The Community Cats Podcast

"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.

"There's still a disconnect between the grassroots groups (that are primarily doing trap-neuter-return) and the larger shelters (that are involved in return-to-field) and we need to get to a point where those two parts of the system are working together." This episode is sponsored in part by TevraPet and Maddie's Fund. On this episode, Stacy chats with Bryan Kortis, Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats, who frequently collaborates with the CCP in running the Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshops. In his discussion with Stacy, Bryan talks about the rise of the community cat coordinator position in shelters. He provides a preview of the 6th Annual Online Cat Conference, which will take place from January 27th through January 29th, 2023. This conference, Bryan explains, will further explore the community cat coordinator position. Bryan discusses the increasingly popular return-to-field programs. He describes the differences between these programs and trap-neuter-return programs and discusses the collaborative efforts and interaction between those running the programs. Bryan also talks about Cat Stats, a TNR program management tool developed and offered by Neighborhood Cats, which allows non-profit organizations to track colonies and caretakers in their service area. He discusses his partnership with Tomahawk Live Trap and the collaborative efforts in developing traps. Additionally, Bryan touches on the DC Cat Count and the upcoming Maui Cat Count. To learn more about Neighborhood Cats, visit their website. To learn more about or register for the 6th Annual Online Cat Conference, click here. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy's interview with Mary Howard, Community Cat Coordinator at McKamey Animal Center, in episode 356.

"I would tell people: stay open, learn, [and] keep learning." This episode is sponsored in part by TevraPet and Maddie's Fund. On today's episode, Stacy chats with Dr. Kelly Deihl, the Senior Director of Science and Communication at Morris Animal Foundation and a prior guest of the show (CCP Episode 425). In her conversation with Stacy, Dr. Deihl discusses the foundation's Happy Healthy Cat Campaign. She explores the initiatives and research campaigns that the foundation has undertaken, including one that looks at non-surgical spay-neuter options. She also provides a preview of an ongoing study that is looking at the effects of chronic inflammation, and cognitive behavior and health. Dr. Deihl shares her perspective on the veterinary shortage and how she believes we should address it. She also discusses her podcast through Morris Animal Foundation, where she explores animals scientific and research issues. To learn more about Morris Animal Foundation, visit their website, Instagram, or Facebook. Dr. Deihl's podcast can be found through Morris Animal Foundation here. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy's interview with Marvin Mackie, DVM, Co-Creator of the Quick Spay Technique, way back in episode 40.

"I think the best way to rescue the most cats is through TNR." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie's Fund. Meet Esmeralda Alvarez, a TNR advocate and cat foster who performs TNR on a weekly basis. Her efforts began back in 2015, and she strongly believes that TNR is a social justice issue. In her conversation with Stacy, she discusses the importance of TNR and explains how its performance saves future generations of cats. Esmerelda also discusses the many difficult choices that trappers encounter, such as deciding whether to return or keep a trapped cat. She encourages trappers to make these decisions based on what is ultimately best for the cat. "I always tell people just listen to what the cat has to say and try to the best of your ability to remove your personal feelings . . . [and] to prioritize them over your feelings." Additionally, Esmerelda touches on her participation in the recent film "Crazy Cat Lady", which is a documentary that focuses on the feral cat crisis in Los Angeles and the dedicated (though often mischaracterized) volunteers who are on the front line. To learn more about Esmerelda and how to get involved in TNR, visit her Instagram or TikTok. To learn more about the documentary "Crazy Cat Lady", visit their website or Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy's interview with Tina Traster, an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and documentarian of "Catnip Nation", in episode 186.

"Nothing feels better than helping a pet get back to their family that loves them." his episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Corinne Bourgoin, who serves as the Operations Coordinator at the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center. Her efforts have resulted in a program that has a feline reclaim rate that is eight times the national average of these programs. In her discussion with Stacy, Corinne explains how the MSPCA reunites lost pets with their owners. She details what goes on behind the scenes once a stray cat is brought in. She stresses that in order to have a successful program, there needs to be an organizational mindset shift. Corinne discusses some of the challenges in differentiating lost cats from neighborhood cats; she also provides some helpful tips on how to effectively distinguish these cats. Additionally, she talks about low-cost spay/neuter programs and TNR. To learn more about the MSPCA, visit their website. To get in touch with Carin, you can email her at [email protected] or call her at (617) 522-5055. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy's interview with Kat Albrecht-Thiessen, a police detective turned pet detective and the founder/director of The Missing Animal Response Network, in episode 450.

"Once you get one cat, you can't stop getting cats. It's an addiction like none other." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie's Fund. Meet Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes, stand-up comedians and entrepreneurs based in Los Angeles. The pair grew weary of the sight of cat trees and decided to take action to create more aesthetically pleasing cat furniture. Together, they developed the Feline Frame Ensemble, which combines a cat shelf with a portrait frame. In their conversation with Stacy, Brian, and Kristina describe some of the features of the Feline Frame Ensemble, which include interchangeable frames and customizable artwork. They also discuss some of the lessons that they have learned as avid listeners of the Community Cats Podcast. Additionally, Brian discusses his company OneBite Creative, which provides website design, logo design, social media branding, and graphic services. He stresses the importance of having an up-to-date website and one that is periodically updated. He also explains how OneBite Creative can help those that are feeling overwhelmed with their maintaining their website or social media presence. To learn more about Frame your Feline, visit their website or Instagram. And to learn more about OneBite Creative, visit their website. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy's interview with Chelsea White, Comedian and Host of "Show Me Your Kitty", in episode 321.

"We really believe in collaboration, not just in animal welfare but in human welfare." This episode is sponsored in part by Doobert and Maddie's Fund. On today's episode, Stacy chats with Marisa Hernandez, one of the co-founders of Ruff Haven, an organization that helps people encountering crisis situations remain united with their beloved pets. Marisa recognized the growing need for temporary crisis sheltering services in the community, which compelled her to take action. In her discussion with Stacy, Marisa discusses how she and several friends with unique backgrounds came together to create this organization. She discusses the specifics of the program, as well as the rapid growth of the organization. Marisa explains that Ruff Haven focuses on helping both pets and people. She stresses the importance of changing the mindset of judging homeless pet owners. Marisa talks about how COVID was beneficial in shifting the public's mindset regarding these individuals and also details some of the challenges that Ruff Haven encountered during the pandemic as well. To learn more about Ruff Haven, visit their website, Facebook, or Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy's interview with Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue, a national initiative that highlights the power of human-animal relationships, in episode 303.

"I'd prefer to have cats in my yard instead of vegetables but other people might, justifiably, feel differently and that's perfectly fine..." This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. This is a special audio presentation of our free webinar Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks presented by Neighborhood Cats. Join Bryan Kortis for part two of this unique webinar and find out how to deal with folks who don't like cats and keep your cats out of their yard, get health hacks to control worms and fleas, and the best ways to build cozy winter shelters. All that plus many more colony caretaking challenges will be addressed by the experts from Neighborhood Cats with their 20 years of experience dealing with all things community cat. If you would like to watch the video version of this webinar or download the handouts and slides referred to in the podcast, just visit our Colony Cat Care Training and Education page and scroll down to the bottom for media and downloads for all our free webinars. *A Quick Note from the Production Team - There is a sound quality issue during the Q&A portion at the end of the podcast. (You'll know it when you hear it.) We felt the information given in this section was important so we left it in instead of cutting it entirely. We hope it doesn't impact your enjoyment of the show too much and thank you for your patience.

"It starts off as you're their feeder but overtime they form a special relationship with you..." This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. This is a special audio presentation of our free webinar Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks presented by Neighborhood Cats. Join Bryan Kortis for part one of this unique webinar and find out how to keep your colony cats healthy with good nutrition and hydration, establish feeding patterns, keep water from freezing or evaporating, and how to keep slugs, ants and more out of your kitties' food. All that plus many more colony caretaking challenges will be addressed by the experts from Neighborhood Cats with their 20 years of experience dealing with all things community cat. If you would like to watch the video version of this webinar or download the handouts and slides referred to in the podcast, just visit our Colony Cat Care Training and Education page and scroll down to the bottom for media and downloads for all our free webinars.

"And, so I wrote a book that is for all of those people out there who just want to be who they are." This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy talks with Winter Miller, an award-winning playwright living in Brooklyn. She recently published Not a Cat, a children's picture book, inspired by the life of her extraordinary cat Gato. In her conversation with Stacy, Winter provides an overview of Not a Cat and explains what inspired her to write a children's book. She also explains how writing helped her with the grieving process since her beloved Gato had recently passed away. Winter discusses some of the themes of the story, which include acceptance. Winter also talks about her work as a playwright, provides her thoughts on TNR, and discusses some of her upcoming projects. To learn more about Winter Miller, visit her website. Not a Cat can be found here. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in listening to Stacy's interview with Deb Barnes, Author and President of the Cat Writers' Association, in episode 313.

"They are love engendering machines. They are love giving machines of an unconditional nature. That's all they want to do, is love you." This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Janice Cobb, the creator of Zinzie Pie's Save My Pet ID Tag, which is an identification tag for pet owners customized with information about the owner, their pets, and trusted contact. The Save My Pet ID Tag can be made as a necklace, bracelet, or keychain. This product offers peace of mind and reassurance, that in an emergency, your pets will be attended to. In her conversation with Stacy, Janice talks about the inspiration behind this idea. She talks about some of the unique features of the Save My Pet ID Tag. She emphasizes the importance of being prepared and acting proactively. Janice also talks about cats in general and how she is able to keep her home stress free. To learn more about Zinzie Pie's Save My Pet ID Tag, visit their website. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also be interested in hearing from Frances Carlisle, an attorney, discuss estate planning for your pets in episodes 227.

"How do we give tools to organizations so that they have revenue coming in on a regular basis?" This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Doobert.com's Chris Roy returns to the show to share some of the projects he has been working on since the pandemic. Chris is a tech guy who loves solving problems for folks in animal welfare. It has been several years since Chris was on the show and he is eager to share what is new at Doobert.com. Doobert Forward is a fundraising platform that works like Amazon Smile, but the percentage of the sale that is donated back to the organization is 5% vs less than 1% at Amazon Smile. Stacy asks Chris to share more details about the Case Management module and if it can help manage situations where a cat or litter of kittens might be turned away from one organization to be helped with another. Each situation turns into a "Case" so that it can be transferred to other organizations therefore potentially ensuring that everyone will get help in the community. Want to catch the past interviews with Chris on episode 433 and episode 131 To learn more about Doobert visit the Doobert Website and check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

"We do, in those two worlds, share some goals. We can recognize that there might be suspicion or assumptions or disagreements about how well TNR works to manage populations but by working together, those two worlds can certainly make it better." – John Boone This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy speaks with Valerie Benka the Director of Programs for Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs ("ACC&D"), and John Boone, who serves on the Board of Directors at ACC&D and is the Research Director at the Great Basin Bird Observatory. The mission of ACC&D is to advance non-surgical sterilants and contraceptives for cats and dogs and to promote their global accessibility. The organization recognizes that some communities do not have the necessary resources for safe animal sterilization surgery and seeks to address this issue. In their discussion with Stacy, Valerie and John talk about the research and projects that ACC&D has conducted. They detail the findings of these studies and provide tips on population management and the most effective TNR strategies. Valerie and John also discuss some of the resources available on ACC&D's website, which can serve as useful tools for individuals and organizations. To learn more about ACC&D, visit their website. If you enjoyed this episode, John was also a guest on CCP in Episodes 258 and 331.

"I always tell everyone, 'Even if you don't like animals, you can still help. If you don't have what it takes, you can still help.'" This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Melody Kwan, aka Melocat, a cat rescuer and re-homing volunteer based in Hong Kong. Through her network of volunteers, Melody is able to get cats to their ideal homes. She also lives with her 9 rescued and adopted cats in her 555 sq ft apartment. In her discussion with Stacy, Melody explains how she's able to keep her house clean and her cats happy, calm, and comfortable. She talks about the unique systems she has in place that help her save time and create a better lifestyle for both cats and humans. She emphasizes that "vertical space beats floor space". She's currently developing a course to help others create the same ecosystem in their own lives. Melody also provides insight into what life is like for community cats in Hong Kong and outlines some of the challenges they encounter. She touches on how she got into vlogging, discusses some of her future plans, and shares some cat tips and tricks. To learn more about Melody, visit her YouTube channel, Instagram account, or Facebook page. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Mary Peng, CEO & Founder of International Center for Veterinary Services, in episode 132.

"Fear free is all about educating people to understand their cat's emotional needs, which are deep and complex." This episode is sponsored in part by Kensington Books, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy speaks with Mikkel Becker, a certified trainer and behavior consultant, that serves as the lead trainer for Fear Free Pets and Fear Free Happy Homes. She is also the co-author of From Fearful to Fear Free In her conversation with Stacy, Mikkel talks about her experience training cats through using positive reinforcement and encouragement. She explains why she believes they can be trained more easily than dogs and how training is based in every day interactions with our cats. Mikkel speaks in depth about Fear Free, which was founded upon the mission of preventing and alleviating fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. She talks about the benefits of utilizing Fear Free programs. One of these programs is Fear Free Shelters, which is a free program available to rescues and shelters. Mikkel also provides an update on her father, Dr. Marty Becker, who recently spent time at the Ukraine border helping people and their pets that were transitioning across the border. She spoke with him further about his experience on her podcast, Happy Paws. To learn more about Fear Free, visit Fear Free Pets or Fear Free Happy Homes. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian" and Founder of the Fear Free Initiative, in episode 121.

"Keep following your dreams. Keep following your heart. Keep going to where you're led to go because it's a life worth living when you're following your heart." This episode is sponsored in part by Dr. Pussum's Cat Nip, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. After dropping out of film school and being kicked out of his aunt's house, Caleb Curtis found himself without a home. Rather than staying at a homeless shelter, he opted to get a bicycle and learn how to tour. Along the way, he found two-month-old Marilyn Monroad, and over the next 8 years, the pair would cycle over 12,000 miles across 32 states In his conversation with Stacy, Caleb talks about how he got into touring and sheds some light on what life is like on the road for Marilyn. He discusses some of the lessons that he learned during his first year of running Calico Cats and touches on some of his long-term goals for the brand. Caleb also provides insight on how he funds these trips, along with the type of content that he produces. One of his projects includes a book about these trips, which is written from Marilyn's perspective. Caleb and Marilyn's journey serves to remind us all that our companions along the ride can be just as important as our destination. Caleb strongly believes that what matters most to Marilyn is that they're together. To learn more about Caleb and Marilyn, visit their website. Listener Note During his interview, Caleb mentions 1bike1world. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Michele Tilford, an experienced cat-assisted therapy handler, in episode 249.

"It's very important to try to be diplomatic and to try to understand their point of view. . . . You have to be understanding." This episode is sponsored in part by Dr. Pussum's Cat Nip, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Angela Campbell, a USA Today best-selling author in the romantic suspense genre. Her book series, The Psychic Detective, heavily features rescue pets as supporting characters. In addition to writing professionally, she serves on the board of directors for Feline Lifeline. In her conversation with Stacy, Angela talks about her experiences as an author and a board member. She shares her preferred method of trapping, along with some helpful TNR tips and tricks. She also strongly encourages TNR training for those interested in trapping (as opposed to trial and error). Angela believes that a crucial component of TNR is in how we interact with the community, and she stresses the importance of learning to work with them. "When you are calm, understanding, and polite, a lot of people react to that, and you can work out a deal." To learn more about Feline Lifeline, visit its website, and to learn more about Angela and her work, visit her website. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Steven Morelli, CEO and founder of Waggle, in episode 358.

"Let's ensure that we're starting the conversation from that place of all of the things we have in common and real compassion and understanding for why community members might be confused around these issues." This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy converses with Caitlin Quinn, who has been the Director of Operations for HeARTs Speak since 2015. HeARTs Speak develops resources that help shelter animals to be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need. Caitlin discusses her role and shares the backstory of how she got involved in marketing. She highlights some of the communication challenges present in the community cat field and explains how those involved in the community cat field are often largely unaware that these problems exist. She conveys the importance of communication with others in the community that aren't involved in caring for the community cats. "We're so close to the issue that sometimes we're forgetting to back out of it a little bit and have those more basic understanding conversations." Caitlin talks about social media campaigns; she emphasizes the need to start with baby steps and to be repetitive with your messages. She also shares her thoughts on the best strategies, platforms, graphic design tools (Canva), and scheduling tools (PLANOLY and Later) for social media, as well as on how frequently and the type of content you should be posting. Caitlin also sheds some light on what the social media algorithm is and provides an abundance of helpful hints that are bound to help any person or organization looking to bolster their social media game and reach more of their community. To learn more about the work that Caitlin and HeARTs Speak perform, visit the HeARTs Speak website. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Karen Hollish, the director of development and marketing at Pima Animal Care Center, in episode 202.

"[Pets] are empathy machines, and they can sense how we're doing without us having to say anything. Often our pets will know how we're doing before we do, and they'll connect in that way." This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Stacy chats with Daniel Maigler, a licensed clinical social worker, who also serves as the Mental Health Advisor for Paws for Patrick, which is a nonprofit organization that connects young people with mental health issues to animals. Daniel provides insight into his role with Paws for Patrick, the array of services that the organization provides, and the inspiration behind this organization's creation. Daniel discusses the benefits of emotional support animals, and clarifies the differences between a service animal, a therapy animal, and an emotional support animal ("ESA"). He talks about the process of obtaining an ESA letter, as well as the benefits and limitations that this letter has. Daniels touches on some of the trends involving ESAs, including their presence on college campuses, and clarifies some of the misconceptions surrounding these trends. Daniel and Stacy also talk about his podcast, Not Allowed to Die, where he discusses mental health and answers any questions that listeners have related to the field. He also discusses mindfulness and provides some useful mental health tips. To learn more about Paws for Patrick, visit their website. You can also check out their Instagram and Facebook pages. Daniel's podcast can be listened to through Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. Listener Notes During his interview, Daniel mentioned the following studies/works by these individuals: Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD; Alfred Adler; and The Courage to be Disliked (written by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi). If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Kristen Hassen, Maddie's® American Pets Alive! Director overseeing Human Animal Support Services (HASS) in episode 424.

"I think it's great to bring that lens of diversity and inclusion to anything you're working on." This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. Stacy speaks with Emily Miethner, who is the co-founder of Travel Cat, which produces products used to travel safely with your cat, including backpacks and harnesses. The company, founded in 2017, has become a global 7-figure e-commerce brand with 60,000 customers in 75 countries. In her conversation with Stacy, Emily shares information about Travel Cat's founding, marketing, and grant program, Forever Home Heroes. As a serial entrepreneur, she has focused on community building, social media, and digital marketing. Emily discusses what it means to be a strong digital marketer and stresses the importance of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). She reminds us that the "love of cats has no bounds" and emphasizes the importance of inclusion of people from all backgrounds that love cats. To learn more about Travel Cat, visit their website or Instagram. Listener Links During her conversation with Stacy, Emily mentions the following organization: NYC Pet Nanny If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Jenny Hart, Travel Writer & Cat Mom in episode 318.

So if you're doing something where they're feeling engaged with that fun, I think it's a better experience for people to bond with a cat." This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. In this episode, Mario Abore returns to the show (he previously appeared on CCP Episode 338). Since 2014, Mario, through his company, Square Paws, has been creating stunning and unique creations and habitats for cats and people to enjoy. His work spans a range from making single cat towers to outfitting cat cafes and animal shelters. In his conversation with Stacy, Mario provides an update on some of his new projects, including his incredible work with the Ladew Cat Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, New York. He discusses the inspiration behind this project, as well as the designing and construction process of this and some of his other projects. He and Stacy also have an in-depth conversation about TNR, including a discussion about different traps, techniques, and baits. Sterling also shares his approach to trapping colonies and emphasizes that even if you're trapping just one cat, you're still helping. His primary goal with TNR is to elevate the wellness of the cats in the community and to be able to provide resources to help those cats. Mario provides recommendations for older shelters and rescues that are looking to upgrade their facilities and emphasizes the importance of planning now. He discusses the longevity and lifespan of cat furniture and projects and notes the importance of using sustainable materials. Mario also points out some of the things you should be looking for when shopping for cat furniture. To learn more about Mario's work, visit the Square Paws website. You can also check out their Instagram and Twitter pages. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Ashley Shoults, a principal at Animal Arts, an architecture firm in Boulder, Colorado in episode 359.

On trapping in tight locations..."We put a spotter up on the slope who could watch the whole thing and give us a signal when to drop the traps." This episode is sponsored in part by CARE, Doobert, and Maddie's Fund. This week, The Community Cats Podcast is excited to bring you part two of a special audio version of Drop Trap: A Trapper's Best Friend Presented by The Neighborhood Cats. If you want to watch this presentation's recording - complete with videos, visuals, and great examples of many of the scenarios and equipment discussed - you can check it out on our YouTube channel by clicking here. What will you learn this week? Advanced skills like how to catch many cats at once in your drop trap, the "drop trap 360", plus a couple of unusual bait hacks to attract tough-to-trap queens and toms. Join Neighborhood Cats, co-designers of the first commercially available drop trap, as they discuss how to use this invaluable tool and improve your trapping efficiency. You can learn more about Bryan Kortis and Neighborhood Cats by visiting their website or consider registering for Bryan's next TNR workshop to discover basic techniques to help you trap, neuter, and return community cats and create a healthy, safe environment for them to thrive in.