“Outdoor cats don’t have behavior problems—they just have behavior. It’s when we bring them inside that we need to understand how to meet their needs.”

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

In this enlightening and heartwarming conversation, feline behaviorist Stephen Quandt joins Stacy LeBaron to explore the intersection of empathy, education, and enrichment in the feline world. With over 20 years of experience, including high-stakes rescue missions like the Joplin tornado and a groundbreaking animal welfare initiative in Chernobyl, Stephen shares how understanding both human and feline behavior can create lasting impact.

He delves into the most common behavioral challenges cat owners face—especially aggression and litter box issues—and why compassion is just as critical as technique when helping people and their pets. Stephen also opens up about his children’s book Happy Comes Home, created to teach young readers empathy and practical cat care through storytelling. This episode is packed with valuable insights for rescue professionals, adopters, and anyone seeking to build a truly humane cat community.

Press Play Now For:

• The emotional story of a scared cat named Patia that changed Stephen’s life
• Top feline behavior issues and how to compassionately address them
• Why indoor cats might still need “the forest and field” inside your home
• How a mission to Chernobyl became a landmark study in post-disaster animal welfare
• The importance of building a humane ecosystem that includes adopters and fosters

Resources and Links:

• Stephen Quandt’s Website - https://catbehaviorhelp.com
• Happy Comes Home (Children’s Book) Animal Care Centers of NYC - https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Comes-Home-Stephen-Quandt/dp/099784289X
• Clean Futures Fund, Chernobyl Animal Welfare Project - https://www.cleanfutures.org/

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies617)

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