The Community Cats Podcast

"Helping that one cat is incredibly valuable... but it also represents a new behavior, a new calling, as to how we are addressing cats in our community."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast.

As 2025 draws to a close, host Stacy LeBaron takes the mic solo to share heartfelt reflections, bold vision, and a rallying cry for cat advocates everywhere. In this special year-end episode, St...

"Taking that first step is going to change your life—but it's also going to change the lives of so many animals." – Alex Ricard

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast.

In this globally-minded episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Adelle Louise and Alex Ricard—two trailblazing young leaders reshaping the future of TNR. As founders of the Saaving the Street...

"Knowing where the cats are is only half the battle—knowing how to reach the people who care for them is what makes targeting truly work."

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

In Part 2 of this dynamic webinar, Brian Kortis of Neighborhood Cats returns to guide us through the nuts and bolts of implementing a targeted TNR program. If Part 1 was the "why," this episode is the "how." Learn how to identify where...

"You don't need to fix all the cats to make a difference—you just need to fix the right ones, in the right places, at the right time."

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

In Part 1 of this two-part webinar, Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, breaks down the power of targeted TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and why it's essential for managing community cat populations effectively. Hoste...

"We are dedicated to making sure the kittens that we take in are the last kittens born in that colony."

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

What do neonate kittens, a chance wedding conversation, and a global mission to stop kitten overpopulation have in common? Jackie Noble.

In this lively episode, Stacy LeBaron welcomes Jackie Noble, Executive Director of the Orphan Kitten Club, to dish on all things kitt...

"The goal is simple. Do what's best for this individual cat—not what's easiest for us."

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

In Part 2 of the Return to Field training, Bryan Kortis walks us through the practical side of RTF implementation—how to assess which cats qualify, how to safely house and return them, and what to do when friendly cats enter the system. With an emphasis on individualized outcomes, this...

"Euthanasia is a dead-end policy. We've tried it for decades and the cats are still here."

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

In Part 1 of this informative workshop replay, Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond of Neighborhood Cats dive into the effective approach of Return to Field (RTF), reshaping how shelters manage community cats. As a key evolution of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), RTF empowers shelters to steri...

"One of the worst things is to have a passion to do something, but no idea how or where to start. That's where we come in—we're a resource. You're not floating out there alone."

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

Courtney Protz-Sanders, founder of Paws for Life Rescue and board member of the Michigan Pet Alliance, shares her journey from individual rescuer to statewide advocate for animal welfare. In this ...

"If they won't go hungry, feed them into the trap. We don't just wait—we adapt."

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

In Part 2 of our Drop Trap Workshop, we move beyond the basics into the advanced strategies and inventive solutions that make drop trapping even more powerful. Brian Cordes returns to unpack real-world tactics for high-stakes trapping scenarios—from uneven terrain and stubborn caretakers to h...

"It's better to miss than to mistime the drop—because once they learn it's a trap, they won't come back."

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

In this first installment of our Drop Trap Workshop, we're diving deep into the fundamentals of drop trapping—a powerful and underutilized tool in the TNR world. Join Community Cats Podcast Tech Tabby Kristen Petrie and expert guest Bryan Kortis, National Program Dire...

"Imagine if you told New Yorkers, 'Well, you want someone to take your trash away from your block? Oh, you're gonna have to find a volunteer to do that.' That's exactly what's happening here. But with animal care."

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

Stacy LeBaron talks with Allie Taylor, founder and president of Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), an organization she started in 2016 to bring political voice f...

"Our goal here is really to work from the bottom up and help change the mentality, help the groups to negotiate better fundings with the municipality. We are only here for a limited time, right? So we wanna make sure that we are building a lasting, sustainable system."

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

Stacy LeBaron talks with Isabel (Isa) Borst, Communications, Engagement and...

"I think just the nature of having a shelter that's supportive and animal control has really expedited this as a success…And I think that made a big difference in the city."

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

Stacy LeBaron talks with Vanessa Forney, founder and president of Bay Area Cats, an organization in Sunnyvale, California focused on spay neuter for pets and trap neuter return. Since stumbling upon a...

"We are a unique charity, very innovative in this space. What you're really doing is you're inviting people to touch your mission. The number one reason anyone gives to any charity or any cause is to fulfill something within themselves, within their own heart."

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

In this financial innovation episode, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Adam Spencer, founder of Furlanthropy, the ...

"What we do in Mexico is my dream for Minnesota. We provide free spay neuter to both owned and street animals every single week."

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

In this international perspective episode, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Maia Rumpho, founder of Pet Project Rescue, who turned a chance encounter with a street dog in Mexico into a binational animal welfare organi...

"A cat that is well socialized is highly adoptable. A cat that is not well socialized sits in the shelter. It's an important part of your fostering responsibility to get them ready to live outside. Before it was just saving their lives. But now we know better."

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

In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Marnie Russ, founder of National ...

"We want to turn cat haters into cat toleraters, and that has worked so well. Even the people who say 'I hate cats.' Okay, that's fine if you hate cats. But don't wish them dead. We're gonna work to keep them out of your yard."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats.

In this inspiring episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Joy Smith, founder of FieldHaven Feline Center in Lincoln, California...

"A community cat program does not just help cats. You think you're going in there to help cats and you turn out really having more impact on the people in that community."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats.

In this insightful episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Elizabeth Finch, an impact-driven leader who has been transforming community cat programming since 2015. Elizabeth's jo...

"If you love cats, you should be concerned about trying to help bring those numbers down so animals don't suffer because this is why we do this. We don't want animals suffering, having unwanted litters of cats and having to have them suffer."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats.

In this powerful episode, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Cathy Bissell, founder of Bissell Pet Foundation,...