“When people use negative words, we need to help correct them. People might speak ill of cats because they don’t understand them.”

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Buzz to the Rescues, and Maddie's Fund.

Stacy talks to Tracie Hotchner, author, podcaster, animal wellness advocate and founder of The Radio Pet Lady Network, a network of informative radio programs, co-hosted by Tracie with top veterinarians and other pet experts. Tracie is also the founder and director of the annual NY Cat Film Festival and NY Dog Film Festival, which feature short cat-centric and dog-centric films. Premiering in New York City every year, the festivals then travel across the country, partnering with local animal welfare groups in every location that receives a portion of every ticket. Tracie lives in Vermont with her two rescue dogs and enjoys playing tennis.

The discussion partially focuses on the results of a recent British research study, which surveyed pet owners to rate their cats’ level of psychopathy as defined by human psychological standards. Tracie explains how using certain words and labels can contribute to viewing cats in a negative way. Tracie agrees with Stacy that standard field terminology (such as TNR) and messaging in the animal welfare community needs to be consistent and simple to make it accessible and easily understood by a wider audience. She believes in “elevating the status of cats” since society’s view of community cats as the cause of problems like the decimation of birds and wildlife and even cartoon depictions of cats as “clever and slightly villainous” has led to negative stereotypes of cats. Tracie ponders whether that is partly based on the ability of community cats to thrive and survive outdoors.

Notes:

• To learn more about Tracie Hotchner, find links and information about her podcasts, and sign up for her newsletter, visit www.radiopetlady.com
• To learn more about the Cat Film Festival www.catfilmfestival.com
• Connect with Tracie on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/traciehotchner or
• Twitter @traciehotchner
• Film – “Kedi” (documentary about Istanbul’s street cats and the community that cares for them)
• Research study on cat psychopathy published in Journal of Research in Personality, Volume 95, December 2021 (A domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) model of triarchic psychopathy factors: Development and initial validation of the CAT-Tri+ questionnaire)
• Tracie’s books are “The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know”                                        “The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know”

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Stacy's earlier interview with Tracy. | Episode 184.