize that you’re making a difference and it’s helping you just as much as it helps them.” Listen to Episode #327 now Ashley Morrison is an independent kitten foster home and cat advocate in Washington state. She has fostered over 300 cats and kittens over the past four years. […]
December 12, 2019

The Cat Rescuers- A Review

I recently had an opportunity to watch The Cat Rescuers, a documentary by Rob Fruchtman and Steve Lawrence. I have had the opportunity to interview Steve (CCP Episodes 178 and 307) about his experience making the film and following the main characters, Clare, Sassee, Tara, and Stuart around. We follow […]
January 21, 2020

A Best of CCP Episode! Dr. Sara Pizano, DVM, Team Shelter USA

“Ending euthanasia doesn’t take years, and it doesn’t take millions of dollars.” Listen to Episode #335 now   Stacy sits down with Dr. Sara Pizano (a previous CCP guest on Episode 56, Episode 171, and Episodes 246 and 247) to discuss Dr. Pizano’s new book, The Best Practice Playbook for […]
February 13, 2020

Animal Podcast Reviews Part 2

A few weeks ago, I reviewed several animal welfare-related podcasts. Here are some more reviews of some of the podcasts that I listen to and my thoughts about them. Humane Voices Did you know that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has its own podcast called Humane Voices? It is […]
March 10, 2020

Debbie Chatenever, community cat caretaker

“Going out and helping those cats gave me reason to want to get up and get dressed and go outside.” Listen to Episode #342 Now   In this episode, Stacy chats with community cat caretaker Debbie Chatenever, who walks several miles each day to feed the community cats in her […]
March 31, 2020

Elaine Spencer and Melanie Gardner, T-Town TNR

“If you want to run a successful nonprofit TNR organization that relies on outside funding … capturing data is essential.” Listen to Episode #345 Now   In this episode, Stacy chats with Elaine Spencer and Melanie Gardner from T-Town TNR, an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to resolving the feline overpopulation crisis […]
April 21, 2020

Tina Traster, Catnip Nation

“That’s really the point of the film … to show that we’re not powerless.” Listen to Episode #348 Now   Award-winning journalist, author, and filmmaker Tina Traster, previously featured on CCP Episode 186, joins Stacy again to update us on her documentary, Catnip Nation. The film advocates for TNR through […]
April 30, 2020

Where Are the Foster Homes for People Trapping Community Cats During COVID-19?

An Open Letter to Folks Who Trap Community Cats I am concerned that there will be kittens and cats that need our help and we won’t be to help them. You might think I am crazy, as the whole world seems to want to be a foster home. Groups are […]
May 7, 2020

Small is Beautiful During COVID-19

“Small is Beautiful” is going to be my mantra for community cat programs and clinics this summer. As states begin to open up their restrictions on what businesses can and can’t do, we will need to be creative in adjusting to different working conditions. The most nimble organizations are going […]
May 14, 2020

COVID-19: The Impact on Pets in Chelsea, MA

As we all do, I wear many hats. In addition to heading up the Community Cats Podcast and all of our educational programs, I am also the program administrator for a small group in Chelsea, MA called HubCats Chelsea (HCC). This group started up about four years ago to do a […]
June 2, 2020

Karen Little, Alley Cat Advocates

“We’re here and we’re here to stay.” Listen to Episode #354 Now   Karen Little, featured previously on CCP Episode 17 and Episode 112, joins Stacy to discuss the new things going on with the organization she and her husband founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 1999, Alley Cat Advocates. In […]
June 16, 2020

Mary Howard, Community Cat Coordinator at McKamey Animal Center

“We just have to make sure that [the caregivers] understand … how we’re there to help them.” Listen to Episode #356 Now   In this episode, Stacy talks with Mary Howard, the community cat coordinator at McKamey Animal Center in Chattanooga, TN. The program started in 2018 with a grant […]
June 18, 2020

A Question for the CCP Community – Is it time to lose our spay/neuter mission?

Spending the weekend talking at the Online Kitten Conference about how to care for, nurture, spay/neuter, transport, and adopt out kittens really got me thinking about the role of spay/neuter in our animal welfare movement. Twenty-plus years ago, when I first started out with the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, […]
June 23, 2020

Elizabeth Finch, Good Mews Animal Foundation

“We’re now able to expand our mission to help community cats.” Listen to Episode #357 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. Stacy talks with Elizabeth Finch, a member of the board of directors and full-time marketing and communications […]
July 14, 2020

Sterling Davis, Atlanta’s “Trap King”

“I see a lot more people getting engaged.” Listen to Episode #360 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. In this episode, Stacy sits down with Sterling Davis again (she talked with him before in CCP Episode 243) to […]
July 21, 2020

Dr. Bob Weedon, TLC PetSnip & Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs

“When you start talking about the public health benefits of TNVR programs, you engage a whole different group of stakeholders.” Listen to Episode #361 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. In this information-packed episode, Stacy sits down with […]
July 28, 2020

Carrie Lippert Gillaspie, Television & Podcast Host

“We’re changing the culture and we’re shifting how people are viewing community cats in our area.” Listen to Episode #362 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com. Other sponsorship consideration provided by The Cat Fanciers’ Association and The American Association of Feline Practitioners.  In this episode, Stacy […]
August 3, 2020

Pastor Larry Vandever, Coalition for Feral Cats of Lehigh Valley (PA)

“Our slogan is: We speak for them because they cannot. Our motto is: We never say no.” Listen to Episode #363 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, The Cat Fanciers’ Association, Kitty Sift, and The American Association of Feline Practitioners. Pastor Larry Vandever, a former police officer […]
August 18, 2020

Julie Jacobson, Spay Tennessee and CCP Community Cats Grants Program

“I fear a complete loss of services in some areas that already had little to nothing.” Listen to Episode #365 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, The Cat Fanciers’ Association, and The American Association of Feline Practitioners. Stacy chats with Julie Jacobson of Spay Tennessee, who is […]
August 20, 2020

Anyone Can Trap! How to Get Involved with Your Local TNR Program

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs can be a wonderful way to deal with community cat population issues. It is important that community/feral cats get spayed/neutered and vaccinated so that their colonies don’t grow exponentially. In […]
September 1, 2020

Anna Raines, Best Friends Animal Society

“If you want to protect wildlife, if you want to protect birds, then you need to do a full dive into TNR and cat programming.” Listen to Episode #367 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com’s FosterSpace, Kitty Sift Litter System, and The American Association of Feline […]
September 24, 2020

Caring for Your Feral Working Cat

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast.  Employing a feral working cat at your barn, warehouse, vineyard, garden center, or workshop serves the dual purpose of controlling the rodent population and helping a feral cat find a safe place to […]
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 […]
October 6, 2020

Sarah Moore & Dr. Teri Kidd, Animal Protective League

“Veterinary medicine in general and spay/neuter in particular are essential services.” Listen to Episode #372 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, Boulder Holistic Vet, and Kitty Sift. In this episode, Stacy chats with Sarah Moore, the clinic manager for the Animal Protective League (APL) of Springfield […]
October 27, 2020

Kathleen O’Malley, TNR educator

“It’s a real relationship we have between ourselves and our feral cats.” Listen to Episode #375 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Heaven Can Wait. Kathleen O’Malley is a longtime practitioner and educator of TNR. She has worked for the Hudson County Animal League, the ASPCA, […]
November 12, 2020

International TNR Spotlight: Let’s Adopt Indonesia

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Great TNR work is being done all over the world! This week we’re traveling (virtually) to Indonesia to learn more about the organization Let’s Adopt Indonesia. Note: this interview with Let’s Adopt Indonesia […]
November 19, 2020

International TNR Spotlight: CopsCats Cyprus

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Great TNR work is being done to support community cats all over the world! This week we have an interview with CopsCats, an organization in Cyprus. CopsCats is a small group of volunteers […]
December 22, 2020

Best of 2020 – Dr. Bob Weedon, TLC PetSnip & Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs

“When you start talking about the public health benefits of TNVR programs, you engage a whole different group of stakeholders.” Listen to Episode #383 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Fosterspace, powered by Doobert. Visit them online to learn more. In this information-packed episode, Stacy sits down with […]
January 21, 2021

We Can Do Better Than Lethal Control of Outdoor Cat Populations

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. As cat lovers, we hate seeing stories about communities employing lethal removal techniques to combat feral cat populations. But it isn’t distressing only because we hate the idea of cats being hunted and […]
January 28, 2021

The Bluegrass Cat Project

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. This week I chatted with Dr. Sara Pizano, founder of Team Shelter USA, LLC, about her work with the Bluegrass Cat Project and the recent grant they received from the Joanie Bernard Foundation. […]
February 4, 2021

Feline Fix by Five

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. Fix cats by five months? To those of you working in a shelter setting, this idea might not make a lot of sense, as you’re probably already spaying and neutering kittens by 8 weeks […]
March 16, 2021

Mariah McCulley – Director of Operations at Animal Friends Alliance

“After people try [fostering feral kittens] and they have that first successful adoption, or that first purr or that first play, they’re hooked.” Listen to Episode #395 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by TICA and Doobert.com.  Stacy chats with Mariah McCulley, Director of Operations at Animal Friends Alliance, […]
May 4, 2021

Deborah Cribbs, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Joanie Bernard Foundation & The Ten movement

“Our donor probably would have been happy…that every cat in Cincinnati had a bed and a telephone.” Listen to Episode #402 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Kitty Sift and Doobert.com. Deborah Cribbs, a banker by trade, is the chair of the board of trustees for Joanie […]
May 7, 2021

Special Episode! Care Dare

TrapKing Sterling Davis and Mike Bricker of Best Friends join Stacy to talk about the Care Dare challenge. Listen to Episode #402A Now   Find out all the details about Care Dare, taking place this May, in this special episode! CARE will be sponsoring the first ever CARE DARE Community […]
June 1, 2021

Daralyn Kelleher, YouTuber and Amateur Woodworker

“That’s sort of the vibe I’m going for: mid-century with a touch of cats.” Listen to Episode #406 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com. Daralyn Kelleher is an LA-based YouTuber who turned to furniture making during quarantine, documenting the process on her […]
June 2, 2021

The Whole Kit and Caboodle: TNR of Kittens

This week’s guest post is authored by Nancy Peterson of The National Kitten Coalition. Best TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) practices involve trapping the entire colony of cats at the same time, although there are times when this is not possible. When there are kittens to be trapped, there are additional considerations. You will be […]
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 27, 2021

Christi Metropole, Founder of Stray Cat Alliance

“It was a struggle for getting [cats] a voice.” Listen to Episode #414 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com. Christi Metropole, founder of the Stray Cat Alliance shares with Stacy how she got started with TNR in the 90s and how trapping […]
September 7, 2021

Caron Tuttle, Atascosa Animal Allies

“The more people are involved, the happier they are when they see progress and see that they have done good for animals. It’s a cycle.” Listen to Episode #420 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com. In 2017, Caron Tuttle answered a call […]
October 6, 2021

Fall means cool weather, warm drinks, and preparing cats for winter.

Original article contributed by Liz Pease | Update by Brianna Lovell Myers  It’s that special time of year. The leaves are changing, the weather is turning, and pumpkin spice is in demand. As fall takes hold, I bet we’re all starting to think the same thing–time to winterize our feeding stations […]
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 21, 2021

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

“The bond that is formed between the cats and their carer is all about food… The cats learn, pretty quickly, who is feeding them, and the attachment forms from there.” Listen to Episode #435 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com. In part one of […]
December 28, 2021

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

“Once you’ve listened and once you’ve empathized [with neighbors] you’ve diffused the situation and most, 90%, of people are not going to be angry.” Listen to Episode #436 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com. In Part 2 of 2021 Colony Caretaking Tips & Tricks, […]
January 4, 2022

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

“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   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s […]
February 1, 2022

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

“…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   This episode is sponsored in part by […]
February 8, 2022

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

“The door is always open to work together.” Listen to Episode #442 Now   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 […]
February 15, 2022

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.” Listen to Episode #443 Now   This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert.com and Maddie’s Fund. Meet Molly Kelsey, a former […]
March 22, 2022

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.” Listen to Episode #448 Now 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 […]
April 12, 2022

Documenting the TNR Experience with Photographer Erica Danger

“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, […]
April 19, 2022

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

“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 […]
May 3, 2022

Supporting Animals and Their People with Joe Elmore, Charleston Animal Society

“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 […]
May 24, 2022

A Small Organization Making a Big Impact with Linda Chitwood, Volunteer Director, Homeless Animals Relief Project

“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 […]
May 31, 2022

Special Episode! Trappers’ Tips & Tricks Part 1 with Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats

“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 […]
June 7, 2022

Special Episode! Trappers’ Tips & Tricks Part 2 with Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats

“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 […]
June 16, 2022

Computers Are Good For More Than Cat Memes

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 […]
June 27, 2022

Strategy and Collaboration with Cameron Greig, Community Cat Coordinator for the Humane Society of Huron Valley

“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 […]
July 19, 2022

Together We Trap with Angéline Fahey, Community Cat Program Manager at Humane Society of Southern Arizona

“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 […]
July 26, 2022

Same Team with Sterling Davis, Atlanta’s “Trap King”

“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 […]
July 28, 2022

What To Do If You Find Kittens

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 […]
August 2, 2022

A Drop Trap Master Class with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

“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 […]
August 9, 2022

Part 2 – A Drop Trap Master Class with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

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 […]
August 25, 2022

Mass Trapping Success: Here’s What You Need to Know

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 […]
September 8, 2022

Six Tips on How to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Pregnant!

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 […]
September 13, 2022

Romance, Suspense, and Trapping with Angela Campbell, Best-Selling Author, The Psychic Detective

“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 […]
September 22, 2022

How to Winterize Those Feral Cat Shelters

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) […]
October 11, 2022

Contraception for Cats with Valerie Benka and John Boone from Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

“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   […]
November 29, 2022

How to Reunite Pets and Owners with Corinne Bourgoin, Operations Coordinator, MSPCA Boston Adoption Center

“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. […]
December 1, 2022

Dealing with Neighbors Who Don’t Like Cats

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 […]
December 6, 2022

Justice, TNR, and Not-So-Crazy Cat Ladies with Esmerelda Alvarez, TNR Advocate

“I think the best way to rescue the most cats is through TNR.” Listen to Episode #485 Now   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, […]
December 13, 2022

Open to the Possibilities with Dr. Kelly Deihl, Senior Director of Science and Communication at Morris Animal Foundation

“I would tell people: stay open, learn, [and] keep learning.” Listen to Episode #486 Now   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 […]
December 15, 2022

A Sneak Peek at 2023

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 […]
December 20, 2022

Training Tomorrow’s Trappers with Bryan Kortis, Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

“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 Now   This episode is sponsored […]
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