The Community Cats Podcast

"The cats are a vehicle for us to all get our act together and take responsibility for every part of the community." This episode is sponsored in part by Meow Cat Lounge, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this special episode, Mike Phillips of UrbanCatLeague.org sits down to interview Stacy and take a closer look at Stacy's work with Community Cats and her goal of showcasing positive influencers in the feline community. Stacy's diverse background, including achievements in sports and urban planning, emphasizes her creative problem-solving, influenced by her father's entrepreneurial spirit. As the founder of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy is working to turn cat passion into action. The conversation explores Stacy's podcast legacy and her commitment to helping organizations establish effective Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. They emphasize responsiveness and the podcast's role in disseminating insightful discussions. They stress the importance of responsiveness and the podcast's role in disseminating insightful discussions to a broader audience. Mike and Stacy stress the critical need to address cat overpopulation and spaying/neutering accessibility challenges. They highlight the positive impact of TNR programs, emphasizing collaboration for effective community cat solutions. The conversation concludes by underlining the Community Cats podcast's positive influence and Stacy's pitch for addressing feral cat issues through affordable spay-neuter services and strategic community support programs. You can learn more about Mike and Urban Cat League on their website and don't miss his phenomenal tutorial focused on socializing feral cats and kittens on the Urban Cat League YouTube channel. (We subscribe to their channel - you might want to too!) If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Stacy's previous interview with Mike Philips on episode #71. Give it a listen!

"Anybody could sit down and get quiet for a moment…then just get a sense. Like, is my household stressful? Is my cat living her best life? What have we got going on here that I could do that could make it easier for the cat?" This episode is sponsored in part by Meow Cat Lounge, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacey chats with Joan Ronquette, a seasoned animal communicator. With over 30 years of experience, Joan emphasizes the importance of addressing animals' emotional well-being, focusing on anxiety. Joan is an expert in using Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping to alleviate animal anxiety. The conversation covers proactive anxiety management, the responsibilities of guardianship, and challenges in enriching indoor environments for cats. Joan introduces her latest book on EFT for animals, detailing its content and its role in achieving lasting emotional release. The focus remains on fostering a deeper connection with animals and promoting their overall well-being. Explore Joan's book, "Energy Healing for Animals," on Amazon here. Find more of her books on her website here. For details about Joan and to take her animal empath quiz, visit joanranquet.com.

"Little things like that…If everybody does some little thing, it will work to our benefit with the cats." This episode is sponsored in part by Meow Cat Lounge, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Allia Zobel Nolan, an international best-selling author of over 150 titles, whose body of work reflects her main passions: God and cats. Stacy and Allia talk about their love for cats and the unique relationships that can develop between cats and their people. Allia shares more about her volunteer work with cats, and the little ways she's found to continue giving back and helping out, even if she doesn't have the same time or resources as she's had before. Allia talks about the motivation and inspiration behind her newest book, Heavenly Heabutts: Reflections of Hope about Cats and Eternity. Faced with the loss of three of her cats in close succession, Allia talks about her journey to find comfort and hope. She opens up about the book and her intentions, and her sincere hope that it will be poignant, insightful – and maybe a little humorous – for anyone else who has experienced the loss of their beloved feline companion. Heavenly Headbutts: Reflections of Hope and Cats and Eternity is available to purchase on Amazon here. More books by Allia are available to purchase on Amazon here. For more information about Allia and her publications, visit alliahwrites.com or find her on Facebook here. In this episode, Stacy and Allia also talk about paper collars. You can find a downloadable template of that tool here.

"We've got to use veterinary technicians. And here's what happens – I feel so good getting to help a pet owner and increase that pet owner-animal bond, and my veterinarian can go do doctor things! If you utilize your technicians more, you get to be a doctor more." This episode is sponsored in part by Meow Cat Lounge, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's show, Stacy chats with Amy Newfiled, Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency & Critical Care, author, and owner of the educational platform Veterinary Team Training. In this episode, Stacy and Amy talk about the field of veterinary medicine, and how the role of veterinary technicians in particular has grown and evolved since the 1990s. They talk about the key differences between veterinary technicians, specialists, and assistants, and what the general public should keep in mind when taking their animals to their veterinary care provider. They also discuss the many challenges veterinarians and practices are facing today, including the worst staffing shortages – from veterinarians to veterinary technicians, to front desk support – that Amy has seen in her career. They also talk about the capabilities of veterinary technicians, and the opportunities available to veterinarians who fully utilize their teams. Amy talks about her books in the Oops Management Series, Oops, I Became a Manager, and Oops, My Team is Toxic, aimed at helping managers and leaders in the veterinary profession build stronger leaders and create and maintain positive work cultures. The Oops Management Series currently includes three books, available to purchase on Amazon. Amy also tells us about Vet Team Training, and her work to help develop teams through practical and real-world techniques. The website offers free information and videos for anyone with a passion for animals, as well as RACE-accredited courses for veterinary technicians looking to continue their education. More information about Vet Team Training is available at www.vetteamtraining.com. More information about the CE courses offered by Vet Team Training is available here.

"Everybody has what it takes to go raise the money they need, to fully fund their organization, to grow, to help more cats, to save more lives, to do what their mission is all about. It's all doable." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy sits down once again with a long-time friend of the show and fundraiser extraordinaire, Sandy Rees, who is the founder of Fundraising TV and the Chief Encouragement Officer at Get Fully Funded. During this episode, they dig into the realities and challenges of fundraising, and the feasibility of raising money for "unsexy" causes like community cats and spay/neuter. Sandy emphasizes her belief that every cause is "sexy" – you just have to find the right angle and the right story to share with your donors. Stacy asks about the "core number" and how it can be leveraged to improve fundraising overall. Sandy talks about the importance of messaging, and how just a few simple shifts in our storytelling can lead to some serious ROI when it comes to fundraising. Sandy gives her best tips and advice for organizations heading into the holiday fundraising season, including the best ways to connect with donors on social media and email, the power of saying thank you, when to get those holiday appeals in the mail, and more. And finally, Sandy tells us more about Fundraising TV and the meaningful support and accountability the program offers to anyone interested in building their fundraising to fully fund their programs. To learn more about Get Fully Funded, visit www.getfullyfunded.org. More information on Fundraising TV is available here. Like what you've heard? Submit a request for a free consultation with Get Fully Funded here. Check out previous episodes of the podcast featuring Sandy: Episode #226 and Episode #287

"It's a matter of starting from the ground up; not having the resources, but still getting it done." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Dr. Becky Morrow, a shelter veterinarian and professor who is very active in the small animal community. As a veterinarian, Dr. Morrow shines a light on what vets are typically exposed to during vet school – and just how limited their knowledge may be when it comes to community cats and the overwhelming demand for low-cost spay/neuter services. They discuss how Dr. Morrow first began her mobile clinic – with a box trailer turned surgical suite – to offer much-needed HQHVSN services on the road, utilizing caregivers' homes, fire halls, and other community spaces to get the job done. They conclude their conversation with the veterinary shortage, ruminating on what can be done to help create more spay/neuter opportunities in our communities. For Dr. Morrow, the solution lies in providing more training opportunities for veterinarians to gain competence – and confidence – in performing HQHVSN surgeries. They talk about the overall benefits of HQHVSN techniques, and why they shouldn't be limited to just the animal welfare space. To learn more about Frankie's Friends or find more information about their veterinary training programs, visit www.frankies-friends.org.

"If we can make a small dent in helping save kitties' lives and making people happy, . . . to us, that's so meaningful." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy talks with Nicole Smith, the co-owner of Whiskers and Wine Bar. Based in San Diego, California, Whiskers and Wine Bar has adoptable cats, amazing food, and a full bar. In its first year of operation, it helped over 150 cats find homes. In her conversation with Stacy, Nicole explains what prompted her to leave her career in the corporate world to open up a cat café. She talks about the cat café (Pounce Cat Café) that inspired her and describes what went on behind the scenes before opening the doors of Whiskers and Wine Bar. Nicole also touches on some of the features and policies of the café. To learn more about Whiskers and Wine Bar, visit their website or visit them on Instagram or Facebook.

"We help protect people from animals, and animals from people." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy sits down with Daniel Etitnger, host of The Animal Control Report podcast for an interesting conversation about the animal control profession. Stacy and Daniel talk about the shifting role of animal control, including the historic (and negative) view of animal control officers as little more than dog-catchers. Daniel talks about the important shift in animal control policies towards more humane and inclusive practices, and the crucial role that passion for animals has for all involved. They also discuss about the impact animal control professionals can have on their communities, leveraging both their discretion and integrity to help as many people and animals get the positive outcomes they're looking for. They talk about the challenges facing the animal control profession, and the importance of finding people who are truly passionate about helping animals. Daniel also shares his advice for anyone who is looking to enter the animal control profession! Daniel shares more information about his podcast, The Animal Control Report, and his goal of providing more training and information for animal control professionals – but also providing a window into the animal control profession for the community at large. He also mentions the new Podcast Network they've created to help people who enjoy animal-related podcasts find similar content (like The Community Cats Podcast!). The Animal Control Report is available on all major podcast platforms. To learn more about The Animal Control Report or the Podcast Network, visit keepithumane.com.

"It's really important to show that the Board is invested in the organization." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy talks with Sonia Saleh, the founder of Uplifting Nonprofits and creator of the program Unleash Your Inner Fundraiser. The primary focus of Uplifting Nonprofits is to bring fundraising mastery to nonprofits. In her conversation with Stacy, Sonia talks all about Boards and organizational governance. She explains the critical role that the Board plays for an organization, describing it as the heart of an organization. She stresses the importance of finding Board members that align with the organization's mission. Sonia also discusses fundraising, donors, recruiting, and more. To learn more about Sonia's work, visit her website.

"It's just the willingness to go where it takes you. And it will always take you somewhere." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this special episode, the Cat Daddy himself, Jackson Galaxy, returns to the show (CCP Episode 175). Jackson, a New York Times bestselling author, renowned cat behavior and wellness expert, and longtime host of Animal Planet's My Cat from Hell, is also the founder of the Jackson Galaxy Project, a program of Greater Goods Charities. Jackson is accompanied by Steve Kaufman, Vice President of Operations of the GOODS Program at Greater Goods Charities. In their conversation with Stacy, Jackson and Steve discuss Cat Pawsitive 360, an initiative of The Galaxy Project. The initiative, Jackson explains, provides a 360-degree view of the feline experience on everything from behavioral models to environmental enrichment to save more lives and improve the well-being of cats both in and out of the shelter. He explains that understanding cats is essential to form a "rich, rewarding, and lasting relationship". Finally, Jackson discusses his recent travel and work in Spain and highlights the importance of caring for community cats, stressing that they "are members of your community who deserve love and respect". To learn more about The Jackson Galaxy Project, visit their website.

"[There is] nothing that love, patience, time, and effort cannot fix." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy is joined by Melody Kwan, aka MeloCat, a cat rescuer, foster, and volunteer-based in Hong Kong. Melody, a former guest of the show (CCP Episode 476) and presenter at the Annual Online Cat Conference lives with her 10 cats in her 555 sq foot apartment. In talking with Stacy, Melody discusses her side business of helping those with cat problems. She explains how she became the go-to person for cat problems in her area and shares some of the most frequent feline behavioral issues she is approached about. Melody expands on her previous discussion about what life is like for community cats in Hong Kong and touches on the perception of those caring for these cats. She also discusses her podcast, MeloCat's Expert Chat, and describes her multilevel litterbox system. To learn more about Melody and her work, visit her on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook.

"Pets make us human." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy is joined by Janice Cobb, creator of the Save My Pet ID Tag and former guest of the show (CCP Episode 478). In her conversation with Stacy, Janice discusses our special bond with pets. She describes how they teach us invaluable lessons about unconditional love and how she firmly believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to have a pet. Janice discusses her experience working with adoption programs and highlights some of the challenges with access to adoption, particularly for older adults. Janice also talks about the Save My Pet ID Tag, a custom engraved necklace, bracelet, or keychain with your pet's information and an emergency contact. She stresses the importance of being prepared for your pets in the event of an accident and explains how the ID tag provides a level of security. To learn more about the Save My Pet ID Tag, visit their website.

"We need more people that are eager and willing to help see a problem and want to be a part of the solution." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy talks to Audrey Stratton, Clinic Supervisor at the Feral Cat Coalition, an organization based in San Diego that is dedicated to reducing overpopulation and improving the lives of cats through TNR services. Founded in 1992, the Feral Cat Coalition has spayed and neutered more than 50,000 community cats. In her conversation with Stacy, Audrey talks all about community cats and TNR. She describes the changing landscape for community cats and the growing need for more TNR volunteers. Audrey discusses several hot topics, including access to care issues and whether to spay pregnant cats. She also provides her thoughts on addressing some of the frequently encountered issues in the field, such as compassion fatigue and staffing shortage. To learn more about the Feral Cat Coalition, visit their website or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

"First and foremost, before me telling them [why they should neuter their indoor/outdoor cat], I want to find out what will move the needle for them." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's special podcast, we are proud to bring you the audio version of "Strategies for Reducing Cat Populations". In this episode, Stacy LeBaron, host of The Community Cats Podcast, long-time TNR advocate/practitioner, and non-profit administrator, shares her experience and offers suggestions to address the most common situations that can arise when birds, raccoons, coyotes, and other species live alongside a managed community cat colony. She discusses how she navigated working with various agencies to promote TNR and gives details on cases where both cat lovers and bird enthusiasts have come together to make it work for the benefit of all the animals - and people - involved. The session includes a Q&A period where the audience gets their questions answered and learns some talking points to explain to others how TNR benefits wildlife. Additional insight is given by special guests Mike Phillips, president of the Urban Cat League (you can hear more from him in episode 71), and Shelia Massy, president and founder of Hard Hat Cats (who was featured on episode 494). If you'd like to watch this presentation, you can visit our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Pyramid page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

"One cat at a time, we can make a difference." This episode is sponsored in part by The Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Niki Cudsworth, a board member of the Visalia Feral Cat Coalition (VFCC), an organization that seeks to reduce cat overpopulation by practicing, teaching, and raising awareness of TNR. In its efforts to curb overpopulation, the organization offers TNR Vouchers for getting community cats spayed/neutered with a $30 copay. In her conversation with Stacy, Niki discusses VFCC's voucher program and describes how the organization's monthly clinics operate. She outlines the organization's various partnerships and explains how it collaborates with local rescues. Niki also highlights the importance of fundraising, fiscal responsibility, collaborating with the community, and fostering a relationship with veterinarians. To learn more about the Visalia Feral Cat Coalition, visit their website or Facebook page. The following organizations are mentioned during this episode: Companion Animal Medical Center Valley Oak SPCA

"We really need to explore the unique needs and challenges that exist in the different parts of the state . . . so that when potential remedies are offered or additional resources are created, they can be targeted." This episode is sponsored in part by The Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy is joined by Dan Spehar, co-founder of the Together Initiative for Ohio's Community Cats and a former guest of the show (CCP Episode 240). Dan is also an independent researcher who focuses on community cat management and has co-authored numerous published peer-reviewed articles on the subject. In his conversation with Stacy, Dan summarizes some of his findings from his recent report, "Identifying Ohio's Community Cat Resources: A State of the State Report, 2023". This report, which resulted from research funded by Ohio Animal Advocates, provides a directory of community cat spay-neuter and TNR services by county and a comprehensive assessment of the current community cat resource landscape in Ohio. Dan also discusses a prior report examining the efficacy of a TNR program in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Additionally, he and Stacy discuss the veterinary shortage issue, and Dan describes some of Ohio's recent legislative efforts in addressing these issues. To learn more about Dan's work, visit the Together Initiative's website. You can also reach out to Dan directly by email at [email protected].

"Have integrity, do the right thing, and the rest of it falls into place." This episode is sponsored in part by The Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. This week, Stacy sits down with Heidi Williams, director of the Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter in Mason, Michigan. Ingham County is a municipal shelter that takes in approximately 3,000 animals per year. The county launched a TNR program in 2023 to provide support to the estimated 50,000 community cats that call Ingham County home. Stacy and Heidi talk about her background as a first responder, and how she came to find herself in animal control and sheltering. They discuss her unique perspective as the director of a municipal shelter, and how they worked with the community to build support for a county-supported TNR program. They also discuss the role of managed intake, the importance of empowering and supporting your staff, and the other important changes Heidi has made during her tenure to help her organization become a well-respected destination adoption location. For more information about Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter or to get in touch with Heidi, visit snipandclip.org or AC.ingham.org.

"You also want to know your community so your outreach is effective." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's podcast, we are proud to bring you part two of the audio version of "Targeted TNR & Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck Presented by Neighborhood Cats". (If you haven't listened to part one, you can check it out here.) The more cats you fix, the more impact your TNR program will have, right? Wrong! Spay/neuter volume alone is rarely enough by itself to keep consistently reducing a community's free-roaming cat population over time. Another aspect of the program needs to be identifying areas of high need (meaning, lots of cats) and then focusing TNR resources at that location in order to achieve high sterilization rates. Discover what targeting is, why it's so important, and how you can do it no matter how large or small your program is. To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, you may visit their website. If you'd like to watch this presentation, you can visit our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

"...if you do it in this concentrated way, where you're focused on one part of the community...by in larger you'll have defeated the vacuum effect." This episode is sponsored in part by Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's podcast, we are proud to bring you part one of the audio version of "Targeted TNR & Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck Presented by Neighborhood Cats". The more cats you fix, the more impact your TNR program will have, right? Wrong! Spay/neuter volume alone is rarely enough by itself to keep consistently reducing a community's free-roaming cat population over time. Another aspect of the program needs to be identifying areas of high need (meaning, lots of cats) and then focusing TNR resources at that location in order to achieve high sterilization rates. Discover what targeting is, why it's so important, and how you can do it no matter how large or small your program is. To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, you may visit their website. If you'd like to watch this presentation, you can visit our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

"As veterinarians, we have to educate people." This episode is sponsored in part by The Urban Cat League, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Dr. G, owner of the Rascal Unit, which consists of two mobile veterinary hospitals that provide high-volume pet sterilization and routine veterinary care throughout Ohio. In her discussion with Stacy, Dr. G describes the array of services that the Rascal Unit provides. She also details encounters with cat hoarding situations and describes these different types of hoarders, which include overwhelmed caregivers and rescue hoarders. Dr. G explains how she approaches these hoarding situations and how she prepares her team as well. Dr. G also describes her work in the field of veterinary forensics, which is the application of veterinary medicine and forensic sciences to legal settings. She also talks about her podcast, the Animal Welfare Junction, where she discusses animal welfare topics and forensic cases. You can visit Dr. G's website to learn more about her veterinary forensics work.

"There's a lot of tools that we offer to make really understanding the data easier and start to identify where the need still exists." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Stephanie Flier, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count, an organization that maintains a centralized, standardized database for animal shelter statistics. The organization's database, established in 2012, tracks shelter intakes and outcomes, and in 2021, they started collecting community services data. In her conversation with Stacy, Stephanie describes how Shelter Animals Count collects its data from the nearly 7,000 participating organizations across the country and then transforms it into interactive data dashboards. Stephanie provides some tips on how to navigate this data and highlights some of its features. She also discusses recent shelter trends, post-pandemic challenges, and more. To learn more about Shelter Animals Count, visit their website.

"We're not going to the with a sense of entitlement...that's not going to get you very far...you have to let organizations move at a pace they're comfortable with and realize things can accelerate once they get involved." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's podcast, we are proud to bring you part two of the audio version of "Mobilizing the Community to Make TNR Happen Presented by Neighborhood Cats". (If you haven't listened to part one, you can check it out here.) So many cats, so few trappers… and veterinarians… and holding space… and transporters. If you live in a well-populated urban or suburban area and you're trying to use TNR to address your city or town's entire free-roaming cat population, you'll need a lot of help! How do you mobilize the public to trap the cats in their backyards, get hands-on involvement, attract volunteers, and gain community support? In parts one and two of this special release, you'll learn from the folks who started the community TNR program in New York City and helped other municipalities organize their programs. We'll go over training the public, providing support services, tracking success, gaining publicity, and more. To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, you may visit their website. If you'd like to watch this presentation, you can hop on over to our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

"How do you manage TNR on a much larger scale...as more of a program manager?" This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's podcast, we are proud to bring you part one of the audio version of "Mobilizing the Community to Make TNR Happen Presented by Neighborhood Cats". So many cats, so few trappers… and veterinarians… and holding space… and transporters. If you live in a well-populated urban or suburban area and you're trying to use TNR to address your city or town's entire free-roaming cat population, you'll need a lot of help! How do you mobilize the public to trap the cats in their backyards, get hands-on involvement, attract volunteers, and gain community support? In parts one and two (coming July 11th) of this Learn from the folks who started the community TNR program in New York City and helped other municipalities organize their programs as well. We'll go over training the public, providing support services, tracking success, gaining publicity, and more. To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, you may visit their website. If you'd like to watch this presentation, you can hop on over to our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

"There's a lot of people that really need a cat and they don't realize they do. So if I can marry up those two, I think that'd be a really great thing." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Justin Donne, founder of The Kitty Boss. This company provides the tools to pick, pamper, and protect your practically perfect pussycat for a lifetime of unconditional love. In his conversation with Stacy, Justin describes the 3 P's (Pick, Pamper, and Protect) key to the mission of The Kitty Boss. He touches on what inspired him to found The Kitty Boss and previews his upcoming book. Justin also discusses his podcast, The Kitty Boss, where he dives into the world of cats with experts in the field. Dr. Rachel Geller, a frequent collaborator with the CCP and former guest on the show, is a recurring guest on his podcast. Additionally, Stacy recently appeared as a guest on his podcast. To learn more about Justin and The Kitty Boss, visit his website or follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. The Kitty Boss podcast is available on multiple platforms.

"You don't have to be a cat person to support TNR." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Dawn Benefiel, the executive director of Indy Neighborhood Cats ("INC"), a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for free roaming cats through TNR. INC also provides colony care,spay/neuter resources, and medical care to community cats. In her conversation with Stacy, Dawn talks all about trapping and TNR. She describes mass-trapping, which involves trapping 20 or more cats, evaluating trap sites, and managing colonies. Dawn also discusses her earlier blog post on the CCP website, which explores mass-trapping techniques. Dawn describes some of the initiatives of INC, along with her efforts in founding a TNR program at the local municipal shelter. She also discusses INC's partnership with Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside, and some of the challenges the organization has encountered following the pandemic. To learn more about Indy Neighborhood Cats, visit their website or Facebook.

"This brings us to one of the hot-button issues happening right now in return-to-field...what about friendly cats?" This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's podcast, we are proud to bring you the audio version of "Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program Presented by Neighborhood Cats". In part two of this special episode, your host, Bryan Kortis, will help you learn what return-to-field and targeting are and how can we use them to save lives and reduce the number of cats living on our streets. He will give details about these approaches, the policies behind them, and the mechanics of how they work. Plus find out how Return-to-Field and targeted TNR can be combined to achieve dramatic, sustainable reductions in both euthanasia and intake at open-admission shelters. To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, you may visit their website. If you'd like to watch this presentation, you can hop on over to our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

"How do you organize a TNR program on a very large scale and get the best results..." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, we are proud to bring you the audio version of "Return-to-Field & Targeting: The Community Cat Program Presented by Neighborhood Cats". In part one of this special episode, your host, Bryan Kortis, will help you learn what return-to-field and targeting are and how can we use them to save lives and reduce the number of cats living on our streets. He will give details about these approaches, the policies behind them, and the mechanics of how they work. Plus find out how Return-to-Field and targeted TNR can be combined to achieve dramatic, sustainable reductions in both euthanasia and intake at open-admission shelters. To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, you may visit their website. If you'd like to watch this presentation, you can hop on over to our YouTube channel to check it out. To download handouts mentioned in the show, you can visit our Community Cat Care Training and Education page to find these, and a treasure trove of other TNR and community cat care education.

"The National Kitten Coalition believes that every kitten deserves a chance to survive and thrive." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Nancy Peterson, Board Member of the National Kitten Coalition and Neighborhood Cats and former Community Cats Program Manager at the Humane Society of the United States. In her conversation with Stacy, Nancy describes the advocacy efforts of the National Kitten Coalition, an organization that strives to increase kitten survival rates through the power of education. She highlights several of the many useful resources that the National Kitten Coalition provides, including its Kitten Nursery Manual. Nancy also previews the upcoming 2023 Kitten Conference, presented by the National Kitten Coalition in partnership with CCP, which is scheduled for June 9-11, 2023. Additionally, she addresses kitten nurseries, veterinary burnout, and her experience as a veterinary technician. To learn more about the National Kitten Coalition, visit their website.

"I firmly believe that spay-neuter is an essential element of access to care." – Dr. Weedon This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with veterinarians Dr. Robert Murtaugh and Dr. Robert Weedon. Dr. Murtaugh is a veterinary specialist based in Austin, Texas and a candidate for the next president of the American Veterinary Medical Association ("AVMA"). Dr. Weedon, a frequent conference guest and former guest of the show (CCP episodes 361 and 383) is a high-volume spay/neuter surgeon with TLC PetSnip in Lakeland, Florida. In their conversation with Stacy, Dr. Murtaugh and Dr. Weedon discuss the current state of the veterinary field, including some of the challenges, such as the veterinary shortage and lack of access to care. Dr. Murtaugh describes how the AVMA is addressing these issues through advocacy and legislative initiatives and outlines ideas for future initiatives to overcome these challenges. Additionally, Dr. Murtaugh and Dr. Weeden discuss topics involving high volume spay neuter, licensure reciprocity, veterinarian technicians, and staffing issues. They also debunk some of the misconceptions surrounding the quality of high-volume spay-neuter. To learn more about the work of AVMA, visit its website. The following organizations are mentioned during this episode: Austin Pets Alive Shadow Cats United Spay Alliance

"Willow's mission is to show that black cats are adorable, fun, and magical and they need to be loved just as much as any other cat." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy speaks with Linda Malik, author of Willow's Tale, a children's picture book about the adventures of a black cat named Willow. In her discussion with Stacy, Linda describes the inspiration behind this story and why she chose to publish a children's picture book. She discusses the unfair stigma surrounding black cats and the importance of dispelling this fallacy at a young age. Linda talks about Willow's additional projects, including an upcoming second book and an animated series. This animated series was produced by autistic animators (link to prior episode), who she believes are similarly unfairly stigmatized. Linda strongly encourages anyone looking to adopt to consider black cats. To learn more about Linda's work and Willow's Tale, visit her website or Instagram.

"It's empowering to realize that you can actually make a difference just by making different choices in the things that you do every day." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Ashley Byrne, Associate Director of Campaigns for PETA. PETA, short for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is the largest animal rights organization in the world with more than 9 million members and supporters globally. In her discussion with Stacy, Ashley explains how PETA's philosophy centers on the notion that animals exist for their own purposes, not for human purposes. She describes some of PETA's recent campaigns, which strive to change the way people think about animals. Ashley also talks about PETA's Mobile Clinic, its 24-hour cruelty hotline, and Beauty Without Bunnies, a searchable database of companies that don't test on animals. She stresses the importance of knowing where your products come from. Additionally, Ashley describes PETA's stance on TNR and encourages pet lovers to adopt their pets from shelters rather than buy them from breeders. To learn more about PETA, visit their website.

"Don't say, I wish somebody would help them. Go out and do it." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy speaks with individual animal rescuer and advocate, Nancy Robison. After receiving help to TNR the cats outside her home in Long Island, NY, Nancy made it her personal mission to gather all the information she could on low-cost or free services for animals, including spay/neuter and TNR resources. She shares those resources whenever she has the chance, to minimize obstacles and help even more people get the help they need. Today, Nancy works with two local organizations and continues to support TNR efforts in Long Island. She also works closely with caregiver and rescuer, Cathy Moore, in upstate New York to provide as much help as she possibly can. Stacy and Nancy talk about the role of individuals in animal rescue, and stepping up when something needs to be done. They talk about compassion, and how it impacts our approach to animals and people with unique needs and challenges. A teacher for 35 years, Nancy strongly believes in the importance of teaching children compassion for animals. She and Stacy talk about the children's books she has authored, which were inspired by the bedtime stories her own mother used to tell about her childhood cat, Stubbs. Nancy's books are available for sale on Amazon. All proceeds from her books are donated to animal-related charities: Stubby: A Cat's Story Stubby: Her Continuing Adventures The Dogs of My Life To get in touch with Nancy, send an email to [email protected] or connect with One At A Time Cat Rescue via their Facebook group.

"We are passionate about cats. That's what we live for. If we can help other companies, other nonprofits that are helping pet parents do things that we don't do directly, I think that's a great way to support pet parenting overall, especially for cats." This episode is sponsored in part by Cats of the Wild Podcast, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy interviews Yvethe Tyska, Vice President of Marketing for H&H Group, whose mission is to make millions of people and their pets healthier and happier. The H&H Group houses many brands, including Zesty Paws pet supplements. Yvethe talks about the recent support Zesty Paws gave to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, covering all adoption and related fees during the grand opening of their new cat facility in September 2022. She recalls what it was like to be a cat parent or cat lover in Orlando when the Pet Alliance's former cat facility caught fire in 2021, and how the community came together to support the organization and see it back on its feet. Yvethe shares her insight as a marketing professional, her recommendations for nonprofits looking for support from for-profit corporations, and the important role that passion has to play for all involved. Zesty Paws supplements are available for sale online or in most retail locations. You can also purchase products from their website at www.zestypaws.com. For questions about events or product donations, email [email protected]. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

"That's the cool thing. Some of these older groups are closing, but we have a whole new crop of young women who are starting rescues and taking over." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy sits down with Janet Vormittag, founder and publisher of Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals, and author of multiple books about animals, including You Might Be a Crazy Cat Lady If…(volumes 1 & 2) and Cat Women of West Michigan: The Secret World of Cat Rescue. Janet shares a few of her favorite stories from her career as a reporter, writer, and animal advocate. She talks about the euthanasia numbers for her community, and how drastically things have improved over the past 15 years. Stacy and Janet chat about her most recent book, Cat Women of West Michigan, and the incredible women who are making the community a better place for cats. Janet highlights a few of the women readers will encounter in the book, including women who start rescues, women who serve cats as individual volunteers and caregivers, and women who support cats in other unexpected – but equally significant – ways. To learn more about Janet and see the complete list of books she's written, visit her website at www.janetvormittag.com. Books can also be purchased directly from Amazon: Cat Women of West Michigan: The Secret World of Cat Rescue You Might Be a Crazy Cat Lady If… You Might Be a Craz Cat Lady If… (volume 2) Some of the groups Janet mentions in this episode are: Focus on Ferals Crash's Landing & Big Sid's Sanctuary Happy Cat Cafe Hands for Paws West Michigan

"We have to honor the cat's wishes…we have to honor the community cat who wants to be outside and have a safe, happy life there." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with KJ McGill, Kitty Correspondent for the nationally syndicated show, Pet Pals TV, and author of the book, Raised by Cats: Behind the Mic and the Meows. Stacy and KJ talk about her work with cat-focused groups in Indianapolis, and how she has used her platform as a radio personality to promote positive stories about cats, and the people and organizations helping them. KJ talks about the importance of community education, and the positive impact of collaboration and support between TNR organizations, cat rescues, and animal services in Indianapolis. KJ talks about her book and her hope that sharing her own story with cats will help others have a better story with their own cats. Stacy and KJ talk about compassion fatigue and burnout, and KJ's belief that at the end of the day, we're all working toward the same goal. To learn more about KJ and her work, visit her website at www.kjtodayshow.com or join her Facebook group, KJ's Cat Club. During her interview, KJ refers to these organizations: Indy Neighborhood Cats Grateful Rescue & Sanctuary Pet Friendly Services of Indiana

"Our whole lives are really to get the word out that this is the solution." – Louise on TNR This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy talks with Louise Holton, Founder of Alley Cat Rescue, and Deborah Holzer, Development Assistant at Alley Cat Rescue. Louise founded National Cat Protection Association in 1997 as the nation's first national cat protection association and an organization that advocates for all cats. In their conversation with Stacy, Louise and Deborah talk all about community cats. The pair touches on some of the campaigns spearheaded by Alley Cat Rescue. Debbie describes the Global Feral Fix Challenge, an annual initiative promoting the spaying and neutering of community cats. Louise highlights some of the resources available on the Alley Cat Rescue website, including the contact information for Cat Action Teams in each state. Louise and Deborah touch on how Alley Cat Rescue educates the general population about TNR. They also discuss veterinary challenges, cat behavior, and how to get involved in TNR. To learn more about Alley Cat Rescue, visit their website.

"I'm glad that there are organizations that . . . dispel the myth [about black cats]." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Marlene Sharp, a TV and film writer and executive and proprietor of Pink Poodle Productions. In her discussion with Stacy, Marlene talks all about her work in the animation industry and details some of her cat-related projects. She describes her recent experience at CatCon, as well as her collaboration with Linda Malik (author of Willow's Tale). Additionally, Marlene describes her work as a mentor at the Center for Learning Unlimited, where she collaborates with students on the autism spectrum in the school's animation program. She likens the unfair perception of black cats to the perception of those with autism. To learn more about Marlene and her work, visit Pink Poodle Productions. You can also connect with her through LinkedIn. During her interview, Marlene mentions the following organizations: Black Cat Holistic Rescue The Center for Learning Unlimited

"I've always tried to make a difference. . . I want to make a difference in the long run." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this special 500th episode of Community Cats Podcast, Stacy is joined by Dr. Jeff Young, star of Animal Planet's Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet. Dr. Young is also the founder of Planned Pethood Plus, a low-cost spay/neuter clinic known for its mobile neutering clinics. In their conversation, Stacy and The Rocky Mountain Vet elaborate on the services provided by Planned Pethood. He also touches on the state of veterinary practice, including recent challenges and obstacles. Dr. Young emphasizes the need for TNR and strongly encourages all humane groups to have a TNR program. He explains the consequences that arise from failing to implement an effective program. Dr. Young also stresses that fixing your cat is "the most important thing you can do" in caring for them. To learn more about Dr. Young and his work, visit his Instagram or YouTube. Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet airs on Animal Planet and can be streamed online. To learn more about Planned Pethood International, visit their website or Facebook.

"There's definitely a lot of good . . . that I've seen from the cat community on social media." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Harris Baker, founder of Catfluence, a social media platform that promotes everything feline related. In their discussion, Stacy and Harris talk all about social media. Harris describes how rescue organizations and individuals can use social media to generate awareness about their efforts, and he strongly encourages all rescue organizations to have a social media presence. Harris touches on the importance of posting meaningful content, engaging with the community, and utilizing different social media platforms to reach every demographic. He also describes how to use hashtags to reach a larger audience and provides tips on attracting more followers. To learn more about Catfluence, visit their website, Instagram, or TikTok.

"If anything, we should be doing more to address the anxiety, fear, and stress [of community cats]" This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy follows up with Tabitha Kucera, a registered veterinary technician, certified cat behavior training consultant, and former guest of the show (CCP Episode 319). Stacy and Tabitha discuss numerous cat health and behavioral issues. She provides tips on identifying whether a cat is in pain (which she created a handout for). Tabitha explains that a cat's physical and mental health are often intertwined. She stresses the importance of minimizing anxiety and stress by employing Fear Free techniques, trap training, and cooperative care. Additionally, Tabitha talks about her podcast Tails from a Vet Tech, where she highlights, educates, and advocates for veterinary, shelter, and behavior animal professionals. She also previews her upcoming presentation for Community Cats Podcast's 2023 Online Behavior Day on April 8. To learn more about Tabitha and her work, visit Chirrups and Chatter.

"Often times, providing people with the necessary items, the support, the kindness, [and] the caring – that can be the very important difference between a person keeping the cat and surrendering the cat." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Dr. Rachel Geller, a cat behaviorist and prior guest of the show (CCP Episodes 18, 146, and 310), to discuss her new project, All Cats All the Time. This nonprofit is dedicated to promoting the adoption of cats and preventing their surrender and abandonment by providing free cat behavior counseling to cat animal shelters and cat owners. Dr. Geller describes the situations she often encounters as a cat behaviorist. She covers some of the most common behavioral issues, many of which will stem from declawing. She explains how removing a cat's claws removes a layer of comfort, stresses out the cat, and causes sensitivity issues. Dr. Geller also touches on Fear Free and on her book, Saving the World, One Cat at a Time, the proceeds of which go to shelters and cat advocacy organizations. Additionally, she provides advice on socializing cats. She underscores the importance of going at the cat's pace and giving them time and space to adjust. To learn more about Dr. Geller and her work, visit her website. There is also a submission form here where you contact her for advice.

"You save yourself a lot of administrative time by being organized up front by setting up a system and a space to be organized." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy talks with Dara Sklar, the founder of Synced with Dara and producer of the Get Productive with G-Suite program. Dara's work focuses on helping people streamline their work processes, which allows them to become as efficient and productive as possible. In chatting with Stacy, Dara talks all about Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). She describes how organizations and small nonprofit groups can utilize this set of communication and productivity apps to become more efficient. Dara also provides tips on managing passwords through LastPass and emails through filtering and archiving. She further discusses her program Get Productive with G-Suite, an online course that serves as a comprehensive, step-by-step, way of learning to use Google tools, apps, and integrations. To learn more about Dara and her work, visit her website. You can learn more about Get Productive with G Suite and Top 40 Time-Saving Google Hacks on her website as well.

"I thought about it from a small business . . . [or] nonprofit standpoint of here are some of the basics to help you at least upstart and continue marketing, especially if you're on a shoestring budget." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy speaks with Laurren Darr, founder of Left Paw Press and the Pet Fashion Guild and author of the Pet Business Marketing Almanac. In her discussion with Stacy, Laurren talks about her involvement in managing her son's racing career. She talks about the "Racing for Rescues" initiative, which entails delivering supplies to the pet shelters in the cities where he races. Laurren also talks about the Pet Business Marketing Almanac, which is a marketing planning tool for pet businesses or businesses wanting to incorporate pet themes in their marketing. She discusses the inspiration behind this book. Additionally, Laurren touches on social media, where she emphasizes the importance of consistency. To learn more about Laurrenn and her work, visit the Left Paw Press website. The Pet Business Marketing Almanac 2023 is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

"The presence of cats is really beneficial to humans and that especially holds true in an urban setting where you have a lot of rats." This episode is sponsored in part by TervaPet, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy speaks with Sheila Massey, president and founder of Hard Hat Cats and former guest of the show (CCP Episode 98). Hard Hat Cats, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, places working cats with organizations seeking non-toxic rodent control. In her discussion with Stacy, Sheila talks all about Hard Hat Cats and the working cats that inspired her to found this organization. These former community cats are rescued from the New York City public animal shelter and placed with organizations that provide food, shelter, healthcare, and TLC in exchange for the cats' expertise and a poison-free work environment. Sheila describes how she matches the cats with the right site and touches on the integration process as well. This program, she explains, is a win-win-win for the cats, the employers, and the planet. Hard Hat Cats work in breweries, distilleries, hotels, parks, and gardens and are always seeking new employers. To learn more about Hard Hat Cats, visit their website or Instagram. You can also connect with Hard Hat Cats by email at [email protected].

"I think we need to teach young people more that animals need to be treated with the same respect you treat a person." This episode is sponsored in part by TervaPet, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. Meet Anne Montgomery, former sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, author, and amateur sports official. Anne currently works as an author and has published several fiction novels in various genres, including historical fiction and mystery/suspense. In her discussion with Stacy, Anne talks about all things cats, from breeding to veterinary care costs. She talks about her introduction to TNR and touches on some of the issues that arise in its absence. Anne stresses the necessity of effective communication and teaching to enlighten the public on the importance of TNR and animal welfare. Additionally, Anne discusses her work experience and explains how it has impacted her approach to animal welfare. She strongly encourages all listeners to "give a black cat a chance." She also discusses her work as an author, as well as the inspiration behind her stories. To learn more about Anne's work, visit her website.

"There are so many possibilities for organizations where this money could go." This episode is sponsored in part by TervaPet, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy talks with Sally Williams, the founder, and president of Mission Meow and former guest of the show (CCP Episodes 104 and 324). Sally was also the founder and executive director of the now-retired Brodie Fund, an organization that raised money to provide financial assistance to families with pets fighting cancer. Sally reflects on her time with the Brodie Fund and the difficult decision to close the organization. She celebrates the organization's accomplishments, which included over 70 grants and over $200,000 distributed, and explains how it inspired her to found Mission Meow. Mission Meow works to increase the level of charitable donations for small feline-centric nonprofits, including TNR groups, to help create meaningful change for cats in need. Sally describes the specifics of this program, which entails recruiting businesses for quarterly donations and then distributing these funds to a different nonprofit each month. She also explores some of the challenges and aspirations for Mission Meow. To learn more about Mission Meow, visit their website. The following organizations/programs were also mentioned during this episode: Charity Navigator Community Cats Grants GuideStar

"Because they're so territorial, it's hard to introduce a new cat regardless of where they came from into a new cat household." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com and Maddie's Fund. In this special episode, Stacy chats and co-hosts with Molly DeVoss, a Certified Feline Training and Behavior specialist, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and Fear Free Certified Trainer. Molly is also the founder of Cat Behavior Solutions and host of Cat Talk Radio, where she addresses cat behavioral issues. In Stacy and Molly's conversation, they discuss all things cats, including cat behavior, community cats, declawing, TNR and return-to-field programs, and the veterinary shortage. Molly highlights the importance of acclimating "working cats" (or barn cats) to their new environment and the engagement required to keep these cats safe. She also touches on distinguishing and identifying behavioral issues from medical issues that would require veterinary care. To learn more about Molly's work or to listen to her podcast, visit Cat Behavior Solutions.

"I'm hoping by changing people's perspective on what play looks like and giving them really concrete suggestions on how they can improve their play technique that more cats will get the play they deserve." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com and Maddie's Fund. On today's episode, Stacy talks with Dr. Mikel Delgado, an Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. Dr. Delgado is the co-owner of Feline Minds, a cat behavior consulting group, co-author with Jackson Galaxy of the 2017 book, "Total Cat Mojo" and the author of the forthcoming book "Play with Your Cat!". In her conversation with Stacy, Dr. Delgado talks all about cat behavioral issues, which she saw were increasingly prevalent throughout and following the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. She provides some helpful tips on addressing behavioral issues, litter boxes, and more. Dr. Delgado discusses some of the limitations of her practice, the veterinary shortage, and the importance of having an established relationship with your veterinarian. She also touches on her work with Flabush Cats, a TNR-focused rescue organization based in Brooklyn, New York, and with the San Francisco SPCA. Additionally, she previews her upcoming book, which focuses on the importance of playing with your cat. To learn more about Dr. Delgado and her work, visit Feline Minds. If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy Stacy's conversation with Tabitha Kucera, Chirrups & Chatter Cat Behavior Consulting and Education, in episode 319.

"Shar[ing] our skills and work[ing] in the best way that we individually can with our skills has been really helpful in allowing us to help more animals." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy connects with Anne Levin, Executive Director of Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and founder of the Brooklyn Cat Cafe, a non-profit cat cafe that serves as an adoption center and community space working to reduce animal homelessness through education, TNR, and outreach. In her conversation with Stacy, Anne discusses the current landscape of community cats in New York City. She touches on how the lack of protection for community cats inspired her efforts in the cat welfare field. Anne talks about the origins of the Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and the Brooklyn Cat Cafe. She explains how the cafe setting allows the cats to be situated in a more comfortable compared to adoption events. Anne explores some of the challenges these organizations and cat care in general encountered during the height of the Covid pandemic. She also stresses the importance of a collaborative effort in addressing animal issues. Visit the websites of Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and Brooklyn Cat Cafe to learn more about these organizations. If you enjoyed this interview, you might also enjoy Stacy's conversation with Darlene Duggan, Director of Operations at Tree House Humane Society, in episode 265.

"There were so many ways that this little being helped to bring us closer together, to teach us about love, to teach us about unconditional love." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert.com and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Cheryl Richardson, the author of several books and audio programs, including her recent audiobook How to Survive the Loss of a Pet, which helps listeners navigate the journey of grief, acceptance, and renewal after a pet passes. In her conversation with Stacy, Cheryl discusses the strong bond that we have with our pets and how they can play such major roles in our lives. She describes how her late cat, Poupon, taught her about love and how, towards the end of his life, the most profound act of love was to let him go as gently as possible. Cheryl discusses her book "How to Survive the Loss of a Pet", and talks about how her role is that of a grief coach. She emphasizes the importance of giving yourself space to grieve and explains how each person handles grief differently. She believes it's critical to respect and honor your own unique way of grieving. Most importantly, Cheryl wants listeners to know that if you've lost a pet and are grieving: you are not alone and will get through this. To learn more about Cheryl and her work, visit her website. To purchase How to Survive the Loss of a Pet, visit Sounds True, Audible, or Amazon.