The Community Cats Podcast

"That's my own formula — passion and compassion tempered by dedication and humor." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, and Drop Traps: Beginning and Advanced Certification Workshop. After more than five decades behind the exam table, Dr. Kevin Lynch has treated thousands of pets, mentored generations of veterinary staff, and built one of Long Island's longest-running animal hospitals. His new memoir, Off the Leash: Tales From a Lifetime of Healing Pets and Wonder, traces that journey from a 13-year-old kid who talked his way into a part-time job at a local animal hospital to a veterinarian whose guiding philosophy is simple: treating the animal is only half the work, and tending to the person on the other end of the leash is the rest. Dr. Lynch and Stacy dig into one of the thorniest debates in animal welfare: the divide between "indoor-only" advocates and the realities of outdoor and community cat caregiving. Drawing on his own farm-cat memories from working summers on a dairy farm before vet school, he makes the case for listening over judging, and for meeting cat caregivers where they are instead of where a textbook says they should be. From there, the conversation turns practical: how should trappers and community cat program managers actually approach a veterinarian for the first time? Dr. Lynch's answer centers on intention, relationship-building, and showing up with a plan rather than a crisis. The episode also gets personal. Dr. Lynch opens up about compassion fatigue and burnout, a topic he says is as urgent in veterinary medicine today as it's ever been, and shares the daily habits, including a deliberately disciplined relationship with his phone, that keep him from burning out after 51 years in practice. He and Stacy also revisit one of the most harrowing chapters of his career: volunteering with search-and-rescue dogs at Ground Zero after 9/11, an experience he says revealed both the depths of tragedy and the best of human nature. Rounding out the conversation, Dr. Lynch shares a few of the stories from his book, including an unforgettable lesson in slowing down before attempting a DIY tick removal. He also talks about where listeners can find his memoir, his YouTube series The Pet Mindset Show, and the dental care device he invented for dogs and cats. Press Play Now For: How a 13-year-old's unpaid job at a Long Island animal hospital turned into a 51-year veterinary career Dr. Lynch's perspective on the indoor-only versus outdoor/community cat debate, and why he believes there's no one-size-fits-all answer His honest advice for trappers and caregivers on how to approach a veterinarian for the first time Why showing up with "a plan" rather than a crisis is the fastest way to build trust with a vet The role of compassion fatigue and burnout in veterinary medicine, and the daily habits that help him stay in the game His "physical mailbox" approach to managing phone use and protecting mental bandwidth A first-hand account of volunteering with search-and-rescue dogs at Ground Zero after 9/11 The story behind a Rottweiler named Big Shot, and the unexpected humanity he witnessed during that crisis Two unforgettable cat stories from his memoir, including a lesson in patience before attempting DIY pet care Where to find his memoir, his YouTube series, and the dental device he invented for pets Resources & Links Off the Leash: Tales From a Lifetime of Healing Pets and Wonder (Amazon) Dr. Kevin Lynch's website The Pet Mindset Show (YouTube) Plaque Be Gone dental device

"You can both celebrate them and advocate for them at the same time." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, and Drop Traps: Beginning and Advanced Certification Workshop. Dan Rimada didn't set out to start a movement. He just started noticing cats. During the stillness of COVID, when New York City slowed down enough to actually look around, he began noticing the cats living in the bodegas of his Fort Greene, Brooklyn neighborhood and photographing them on his iPhone. What began as a hyper-local Instagram project quickly grew into something much larger — a citywide archive, an advocacy platform, a walking tour company, and now a forthcoming book. Today, Bodega Cats of New York is the most detailed documentation of working cats in New York City corner stores ever assembled, built on four years of relationship-building across all five boroughs. At the heart of Dan's work is a real tension: bodega cats are beloved New York City cultural icons — neighborhood anchors, pest controllers, familiar faces — and they are technically illegal. Under current New York City Health Code, keeping a live animal in a food establishment can result in fines between $200 and $1,500. Dan's 14,000-signature petition changed that conversation. It led to City Council legislation that would eliminate those fines and fund spay/neuter and vaccinations for bodega cats — with Council Member Frank Morano now carrying the bill forward after Keith Powers was term-limited out. A parallel state-level bill, introduced by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, goes further, establishing official care standards: designated cat zones, clean water, nutritious food, rest areas, and mandatory spay/neuter. The two bills are designed to work in tandem. Dan also co-founded Cats About Town Tours with cat historian Peggy Gavan, whose blog hatchingcatnyc.com and books on New York City's animal history made her the perfect partner. The tours run through Brooklyn Heights, the Lower East Side, and the Financial District, uncovering the hidden feline history of New York from the 1800s and 1900s — and every ticket sold triggers food donations to a 501(c)(3) cat rescue. His book, Bodega Cats of New York, featuring photography by Gulce Kilkis, arrives from Quarto Publishing in October 2026. Press Play Now For: How a COVID-era iPhone project in Fort Greene grew into New York City's most comprehensive bodega cat archive What a bodega actually is — and why working cats have been part of that culture for generations Why bodega cats are currently illegal under NYC Health Code, and what the legislation would change The two-pronged legislative strategy: the city council bill and the state-level Assembly bill, and how they work together How Dan's $7,400 fundraiser and 14,000-signature petition translated into real legislative action The spay/neuter and vaccination funding mechanism proposed in the city bill — and where the money could come from Why some rescue groups want an outright ban on bodega cats, and Dan's more pragmatic take The story behind Cats About Town Tours and the hidden cat history woven into New York City's streets What to expect from the Bodega Cats of New York book, coming October 2026 Resources & Links Bodega Cats of New York — Dan's archive, advocacy updates, and book waitlist at bodegacatsofnewyork.com @bodegacatsofnewyork on Instagram Cats About Town Tours — NYC's cat history walking tours, running April through November The Hatching Cat of Gotham — Peggy Gavan's blog on the history of cats (and dogs) in New York City

"Mother Nature provides us with all the food and medicine that we need. Food is medicine — and it is the number one thing you can do for any person or animal to help them stay healthy and help their immune system operate." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, and The Kitten Conference. What if the best medicine for your community cats isn't found in a bottle — but in a bowl? In this episode, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician with over 20 years of expertise in holistic pet wellness and founder of MycoDog, MycoCat, and CBD Dog Health. Angela's path to holistic animal care began with her own recovery from rheumatoid arthritis using plants, mushrooms, and diet — which led her to discover that every animal shares an endocannabinoid system, the body's master regulatory system. With no quality animal products on the market, she spent two years formulating and testing full-spectrum hemp extract and medicinal mushroom tinctures at her rescue farm before bringing them to the public. Stacy and Angela dig into the real cost of kibble — not just financially, but biologically — and make the case for real food, even in small increments, for both owned cats and colony cats. Angela also offers practical guidance on supporting senior and geriatric cats with full-spectrum hemp extract, how to spot trustworthy supplements (look for a COA), and why the endocannabinoid system is the key to keeping cats healthy from the inside out. Press Play Now For: Why kibble is the wrong foundation for feline health — and practical, budget-friendly alternatives for pet owners and colony caregivers alike How the endocannabinoid system works in all animals and why supporting it is key to preventing disease How to administer full-spectrum hemp extract to cats you can touch — and cats you can't Why 85% of supplements on the market (for pets and humans alike) aren't worth buying, and how to identify the ones that are When a cat becomes a "senior" vs. a "geriatric" — and why that distinction matters for their care The feline grimace scale, telehealth options, and emerging tools that help caregivers monitor cats without a vet visit A vision for mobile veterinary care that extends to colony sites, not just indoor pets Resources & Links Angela Ardolino's Website CBD Dog Health MycoDog Your Natural Dog Podcast Follow Angela on Instagram Follow Angela on Facebook Follow Your Natural Dog on Instagram

"If you wanna have a real superpower, learn cat first aid." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, and Strategies to Reunite Lost Cats with Families Certification Workshop and Increasing Your Impact With Targeted TNR Certification Workshop. Cats are both predator and prey — and that dual nature means they respond to emergencies unlike any other animal. They have five weapons of mass destruction, a flexible spine, and no apologies. When the uh-oh happens, are you ready? In this episode, Stacy sits down with Arden Moore, bestselling author, host of the longest-running pet podcast on the planet, and founder of Pet First Aid 4 U, to talk about what every cat caregiver — whether you're a TNR volunteer, a shelter worker, a foster, or a pet parent — needs to know when a cat is in crisis. Arden draws on 15 years as a master certified pet first aid and CPR instructor to break down how to safely approach an injured or unconscious cat, the right way to perform two-handed CPR (and yes, even kitten CPR), how to transport an injured cat without spiking their fear and stress, and what to keep in your car and home to be truly safety-ready. Stacy and Arden also talk about why community cats present a unique challenge — and how many of the same skills transfer directly to TNR work in the field. You'll also hear about the surprising void in veterinary education around pet first aid, why even vets have frozen during a pet emergency, and how Arden's famous sidekick, Pet Safety Cat Casey — a shelter alum from San Diego Humane Society who stole the show at the Virginia Cat Festival with over 350 people in the room — makes learning these life-saving skills both practical and fun. Stacy and Arden are proud partners through the Community Cats Central e-learning platform, where group packages allow organizations to get their entire teams certified together. If your group of 10 wants to watch, learn, and get individually certified, this is the course for you. Less than 5% of pet owners have ever taken a pet first aid class. That's a big void — and this episode is your invitation to fill it. Press Play Now For: Why cats in emergencies are nothing like small dogs — and how to adjust your approach for their unique physiology and stress responses How to perform one- and two-handed CPR on a cat, including two-finger CPR for neonatal kittens The kitty Heimlich, safe towel-wrapping technique, and the right way to use a top-loading carrier for transport What to keep in your car and home for a pet first aid kit — and when to check it (hint: sync it with clock changes) Why TNR caregivers are uniquely positioned to respond to field emergencies, and why a transfer cage may be better than a carrier The ASPCA Poison Control and Pet Poison Helpline as 24/7 resources for toxic ingestions Why you should always call ahead to the vet — and put your hazards on during transport How Arden's "Arden's Army" of 500+ certified instructors is spreading life-saving skills across shelters, rescues, vet clinics, and beyond How to become a certified pet first aid instructor yourself through the ProPet Hero instructor program How the Community Cat Central / Pet First Aid 4 U partnership works, including group certification packages Resources & Links Pet First Aid 4 U Arden Moore's Website Oh Behave! Podcast on Pet Life Radio ProPet Hero Instructor Training Arden Moore on YouTube Arden Moore on Instagram Arden Moore on Facebook ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435, available 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, available 24/7

"Rescue and adoption actually don't scale. It doesn't matter how many you do—you're not preventing more from showing up." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, and The Community Cat Clinic. In this compelling episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacey LeBaron sits down with Will Zweigart, the visionary behind Flatbush Cats and creator of the investigative podcast Underfoot. Together, they unpack the "hidden cat crisis" affecting urban communities—particularly in New York City—and explore why traditional approaches to rescue and adoption fall short of creating lasting change. Will shares how his background in strategy and communications shaped a systems-level approach to animal welfare, leading to a bold realization: rescue alone doesn't scale. Instead, sustainable impact lies in increasing access to affordable veterinary care, particularly high-volume spay/neuter services. The conversation dives into the evolution from grassroots rescue work to launching a full-scale clinic, Flatbush Vet, which performed over 7,000 surgeries in a single year. This episode goes beyond storytelling—it's a blueprint for change. From addressing volunteer burnout to building scalable teams, advocating for municipal accountability, and reimagining the role of cities in animal welfare, Will outlines a transformative vision for 2035. Listeners will gain insight into how policy, funding, and public awareness intersect—and why nonprofits must often lead the charge in both service delivery and media storytelling. Whether you're a seasoned rescuer, nonprofit leader, or passionate advocate, this episode challenges you to think bigger, act strategically, and embrace solutions that create lasting impact for cats and communities alike. Press Play Now For: Why rescue and adoption alone cannot solve cat overpopulation The concept of the "hidden cat crisis" and why it lacks media coverage How scaling spay/neuter services creates measurable, long-term impact The transition from volunteer rescue work to building a veterinary clinic Practical strategies to prevent volunteer burnout through delegation and systems The role of municipalities—and why policy inaction is a key barrier A bold 2035 vision for animal welfare infrastructure in major cities How storytelling and media can drive awareness and systemic change Resources & Links Flatbush Cats Flatbush on Instagram Flatbush on Facebook Flatbush on TikTok Flatbush on YouTube Underfoot Flatbush Vet

"Community cats — it's really about the community. It brings the community together." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, and the Feline Behavior Summit 2026. What does it take to build a community cat program from scratch in a rural, under-resourced area where nearly everyone — officers, residents, and administrators alike — is convinced it won't work? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with TyAnn Sumpter, Manager of Shelter Support at Charleston Animal Society, to walk through one of the most compelling TNR success stories in recent memory. TyAnn came to animal welfare from the business world, and it was that entrepreneurial mindset that helped her see past the resistance and build something lasting in Florence County, South Carolina. TyAnn shares how she designed and launched the region's first TNR initiative using existing call log data, enthusiastic volunteers, and animal control officers who already knew which neighborhoods needed help. What started as a one-year, grant-funded pilot ended up spaying and neutering 1,700 cats in year one alone. By year two, the shelter that had previously taken in roughly a thousand cats annually had dropped its intake to just 73. The ripple effects are just as remarkable. Neighboring Darlington County started calling to ask why they didn't have a program, and TyAnn helped them get set up. Florence County eventually hired its own dedicated community cat coordinator, purchased its own transport van, and secured permanent budget funding — all things that would have seemed unimaginable when TyAnn first walked through that shelter door. She also makes a compelling case for using complaint call reductions and cost savings to win over skeptical municipal administrators. Press Play Now For: How TyAnn built Florence County's first TNR program with no roadmap and no buy-in Why mining call log data was the key to finding the community's hidden cat advocates The dramatic shelter intake drop — from 1,000 cats per year to just 73 How the program expanded into neighboring counties and became permanently self-funded The role animal control officers played in identifying colonies and building community trust Making the financial case to county administrators using complaint call metrics How Charleston Animal Society handles high-volume TNR surgeries two hours away Why a nonjudgmental, community-first approach is the most powerful tool in TNR The unexpected expansions: pet pantries, low-cost owned-cat spay/neuter, and more Resources & Links: Charleston Animal Society TyAnn Sumpter on LinkedIn Best Friends Animal Society United Spay Alliance

"I'm announcing that FIP is no longer considered fatal… and I looked up to see tears in the eyes of veterinarians around the world." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, the Feline Behavior Summit 2026, and the TNR Certification Workshop. In this powerful and emotional episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with renowned animal behavior expert and advocate Steve Dale to explore groundbreaking advancements in feline health that are changing—and saving—lives. Steve shares the deeply personal story of his cat Ricky, whose diagnosis with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) sparked a decades-long mission to fund critical research through the EveryCat Health Foundation. What began as heartbreak has led to hope, including the development of a promising drug that can reverse heart enlargement in cats when caught early. The conversation then turns to one of the most historically devastating feline diseases: FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). Once considered a death sentence, FIP is now treatable thanks to years of persistence, research funding, and global collaboration. Steve walks us through the science, the setbacks, and the stunning breakthrough that has saved countless kittens—and even contributed to antiviral treatments used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the science, this episode highlights the evolving human-cat bond, the importance of understanding feline behavior, and why we are truly living in the "era of the cat." Whether you're a shelter professional, foster caregiver, or devoted cat owner, this conversation will leave you informed, inspired, and hopeful about the future of feline welfare. Press Play Now For: The surprising origin story of a piano-playing cat that changed everything How one cat's diagnosis led to life-saving HCM research A clear, accessible explanation of FIP and why it was once always fatal The breakthrough antiviral treatments now curing FIP in kittens How feline research contributed to human COVID-19 treatment Why understanding animal behavior can prevent bites and build trust The growing momentum behind "The Year (and Decade) of the Cat" Resources & Links EveryCat Health Foundation Steve Dale's Blog & Newsletter Ask the Dog by Steve Dale FIP Warriors Zen By Cat

"You can't possibly trap every cat. So we teach the community how to do it themselves — and give them the tools to fully sterilize entire colonies." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, The Feline Behavior Summit, and The Community Cat Clinic. What happens when a community stops trapping two cats at a time — and starts thinking in entire neighborhoods? In this episode, Stacy LeBaron sits down with Chelsea Winter, Community Cat Program Manager at Street Cat Hub in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to explore how targeted, whole-colony TNR is driving measurable impact — including a 30% drop in kitten intake at the local shelter. Chelsea shares how her journey from bottle-feeding neonatal kittens led her to a deeper question: What's causing this constant flood of kittens? That curiosity turned into a strategic, data-driven approach to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), focused on empowering community caretakers to trap entire colonies at once — not piecemeal. With more than 50,000 cats sterilized in the organization's history and 6,000 cats fixed annually, Street Cat Hub combines municipal contracts, mapping technology, community education, and high-volume clinic capacity to create sustainable change. Instead of working strictly from a first-come, first-served waitlist, the team targets "hot pockets" identified through shelter intake data, DOA mapping, and caretaker requests — maximizing impact in concentrated areas. Chelsea also shares practical insights on managing waitlists, engaging reluctant feeders, navigating mixed colonies, and building a culture where TNR becomes a shared community responsibility. If you're looking for a scalable, collaborative model that reduces kitten intake and improves live outcomes, this episode delivers both inspiration and a tactical roadmap. Press Play Now For: How Street Cat Hub reached 50,000 sterilizations Why whole-colony trapping is more effective than piecemeal TNR The strategy behind 3-day mass trapping events How mapping shelter intakes and DOAs guides targeted intervention What to do when caretakers won't pull food Managing an 800-colony waitlist without burning out How municipal contracts support sustainable TNR programs Why affordable spay/neuter for owned cats is essential Proof that focused TNR reduces kitten intake by 30% Resources & Links: Street Cat Hub Street Cat Hub on Facebook

"The board should govern, and the executive director should lead the day-to-day operations. When those lines blur, that's when things get messy." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, The Trapper's Tips & Tricks Workshop, and The Community Cat Clinic. Strong missions save lives but strong governance sustains them. In this essential episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Tim Crum, CEO and founder of Animal Shelter Services, for a deep dive into nonprofit board governance. If you've ever wondered what a board of directors should be doing (versus what they often end up doing), this conversation is for you. Tim breaks down the core purpose of a nonprofit board: governance, not operations. From fiduciary responsibility to strategic planning, he outlines the three legal duties every board member must understand—duty of loyalty, duty of care, and duty of obedience (think "LOCO" to remember them). He also shares real-world examples of common governance missteps, including conflicts of interest, related board members, executive directors serving as voting board members, and the risks of poorly documented board minutes. For growing animal welfare organizations—especially those transitioning from all-volunteer to staffed operations—this episode offers practical guidance on when to hire an executive director, how to structure bylaws and policies, and why board composition matters. Tim also addresses board giving requirements, succession planning, and how to recruit skilled board members by first getting your "house in order." Whether you're a founder wearing too many hats, a seasoned board member, or stepping into governance for the first time, this episode provides clear, actionable insights to help your organization grow responsibly, ethically, and sustainably. Good governance isn't just paperwork…it's the foundation for saving more lives. Press Play Now For: The three legal duties of nonprofit board members—and why most people don't know they have them What Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance actually protects Real-life examples of governance "missteps" and how to avoid them Why accurate board minutes are your organization's legal safety net The difference between bylaws, policies, and standard operating procedures When (and how) to hire an executive director Why related board members can create major conflicts of interest The ideal board size for animal welfare organizations Whether board members should have a financial giving requirement Practical strategies for recruiting strong, skilled board members Resources & Links: An Animal Shelter's Guide to Board Governance by Tim Crum Available at https://animalshelterguide.com Animal Shelter Services Tim's Previous Podcast Appearance: Community Cats Podcast Episode 611

"I just thought—why can't we know what care costs before we walk through the door? That's what FairVet is here to solve." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, The Underfoot Podcast, and The Community Cat Clinic. When a pet emergency nearly cost him both his beloved dog and thousands of dollars, Pietro Kabeya decided enough was enough. In this compelling episode, Stacy LeBaron chats with Pietro, the founder of Farevet, an app designed to bring price transparency and affordability to veterinary care. Pietro shares the emotional story of his dog King, whose medical emergency revealed an alarming disparity in vet costs—from a $5,000 quote to the same procedure for $1,500 just miles apart. This experience sparked his mission to build a platform where pet parents can compare vet prices in real time, crowdsource cost estimates, and avoid unnecessary financial stress during moments of crisis. Listeners will discover how FareVet works, why price transparency matters, and how the veterinary care landscape varies across regions. Pietro also introduces their upcoming AI chatbot, which aims to simplify the vet search process and help users budget for their pet's care more accurately. Whether you're rescuing community cats or navigating your own pet's health journey, this conversation is a must-hear for anyone seeking to turn compassion into action—and save money doing it. Press Play Now For: The origin story behind FairVet and the emergency that changed everything How massive price discrepancies in vet care sparked a tech revolution A look at how crowdsourced data powers the FairVet platform Why itemized vet bills confuse pet parents—and how to decode them An inside scoop on FairVet's AI assistant and its budgeting potential Advice for pet parents navigating emergency care and economic euthanasia Resources & Links: FareVet.com

"The cat was telling me—I was just the one writing it down." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, and The Underfoot Podcast. What if there were a scientifically validated system to help shy, fearful, or traumatized cats become adoptable and happy? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Director of Behavior at the Toronto Humane Society, sits down with host Stacy LeBaron to share her groundbreaking work in feline behavior and welfare. With a PhD in animal welfare and a passion ignited in second grade, Dr. Ellis has built a career helping cats communicate their needs through data-driven insights. At the heart of the conversation is Dr. Ellis's revolutionary ordinal rating scale system, used to assess behaviors like food intake, response to petting, and play participation. She explains how this simple yet powerful tool not only improves individual case outcomes but also transforms how shelters approach feline care on a larger scale. Hear about whimsical enrichment rooms sponsored by brands, the unique challenges of conflict aggression, and why indoor-only cats need enrichment just as much as their outdoor counterparts. If you're working with "in-betweener" cats—those that sit on the fence between adoptable and feral—this episode is packed with tools, inspiration, and insights to turn passion into meaningful outcomes. Press Play Now For: The backstory behind Dr. Ellis's career in feline behavior How the Toronto Humane Society tracks and improves cat welfare The power of data in managing behavioral interventions Creative enrichment solutions that benefit both cats and adopters The truth about barn cat programs and their perception in urban areas Dealing with tough cases like conflict aggression and "dive bombing" cats How to help indoor-only cats live their best lives Resources & Links: Feline Behavioral Ordinal Rating Scale Training (Free Course) Toronto Humane Society Dr. Ellis's research publications 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. 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.

"The ultimate goal is to make cat welfare and population management so normal, so embedded in our communities, that it's simply what a community does." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, and The Underfoot Podcast. In this insightful follow-up to episode 605, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back global animal welfare strategist Harry Eckman, who shares groundbreaking findings from an ambitious five-country research initiative on cat population management. Funded by the Bates Global Enablers Grant and spearheaded by International Cat Care, the project explores the cat welfare landscapes of Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Australia, and the UK—identifying challenges, public perceptions, and innovative strategies tailored to each country. Harry delves into what makes this research unique: over 120 in-depth stakeholder interviews, public opinion surveys, and detailed country reports culminating in two critical resources—a foundational 18-month strategy and a visionary 10-year framework. With an upstream-thinking approach, he emphasizes aligning communities, funders, and policymakers under shared goals, whether on a city block or a national level. From addressing cat stigmatization in Australia to proposing a model project in Cyprus, Harry's holistic, data-driven approach provides a roadmap for turning compassion into coordinated, sustainable action. Whether you're managing a colony or planning municipal policies, this episode will inspire you to think bigger—and upstream—about community cat care. Press Play Now For: The difference between treating cat population symptoms vs. root causes Key findings from five countries and how cultural context shapes cat welfare How to use a "community cat needs assessment" to create localized strategies Insights on why Australia's media portrayal of cats matters What makes Portugal a model for progress—and why Cyprus needs proof-of-concept projects Why long-term thinking is essential for sustainable TNR efforts How Singapore is innovating spay/neuter solutions at scale The power of inclusive frameworks that serve both rescuers and policymakers Resources & Links: International Cat Care's Website ICAM Conference – Cat Management in the Urban City State of Singapore Previous episode with Harry Eckman: Episode 605 – Managing Cat Populations: A Global Perspective Harry Eckman on LinkedIn Harry's Published Research on Cat & Dog Welfare in Portugal

"One person can definitely make a difference. Don't be afraid to be the first voice—sometimes the biggest cases start with one person speaking up." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast. In this powerful and enlightening episode, Stacy LeBaron sits down with attorney Joyce Glass, a passionate and pioneering voice in animal welfare law. From her start as a bankruptcy attorney to becoming a tireless advocate for animals, Joyce shares the deeply personal journey that led her to found a pro bono legal practice focused on protecting animals from cruelty and neglect. Her mission is clear: addressing animal cruelty not only helps animals but also creates safer, more compassionate communities. Joyce walks us through her work drafting legislation, collaborating with law enforcement, and handling complex animal cruelty cases across New York, Connecticut, and North Carolina. Learn how laws like Desmond's Law in Connecticut and innovative partnerships such as the Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk Inc. are creating new models for justice. She explains why recognizing the link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence is crucial, and why community collaboration is key to long-term solutions. Listeners will gain insight into the legal classification of animals, the challenges of prosecuting cruelty cases, and the evolving role of courtroom advocates. Whether you're a community cat caregiver or just passionate about animal welfare, this episode empowers you to take action and be the voice animals need. Press Play Now For: How Joyce Glass transitioned from finance law to animal advocacy Why community-level collaboration matters more than state mandates An overview of Desmond's Law and its real-world impact What to do if you witness animal cruelty How trail cams and Ring doorbells are changing investigations The case for expanding protections to all animals, not just cats and dogs Resources & Links: Desmond's Law (https://harvardlawreview.org/forum/vol-134/desmonds-law-early-impressions-of-connecticutrsquos-court-advocate-program-for-animal-cruelty-cases/) Desmond's Army (https://www.desmondsarmy.org/) Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk Inc. (https://factssaves.org/) Find Joyce on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-glass-7708b1158/) Database - Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates, the Passage of Desmond's Law in Connecticut and Analysis of Animal Cruelty Cases and Attorney Advocate Appointments from 2016-2025 (https://www.desmondsarmy.org/_files/ugd/75ac3d_d9e4c424c5ca46e6a1d48548c9e8f12e.pdf) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies645) Underfoot Podcast (https://communitycatcentral.com/underfoot-podcast) 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.