Fix the Future with Cathy Bissell
About this episode
Cathy Bissell discusses the urgent need for innovative spay/neuter initiatives to combat pet overpopulation in America.
What does it take to disrupt the cycle of pet overpopulation in America—fast? In this replay from the United Spay Alliance Conference, Cathy Bissell of the Bissell Pet Foundation shares how a bold, scalable idea became one of the nation's fastest-growing spay/neuter initiatives. "Fix the Future" wasn't born from a long-term strategic plan—it emerged from urgency, collaboration, and a willingness to say yes to a challenge. What started with a single call to action in Puerto Rico quickly evolved into a national model connecting relief veterinarians with shelters and communities in need. The result? Hundreds of thousands of pets receiving critical care—including spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and microchips—often in places where access was previously nonexistent. In this episode, Cathy breaks down how the program works, from matchmaking veterinarians with host organizations to maintaining high-volume, high-quality standards. She also shares the realities behind the scenes—funding pressures, community resistance, workforce challenges—and the lessons learned while scaling at record speed. This conversation goes beyond logistics. It's a call to action for shelters, veterinarians…
More episodes of United We Spay
- 028: Fix Before You Feed with Julie Jacobson
- 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
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