The Community Cats Podcast

The Community Cats Podcast

Our mission is to provide education, information and dialogue that will create a supportive environment empowering people to help cats in their community. *For transcripts of most shows, visit https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/podcast/.

Episodes

July 15, 2025 31 mins

“They’re not homeless. They know exactly where their home is, and they’ve chosen to be there. We’re literally returning them home—vaccinated and spayed—so it’s a win for the cat, the shelter, and the neighborhood.” - Karen Little

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants.

In this special on-location episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron brings you to the bus...

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    “My biggest challenge is making sure the welfare of these cats is taken care of. I’ll never desert these cats. Never.” - Gloria Murli

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants.

    What happens when a prison island becomes a refuge for hundreds of community cats? In this powerful episode, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Gloria Murli, retired Rikers Island captain, and Mike P...

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    "Every single cat was easily trained to go into a drop trap with a roof on it. It’s just about giving them time.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Community Cat Clinic.

    Picking up where we left off in Part 1, Bryan Kortis dives into the advanced techniques that helped his team trap the final 20% of cats in Maui’s wildfire burn zone—arguably the most elusive cats of all. From drop traps outfitted w...

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    "Sometimes the best tip is just not skipping the basics.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Community Cat Clinic.

    In the first half of this special two-part webinar replay, Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats walks us through the foundational and intermediate techniques that can make or break a successful Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) effort. Drawing from decades of field experience, Bryan shares tried-an...

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    “Outdoor cats don’t have behavior problems—they just have behavior. It’s when we bring them inside that we need to understand how to meet their needs.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In this enlightening and heartwarming conversation, feline behaviorist Stephen Quandt joins Stacy LeBaron to explore the intersection of empathy, education, and enrichment in the feline world. With over 20 years of experie...

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    "Everybody has a role, and if we open up the conversation just a little more, we can help change the numbers—and the lives of these animals."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In this powerful and emotionally resonant episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Brandi Winkleman, President and Executive Director of A HOPE Inc., an animal welfare organization based in Milton, Florida. Brandi shares the raw, eye-op...

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    “Vaccinating community cats creates a barrier to disease between wildlife, domestic animals, and people.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In this special webinar replay edition of the Community Cats Podcast, Brianna Lovell Myers of United Spay Alliance is joined by Dr. Bob Weedon, a leading expert in high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter and public health. Together, they delve into the synergistic relat...

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    "You're not trying to make the situation perfect. You're just trying to improve it."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    Part 2 of "From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement" dives into the operational tactics that sustain and grow a Trap-Neuter-Return program. In this recorded webinar, Bryan Kortis shifts from early movement-building to the nuts and bolts of long-term implementation, cov...

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    "Success attracts donors and grantors, and just provides that foundation for expanding into the wider community."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In Part 1 of this recorded webinar, "From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement," Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, presents a compelling behind-the-scenes look at how one of the nation's most impactful TNR (Trap...

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    "Stop treating cats like dogs—when we see them for who they really are, the right solutions start to emerge."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In this dynamic episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron is joined by two passionate advocates making waves in Miami’s cat welfare scene: Tia Williams, Director of Cat Solutions 305, and Dr. Matt Tano, Executive Director and Chief of Surgery at St...

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    "Our industry is full of people with big hearts — but running a shelter takes more than heart. It takes structure, strategy, and systems."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    Whether you’re running a grassroots cat rescue or leading a multi-million-dollar shelter, the question remains the same: how do we keep the doors open and services running? Fundraising expert and shelter operations consultant Tim Crum ...

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    “If you can’t fix ’em, don’t feed ’em. You may think you’re being kind, but make sure you do the responsible thing and spay and neuter.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    What started as a COVID-era effort to help feed pets in need has transformed into a full-fledged nonprofit tackling the staggering population of community cats in Orlando, Florida. In this powerful conversation, Wednesday Hugus shares ho...

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    "We all want to help, but without the right tools and resources, TNR can feel impossible. That’s why we need technology to bridge the gaps."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    Trapping and caring for community cats comes with numerous logistical challenges—finding vet appointments, securing transportation, and funding medical care. Alexa Kyler, software developer and TNR advocate, is tackling these obstacl...

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    "If you’re struggling to catch the last cat in your colony, you just haven’t figured out the right approach yet. Every cat is catchable with the right technique."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    From building Kuwait’s first progressive animal shelter to developing global disaster response programs, John Peaveler has seen it all. In this episode, John shares his journey from military veteran to animal we...

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    "You have to feel good about what you can do, even if you can’t help them all. Every small effort makes a difference.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Karen Menczer, founder of Animal Kind International, an organization that supports animal welfare groups in under-resourced communities worldwide. Karen shares her journey from passionate dog lover to global ca...

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    "We want to be the example that proves you should never give up. No matter where you are, if you keep pushing, you can make change happen."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Mat Tougas of the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition back for an exciting update on the fight for trap-neuter-return (TNR) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Since his last appearance on the podcast, Ma...

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    "Nothing shows the benefits of TNR better than actually doing it. Once communities see the impact, they come on board, and that's when real change happens.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    Harry Eckman, Global Advisor for Cat Population Management at International Cat Care, joins host Stacy LeBaron for an insightful discussion on the challenges and opportunities in managing unowned cat populations world...

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    "We know how much the messages and stories we hear impact what we believe to be true. If we change our messaging, we can create real change for animals and communities."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    How can storytelling and messaging shape the future of animal welfare? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Hanna Lentz, executive director of SPARC (Supporting...

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    "We have to stop the endless cycle. Everyone loves kittens, but the goal should be to make sure they were never born into suffering in the first place."

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

    In this episode of The Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Robin Post, an experienced Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and the 2023 recipient of the Linda Markland Outstanding RVT of the Year Award. ...

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    "Cats are an incredible way to help new graduates with their surgical training. You never know what you're going to find, and that hands-on experience is invaluable.”

    This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and The Community Cat Clinic.

    How can we ensure the next generation of veterinarians is equipped to handle the unique challenges of community cats? In this episode, Stacy LeBaron welcomes Dr. Nellie Goetz, As...

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