The Community Cats Podcast

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Sarah Archer, Writer, Curator, Design & Material Culture Historian Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com.

Writer, curator, and design and material culture historian Sarah Archer speaks with Stacy about how her love of her rescue cats led her to her newest project. Sarah is a senior curator at Philadelphia Art Alliance, a contributor to Hyperallergic and many other publications, and has worked with organizations such as Project Meow and Morris Animal Refuge in Philadelphia, PA.

After a cameo by Sarah's kitten Toast, Stacy and Sarah discuss Sarah's most recent project, a book called Catland: the Soft Power of Cat Culture in Japan which explores the unique relationship between humans and cats in Japan. Japan has a rich history of cats in arts and crafts, and today images of cats proliferate all parts of Japanese culture. Because of small apartments in big cities, it's less common for Japanese people to adopt cats, which leads to a more collective style of caring for community cats. Their discussion also touches on overpopulation of cats in Japan, TNR efforts, and the phenomenon of cat islands.

To find out more about Sarah and to learn where you can buy the book, visit Sarah's website. She can also be found on Twitter and Instagram.

Kawaii!

Kevin Coolidge, Author and Independent Bookstore Owner Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and KittySift.

Author of Hobo Finds a Home and Huck and Finn, Bookstore Cats and independent bookstore owner Kevin Coolidge is featured in this episode.

The tradition of library and bookstore cats goes back to the Library of Alexandria and Kevin is keeping up the tradition with his two bookstore cats Huck and Finn, who have been featured in Cole and Marmalade's blog and in Bookstore Catsby Brandon Schultz. Stacy and Kevin talk about how Huck and Finn, and previously a cat named Hobo, found their home in the bookstore and became the stars of Kevin's children's books.

You can buy the books at Kevin's website or from his bookstore From My Shelf. If you can't make it up to Wellsboro, PA for a visit, Huck and Finn can be found online on their Facebook page.

Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and Author Oct 29, 2020

Show notes

In this special episode, we celebrate National Cat Day by talking with Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and best-selling author. Pam and Stacy discuss how Pam started her career and why we need to "think like a cat," as well as her latest project with ARM & HAMMER Cat Litter's "Purrfectly Impurrfect" campaign. The campaign is kicking off on National Cat Day to shed light on cats who may be passed by for adoption because of their age, appearance, or misunderstood personality. From October 29–November 30, anyone can nominate a "purrfectly impurrfect" shelter cat. Pam and two other cat experts will be selecting three winners, and each winning shelter will receive $10,000 from ARM & HAMMER Cat LItter, plus Pam's counseling services. Pam tells us not to wait to nominate a purrfectly impurrfect cat, as the first 100 nominations will receive $100 worth of ARM & HAMMER Cat Litter! And she also reminds us that if you can't adopt, you can still help spread the word. When it comes to helping community cats, everything we do matters. Happy National Cat Day! To learn more and to nominate a purrfectly impurrfect shelter cat, go to felinegenerousstories.com and use #FelineGenerous #Contest to follow the conversation.

Kathleen O'Malley, TNR Educator Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

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, the Mayor's Alliance for New York City Animals, and Bideawee Feral Cat Initiative (FCI).

In this episode Stacy and Kathleen discuss what to do if you see a stray cat, the many ways you can help with TNR, and the challenges facing those assisting community cats. Kathleen shares more about programs provided by Bideawee FCI, including education and outreach around TNR and caring for colonies, as well as support for certified TNR caretakers and the general public to connect with resources, services, and each other.

To find out more, you can email info@nycferalcat.org or visit Bideawee's website or the NYC Feral Cat Initiative.

Meagan King, Volunteer & Advocate Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, Heaven Can Wait, and C5.

This week Stacy talks to Meagan King, who has worked in pit bull rescues, animal shelters, and the pet service industry for more than eight years. She is interested in animal fear, aggression, and behavior and has worked with the SPCA of Texas as the Dallas behavior coordinator. She is a champion of fear-free cat-handling techniques. She currently works in Houston helping to identify community cat candidates in the shelter environment, as well as educating staff and the community on fear-free techniques.

Meagan and Stacy discuss dealing with cats with behavior problems in shelters and how to identify the best placement for a particular cat. They also talk about Harris County's partnership with Best Friends Animal Society to create a robust TNVR, SNR (shelter, neuter, return), and community cat program. They also touch on the effects of COVID-19 on fostering, adoption, and spay and neuter.

To learn more go to the Harris County Pets website or email harriscountypets@bestfriends.org.

Kathy Black, Cat Fanciers' Association Judge Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, Boulder Holistic Vet, and C5.

Kathy Black, an all-breed judge from the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) for the past 19 years, joins Stacy in this episode. Kathy has bred and shown cats for 30 years, and she also chairs the CFA's Companion Cat World (CCW), a program that celebrates rescued and non-pedigreed cats around the world.

Kathy shares a bit of the CFA's history with Stacy, and explains that even though the CFA is "mostly a registry of pedigreed cats, we have always been there to enhance the well-being of all cats and promote education, responsible cat ownership, and proper care for millions of cats worldwide." CFA's goal is to reach out to the cat people out there who have never heard of them and let them know who they are, what they stand for, and what they work for.

Stacy and Kathy go on to discuss the CFA's thoughts on cat overpopulation issues around the world, including how they promote spay/neuter while also working to protect and preserve breeds. They talk about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected CFA, how CFA supports rescue groups, and their anti-declawing stance.

To learn more about the CFA and Companion Cat World, including how you can register your own cat (purebred or not) with the CFA, visit their website.

Sarah Moore & Dr. Teri Kidd, Animal Protective League Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

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 Illinois's spay/neuter clinic, and with Dr. Teri Kidd, the clinic's veterinarian. They discuss how Dr. Kidd got into high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter and TNR, and how things have changed in the city, numbers-wise, since the clinic opened in 2006. Stacy, Sarah, and Dr. Kidd also discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their clinic and how they were able to remain open for all but one day during the spring 2020 outbreak. They also talk about the pandemic's impact on the shelter and intake numbers and Dr. Kidd offers some thoughts regarding how leaders might better handle veterinary services in the event of another outbreak or similar situation. To learn more about the word APL does, visit their website, or check them out on social media. For more tips on advocating for veterinary services as essential in times of crisis, check out this flow chart from Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats.

Jennifer Barnes, Trapper & Animal Welfare Advocate Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

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 been colony feeding and trapping cats for TNR for over five years in New Jersey. Known online as "The Trap Queen," Jennifer largely uses her own money to fund her TNR, and she doesn't drive—but she still gets the job done. She and Stacy discuss how she became involved in rescue and, eventually, TNR, and Jennifer shares the story of how she found the strength to keep trapping after having to euthanize the first cat she ever trapped.

Jennifer also talks with Stacy about the lack of diversity in animal welfare, and how, as a Black woman, her early experiences with the animal welfare industry made her consider quitting. Though she traps independently, she has since connected up with a nonprofit organization that has a Black CEO, a fact that has made her feel more at ease and like she belongs in animal welfare.

Jennifer shares her advice on trapping without your own vehicle, including tips on using ride-sharing services and public transportation. She tells Stacy about her favorite baits, and about her ongoing colony feeding experiences. While Jennifer funds the majority of the work she does herself, she does accept donations to help with the colonies she feeds and any vet care they require.

To learn more and follow the work Jennifer does, check her out on Facebook, Instagram, or on Twitter under the handle @trapqueen85.

Sarah Dunsmore, CDE Animal Cages Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com's FosterSpace, Boulder Holistic Vet, and Heaven Can Wait Animal Society.

Sarah Dunsmore of CDE Animal Cages, previously featured on CCP Episode 302, joins Stacy to talk about catios, which CDE (a 2020 Online Kitten Conference sponsor) produces in all shapes and sizes for all different applications. Stacy and Sarah discuss the benefits of catios, and why a catio is preferable to letting a cat outdoors.

CDE works with each individual to design a custom catio that works for their location and the needs of both the owner and the cats. They have many different options and price points, and all of their catios can be broken down for re-assembly at a new location if needed. The catio components are designed to last for many decades and are completely cleanable.

To learn more, Sarah encourages you to look at what other people are doing, perhaps through a virtual catio tour, and to visit the catio page at the CDE Animal Cages website.

Holly Ganz, Animal Biome Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com's FosterSpace, C5, and The American Association of Feline Practitioners.

In this episode, Stacy chats with Holly Ganz, Ph.D., a micro-ecologist who studies how microbes and mammals interact, with a specific interest in the role that the gut microbiome plays in gastrointestinal (GI) conditions in cats and dogs.

In 2015, Holly founded Animal Biome to create better diagnostics and therapeutics for cats and dogs with GI conditions. She and Stacy discuss how she became interested in this field, and the Kitty Biome Kickstarter that began the whole thing. They review what the term gut microbiome means and how all this relates to animal welfare work.

Today, Animal Biome offers microbiome testing and fecal transplant capsules for dogs and cats that can be given at home. Holly explains what a fecal transplant is, how it works, and what conditions it can be helpful for, and she discusses what's ahead for Animal Biome.

To learn more, visit the Animal Biome website, where you can find all of their products, as well as a new article on a potential cure for FIP. You can also read a reporter's chronicle of using Animal Biome's fecal transplant capsules in his cat with GI lymphoma.

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