The Community Cats Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Fearful to Fearless and the Push to Protect Canada's Cats with Natalia Hanson, Marketing & Communications Consultant Humane Canada Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

"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 pivotal role in Canada's animal welfare movement. She highlights the work Humane Canada does, from advocating for animal welfare legislation to organizing Canada's largest animal welfare conference.

Natalia discusses the successes of Humane Canada, such as their advocacy for the ban on whale and dolphin captivity for entertainment, and the challenges that remain, including a nationwide shortage of veterinarians. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration in animal welfare and sheds light on innovative solutions like mobile spay and neuter programs, as well as pet food banks, which help keep pets in loving homes during times of hardship.

As Natalia gears up for the 2025 Summit for Animals in Montreal, she invites listeners to attend and connect with other professionals dedicated to improving animal welfare. Whether through volunteering, donations, or simply sharing knowledge, Natalia urges everyone to get involved and support the work of local humane societies.

Press Play Now For:

How Humane Canada advocates for stronger animal protection laws and supports shelters across the nation.
The inside scoop on the Summit for Animals, and why it's a must-attend event for animal welfare professionals.
A deep dive into Canada's veterinary shortage and its impact on spay and neuter services.
The lifesaving role of mobile spay/neuter units in reaching underserved communities.
The critical importance of collaboration in advancing cat welfare across Canada.
How Humane Canada's pet food banks are keeping pets in their homes during financial hardships.

Resources Mentioned:

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Taking Rescue to New Heights with Michael Schneider, Founder of Pilots to the Rescue Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

"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 to establish this unique organization, which has successfully transported over 3,000 animals from overcrowded shelters to new homes across the country.

Michael reveals the behind-the-scenes logistics of these lifesaving missions, discussing the special considerations of flying with animals and the profound fulfillment of combining passion with purpose. Beyond the flights themselves, he emphasizes the transformative power of hands-on involvement in rescue work, challenging listeners to move beyond donations and actively participate in the causes they care about.

This conversation is filled with heartwarming stories of rescued animals, valuable insights into running a mission-driven nonprofit, and a call to action for anyone looking to make a real difference in the lives of animals. Whether you're a seasoned rescuer or new to the world of animal advocacy, this episode will uplift and motivate you to think about how you can help those in need—from the ground or the sky.

Press Play Now For:

The inspiring story behind Pilots to the Rescue and how it has saved over 3,000 animals
Unique challenges and heartwarming rewards of transporting animals by plane
Why hands-on involvement in rescue work brings profound personal fulfillment
Michael's approach to running a nonprofit like a business for long-term impact
How Pilots to the Rescue uses both air and ground transport to maximize their reach
Practical tips on combining your passion with purpose to make a difference

Resources Mentioned:

Pilots to the Rescue: www.pilotstotherescue.org
Connect on Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn

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A Reproductive Revolution: Reframing TNR in Urban Landscapes with Katja M. Guenther, Professor at the University of California, Riverside Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

"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 into the intersections of human-animal relationships, feminist activism, and the challenges of animal sheltering. Her work, especially focused on community cats in Los Angeles, brings a fresh perspective to the ongoing debates around TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), reproductive justice, and the ethics of animal care.

Stacy and Katja explore the unique challenges faced by community cats in Los Angeles, the cultural and ethical considerations surrounding TNR, and the concept of reproductive justice as it applies to animal welfare. This conversation highlights the importance of spay/neuter programs, the complexities of abortive spays, and the necessity of clear communication and organizational coherence in animal advocacy.

In this episode, Stacy and Katja discuss:

The significance of reproductive justice in the context of community cats and TNR.
Understanding the ethical dilemmas surrounding abortive spays and how they impact community cat management.
The cultural and regional differences in community cat advocacy and the importance of tailoring strategies to local contexts.
The critical role of clear organizational policies and communication in managing the complexities of community cat programs.
Insights into the day-to-day realities and challenges of advocating for community cats in a major urban area like Los Angeles.

Resources:

Find Katja on the web at www.katjamguenther.com
Looking for Katja's Books?
Curious what a spay procedure looks like?

Follow & Review:

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3500 Cats and Counting: A Two-Woman TNR Success Story with Dr. Christine Monroe, Owner/Veterinarian & Rhonda Shaffer, Assistant/Trapper, Spay + Neuter Northwest Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

"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 innovative programs that provide compassionate care for thousands of cats. Through hands-on efforts, strategic collaboration, and a deep-rooted passion, they are leading the way in transforming how communities manage feral cats.

Dr. Monroe and Rhonda share the origins of their work, which began with a simple idea over breakfast and evolved into a model for managing feral colonies. They discuss their unique approaches, from mass trappings to individual cat rescues, and their efforts to educate and empower local communities. Listeners will learn about the practical challenges of TNR (trap-neuter-return), the evolution of their feral cat program, and the "No Excuses" initiative that equips individuals to take action themselves.

Tune in to hear the heartwarming stories behind the program, the incredible work being done to reduce cat overpopulation, and the powerful takeaways that can inspire any animal welfare advocate.

Resources

Visit Spay + Neuter Northwest on the web

Follow & Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then add a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Mastering the Drop Trap: Essential Skills for Feline Trapping - Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

"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 their recent experiences from the Maui wildfire rescue operation, highlighting how they adapted their techniques to save hundreds of cats in a disaster zone.

This episode not only provides a wealth of practical advice but also inspires listeners with stories of perseverance and creativity in the face of challenging TNR situations. Whether you're new to community cat care or a seasoned TNR veteran, this episode will expand your toolkit for managing feral cat colonies effectively.

Key Takeaways:

Auto Drop Trap Innovation: Learn about the auto drop trap system, how it works, and why it was crucial in the Maui wildfire rescue.
Adapting to Challenging Conditions: Understand how to adjust your trapping strategy for difficult environments, such as uneven ground or wary cats.
Rescue Operations Insights: Gain insights from the Maui wildfire rescue, including how to manage large-scale rescue efforts and the importance of being adaptable.

Resources:

Find Neighborhood Cats on the web
Check out the Tomahawk traps mentioned
Be sure to visit our YouTube channel to check out all of our videos, episodes, and presentations. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find them, along with many other TNR and community cat care educational opportunities.
Check out our sponsor Maddie's Fund at communitycatspodcast.com/maddies579
Check out our sponsor Whisker Tracker App at communitycatspodcast.com/maddies579

Follow & Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Mastering the Drop Trap: Essential Skills for Feline Trapping - Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

"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 their experiences, practical tips, and innovative strategies for effectively managing feral cat colonies, focusing on advanced trapping techniques. Bryan discuss everything from the basics of using drop traps to the intricacies of dealing with challenging cats and unique trapping scenarios.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the thought processes behind effective TNR, learning not just how to trap cats, but why certain methods work better in different situations. This episode is packed with information that's crucial for anyone involved in or interested in community cat care.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Drop Traps: Learn why drop traps are a game-changer in trapping feral cats, especially for those who are wary of standard box traps.
Practical Trapping Tips: Discover the importance of patience, proper bait placement, and how to avoid common mistakes when using traps.
Advanced Strategies: Get an introduction to advanced trapping techniques, including the use of drop trap pads for uneven ground and how to manage multiple cats at once.

Resources:

Find Neighborhood Cats on the web
Check out the Tomahawk traps mentioned
Be sure to visit our YouTube channel to check out all of our videos, episodes, and presentations. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find them, along with many other TNR and community cat care educational opportunities.

Follow & Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Mastering Feline Behavior and Enrichment, with Ingrid Johnson, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, Fundamentally Feline Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

"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 countless cat owners create happier, healthier lives for their pets.

In this episode, Ingrid shares her journey from starting in the field of feline behavior in the early 2000s to becoming a leading expert in the industry. We delve into the importance of environmental enrichment for indoor cats, the benefits of food puzzles, and how these tools can prevent boredom and reduce behavior problems. Ingrid also discusses the challenges of medicating cats and offers practical strategies for making this process smoother and less stressful for both cats and their owners. Additionally, she highlights the integration of medical and behavioral approaches to ensure holistic care for our feline friends.

In this episode, you will learn:

The critical role of environmental enrichment in maintaining feline well-being
How to effectively introduce and use food puzzles and foraging toys to stimulate your cat
The principles of clicker training and how it can enhance your relationship with your cat
Techniques for successful and stress-free medication administration for cats
The importance of combining medical and behavioral strategies to address feline issues comprehensively

Resources:

Learn more at Fundamentally Feline, Food Puzzles for Cats, IAABC
Follow and subscribe to @FundamentallyFeline on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Follow & Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Are Cats the Underdogs in Municipal Politics with Stuart Kroll, Animal Rights Advocate, Port Washington, Long Island Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

"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 animal rights advocate with over 15 years of experience. Stuart's journey began with feeding a small colony of semi-feral cats in Port Washington, Long Island, which led him to become deeply involved in animal rescue and political advocacy. He shares his mission to establish a cat shelter in North Hempstead, a wealthy town with no municipal shelter for cats, and the challenges he faces in holding municipalities accountable for animal welfare.

Join us as Stuart discusses the complexities of creating a supportive environment for community cats, the vital role of municipal responsibility, and the power of public pressure in driving change. Discover how his unique background as a commodities trader has equipped him with the skills to navigate the political landscape and advocate for the rights of homeless cats. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about animal rescue, community engagement, and the fight for better conditions for our feline friends.

In this episode, you will hear:

Stuart Kroll's journey from commodities trader to animal rights advocate
Challenges of creating a cat shelter in North Hempstead, Long Island
The intersection of animal welfare and politics
The importance of public pressure in driving municipal change
Strategies for implementing effective Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs
The role of nonprofits and community organizations in supporting cat welfare
The need for legislative change to mandate municipal responsibility for cats
Stuart's vision for a comprehensive municipal cat shelter
The impact of community engagement and awareness in animal advocacy

Resources:

Join the conversation on Facebook
Visit Stuart's Website
Connect with Stuart by email at SRKTrader@aol.com
Call Stuart at 516-578-8587

Follow & Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Targeted TNR: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 2, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

"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 complexities of maintaining and expanding a targeted TNR program once it's off the ground.

Brian shares his and Susie's experiences with overcoming common obstacles, such as community resistance, resource limitations, and the difficulties of keeping momentum going after the initial campaign. You will hear the importance of setting realistic goals and timelines and gain practical advice on how to sustain your efforts over the long term.

This episode is packed with actionable insights and proven strategies to help you navigate the challenges that come with targeted TNR. Whether you're dealing with limited resources or struggling to keep your program on track, this conversation will provide the tools and inspiration you need to succeed.

To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, please visit their website.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel to check out all of our videos, episodes, and presentations. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find them, along with many other TNR and community cat care educational opportunities.

Follow & Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Targeted TNR: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

"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 Neighborhood Cats. His expertise in managing high-impact TNR programs is unparalleled, and in this episode, he uncovers the strategies that have made their programs so successful.

You will be guided through the critical first steps of a targeted TNR campaign, focusing on how to identify the most impactful areas for intervention. Learn, from his experiences and insights, why geographical focus is essential for long-term success and how it can dramatically change the landscape for community cats.

Whether you're just getting started or are looking to refine your existing TNR program, this webinar rebroadcast offers invaluable advice on making every trap count. Join us as we explore how to start strong and build the foundation for a successful targeted TNR effort.

To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, please visit their website.

Follow & Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

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