"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. With a career spanning shelter medicine, spay/neuter clinics, and fieldwork in underserved communities, Robin shares her deep insights into feline welfare, TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), and the importance of accessible veterinary care.

Robin’s journey from shelter veterinary assistant to leading Animal Fix Clinic, a high-volume spay/neuter and urgent care facility, underscores her commitment to helping both community cats and pet owners. She dives into the challenges of managing feral cat populations, the necessity of spaying mother cats to prevent the endless cycle of unwanted kittens, and how her clinic is implementing Fear Free practices to minimize stress for cats undergoing surgery.

Stacy and Robin also discuss the ongoing veterinarian and technician shortages, the increasing demand for TNR services, and the role technology—such as tracking devices and colony management tools—plays in improving feline welfare. Whether you're a seasoned TNR advocate or new to community cat care, this episode offers invaluable guidance on spay/neuter best practices, post-surgery recovery, and the evolving landscape of feline rescue efforts.

Press Play Now For:

• How Robin’s experience in shelter medicine led her to a passion for community cat care
• The life-changing impact of spaying mother cats—not just their litters
• Understanding Fear Free practices in high-volume spay/neuter clinics
• How the Animal Fix Clinic is tackling emergency surgeries for underserved pets
• The biggest challenges facing TNR efforts today—and what’s needed to move forward
• Why keeping community cats in good body condition matters for their survival
• Tips for trappers on when (and when not) to bring a cat to a vet clinic
• The growing role of technology in managing community cat colonies
• How to collaborate with veterinarians to ensure TNR remains a priority

Resources & Links

• Animal Fix Clinic (http://www.animalfixclinic.org)
• Community Cats Podcast TNR Certification Workshop (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/)
• Fear Free Certification (http://www.fearfreepets.com)
• Community Cat Calculator (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-calculator/)

Sponsor Links

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies603)

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-community-cats-podcast/id1125752101?mt=2). Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.