The Community Cats Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, DVA, DACVAA, DACVB, Professor Emeritus—Tufts University, Author, and Co-founder of the Center for Canine Behaviour Studies Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

If dogs and cats could choose a psychiatrist it would be Dr. Nicholas Dodman. With a drive for advocacy, a gift for research, and a never-say-quit treatment philosophy, it is no surprise that he is one of the world's most noted veterinary behaviorists. Co-founder of the Center for Canine Behaviour Studies, Dr. Dodman describes himself as a "secret cat person," as well.

In this episode, Dr. Dodman and Stacy chat about enrichment for indoor cats and how clicker training with cats positively enhances their relationship with their people. Dr. Dodman takes us through behavioral conflicts that are common in cats and some that are uncommon—like separation anxiety. He outlines how pharmaceutical solutions treat behavioral issues like territorial spraying, pica, and compulsive behavior (OCD) in cats.

To learn more about Dr. Dodman's current and previous work, visit the Center for Canine Behavior Studies online, and for feline-specific content visit Cat's Corner. Follow the CCBS on Facebook and Instagram.

Dr. Kelly Diehl, D.V.M., Senior Director of Science and Communication of Morris Animal Foundation, Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist and Veterinary Journalist Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

Dr. Kelly Diehl left private practice as a Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist to join the Morris Animal Foundation which funds research that benefits animals directly.

Dr. Diehl and Stacy discuss the Happy, Healthy Cat campaign which continues to shape protocol around low-stress housing in shelters today. Dr. Diehl relates some surprising common ground uncovered in a study about bird people v. cat people and gives us a preview into an ongoing study that looks at the effects of chronic inflammation in feline behavior and cognitive health.

To learn more, visit the Morris Animal Foundation website for information on studies, webinars, and videos. Find out about their FIP initiative and how the foundation determines which projects to fund. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Kristen Hassen, Maddie's® American Pets Alive! Director overseeing Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

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

In this episode Stacy and Kristen touch on how fostering benefits the physical and mental health of cats as opposed to the stress encountered in conventional shelter stays. They also discuss a surprising reaction to a recent statement issued by the National Animal Care & Control Association and how community cat programs create a more humane existence for animals, and animal control officers.

To keep up with Kristen Hassen and all things Human Animal Support Services, follow HASS on Facebook and Instagram or learn more on their YouTube channel.

Suzi Langer, Advocate for Specially Abled Animals Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

Suzi Langer is a vet tech with a soft spot for specially-abled cats. Just a few hours into fostering her first cat with Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), a neurological condition that affects balance and coordination, she was hooked. Now Suzi and her kitty, Bifford, are on a mission to educate people and advocate for cats with this non-progressive condition.

Stacy and Suzi discuss muscle memory, busting stigmas around specially-abled pets, and the unexpected benefits of adopting a cat with CH. Suzi's website provides resources and tools to make veterinary visits and everyday life more friendly for kitties with CH and their people.

Get to know Suzi's self-described "blended house of misfit toys," including Bifford, on Instagram, Facebook, or her website.

Mandy Evans, Better Together Animal Alliance Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

Mandy Evans has spent over a decade as the executive director of Better Together Animal Alliance—formerly Panhandle Animal Shelter—in Ponderay, Idaho, and hosts the podcast People are animals too, Darnit! When Better Together experienced an increase in owner surrenders, the Home to Home program was born. As a result the shelter saw an astounding 33% decrease in owner surrenders and Mandy knew it was something that needed to be shared with other shelters.

In this episode, Stacy and Mandy discuss big programming changes that shift perspectives on traditional sheltering mindsets. Mandy also shares tips on executive director longevity, creating a board of directors that doesn't favor fear, and the future of sheltering as she sees it.

Hear more from Mandy Evans on her podcast, People are animals too, Darnit! Find out about the Home to Home program by visiting their website. Check out the Better Together Animal Alliance Website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see what they develop next.

Hannah Senser, Ruff Start Rescue Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

Hannah Senser is the cat foster manager for Ruff Start Rescue. RSR is a foster-based rescue with a network of 1,000 active foster homes instead of a brick-and-mortar shelter. Overseeing up to 300 cats/kittens and their foster families across the state of Minnesota, Hannah tells us it is vital that she can "manage a mean spreadsheet."

Stacy and Hannah discuss empowering fosters, removing barriers faced by adopters, the challenges of working in a rural community, and the impact of COVID-19 on Ruff Start Rescue's fostering and adoption programs.

Learn more about Ruff Start Rescue at their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Caron Tuttle, Atascosa Animal Allies Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

In 2017, Caron Tuttle answered a call for fostering help from a local rescue group in Pleasanton, Texas. Intending to foster one kitten, Caron left the shelter that day with five very sick kittens and one mama cat. Shortly thereafter, she and four friends founded Atascosa Animal Allies.

Atascosa Animal Allies has since grown to provide a robust TNR program and a subsidized monthly spay and neuter clinic for community-owned pets. Stacy and Caron discuss the importance of sterilization in community cat populations and the value of inviting the community to take an active part in the process.

To find out more about Atascosa Animal Allies, visit their website. You can also connect with them via email or follow them on Facebook.

Michelle Major, Author Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

Michelle Major is a USA Today best-selling author of romance novels. She is passionate about animals and fosters kittens and promotes her local shelter in her free time. Her newest book, The Last Carolina Sister, the third book in the Magnolia Sisters trilogy, has a focus on animal sheltering as the protagonist, Meredith, runs an animal shelter.

Stacy and Michelle talk about bringing the challenges of working in animal welfare into a pop culture setting like a novel, how Michelle uses her platform to promote animal welfare, and her tips for building a social media following.

You can buy The Last Carolina Sister on Michelle's website, and you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagramto keep up with author news as well as pet and foster news.

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Sanja Massey, Sylvester AI Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

We all know cats are great at hiding pain, but what if there was a way to monitor your cat's pain just by taking a photo of her face? That is the goal of Sylvester AI's new app Tably. Today Stacy is talking with Sanja Massey of Sylvester AI about the app and the implications for cat health as it continues developing.

The Tably app uses the Feline Grimace Scale, a medical study that identified 5 facial cues that indicate whether a cat is in pain. The app reads those cues from a photo. Sanja shares some success stories from the app's development and how the app can be used by veterinary clinics to monitor how a cat is doing after a surgery or treatment.

You can find them in the app store as Tably, online on the Sylvester AI website, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Basel Nassar, Creator of Boss Nation Brands Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Smalls Fresh Cat Food and Doobert.com.

Basel Nassar is an entrepreneur with many years of experience creating products designed to boost human digestive health. He has recently made the switch to pet digestive health with his company Boss Nation Brands. Boss Nation creates raw pet foods that act as full nutritional meals, as well as treats full of healthy supplements. Boss Nation also has a charity platform called Boss Cares which partners with local charities to support different initiatives such as TNR, animal training, and adoption.

Stacy and Basel discuss the best ways to transition your pet to raw foods and the health benefits he's seen in his own pets. Basel also shares his best advice for entrepreneurs and how to cultivate the right team by developing and training people who have the right attitude, instead of trying to hire the perfect candidate.

To find out more about Boss Nation's pet foods, visit their website.