Before he was a cat rescuer, Sterling “TrapKing” Davis was a rapper—a unique trajectory in the field of animal rescue. Sterling—who dedicated himself to improving the lives of stray cats after a lifelong connection to them—joins us today for a delightful conversation about, among other things, trap-neuter-return (TNR) and how he’s working to increase diversity within cat rescue.  In our discussion, Sterling tells us stories about trapping cats, explains how he’s using his personal experiences and insights to make cat rescue more inclusive, and tells us why, for him, veganism is such an important part of caring about animals..

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Sterling “TrapKing” Davis*

Sterling “TrapKing” Davis is a well-traveled, ex-military, music and cat enthusiast who has always loved entertaining and interacting with people. Since childhood, he was also the only guy in his neighborhood that loved cats. After working at a local shelter and learning about trap-neuter-return (TNR), the only way to humanely control cat overpopulation, in 2017, he started his own nonprofit, Trapking Humane Cat Solutions, where he focuses on educating, assisting, and doing TNR and community cat management.  Davis has also made several national television appearances on shows such as the Drew Barrymore Show, Access Hollywood, and Shark Tank, as part of his business representing a cat dating app called Tabby Dates. In 2021, he was also featured on the Netflix documentary, Cat People. A longtime vegan, he lives in his Trapking RV with his three cats, Damita Jo, Alanis Mewisette, and Nipsey Cuddle.

“I love showing people something that I never saw growing up. I never saw some cool guy that was hip and compassionate at the same time.” – Sterling “TrapKing” Davis

Highlights for Episode 687: 

• How Sterling became involved with his local cat rescue while in between music tours
• How trap-neuter-return (TNR) helps feral cat colonies stay healthy 
• Why Sterling began living out of his van in order to help as many cats as he could, and why a 24-hour gym membership was a crucial expense
• The people and organizations Sterling works with and how he reaches out to veterinarians and rescuers to collaborate
• Why Sterling is so committed to changing the stereotypes of men in cat rescue and how he’s helping people get over the misconception that loving cats isn’t masculine
• How a lack of inclusivity in the animal welfare field hurts animals and how Sterling is working to combat this via events, conferences, and outreach
• The childhood experience that made Sterling go vegetarian and then ultimately vegan
• Sterling’s bond with the neighborhood cats as a child 
• Why Sterling set up the Rescuing the Rescuers Facebook group as a way to help people who rescue cats come together as a way of practicing self-care

Resources:

• “Never Having Loved at All”: An Overlooked Interest that Grounds the Abortion Right
• Is There an Ethical Way to Kill Rats? Should We Even Ask?
• Rainbow plates: the chefs reawakening Africa’s taste for vegan food

Connect with Sterling “TrapKing” Davis:

• TrapKing Humane
• Sterling “TrapKing” Davis on Instagram
• TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions on Facebook

Connect with Our Hen House:

• Our Hen House Website
• Our Hen House on Facebook
• Our Hen House on Instagram
• Our Hen House on Twitter

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The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

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This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.