The Community Cats Podcast

"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 episode, Courtney and host Stacy LeBaron dive into how collaboration, legislative engagement, and education can transform communities and protect animals more effectively.

With over two decades in the field, Courtney explains how the Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) brings shelters, rescuers, pet owners, and professionals together to fight for legislative change, share resources, and strengthen local programs. From telehealth veterinary access and regional workshops to battling unjust ordinances like outdoor feeding bans, the MPA stands as a powerful force for change.

This episode is packed with practical insights for individuals and organizations alike. Whether you're trapping your first colony cat or lobbying for animal welfare laws, you'll learn why uniting under a shared mission makes all the difference. Courtney's emphasis on education, proactive leadership, and building coalitions provides a hopeful roadmap for communities nationwide.

Press Play Now For:

• Why collaboration is key to effective animal advocacy
• How the Michigan Pet Alliance supports community cat caretakers
• The fight to legalize telehealth veterinary services in Michigan
• Navigating ordinances that hinder TNR and outdoor feeding
• Practical tips for getting involved with local advocacy efforts
• The importance of accessible, high-quality training for rescuers

Resources:

• Michigan Pet Alliance (http://michiganpet.org)
• Paws for Life Rescue (http://pawsforliferescue.org)
• TNR Certification Workshop (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/conferences-and-events/)
• CSNIP (Spay/Neuter) (http://csnip.org)
• All About Animals Rescue (http://allaboutanimalsrescue.org)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies638)

Follow & Review

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"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 high-volume colony projects and post-disaster recovery.

This episode showcases smart hacks like drop trap pads for unstable ground, audio lures using kitten cries, how to use kittens or queens as live bait, and managing nighttime trapping with minimal stress. Brian also reveals how drop traps played a pivotal role in Neighborhood Cats' mission to rescue over 600 cats from the Maui wildfire burn zone, including the creation of an "auto drop trap" that works without a human present.

With crystal-clear instruction and field-tested examples, this workshop gives seasoned trappers the tools to scale their efforts, adapt to tricky environments, and stay one step ahead of even the savviest felines.

Press Play Now For:

• Using flour or chalk to gauge cat positioning under the trap
• How to safely use kittens or audio as live bait
• Tips for dealing with determined but untrained feeders
• Building drop trap pads for rough terrain
• How auto drop traps and remote triggers expand your reach
• Mass trapping with drop traps for entire colonies

Mentioned Resources:

• Auto Drop Trap Instructions – DIY Guide (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/resources)
• Tomahawk Live Trap Remote Control Accessories (https://www.livetrap.com/)
• Spypoint LM2 Live-View Trail Camera (https://www.spypoint.com/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies637)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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 Director of Neighborhood Cats, as he walks you through the mechanics, mindset, and must-have equipment for mastering the drop trap. With insight from co-founder and seasoned trapper Susan Richmond, this session breaks down the "why" and "how" of drop trapping, emphasizing how this method can help trap those elusive last colony cats, outsmart picky feeders, and improve overall trapping success.

You'll learn why cats perceive drop traps differently than standard box traps, how to set up the equipment for maximum effectiveness, and what to do once you've got your feline in the trap. From practical gear lists to step-by-step demos—including videos of actual drop trapping scenarios—you'll get a front-row seat to best practices for selective trapping. Bryan also covers safety tips, troubleshooting misfires, and how to ensure a smooth transfer once you've successfully made the catch.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your TNR skills, this episode lays the groundwork for humane, strategic trapping that gets results.

Press Play Now For:

• The psychology behind why drop traps work better for wary cats
• Gear breakdown: what you need to trap successfully
• How to pick the perfect drop trap location
• Real-world video demonstrations of drop trapping
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• When (and why) to use a drop trap instead of a box trap

Mentioned Resources:

• Tomahawk Drop Trap Model DT1 (https://www.livetrap.com/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies636)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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 for animals throughout New York State. Allie is a volunteer TNR rescuer in Brooklyn who has successfully passed numerous landmark laws including banning foie gras, banning wild animals in circuses, prohibiting the sale of guinea pigs in pet stores, and prohibiting backyard breeders. When she moved to Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn in 2016, she was struck by the overwhelming number of community cats and decided to get TNR certified and start trapping her block—like many cat advocates, quickly learning that you don't have to go much further than your own block to find plenty of cats that need help.

In this episode, Allie discusses the broken system for community cat care in New York City, where everything falls on volunteers with no government support despite NYC having one of the worst per capita spending rates on animal care in the country ($2.89 per capita compared to $10 in Los Angeles, $13.70 in Miami-Dade, and $15 in Dallas). She shares the historic September 2024 City Council hearing where hundreds of cat rescuers testified, leading to the first-ever city funding for animals—$500,000 (later increased from the originally proposed $1.5 million) for spay/neuter services that will provide 3,500 additional surgeries. Allie also discusses VFAR's Community Cat Fund that has distributed $30,000 in grants to rescuers and organizations, including the largest grant to Bronx Community Cats to establish a trap bank in the Bronx. She explains why New York City desperately needs a fully staffed and funded Department of Animal Welfare, professional paid TNR workers, and free/low-cost veterinary care for all income levels to address the city's massive cat overpopulation crisis.

Listeners will learn about the power of political organizing and advocacy to create systemic change for community cats, how to work effectively with city councils and state legislatures on budget processes, the importance of getting TNR advocates involved in local politics, and why addressing income inequality and providing resources to underserved communities is essential to solving cat overpopulation. Allie's work demonstrates that grassroots organizing, strategic lobbying, and holding elected officials accountable can lead to landmark victories that create lasting infrastructure for animal welfare.

Press play now for:

• Why NYC's per capita spending on animal care ($2.89) is shockingly low compared to other major cities
• How hundreds of cat rescuers organized to testify at a historic September 2024 City Council hearing
• The first-ever NYC budget allocation for animal welfare: $500,000 for spay/neuter services
• Why TNR in NYC is completely volunteer-based with no city support or scheduling system
• The challenge of accessing ASPCA's free spay/neuter clinic as a newly certified TNR rescuer
• VFAR's Community Cat Fund that distributed $30,000 in direct grants to NYC rescuers
• The $5,000 grant to Bronx Community Cats to establish a trap bank in the Bronx
• Why NYC needs a fully funded Department of Animal Welfare (not just a one-person mayor's office)
• The connection between income inequality and cat overpopulation in NYC's boroughs
• How getting TNR advocates involved in local politics creates lasting systemic change
• The importance of making major investments in public education about keeping cats indoors and spay/neuter
• Why paid professional TNR workers could transform the city's response to cat overpopulation

Resources mentioned:

• Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR) (https://vfar.org/)
• VFAR on Instagram (@votersforanimalrights) (https://www.instagram.com/votersforanimalrights/)
• ASPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic (https://www.aspca.org/)
• Brooklyn Cat Cafe / Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition (https://catcafebk.com/)
• Bronx Community Cats (https://www.facebook.com/bronxcommunitycats/)
• Flatbush Cats (https://www.flatbushcats.org/)
• NYC Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare (https://www.nyc.gov/site/animalwelfare/index.page)
• Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) (https://www.nycacc.org/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies635)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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 Education Lead for Animal Action Greece's groundbreaking community cat care project on the Cycladic islands of Paros and Antiparos. Originally from Brazil and having lived in Germany, Isa moved to Paros after the pandemic and never left, drawn by the island's active animal welfare community. She now coordinates the largest community cat care project in Greece, supported by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which launched in April 2023 as a three-year initiative focused on mapping stray cat populations and building local involvement in humane care.

In this episode, Isa shares the unique challenges of running a TNVR program on tourist-dependent Greek islands where the population swells dramatically during summer months. She discusses how the project has sterilized, microchipped, and vaccinated over 4,728 cats (averaging 200 per month), working with five local animal welfare groups, three veterinary clinics, and two municipalities. Isa explains the seasonal dynamics of trapping—winter brings concentrated colonies that are easier to trap, while summer disperses cats across tourist accommodations but brings increased visibility and tourist engagement. She also addresses the importance of building collaborative, systems-based partnerships with diverse stakeholders, capacity building for local organizations, and creating sustainable programs that will continue after the three-year project concludes.

Listeners will gain insights into implementing large-scale TNVR on islands and in tourist-heavy locations, understanding how community cat programs must adapt to unique local conditions, and the critical importance of collaboration between municipalities, veterinary clinics, and welfare organizations. Isa's story demonstrates how thorough planning, community engagement, data collection through colony mapping, and a holistic approach can transform cat welfare while preparing local communities to sustain the work long-term.

Press play now for:

• How Greece's largest community cat care project achieved over 4,728 sterilizations since April 2023
• The unique challenges of TNVR in tourist-dependent locations where populations fluctuate dramatically by season
• Why winter is peak trapping season and summer focuses on education and tourist engagement
• Building collaborative partnerships with five welfare groups, three vet clinics, and two municipalities
• The importance of colony mapping and health score tracking for strategic planning and advocacy
• Capacity building strategies to ensure local organizations can sustain the work after the project ends
• Working with municipalities to secure funding and implement infrastructure like feeding stations and road safety measures
• How to balance requests from tourists with fresh eyes versus managing realistic expectations
• Creating systems-based, holistic programs that address overpopulation, health, and community attitudes
• The concept of proving a model on islands that can be replicated across other Greek islands

Resources mentioned:

• Paros and Antiparos Cats Project Website (https://www.parosandantiparoscats.org/)
• Animal Action Greece (https://www.animalactiongreece.org/)
• Animal Action Greece on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/animalactiongreece/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies634)
• Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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 kitten in her neighborhood in 2020, Vanessa has personally trapped over 2,500 cats and kittens, built an efficient volunteer trapping team, and formed a 501(c)(3) that has helped spay/neuter thousands of cats every year.

In this episode, Vanessa shares how she quickly moved from rescue-reactive thinking to strategic targeted TNR, focusing her efforts on Sunnyvale and achieving remarkable results through mass trapping techniques and neighborhood-wide approaches. She discusses the importance of data collection, building collaborative relationships with animal control and open intake shelters, and how her organization achieved over 40% reduction in combined shelter intake and TNR program cats between 2022 and 2024. Vanessa also explains the typical timeline for seeing impact (including the initial uptick in requests during the first 12-18 months), the evolution of a TNR organization through different life stages, and why addressing pet spay/neuter is critical for long-term sustainability.

Listeners will come away understanding that successful targeted TNR requires patience, collaboration, detailed record-keeping, and a multi-layered approach that addresses both community cats and owned pets. Vanessa's story demonstrates that even young organizations can make significant measurable impact when they focus their resources strategically, build strong community partnerships, and create volunteer networks that make the work sustainable rather than isolating.

Press play now for:

• How targeted TNR achieved over 40% reduction in cat intake in Sunnyvale between 2022-2024
• Why geographic focus creates greater impact than spreading resources across multiple areas
• The 3-5 year timeline for seeing significant results in municipal targeted TNR programs
• Building collaborative relationships with animal control and open intake shelters
• Advanced trapping techniques including mass trapping, trap training, and remote control traps
• The importance of detailed data collection and feeder mapping for strategic planning
• Why accessible pet spay/neuter is essential for long-term sustainability
• Creating volunteer teams and community support systems for sustainable TNR work

Resources mentioned:

• Bay Area Cats website (https://bayareacats.org/)
• Bay Area Cats Instagram (@bayareatnr) (https://www.instagram.com/bayareatnr)
• Humane Society Silicon Valley (https://hssv.org/)
• Neighborhood Cats Targeted TNR Training (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org)
• Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (https://www.mrfrs.org/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies633)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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 first charity-owned and operated crowdfunding platform exclusively for animal-related causes. Adam's journey began with his beloved rescue cat Kobe, who lived over 20 years and provided profound emotional support during difficult times. When Adam and his wife later rescued a pet whose original owners had surrendered her due to inability to afford life-saving care, it opened his eyes to the tremendous financial barriers preventing pet parents from accessing veterinary care. As a certified fundraising executive (CFRE), Adam was surprised that no nonprofit crowdfunding platform existed specifically for animal welfare needs.

Adam explains how Furlanthropy's nonprofit status provides donor protections unavailable on for-profit platforms like GoFundMe. The platform verifies every campaign and sends funds directly to veterinary hospitals rather than fundraisers, ensuring money reaches its intended destination. With 90 cents of every dollar going directly to campaigns and the remaining 10% supporting administrative costs and underfunded campaigns, Furlanthropy offers transparency that allows donors to research executive compensation through IRS 990 forms. The platform supports immediate campaign creation without waiting periods, accommodates various donation methods including stock gifts and donor-advised funds, and can reimburse past expenses to alleviate financial burdens.

The conversation explores fundraising strategy for small grassroots TNR organizations, addressing the common perception that spay/neuter is harder to fundraise for than kitten adoptions. Adam emphasizes that donors give primarily to fulfill something within themselves, often in tribute to their own beloved pets, making prevention-focused campaigns viable when the story connects emotionally. His advice centers on inviting people to become ambassadors for missions they care about, recognizing that not everyone can give financially but everyone can share stories and expand reach through their networks.

Press play now for:

• How Kobe the rescue cat's emotional support inspired a platform serving all animals in need
• The donor protection advantages of nonprofit vs. for-profit crowdfunding platforms
• Direct payment to veterinary hospitals ensuring funds reach intended recipients
• 90/10 fee structure with transparency allowing donor research of executive compensation
• Immediate campaign launch capability without approval delays or waiting periods
• Support for past, current, and future expenses to alleviate caregiver financial burdens
• Stock gifts, donor-advised funds, and multiple donation methods for sophisticated giving
• PetSmart Charities $200,000+ grant validation and upcoming partnership announcements
• Strategic fundraising advice for small TNR organizations and grassroots groups
• Why prevention-focused campaigns succeed when stories connect with donor hearts
• Ambassador model allowing supporters to create campaigns for causes they care about
• The power of multiple smaller gifts vs. single large donations for building supporter base

Resources mentioned:

• Furlanthropy website (https://furlanthropy.org/)
• Furlanthropy Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/furlanthropycharity/)
• Furlanthropy Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/furlanthropycharity/)
• Furlanthropy Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/Furlanthropy1)
• Furlanthropy LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/company/furlanthropy/)
• Email contact: [email protected]
• Phone: (434) 207-2790
• PetSmart Charities (https://petsmartcharities.org/)
• Forever Legacy Society for planned giving (https://furlanthropy.org/ways-to-give/furever-legacy-society/)
• GuideStar nonprofit profile (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/87-4346748)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies632)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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 organization. Maia's journey began in 2007 during an engagement trip to Mexico, where rescuing a street dog sparked her understanding of the resource disparities between communities. What started as a dog-focused rescue evolved into Minnesota's only free TNR program, while maintaining weekly spay/neuter clinics in Mexico that serve as a model for comprehensive community animal care.

Maia shares how her social work background shapes her approach to animal welfare, recognizing that effective programs must address barriers facing the people who care for community cats. Her organization removes financial obstacles that might force caregivers to choose between their own basic needs and helping animals. The conversation explores the striking differences between urban and rural cat populations in Minnesota, where urban colonies typically number 10 or fewer cats while rural areas often have 30 or more. Maia discusses the challenge of veterinary access in rural areas, where both distance and lack of feral cat experience among local veterinarians create significant barriers.

The discussion highlights Maia's experience working in Mexico, where government support, animal control cooperation, and cross-organizational teamwork create an environment she wishes could be replicated in Minnesota. Her Mexico programs include weekly clinics serving 25 animals and annual three-day events handling 1,100-1,200 animals with remarkable efficiency. Maia's vision includes bringing MASH-style clinics to Minnesota, already piloting monthly Friday clinics in North Minneapolis that target the city's highest need area. This episode demonstrates how international experience can inform domestic programs and why collaboration across all sectors is essential for addressing community cat overpopulation.

Press play now for:

• How a 2007 Mexico engagement trip sparked Minnesota's only free TNR program
• The dramatic scale difference: 30+ cat rural colonies vs. 10 or fewer urban populations
• Mexico's collaborative model with government support and skilled veterinarians
• Weekly clinics serving 25 animals and annual 1,100+ animal three-day events
• Why Minnesota procedures cost 4-6 times more than Mexico operations
• Adapting Mexican high-volume models for North Minneapolis communities
• The authorization system that provides flexibility for unexpected additional cats
• Strategic targeting of areas with highest need and lowest income brackets
• Why summer is optimal timing for TNR activities nationwide

Resources mentioned:

• Pet Project Rescue website (https://petprojectrescue.com/)
• Pet Project Rescue Instagram: @PPR_mpls (https://www.instagram.com/ppr_mpls/)
• Pet Project Rescue Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PetProjectRescue/)
• Pet Project Rescue TNR Program (https://petprojectrescue.com/about/programs/trap-neuter-return-tnr/)
• Coco's Animal Welfare - Playa del Carmen, Mexico partner (https://cocosanimalwelfare.org)
• Rocco's Relief Foundation - Mexico City area partner (https://rrfmexico.org)
• MN SNAP - Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (https://mnsnap.org/)
• Contact: [email protected]

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies631)
• The Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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 Kitten College, for an update on her innovative approach to neonatal kitten care. Since her first appearance on the podcast in 2016-2017, Marnei has grown her innovative "Kitten College" program from a small local initiative into a national movement that has fundamentally changed how shelters approach kitten fostering and care. What started as a business plan that would have "gotten an F in college" has evolved into a sophisticated system that increased kitten saves from 92 to nearly 1,600 annually while achieving an extraordinary 94-96% live release rate for neonates.

Marnie explains how her grade-based foster system (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) allows fosters to specialize in the age groups they prefer while ensuring kittens receive optimal socialization through multiple placements. This model challenges traditional fostering wisdom that discouraged moving kittens between homes, instead proving that strategic movement enhances socialization and health outcomes. She details how the program evolved organically, with fosters creating their own "conveyor belt" systems and team approaches that maximize both volunteer satisfaction and kitten success rates.

The conversation explores the critical intersection between TNR work and kitten programs, addressing how Kitten College supports community cat efforts by providing reliable placement options for trapped litters. Marnie discusses her partnership with UC Davis and University of Florida to ensure all recommendations align with current shelter medicine best practices, her work developing the first national neonatal kitten training center, and her commitment to making these resources free or low-cost for rural and under-resourced communities. This episode demonstrates how innovative thinking about traditional shelter practices can create scalable solutions that benefit both animals and the people who care for them.

Press play now for:

• How Marnie's original collaboration with National Kitten Coalition led to studying major nurseries nationwide
• The evolution from 92 kittens annually to nearly 1,600 with 94-96% live release rates for neonates
• The grade-based foster system (freshman through senior) that allows specialization and prevents foster burnout
• Why moving kittens between foster homes improves socialization rather than harming it
• How the "conveyor belt" system emerged organically with foster teams working together
• The critical connection between TNR efforts and kitten placement programs during summer months
• Partnership strategies between Kitten College programs and community cat trappers
• Working with UC Davis and University of Florida to align practices with current shelter medicine
• Development of the first national neonatal kitten training center in partnership with Humane Rescue Alliance
• The transition from Animal Welfare League of Arlington to becoming an independent national nonprofit
• Funding challenges and commitment to providing free or low-cost services to rural communities
• Success of "Taking the Fear out of Bottle Feeding" course as Maddie's University's top-performing class
• Why traditional "every two hours" feeding schedules are outdated and discourage potential fosters
• Creating community connections where kitten programs can support each other nationally
• The importance of employer partnerships to enable workplace bottle feeding for dedicated fosters

Resources mentioned:

• National Kitten College website (https://www.kittencollege.org/)
• Email: [email protected]
• National Kitten College Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/p/National-Kitten-College-61558629895690/)
• Maddie's University online courses (https://university.maddiesfund.org/)
• Animal Welfare League of Arlington - original program location (https://www.awla.org/)
• Animal Welfare League of Arlington Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AWLArlington/)
• Humane Rescue Alliance - DC partnership (https://www.humanerescuealliance.org/)
• Humane Rescue Alliance Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/humanerescuealliance/)
• UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program (https://www.shelterlearniverse.com/)
• University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program (https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/)
• National Kitten Coalition (https://kittencoalition.org/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623)
• The Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga)

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 share a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

"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, who shares her remarkable journey from accidentally rescuing a few cats on her street to building a $1.5 million organization that has transformed entire communities. Joy's story begins in 2003 when a simple call to help with trapping led to raising kittens in her barn's tack room, selling them at a local farmer's market, and ultimately creating one of California's most innovative community cat programs. Her evolution from reluctant rescuer to strategic leader offers valuable lessons about growing sustainable, community-focused programs.

Joy details FieldHaven's groundbreaking partnership with the Marysville Police Department, which began in 2018 with a goal to spay and neuter every cat in the city. She explains how they overcame initial community resistance through education, implemented a feeding ordinance to address business owner concerns, and created a comprehensive system that includes mobile spay/neuter clinics, vaccine and microchip services, and community resource centers. The program's success demonstrates how strategic thinking, community engagement, and municipal support can transform a city overrun with cats into one operating in maintenance mode with occasional weeks where they can't fill their spay/neuter quota.

The conversation also explores Joy's recent transition from executive director to founder and ambassador, sharing the challenges and rewards of succession planning in animal welfare organizations. Her insights about treating nonprofits as businesses, paying competitive salaries to attract talent, and the cultural shift toward recognizing pets as family members offer valuable perspective for leaders navigating organizational growth and sustainability in today's evolving animal welfare landscape.

Press Play Now For:

• Joy's accidental entry into cat rescue and the organic growth from tack room to multi-location organization
• Strategic expansion philosophy: starting with your backyard and expanding community by community
• The Marysville Police Department partnership and how municipal support transforms TNR efforts
• Community education strategies for turning resistance into acceptance and "cat haters into cat toleraters"
• Implementation of feeding ordinances and how addressing business owner concerns solved community conflicts
• Mobile spay/neuter clinics, vaccine programs, and resource centers as comprehensive community solutions
• Training animal control officers in TNR methods and creating internal advocates
• The importance of microchipping for tracking outcomes and addressing dumping issues
• Four-year succession planning process and the challenges of transitioning founder leadership
• Running nonprofits as businesses while maintaining mission focus and community trust
• Salary competitiveness in animal welfare and attracting career professionals to the field
• Cultural shifts in spay/neuter acceptance and the exciting future of animal welfare careers
• Innovative programs like "Kitten Sitters" that engage community members as part of the solution
• FieldHaven's expansion to four locations and disaster response work including the Camp Fire recovery

Resources Mentioned:

• FieldHaven Feline Center website (https://fieldhaven.com/)
• FieldHaven Feline Center Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FieldHaven/)
• FieldHaven Marketplace - thrift store and adoption center (https://www.fieldhavenmarketplace.com/)
• Animal Spay and Neuter - Auburn, California (https://animalspayneuter.com/)
• Animal Spay and Neuter Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/p/Animal-Spay-and-Neuter-Auburn-100063466875709/)
• Dan Pallotta TED Talk: "The way we think about charity is dead wrong"(https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong)
• Dan Pallotta's official website (https://www.danpallotta.com/)
• "The Fire Cats: Save Something Small" documentary - Camp Fire recovery (https://www.thefirecatsfilm.com/)
• FieldHaven's Kitten Sitters program (https://fieldhaven.com/programs/kitten-sitters/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623)
• Six Degrees of Cats (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-degrees-of-cats/id1669849217)

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