The Community Cats Podcast

Interview! Mary Peng, CEO & Founder, International Center for Veterinary Services (Part 1) "This is a program for China. It is going to raise the bar on humane animal welfare." In part one of this special two-part episode, Stacy interviews Mary Peng,CEO and founder of International Center for Veterinary Services. Based in Beijing, ICVS is the first international standard animal hospital in China. China is a large country with very little access to veterinary care. In 1994, Mary adopted a cat in China but found it almost impossible to access basic animal healthcare for her furry friend. She decided to put her own professional business and consulting training, as well as her knowledge as a pet owner, to tap into the potential for a pet care industry in China. ICVS was founded in 2006 and offers a myriad of veterinary services as well as training. Using programs in the US as templates, Mary and her staff teach TNR best practices and train vets to spay and neuter animals on a large scale. Though there is still a lot of work to be done, Mary is hopeful about the future for animals in China. To learn more about ICVS, donate to their cause, or contact their bilingual Chinese-English staff, please visit www.icvsasia.com, or search for ICVS Asia on any major social media site. Special thanks CatanDog for sponsoring this episode. Visit www.catandogs.net for more information.

Interview! Chris Roy, Founder, Doobert.com "The concept behind Doobert was to automate those rescue tasks that can and should be automated." Chris Roy is a pilot, a Milwaukeean, a husband and owner of several cats and dogs, and the creator of Doobert.com, an online software platform for animal welfare volunteers and organizations. Although Doobert started as a hub to organize the transportation of rescued animals, it has grown to offer a wide variety of services, such as photography for shelters. Chris firmly believes that we can use technology to make people and organizations more efficient in order to save more animals, and he is hopeful and excited about the doors that technology will continue to open in the animal welfare world. His next step for Doobert is to design a module for community cat concerns, and is eager for any feedback or suggestions that those who work with these animals can give. To get in touch with Chris, visit Doobert.com and click on the orange HELP/SUPPORT button.

Interview! Dr. Caitlyn Neal, HVHQSN Veterinarian, Washington D.C. and Maryland "We have enormous community support through our foster network and feeders who really want to go the distance for their cats" Just two years out of veterinary school, Dr. Neal has been drawn to shelter medicine for quite some time. This spay/neuter "dynamo" has been involved with a number of high quality, high volume spay/neuter programs and today leads the medical efforts at CATNIPP, the Cat Neighborhood Partnership program in Washington, DC, which supports local efforts to reduce overpopulation, and keep free-roaming cats healthy, as well asi improve relationships between community cats and the people who coexist with them. Dr. Neal notes that community felines are living longer, and now just as subject to geriatric diseases as environmental challenges. She also discusses ways for veterinary students to start making a difference before they're even in practice.

Nina Wolf, Writer and Expert, Animal Nutrition and Wellness "Think about our kids who are cuddling animals and sticking their faces down into their fur." Nina is a passionate advocate for keeping animals safe and healthy through use of natural, non-toxic foods and treatment alternatives. She catalogs the many health issues posed to cats and dogs through use of topical flea and tick treatments (as well as their dangers to humans), and introduces Stacy to a new alternative that repels pests via electromagnetic waves. By simply adding the Catandog tag to your pet's collar, you can protect it from all flying parasites. Sound too good to be true? Nina explains the tag creates a electromagnetic field when it interacts with your pet's skin, which repels bugs and makes them "just go away." Nina also describes the benefits of diatomaceous earth for reducing pest populations around community cat colonies. Learn more at www.catandogs.net

Interview! Aimee St. Arnaud-Relaunch- Director at Humane Alliance a Program of the ASPCA "We need to focus on stopping the problem at the root… that's why we focus on prevention." In today's episode we are relaunching Aimee St. Arnaud's super podcast, as we had a technical glitch. Since the episode was only live for a short period of time, we want to make sure you have a chance to listen to this awesome interview! Enjoy. Aimee St. Arnaud works for the Humane Alliance training vets and community advocates who want to open spay-neuter clinics. She first got the idea to open her own spay-neuter clinic when volunteering with the Toledo Area Humane Society and their Operation Felix, a monthly MASH clinic. After seeing the dearth of resources for cats and the invisibility of the problem even within the animal welfare world, she started the Humane Ohio Spay/Neuter Clinic, which performs 15,000 spay/neuter surgeries a year, 70% of which are cats. She is a big advocate of "spaying it forward," which involves creating supportive community environments in which clinics can grow, making education resources accessible to advocates at any level, and respecting private vets in the area by referring clients of her clinic for most wellness cases. Find her as well as a multitude of free resources at humanealliance.org.

Interview! Bryan Kortis, Director of National Programs, Neighborhood Cats "We've been able to return cats to colonies that otherwise would have been lost in the system." In his return to the Podcast, Bryan tells Stacy about his recent move to Maui (we're a little jealous!), which is in crisis when it comes to stray and feral cat populations. He and his wife moved there to bring "progressive and enlightened" thinking to how this community deals with these cats, as well as advocating for the spay/neuter and resources needed to make an impact. He and Stacy also discuss Bryan's newly available "Cat Stats" database, which is a free TNR program management tool that he built to assist caretakers, trappers, and TNR programs. It facilitates communication among participants, helps map and organize data, and professionalizes a TNR program. Find out more at www.catstats.org

Justin Zimmerman, Director of the Film, "SMART: Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team." "We fell in love with their drive and passion, and what they're doing so visual, we thought there was something cool there." In this fascinating interview, Justin talks about his award-winning documentary that follows the exploits of the Los Angeles-based SMART team, which rescues animals in Southern California from all kinds of dire situations. He and his film crew followed the team for three years, watching as they saved cats and kittens, mountain lions, horses... even a deer trapped in a clothesline in Pee Wee Herman's backyard! Justin was inspired by the passion and dedication of this group, composed of animal control officers, who felt a heightened personal responsibility for rescuing animals in danger. Justin also describes how he is making the film available for non-profits to screen as part of a fundraiser. Don't miss this amazing conversation! Learn more at http://www.smartmoviedoc.com/

Greatest Hits! Susanna Della Maddalena, CEO and President, Central OK Humane "We're in the business of saving lives." Susanna was a fan favorite and we can definitely see why! She spent ten years heading up PetSmart Charities and now leads Central OK Humane. She has seen it all when it comes to fundraising and has been on both sides of the coin! She discusses implementing game-changing programs that have brought live release rates to an all-time high, as well as how they have handled the high volume for community animals in Oklahoma. Don't miss the knowledge that Susanna shares! To find out more, please go to www.okhumane.org.

Greatest Hits! Brianna Lovell, Outreach and Events Manager, Alley Cat Allies "No action is too big or too small." We couldn't have asked for a better guest on National Feral Cat Day than Brianna Lovell! If you are still unaware of what this great day entails, this is the podcast that you've been waiting for! Brianna discusses how the day began, but more importantly, what National Feral Cat Day has turned into! Groups use this day as a wonderful platform for taking on the projects and education that the community around them needs, regarding cats! Get involved in 2017 and make the change happen that Brianna so wonderfully discusses! To find out more, please go to www.nationalferalcatday.org.

Greatest Hits! Hannah Shaw, The Kitten Lady "I live and breathe cat advocacy…that's what I do." Hannah Shaw was such a popular guest earlier this year that we couldn't wait to bring back her episode for a reboot! How was she to know that saving an orphaned kitty would reboot her career, as well! Hannah, affectionately known as The Kitten Lady, is now an expert in saving and raising kittens. She holds workshops and has an amazing social media presence, so it was a match made in heaven when her and Stacy started chatting! She discusses the link between abandoned cats and the need for spay/neuter for Community Cats and also is one of the most inspiring guests we had all year! Enjoy! To find out more, please go to www.kittenlady.org.

Interview! Kathy Downey, Journalist and Animal Rights Advocate, Plus "Mickey's Story" "These cats are citizens of our community just like you are and I am." Kathy was one of the earliest volunteers for the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society when she moved to Newburyport, Massachusetts in 1992. She and Stacy reminisce about the feral cat colony on the Merrimack River and how she developed a special place in her heart for Mickey, a waterfront cat she calls "a personable cat with a purr." She details her relationship with this "Boss of the Boatyard," who ended up living out his retirement years in the home of another MRFRS volunteer, as Kathy points out the different challenges facing cat caretakers as the colony membership changes and ages. "We all love the cats and want what's best." She still feeds feral cats one day a week, as well as advocating for a wide variety of animal protection legislation. Plus, Stacy reads "Mickey's Story," a short story written by Kathy Downey about one of the feral cats on the Newburyport waterfront who touched her heart. Told by Mickey himself, you'll hear what life is like as a community cat, how appreciative Mickey is of the food and shelter provided by his colony managers, and learn about his many feline friends, including Clarence, Precious, Patches and Cremora..the "unseen feline ambassadors of the boatyard." Is there a Mickey in your life? Tell us your story on our Facebook page. Happy holidays from your friends at the Community Cats Podcast! To find out more about Mickey and the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society please go to www.mrfrs.org.

Interview! Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian" and Founder of the Fear Free Initiative "To finally realize we were causing psychological damage to animals…once you know it, you can't not know it." After being a renowned veterinarian, including being the resident vet on Good Morning America for 17 years, Dr. Becker says, "I'm not retiring…I'm refiring!" His latest initiative is an innovative program that helps animal care professionals reduce the stress we put on our companion animals when we bring them for their annual vet visit. It's called "The Fear Free Initiative" and includes eight online modules that train people how to make a vet visit a positive experience…really! Dr. Becker observes that when the initiative was launched, they expected only 1000 people to take the course, but it's exceeded expectations with nearly 6,000 people completing the certification. Dr. Becker believes we can work make all experiences "fear free" for our animals by thinking about their emotional wellbeing, as well as their physical health. For more information go to: www.drmartybecker.com

Interview! Dr. Sara White, Founder Spay ASAP Inc.- VT "We haven't really been taught… how to take care of [our bodies as] this instrument that we have." Dr. Sara White is a mixed-animal veterinarian with experience both in private and shelter medicine, and the operator of Spay ASAP Inc., a mobile MASH clinic. Since 2006, Dr. White has spayed and neutered a staggering 40,000 animals herself. She also concerns herself with the issue of health ergonomics among veterinary surgeons and staff, and gives tips on how these individuals can take care of their own bodies and health in order to do the most for their patients. For more information visit their ergovet.com.

Interview! Aly Miller and Paul Castro, Jr., Creator of Aeris, A Short Film- NYC "Our responsibility as filmmakers is to tell the most vulnerable truth." When Paul Castro Jr. entered a pet store on a whim almost two years ago, he didn't expect to find a new passion for animal advocacy that would fuel one of his many film and acting projects. There he met Aeris, a sickly little kitten with whom he made an instant connection and felt he had to go to any lengths to save. Together with Aly Miller, he embarked on a journey that opened his eyes to the sad reality of many animals in pet shops, and sparked the production of a short film based on the story. The film seeks to open a dialogue about adopting vs. buying pets, and raise awareness about FIP(feline infectious peritonitis). To help fund Paul and Aly's project, visit their Kickstarter page.

Interview! Christie Keith, Communications Strategist, MI "For me, it's all about persuasion." Christie Keith is a journalist and communications consultant for animal welfare and veterinary medicine. Although she is based in Michigan, she has clients all over the country, including the Million Cat Challenge and Maddie's Fund. Christie is passionate about effective communication, and she works with organizations in message crafting, communicating, and persuading on the micro and macro level. In conversation with Stacy she outlines some of the tactics she uses for effective communication—she says the key is knowing your audience—and cautions against turning a blind eye to the potential "unintended consequences" of your messaging. To find out more, please visit christiekeith.com

Interview! Elizabeth Putsche, Founder, For All Animals "It's all about data and supporting information. That's what really speaks to government officials." Elizabeth Putsche is the founder and executive director of For All Animals, a 501(c)3 organization that "identifies and fills voids in the animal protection field." The organization is based in Baltimore, which in 2007 was one of the first major cities to implement TNR as the official policy for the treatment of community animals. For All Animals is committed to providing resources for those organizations who still have a lot of work to do in their communities regarding TNR, legislative blocks, overpopulation and negative views of local shelters. Some of the services For All Animals offers are Photographers for Animals, a pro-bono collection of photographers and videographers who donate their time to professionally photograph shelter animals and therefore increase their chances of adoption, and Attorney at Paws, in which Elizabeth Holt, director of legislative affairs, offers assistance to grassroots advocates trying to change, improve, or add community ordinances that affect companion animals. To find out more, please visit forallanimals.org

Interview! Will Allen, New Sales Business Manager, Frontstream "BiddingForGood helps you expand your reach and raise more money." In this unique episode, Stacy talks to Will Allen, self-professed cat lover and fundraising consultant at Fronstream, a software company that helps non-profits develop fundraising strategies. Stacy, a user herself, helps Will explain to listeners some of the services offered by Frontstream, and also offer some some concrete tips on how to implement the services in new and creative ways. Frontstream hosts platforms such as Bidding for Good, which walks users through the process of creating an online auction, and First giving, a "peer-to-peer" software where supporters can create their own fundraising pages to help spread the word about runs, walkathons, and similar events. With a community of close to half a million supporters, Frontstream connects non-profit organizations with donors both inside and outside of the organization's own network. To find out more, please visit go.frontstream.com/community-cats-podcast

Interview! Dr. Julie Levy, Maddie's Professor of Shelter Medicine at University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine "Our goal is to enculturation these life-saving key initiatives into animal sheltering… so that this becomes [the norm.]" Dr. Julie Levy is a professor of shelter medicine at the University of Florida, as well as a prolific publisher of scientific articles on small animal medicine. She began her work with community cats in the 1980s while attending veterinary school at UC Davis, where there was a large population of unsterilized cats. She describes how difficult it was to trap cats back in the days when TNR was not yet a widespread phenomenon—she and her peers used to chase the cats around with nets! Dr. Levy also worked with Dr. Kate Hurley to found the Million Cat Challenge, who you may be familiar with from her own interview on the Community Cats Podcast. Dr. Levy describes the birth of the Milion Cat Challenge as a "spontaneous eruption of enthusiasm," and indeed that enthusiasm has not faltered: the Challenge has recently partnered with the ASPCA and accepts shelters into its program on a rolling basis. For more information visit www.millioncatchallenge.org.

Interview! Dr. Christine Wilford, Founder, The Feral Cat Project "Sometimes helping means us having to not do something, and us realizing that, for this cat, bringing it inside means it's going to be scared everyday of its life. Would that be what you would want?" Dr. Wilford, founder of Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project in Lynnwood, Washington returns to Community Cats Podcast to discuss geriatric cats with Stacy. Clearly stating her belief that "age is not a disease," Dr. Wilford lists the most common medical concerns facing aging cats, both owned and feral, including kidney and thyroid issues. Proper diet to support kidney and liver function means an adequate amount of digestible animal proteins. Dr. Wilford explains what this means in regards to dry food versus wet food, how vegetable content is potentially dangerous in marketed foods, and options for providing health winter sustenance for community cats. She then shares her beliefs in choosing options for retiring geriatric cats from colonies, encouraging caretakers to make empowered choices based on their individual circumstances. For more information visit www.feralcatproject.org.

Interview! Karen Little, Executive Director, Alley Cat Advocates "Urban cats are accustomed to urban living. Rural cats are accustomed to rural living… Keeping those colonies in tact, adjacent to where their habitat might have been destroyed, is in the best interest of the cats." In her second interview with Stacy, Karen explores the issue of relocation in the Louisville, Kentucky area where she works with Alley Cat Advocates. A firm believer that colony relocation is only an option when the current habitat is targeted for destruction, she talks with Stacy about pursuing alternative avenues like educating residents on ways to deter unwanted colony behavior and examining food sources. With such alternatives, the Kentucky Humane Society cites an 80 percent success rate in keeping community cats in original habitats while practicing TNR to lower populations over time. Karen and Stacy also discuss the effect of terminology use on both public perception and municipal perception of community cats and their future. For more information visit alleycatadvocates.org.

Interview! Andy Kola, Founder, LumenLS "To fix the problems that are facing cats, all center around increasing the perceived importance, the perceived value, and the perceived acceptance of cats to humans." In his second interview with Stacy, Andy discusses his organization's approach to challenges facing community cats in Broward County, Florida. With a mission of eliminating unnecessary suffering and euthanasia for all community cats in the area, Andy's shelter, Lumen LS, has been specifically tackling euthanasia reduction. With this focus, about three hundred cats' lives have been spared in under three months. Andy discusses the innovative implementation of community cat signs. Like duck crossing signs, these signs portray ear-tipped cat silhouettes representing cat-friendly areas where TNR colonies exist. Qualified trappers work with homeowners' associations and property management personnel to not only perform TNR, but educate residents on the long-term effects of the program and how they can contribute. For more information visit www.lumenls.org.

Dakin, since cat overpopulation has become less of an issue across Massachusetts. Dakin has performed over 70,000 spay/neuter surgeries, and as a result, the cats entering her adoption center are much more complex to rehome. She notes, "we wouldn't have had the time or space to help these cats in the past, but now we're able to successfully place them." She describes the innovative and successful feral kitten adoption program Dakin has piloted, where these "tiny tigers" are placed directly in homes, rather than fostered, with very positive results. Also touching on re-evaluating the needs of the community before determining what services they truly need. For more information visit www.dakinhumane.org.

Interview! Alana Yanez, Manager of HSUS Pets For Life Los Angeles "When we have literally put these vouchers in people's hands at their doorsteps, there really is no excuse now." An advocate for animals and residents of underserved communities in East Los Angeles, Alana brings compassion and political experience to her position as manager of Pets for Life Los Angeles and as the Commissioner of the LA Animal Services Board. She discusses the 2009 injunction against LA Animal Services by various wildlife organizations. This lawsuit resulted in the near $800K, court ordered Environmental Impact Revue (EIR) and the halting of all much needed city-sponsored TNR activity. Alana also discusses the positive impact of the city's voucher program, which provides spay/neuter services and vaccine services throughout East LA's underprivileged, undocumented, and homeless residents. With obvious empathy for pet owners of all cultures, she encourages a non-judgmental approach to animal welfare, based on kindness and compassion. For more information on Pets for Life, visit humanesociety.org. For more information about LA Animal Services, visit their website at laanimalservices.com and on Facebook.

Interview! Suzanne Kogut, Executive Director of the Petco Foundation "Everyone wants the same thing, to do right by the cats. There's just a disagreement often about how we get there. But I thought we could all work together to get there." After her first career as a corporate finance and securities attorney, Suzanne took the road less travelled and became involved in the Charlottsville/Albemarle SPCA. As the executive director from 2005-2012, Suzanne gained priceless experience facing new challenges with a fresh perspective and 'outside of the box' thinking. These challenges taught her the importance of research and of recognizing potential resources. In 2013, she became the executive director of the Petco Foundation, which partners with local animal welfare communities across the country. Suzanne and Stacy discuss the various organizations Petco works with, how each is prioritized, and what the evaluation process for grant funding entails. For more information, visit petcofoundation.org as well as the Petco Foundation's facebook page.

It's an Ask Stacy episode! "You could feel the energy busting through the wires" Stacy reflects what all that she's learned since launching the Community Cats Podcast, having completed more than 100 episodes speaking with experts all over the US and beyond. She recommends a number of her favorite interviews, with individuals like Emma Clifford, Hannah Shaw (the "Kitten Lady"), Dr. Kate Hurley and Dr. Christine Wilford — all of whom have different areas of expertise, but embody enthusiasm and energy in their work to improve the lives of cats. Additionally, she talks about the topic of how cats control rat populations (it's not quite how you think!) and gives recommendations for making winter in the northern climates more comfortable and healthy for community cats.

Interview! Diego Alves, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pet and Tie "We want to be the premium app for pet parents and pets." Ever have trouble finding a pet sitter? Diego did, and that experience was the impetus to his envisioning an virtual community where pet owners could connect to all of the services they need. His new app, "Pet and Tie," available on Apple and Android, aims to help pet owners save time and money and be responsible parents to their pets whether they're seeking play dates, grooming services or vet appointments. Funding the development of the app himself, Diego talks about the challenges of being a digital entrepreneur, building an easy-to-use interface, and getting the recognition and membership that will make the app a success: "Pet and Tie will only be effective if people use it." For more information, visit petandtie.com.

Interview! Katie Lisnik, Director of Cat Protection and Policy, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) "Taking an active role in legislation is the only way we're going to move the ball forward." In her return appearance on the Podcast, Katie plays "Around the Country Policy for Cats" with Stacy, detailing the successes and challenges in four different states: Delaware, Hawaii, Virginia and Illinois. In her role at HSUS, Katie's on the front line of legislative and public policy efforts that can impact positive change for Community Cats. She calls Hawaii "a cauldron of challenges" due to its indigenous species vulnerable to cats, and calls Delaware a "great pilot area to test new ideas." Not surprisingly, progress only comes when disparate groups come together to work out their differences. She stresses how important policy can be in outcomes for cats: "In many cases we need to make some changes at the state and ordinance level in order to do the life-saving work we want to do." For more information, visit humanesociety.org.

Interview! Sally Williams, Founder, The Brodie Fund "I think the thing that makes us a little different, and our goals quite lofty as well, is that we are putting the focus on quality of life and not the diagnosis." Sally is a cat behavior consultant and the founder and director of The Brodie Fund, a non-profit organization offering financial assistance to pet owners dealing with a pet's cancer diagnosis. Sally's beloved cat Brodie, a shelter rescue with a large and loving personality, battled cancer at the age of twelve. Through conversations with the oncologist and fellow pet owners about the overwhelming financial hurdles, The Brodie Fund was born. Sally discusses what makes this program stand out from others, including availability for senior pets and adoptable shelter pets to qualify for assistance. She shares success stories and promotes The Brodie Fund Movie, a short video on YouTube. For more information, visit thebrodiefund.org and Team Brodie on Facebook.

Interview! Sharon Secovich, Co-founder, Spay Maine "What I've found is a lot of people will feed but they don't have the knowledge or wherewithal or the means to trap. So the only way to get our feral cat population down is with trapping help." After her first career as an environmental geologist, Sharon pursued a public policy career that led to work as a legislative advocate and community cat program manager for the Animal Welfare Society shelter in West Kennebunk Maine. As a volunteer for the government-run spay/neuter program Help Fix Me, she speaks candidly with Stacy about the frustration she has experienced while defending funding through legislation and policy, particularly against pet food lobbyists. Sharon also discusses her work with The Cleo Fund, Maine's very first spay/neuter program that offers free spay/neuter for feral cats and low cost health care for dogs and cats across the state. For more information, email Sharon at [email protected] or visit spaymaine.org and their Facebook page.

Interview! Dr. Margaret Slater, Senior Director of Veterinary Epidemiology Research and Development for the ASPCA "One of the things that we've found really helpful in all kinds of programs and projects is to couch it as a pilot… you can succeed and the prove that it does actually work…" Author of Feral Cats: Problems, Alternatives, and Recommendations and Veterinary Epidemiology: An Evidence Based Approach, Dr. Slater's tireless efforts have educated both the animal welfare and general communities since she began studying epidemiology in the early nineties. Her first experience starting a TNR program was inspired by a student at Texas A & M University campus, where she taught for over fifteen years. In her discussion with Stacy, she offers ways to tackle management of college campus cat colonies. Dr. Slater also discusses the importance of data-tracking for TNR techniques, colony lifestyles, and grant-funding. Dr. Slater's work involving population dynamics modeling with the Alliance for Contraception for Cats and Dogs has been key element in promoting and cultivating new TNR techniques. For more information, contact Dr. Slater at [email protected].

Interview! Audra Farrell, Community Cares Program Supervisor at the San Francisco SPCA "I have found even the fiercest of ferals can be really great moms, so their concern is more taking care of their kittens than have to deal with us." Through the Mama from the Streets program, San Francisco's shelters are combining TNR for feral mothers with adoption of their kittens. As San Francisco's SPCA's Community Cares Program Supervisor, Audra advocates strongly for this humane way of gradually decreasing numbers in cat colonies. She discusses the correlation between TNR numbers and shelter intake as a positive gauge for TNR effectiveness, and believes spay/neuter education is key to winning the battle against overpopulation. To learn more, visit sfspca.org or call the Community Cares line in San Francisco at 414-522-3539.

Interview! Deborah Schutt, Co-Founder Michigan Pet Fund Alliance "Attending conferences, understanding what other people are doing, and adding to the tool kit is really important." The co-founder of the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance, Deborah began her journey into the animal welfare field with dog fostering. Time and experience led her to TNR, feral cat welfare, and a passion for exploring different tactics to improve shelters and rescues. She and Stacy discuss no-kill philosophies and goals, as well as the process of uniting home-based rescues and shelters through education and data analysis. With approximately 185 shelters in Michigan, the Pet Fund Alliance produced data-based performance reports that created a deeper understanding of both impacts and needs of shelters across the state. Michigan boasts over 100 no-kill shelters, with fifty four out of eighty counties being no-kill. Deborah's understanding of the many different approaches to the homeless animal dilemma has no doubt influenced these statistics. To learn more, visit michiganpetfund.org as well as the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance's Facebook page.

Interview! Kristen Petrie, Creative Director, Mellarium and Technical Cat, Community Cats Podcast "The brand is important and it is an asset to any organization, whether they are big or small. It's your face to the rest of the world." Kristen began her career in cat rescue as an adoption counselor at the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society while launching her own graphic design business. She subsequently became involved in both the branding and production components of both MRFRS and Community Cats Podcast, bringing her enthusiasm, experience, and love of cats to the world of non-profits. Stacy and Kristen discuss challenges and rewards to non-profit branding, and what to look for in a brand manager as well as support volunteers. Known for her penchant for fostering the more challenging sick and feral cats, Kristen remains active on the frontlines as well as behind the scenes. To learn more, contact Kristen at [email protected] or visit mellariumcreative.com.

Interview! Sheila Massey, Neighborhood Activist - NYC "I found that I spent half my time explaining TNR and working with the community so that they would buy in and accept the cats." Sheila dove into the world of community cats after retiring from work as a forensic accountant and corporate fraud auditor. She became certified in TNR in 2008, now volunteers at the Brooklyn Cat Café, and is a diligent advocate for New York City's feral cat communities. From the city's 600 or so community gardens to various church and prison grounds, cat colonies have the potential to provide a significant solution to the city's overwhelming rat population and subsequent health issues. She discusses her struggles and goals to involve the Department of Health and the ASPCA in community education on the process and benefits of TNR. With this goal in mind, Sheila is highly active in NYC's Neighborhood Relations Workshops. To learn more, visit morrisjumelcats.tumblr.com and catcafebk.com. You can email Sheila at [email protected].

Interview! Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, Founder of Forensic Veterinary Investigations, LLC "Don't worry about things you can't change…take that passion and make it action and see what you can do." *Please note, while not graphic, this episode deals with topics related to animal cruelty that some listeners may find disturbing. If you need to skip it, might we suggest listening to this gem from an earlier episode? During her work as a shelter veterinarian, Martha became curious about a field that barely existed: applying medical forensics to injured and deceased animals. With a group of like-minded thinkers, Martha helped found the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association. In her role as an forensic investigator, Martha says one must "take what you see and what you know. and craft a story about what happened." She is a skilled witness during court cases involving animal abuse, neglect and cruelty, with a goal of being "a voice for the animal". She gives advice for cat colony caretakers to help them figure out how to get help when a member of their colony is injured or killed. For more information visit vetinvestigator.com.

Interview! Emma Clifford, Founder and Executive Director of Animal Balance "Islands are helping islands, which is exactly what we wanted to happen." Don't miss this fascinating look at how community cats are being helped around the world by Animal Balance, the brainchild of its founder, Emma Clifford. Beginning with a program in 2004 to assist the Galapagos Islands in managing cats and dogs, which were being poisoned to control their population, Emma describes how Animal Balance put together a "humane animal management plan", despite the fact that there wasn't even a veterinarian in the Galapagos at the time! The program she developed with the support and engagement of the local community has been adapted and brought to 10 other countries, including the Dominican Republic and American Samoa. A plan for Cuba is now in the works. A must listen! To volunteer: http://animalbalance.net/volunteer/ To donate: http://animalbalance.net/donate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalBalance/

Interview! Jill O'Connell, Executive Director and Crystal Arnott, Communications and Fundraising Manager, Lowell Humane Society (MA) "No matter how we operate, we all have the same goals which is to help community cats." In another episode extolling the benefits of collaboration, Jill and Crystal describe how their relationships with other organizations have benefitted the cats and lower-income residents of Lowell. By bringing low-cost spay/neuter to the community through several different providers, the number of kittens they see is down 75% over 5 years, allowing them the time and space to help place older or medically-challenged cats who come through their doors. They also advocate for rescues to be willing to try new programs, like paper collars that have helped keep local owned cats in their own neighborhoods, and enabled LHS them to discuss responsible pet care with their owners. Finally, they touch on the ongoing challenge and need for a diverse fundraising calendar. To learn more, visit lowellhumanesociety.org.

Interview! Stacey Carver, President and Executive Director of Berkshire Animal DREAMS (MA) "Collaboration is a wonderful thing for all of us trying to do animal rescue work." Stacey tells Stacy about the positive impact that forging "harmonious" partnerships has had on the number of community cats in Berkshire County, especially its "big city" of Pittsfield, MA. With Animal DREAMS providing TNR services, and the Berkshire Humane Society offering physical and administrative space, the two organizations have seen reduced surrenders, fewer free-roaming cats entering the shelter and a sharp reduction in calls complaining about community cats. She also describes another partnership with the state that helped clean up a troublesome situation in North Adams, where discovery of a rabid cat necessitated coordinated efforts to gain the trust of local resident to get their pets vaccinated and subsequently spayed or neutered. To learn more, visit berkshireanimaldreams.org.

Interview! Aimee St. Arnaud, Director at Humane Alliance a Program of the ASPCA "We need to focus on stopping the problem at the root… that's why we focus on prevention." Aimee St. Arnaud works for the Humane Alliance training vets and community advocates who want to open spay-neuter clinics. She first got the idea to open her own spay-neuter clinic when volunteering with the Toledo Area Humane Society and their Operation Felix, a monthly MASH clinic. After seeing the dearth of resources for cats and the invisibility of the problem even within the animal welfare world, she started the Humane Ohio Spay/Neuter Clinic, which performs 15,000 spay/neuter surgeries a year, 70% of which are cats. She is a big advocate of "spaying it forward," which involves creating supportive community environments in which clinics can grow, making education resources accessible to advocates at any level, and respecting private vets in the area by referring clients of her clinic for most wellness cases. Find her as well as a multitude of free resources at humanealliance.org. Aimee is kind enough to share this great document that will help you decide "Does this cat need to be rescued?" Click here to check it out!

Interview! Julie Jacobson, Director of Spay Tennessee "When writing grants, you have to come in prepared, you have to know your mission, you have to know your community." Julie's back for another interview on CCP! This time, Stacy checks about how things are going for Spay Tennessee, and Julie gives tips on managing grant money, methods to "take the fear out of grant writing," and the pitfalls that can occur with animal transports from shelter to shelter. If you haven't heard Julie's first episode and want to learn a little more about her and how she got started in animal welfare, listen to it here. If you want to get in touch with Julie, email her at [email protected].

Book Review Special with host, Stacy LeBaron. An episode for both book worms and compassionate cats. In this special episode, Stacy shares some of her favorite resources for information on community cats, as well as how to take care of yourself when doing the hard work of animal welfare. We've included the names of the books and authors down below, as well as links to places you can buy them! To Save a Starfish by Jennifer Blough Nobody's Cats by Valerie Ingram & Alistair Schroff The Humane Economy by Wayne Pacelle Community Cats: A Journey Into the World of Feral Cats by Anne Beall Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen Also, be sure to check out the past podcast episodes Stacy mentions, here and here [link to Amy Sandler, Ep. 87]. And don't forget, if you ever have any questions, you can always email Stacy at [email protected].

Interview! Dr. Peggy Larson, Founder of Cat Spay and Neuter Clinic, Colchester, VT "You have to balance, to make sure that that cat's going to be alright going back to where he came from." Peggy Larson, founder of National Spay/Neuter Coalition, holds degrees from Ohio State Vet School, UC Davis, and Vermont Law School. She has used her education to support fellow vets trying to start their own spay-neuter clinics, investigate animal cruelty in the state of Vermont, and rewrite the policy surrounding spay-neuter with Peter Marsh, friend and lawyer. She first became involved in TNR when she started a makeshift spay/neuter clinic and rescue for community cats out of her home many years ago. In 23 years, the clinic managed to spay a staggering 78,000 cats in Chittenden County Vermont. In conversation with Stacy she talks about the dangers community cats can face depending on the environment they live in, and how shelters with small budgets can start affordable mobile clinics through MASH. To get in touch with Peggy, email her at [email protected].

Interview! Juan Martinez, Founder and President, JMart Strategies "Pick one platform, become really good at that platform, before you expand into a second one." With his 20 years of experience in the legislative and non-profit communications world, Juan has keen insight into the importance of storytelling in the world of social media. He notes that social media has made communicating with your audiences much easier, but that it's critical to understand the various social media platforms, their demographics, and how and when users engage with each one. Juan cautions against feeling the pressure to try to do too much and counsels organizations to master one platform before moving on. He also discusses the "power of numbers" when trying to influence law-makiong….whether you use email or snail mail, if you can put multiple communications in your legislator, someone will take notice. For more information visit www.jmartstrategies.com

Interview! Brianna Lovell, Outreach and Events Manager, at Alley Cat Allies "No action is too big or too small." To commemorate National Feral Cat Day (NFCD), Stacy speaks with Brianna about the origins of this annual event. Originally, National Feral Cat Day was simply a way to celebrate Alley Cat Allies' 10th anniversary, but in the years following that, it's become a catalyst for groups to undertake a variety of projects that educate the community or help cats directly. Brianna notes that individuals can do something as simple as posting on social media or take part on a more involved project like a fundraiser or spay/neuter clinic. "It's up to everyone out there to make the change happen," she says. Brianna also discusses the many resources on Alley Cat Allies website, and the "grueling task" of choosing photos for their annual calendar. For more information visit www.alleycat.org

Interview! Amy Sandler, Executive Coach, and Certified Breathwork Meditation Teacher "Usually our minds are somewhere in the past or somewhere in the future." In this "out of the box" interview, Stacy speaks with Amy Sandler about how mindfulness and meditation can help decrease the stress and manage the challenges often faced by those in the animal welfare field. Research has shown that mindfulness can increase our focus, resilience, creativity, and performance. It's important, Amy notes, that we have compassion for ourselves, or what she calls, "filing up the well." She walks Stacy through a simple meditative breathing exercise, and talks about the importance to taking a few breaths and setting an "intention" before addressing a specific situation or challenge. "47% of time, our mind is wandering..that's just what the mind does." For more information please visit amysandler.com.

Interview! Hannah Shaw, "The Kitten Lady" "I live and breathe cat advocacy…that's what I do." Little did Hannah Shaw know that the day that she borrowed some shoes to climb a tree and save an orphaned kitten, she would be starting a career that would inform and engage cat lovers around the world. An expert in saving and raising kittens, Hannah teaches workshops, develops programs, and shares compelling (and adorable!) content through her significant social media and web presence. In this two part episode, Hannah and Stacy discuss the link between abandoned kittens and the need for spay/neuter for Community cats, how to tell stories that will inspire others to take action, and the difficult and challenging side of caring for the most vulnerable of felines. As she puts it, "there are so many lives out there that need us." For more information please visit kittenlady.org.

Interview! Hannah Shaw, "The Kitten Lady" "I live and breathe cat advocacy…that's what I do." Little did Hannah Shaw know that the day that she borrowed some shoes to climb a tree and save an orphaned kitten, she would be starting a career that would inform and engage cat lovers around the world. An expert in saving and raising kittens, Hannah teaches workshops, develops programs, and shares compelling (and adorable!) content through her significant social media and web presence. In this two part episode, Hannah and Stacy discuss the link between abandoned kittens and the need for spay/neuter for Community cats, how to tell stories that will inspire others to take action, and the difficult and challenging side of caring for the most vulnerable of felines. As she puts it, "there are so many lives out there that need us." For more information please visit kittenlady.org.

Interview - Part One! Mary Smith, Executive Leadership Team and Sheila D'Arpino, Director of Research, of Maddie's Fund In this special two-part episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy interviews two leaders at Maddie's Fund, one of the most innovative and results-oriented non-profits helping animals across North America. Through its educational programs, advocacy and grants, Maddie's Fund has been a game-changer for both owned and community cats, especially through its "Million Cat Challenge" initiative. During these two episodes, Stacy engages Mary and Sheila in dialogue about the meaning of a "no kill nation," the importance of data collection, the tenets of the Million Cat Challenge, and the many grant opportunities Maddie's Fund makes available to animal welfare groups of all sizes. For more information please visit maddiesfund.org.

Interview - Part One! Mary Smith, Executive Leadership Team and Sheila D'Arpino, Director of Research, of Maddie's Fund In this special two-part episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy interviews two leaders at Maddie's Fund, one of the most innovative and results-oriented non-profits helping animals across North America. Through its educational programs, advocacy and grants, Maddie's Fund has been a game-changer for both owned and community cats, especially through its "Million Cat Challenge" initiative. During these two episodes, Stacy engages Mary and Sheila in dialogue about the meaning of a "no kill nation," the importance of data collection, the tenets of the Million Cat Challenge, and the many grant opportunities Maddie's Fund makes available to animal welfare groups of all sizes. For more information please visit maddiesfund.org.

Interview! Cindy Wiemann, Treasurer of the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) Cindy was instrumental to bringing TNR to the small community of Madison, Georgia. She helped research the appropriate ordinances, and ultimately Madison implemented the first 100% government operated and funded TNR program in Georgia's history. As an animal control officer, she promoted about the great contribution that community cats provide: controlling and managing the rodent population. By using this positioning, she notes, "even people who didn't even like cats began to see the benefit." Cindy discusses the best ways to get animal control and TNR groups on the same page, and the need for productive working relationships: "collaboration will benefit the animals, but fighting among each other doesn't do any good." For more information please visit nacanet.org.