MeloCat's Expert Chat

In this episode of MeloCat’s Expert Chat, I’m joined by Rachel, owner of Nairobi Feline Sanctuary in Kenya, to explore her journey of compassion, empathy, and purpose in caring for stray cats.

If you’ve ever wondered how I keep the peace within my cat community at home, meet someone caring for a much bigger feline family! At the time of our conversation, Rachel’s sanctuary was home to over 500 cats—and counting.

Rachel shares how she runs the sanctuary, her approach to cat adoption, and the responsibilities and considerations that come with providing a safe place for so many cats. We explore what compassionate care looks like in practice and the lessons cat parents, rescuers, and shelter caregivers can take from her experience.

Plus, join us for a bonus walkthrough of the sanctuary and meet some of its feline residents~

🐾 Learn more about Nairobi Feline Sanctuary and how to support their work:
https://www.nairobifelinesanctuary.com

Follow MeloCat’s Expert Chat for more conversations with people making a difference for animals, and share this episode with a fellow cat lover!

I'm MeloCat- a seasoned cat mom of 13+1 rescued cats (Ding Ding just went over the rainbow bridge) and a dedicated animal welfare advocate. 

I share my passion for feline care, including tips on managing a multi-cat household, senior cat health, supplements, and useful life hacks . My mission is to nurture, rescue, and advocate for animals in need while helping others provide the best care for their furry family members.

💖 With your support, I can continue making an impact on animal welfare by making quality content! Consider supporting me through one of the following:

Help Us Continue The Mission:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/melocat
BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/melocatmom
See Stuff We Use on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/melocat?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

📲 Listen to our Podcast:
https://melocats-expert-chat.buzzsprout.com

Socials & Community:
Instagram: @MeloCatMom
TikTok:@MeloCatMom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melocatcat/
X : @MeloCatMom
Discord: | https://discord.com/invite/z82KwMxT6t

Instead of guessing and Googling or asking AI, why not ask an expert?

In this episode of MeloCat’s Expert Chat, I’m joined by Krista Schulte, a Cat Trainer and Behaviour Specialist helping cat families in Toronto and across Canada, to explore some of the most common behavioural challenges cat parents face.

Krista is a fear-free, force-free, positive reinforcement powerhouse! She also volunteers as a cat behaviour counsellor with one of Canada’s largest cat rescue organisations, helping people better understand and support their feline companions.

From training to behaviour consultations, we explore what makes cats tick and how a compassionate, reward-based approach can help us communicate with them and build stronger relationships.

Whether you’re a new cat parent or have shared your home with cats for years, join us to question familiar assumptions, understand your kitty’s needs, and learn how to live more happily together~

🐾 Find Krista at https://felinebehaviourcoach.com.

Follow MeloCat’s Expert Chat for more conversations with animal experts, and share this episode with a fellow cat parent!

I'm MeloCat- a seasoned cat mom of 13+1 rescued cats (Ding Ding just went over the rainbow bridge) and a dedicated animal welfare advocate. 

I share my passion for feline care, including tips on managing a multi-cat household, senior cat health, supplements, and useful life hacks . My mission is to nurture, rescue, and advocate for animals in need while helping others provide the best care for their furry family members.

💖 With your support, I can continue making an impact on animal welfare by making quality content! Consider supporting me through one of the following:

Help Us Continue The Mission:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/melocat
BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/melocatmom
See Stuff We Use on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/melocat?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

📲 Listen to our Podcast:
https://melocats-expert-chat.buzzsprout.com

Socials & Community:
Instagram: @MeloCatMom
TikTok:@MeloCatMom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melocatcat/
X : @MeloCatMom
Discord: | https://discord.com/invite/z82KwMxT6t

What if the problem making someone consider giving up their cat could be resolved with the right support?

We hear about people surrendering cats for all sorts of reasons—but what can we do to help the kitties and their hoomans stay together?

In this first episode of MeloCat’s Expert Chat, I’m joined by Dr. Rachel Geller, a cat behaviour and retention specialist, to explore surrender prevention. We take a closer look at behavioural challenges that can lead people to give up their cats, what can be done to address them, and how simple efforts can make a world of difference.

Whether you’re a cat parent, foster carer, rescuer, or shelter volunteer, this conversation explores how understanding and practical support can help keep cats in loving homes.

🐾 Learn more about Dr. Geller’s background in the episode, and find her at https://www.drrachelcatbehavior.com.

Share this episode with someone who could use a little support on their cat-parenting journey!

I'm MeloCat- a seasoned cat mom of 13+1 rescued cats (Ding Ding just went over the rainbow bridge) and a dedicated animal welfare advocate. 

I share my passion for feline care, including tips on managing a multi-cat household, senior cat health, supplements, and useful life hacks . My mission is to nurture, rescue, and advocate for animals in need while helping others provide the best care for their furry family members.

💖 With your support, I can continue making an impact on animal welfare by making quality content! Consider supporting me through one of the following:

Help Us Continue The Mission:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/melocat
BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/melocatmom
See Stuff We Use on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/melocat?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

📲 Listen to our Podcast:
https://melocats-expert-chat.buzzsprout.com

Socials & Community:
Instagram: @MeloCatMom
TikTok:@MeloCatMom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melocatcat/
X : @MeloCatMom
Discord: | https://discord.com/invite/z82KwMxT6t

Ever looked at your cat and wondered, “Why are you doing that—and am I doing something wrong?”

In this episode of MeloCat’s Expert Chat, I’m joined by Molly Kelsey, a cat behaviour specialist and vet nurse from Auckland, New Zealand, to unpack common misconceptions about feline behaviour and explore where cat parents may have been getting it wrong all along.

We discuss some of the most common behavioural issues that lead people to seek help, their possible causes, and practical ways to prevent and manage them. From cat aggression and litter box problems to mental stimulation and enrichment, this conversation explores how we can better understand our cats and support their needs.

Whether you’re a first-time cat parent, an experienced caregiver, or considering a particular breed, there’s always something to learn about the feline sharing your home. Join us as we question familiar assumptions and discover ways to help our kitties and their hoomans live more happily together~

Find Molly here:

https://thecatcounsellor.com
IG: @thecatcounsellor

🐾 Enjoyed this conversation? Follow MeloCat’s Expert Chat for more discussions with animal experts, and share this episode with a fellow cat parent!

I'm MeloCat- a seasoned cat mom of 13+1 rescued cats (Ding Ding just went over the rainbow bridge) and a dedicated animal welfare advocate. 

I share my passion for feline care, including tips on managing a multi-cat household, senior cat health, supplements, and useful life hacks . My mission is to nurture, rescue, and advocate for animals in need while helping others provide the best care for their furry family members.

💖 With your support, I can continue making an impact on animal welfare by making quality content! Consider supporting me through one of the following:

Help Us Continue The Mission:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/melocat
BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/melocatmom
See Stuff We Use on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/melocat?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

📲 Listen to our Podcast:
https://melocats-expert-chat.buzzsprout.com

Socials & Community:
Instagram: @MeloCatMom
TikTok:@MeloCatMom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melocatcat/
X : @MeloCatMom
Discord: | https://discord.com/invite/z82KwMxT6t

This video is about CaatIsCat - A fake Facebook page allegedly copied one of Hong Kong’s biggest cat community brands, using the same photos, posts, and identity — then pushed customers to WhatsApp-only “special offers.”

This video breaks down how these scams borrow trust, move people into private chat, and collect payments through suspicious accounts.

News Coverage (also used as part of my references in research)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G6JqfhFLX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://hk.news.yahoo.com/fb%E7%8F%BE-%E5%A4%A9%E4%B8%8B%E8%B2%93%E8%B2%93-%E6%A8%A3%E8%B2%93-%E5%81%87%E5%B0%88%E9%A0%81-%E9%A8%99%E5%BE%92%E8%81%AF%E7%B5%A1%E9%9B%BB%E8%A9%B1%E6%B6%89%E5%8F%8A%E5%A4%9A%E5%AE%97%E9%A8%99%E6%A1%88-050409556.html

Follow MeloCat:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/MeloCat

Instagram: @MeloCat

Facebook: @MeloCatMom

If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share to help raise awareness.

Disclaimer

This content is based on personal experiences, commentary, and opinions, and is shared for educational and awareness purposes only.

Personal identifying details have been omitted or altered where appropriate.

Listeners are encouraged to independently verify information and use their own judgment.

Nothing in this content should be considered legal, financial, or professional advice.

I'm MeloCat- a seasoned cat mom of 13+1 rescued cats (Ding Ding just went over the rainbow bridge) and a dedicated animal welfare advocate. 

I share my passion for feline care, including tips on managing a multi-cat household, senior cat health, supplements, and useful life hacks . My mission is to nurture, rescue, and advocate for animals in need while helping others provide the best care for their furry family members.

💖 With your support, I can continue making an impact on animal welfare by making quality content! Consider supporting me through one of the following:

Help Us Continue The Mission:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/melocat
BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/melocatmom
See Stuff We Use on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/melocat?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

📲 Listen to our Podcast:
https://melocats-expert-chat.buzzsprout.com

Socials & Community:
Instagram: @MeloCatMom
TikTok:@MeloCatMom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melocatcat/
X : @MeloCatMom
Discord: | https://discord.com/invite/z82KwMxT6t

(Apologies, this episode was originally scheduled to air much earlier. However, after speaking up on an important matter, MeloCat faced challenges from an individual who did not wish us well. As a result, the release and production were delayed while priority was given to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of MeloCat and her cats.)

In this powerful episode, fraud prevention expert Allister Field joins MeloCat to reveal how scammers manipulate trust, emotions, and compassion—especially within close-knit animal communities. Drawing on decades of experience in policing, investigations, and regulatory work, Allister breaks down the psychology behind why kind-hearted people are often targeted first.

MeloCat also shares her firsthand experience with an alleged fake rescuer who used pressure tactics, emotional urgency, and deception to exploit goodwill. Together, they uncover common red flags including fake emergencies, affinity fraud within communities, guilt-based manipulation, and how scammers continuously adapt in both real-world and digital environments. Whether you foster, adopt, donate, rescue, or simply care about animals, this episode offers practical insights to help you stay aware and protect yourself—without losing your compassion.

Allister Field brings over 40 years of experience across social services, policing, regulatory investigations, and fraud prevention. He has worked extensively in financial, regulatory, and professional standards investigations, combining hands-on casework with leadership roles focused on delivering practical, real-world results. His experience spans frontline investigative work to broader regulatory and compliance efforts, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how fraud operates across different sectors.

In addition to his investigative work, Allister has been deeply involved in public education and outreach. He has led crime prevention initiatives, taught fraud-related courses, contributed to community programs such as the Ontario Securities Commission’s outreach efforts, and participated in industry conferences on fraud and professional standards. Known for his down-to-earth storytelling style, Allister translates complex fraud tactics into clear, actionable insights, and continues this work through podcasting and public engagements aimed at helping people better understand and navigate real-world risks.

Find Allister here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisterfield

Podcasts on Spotify:
• https://open.spotify.com/show/7B48uBqk6S3dEcmcOf68MF
• https://open.spotify.com/show/6JkCGP6ofRpMLOvi1YDugL
• https://open.spotify.com/show/0CD0F8qh6QWWr0aO9KTpN4

Follow MeloCat:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/MeloCat

Instagram: @MeloCat
Facebook: @MeloCatMom

If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share to help raise awareness.

Disclaimer

This content is based on personal experiences, commentary, and opinions, and is shared for educational and awareness purposes only.

Personal identifying details have been omitted or altered where appropriate.

Listeners are encouraged to independently verify information and use their own judgment.

Nothing in this content should be considered legal, financial, or professional advice.

At first glance, pet adoption scams and romance cons seem worlds apart—but in this episode, we reveal how both rely on the same playbook of emotional manipulation, false urgency, and calculated deception. We begin with a disturbing case of potential aniaml exploitaiton involving a self-proclaimed volunteer and so-called cattery and a severely injured kitten, then uncover the darker side of a cat rescue as experienced by MeloCat.

In a seemingly unrelated corner of the con's world, we explore the “pig butchering” romance scam—where victims are lured into fake relationships and defrauded, often by trafficked individuals forced into scam labor. Featuring analysis based on insights from a Hong Kong SPCA representative and global case studies from a BBC documentary on pig butchering scam by our virtual hosts, this episode sheds light on how both animals and people are exploited by those who profit from trust and compassion. 

If you think you're too smart to fall for a scam—this episode is for you.

MeloCat is a longtime animal YouTuber with over 8 years of documenting her life alongside animals big and small. Best known for her YouTube channel @melocat, she shares everything from heartwarming cat moments to curious encounters with bugs, fish, and even her rescued feeder mice. More than just a cat lover, MeloCat is a passionate storyteller and advocate for all creatures—offering her audience a rare, honest glimpse into the everyday wonder of life with animals. 

You can also join the news source on www.LovepetsWisely.org

Backstory on Happy: I Found the DARK SIDE of Animal Rescue:
https://youtu.be/eTJu5jIYq6w

Referenced videos:

The pig butchering romance scam - BBC World Service Documentaries: https://youtu.be/bW4wYV0V-5s?si=rHIp-U5ks1ZHHKeZ

I found the DARK side of animal rescue: 
https://youtu.be/eTJu5jIYq6w?si=AzXzHYe4Ij2odkwm

Where Are Your Pets REALLY From? Our Choices Impact Welfare! (SPCA)
https://youtu.be/t8D0K2jh20U?si=u6D6_OkDQFeKOMLZ

Disclaimer

This content is based on personal experiences, commentary, and opinions, and is shared for educational and awareness purposes only. Personal identifying details have been omitted or altered where appropriate. Listeners are encouraged to independently verify information and use their own judgment. Nothing in this content should be considered legal, financial, or professional advice.

In this eye-opening episode, we have invited feline behavior expert Stephen Quandt—founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates and former ASPCA rescuer—we explore how to spot fraudulent behavior when adopting, buying, or acquiring pets. Whereas MeloCat shares her firsthand experience with a fake volunteer and alleged scammer who used extreme tactics to exploit the goodwill of animal lovers. From emotionally manipulative ploys to fake rescue setups, we break down the red flags and share actionable tips to help you stay safe while doing good. Whether you're a new pet parent or a seasoned rescuer, this episode is a must-listen to protect yourself and the animals you care about.

Stephen is the founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates, LLC, and is a Feline Training and Behavior Specialist certified through the Animal Behavior Institute and a recent author with the publication of his first children’s book, HAPPY COMES HOME available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. He is a professional feline behavior specialist with over 20 years of experience working with cats in private consultations, animal shelters and in the field. A background of nationwide rescue work with the ASPCA greatly enriched his empathy with communities of cat lovers in need of help. In 2019 he participated in a spay/neuter and research campaign to assist the animals that live in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear plant, many of whom have descended from the pets left behind after the accident in 1986. His current work with the Animal Care Centers of NYC advances that compassionate connection. 

See more at :

www.catbehaviorhelp.com

@catbehaviorhelp on FB/IG

@cat_behavior_help on TikTok.

You can find MeloCat's other videos on www.youtube.com/MeloCat, or contact her on IG: @MeloCat

Disclaimer

This content is based on personal experiences, commentary, and opinions, and is shared for educational and awareness purposes only.

Personal identifying details have been omitted or altered where appropriate.

Listeners are encouraged to independently verify information and use their own judgment.

Nothing in this content should be considered legal, financial, or professional advice.

If you have ever seen videos of humans using the buttons to talk to their pets, this video is for you. The previous video was almost a year ago where I was talking to Kendra from BilliSpeaks about the ins and outs of their journey. This time I am checking in again to learn about what kind of life lessons was learned as a result of using the buttons.Kendra is the human behind BilliSpeaks, a social media channel featuring Billi, a 14 year old cat who uses augmentative interspecies communication (AIC) buttons. Billi started her button journey in May 2020 with just one button, and now has over 70 buttons. You can follow her journey on Instagram and YouTube!https://www.billispeaks.com/https://www.youtube.com/@BilliSpeakshttps://www.instagram.com/billispeaksThis was our previous conversation from last year: https://youtu.be/55Fk2_n6JqMIf you are new to this series, MeloCat's expert chat is about me going around talking to hoomans in the animal-related fields who are good at doing what they do. In this case, the usage of these buttons is a great way to try to communicate with our pets, to provide them with more stimulation they need and .... Who can say no to more quality time with our cats? ^^

Today we will talk about some common cat behaviour related topics and give tips on how to deal with behaviour problems by encouraging good behaviour. But that's not all. We'll also tell you an amazing story about a groundbreaking prison cat training and rehabilitation programme that has changed the lives of both inmates and cats. Expert advice and heartwarming stories show you how to create a peaceful environment for your cat, stop fights from happening, and help you and your cat deal with changes. Our guest, Dr. Marci Koski, is a certified feline behavior and training consultant based in Vancouver, Washington. With a Ph.D. in Fishery and Wildlife Biology, Marci brings a wealth of experience from her work with threatened and endangered species. In 2014, she earned specialized certifications in Feline Training and Behavior and established her cat behavior consulting business, Feline Behavior Solutions. Marci is also actively engaged in the local rescue community, serving on the Board of Directors for Furry Friends and volunteering as a cat behavior expert. She has even collaborated with the Humane Society, connecting under-socialized cats with inmates at a nearby prison to help them learn about cat behavior and facilitate socialization. Marci's ultimate mission is to keep cats in homes and out of shelters, promoting fulfilling relationships and a better quality of life for feline companions worldwide.

You can find her on: www.felinebehaviorsolutions.com/