028: Fix Before You Feed with Julie Jacobson
About this episode
Julie Jacobson discusses her journey in animal welfare and the importance of spay-neuter programs to combat pet overpopulation.
In this episode of United We Spay , host Stacy LeBaron talks with Julie Jacobson, founder of Spay Tennessee and a longtime advocate for prevention-focused animal welfare. Julie shares how her journey began in a small Tennessee county with no veterinarian, no shelter, and no animal control—and how that experience led her to shift from rescue work to a strategy centered on spay and neuter. Over time, Julie helped dramatically reduce the number of unwanted litters in her community and expanded her work statewide, building a network that connects spay-neuter clinics, assistance programs, and funding opportunities across Tennessee. She explains why fixing owned pets—and ideally every pet in a household—is one of the most effective ways to reduce overpopulation , and how many impactful programs can be coordinated from a desk through smart partnerships, grant writing, and community outreach. Julie also discusses the challenges facing spay-neuter efforts today, including veterinary shortages, shifting funding priorities, and the importance of sustainable programs. Her practical insights offer a roadmap for communities looking to create lasting change through prevention. In this episode…
More episodes of United We Spay
- Fix the Future with Cathy Bissell
- Scaling Spay Neuter Through Strategy, Data, and Humor with Deborah Cribbs
- 026: Full Circle TNR: Building Sustainable, Community-Led Cat Care with Adelle Louise
- 025: Behind the Mic with Stacy LeBaron on Cats, Clinics, and Burnout
- 024: Confronting the Vet Shortage with Cheri Storms
- 023: Revolutionizing Veterinary Care: Dr. Michelle Gonzalez and the Rascal Unit
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the United We Spay podcast page.