The Community Cats Podcast

• Beyond the Box Trap: A Better Way to Catch Elusive Felines Featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

  "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.

  --------  

  37:09

  --------

  37:09
• Building Political Power for NYC Community Cats Featuring Allie Taylor (Allie Feldman Taylor), Founder & President, Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR)

  "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.

  --------  

  23:22

  --------

  23:22
• Managing Greece's Largest Cat Care Project on an Island Paradise Featuring Isabel Borst, Communications, Engagement & Education Lead at Animal Action Greece – Paros & Antiparos Community Cat Care Project

  "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.

  --------  

  31:00

  --------

  31:00
• Achieving 40% Reduction in Cat Intake Through Targeted TNR in Sunnyvale Featuring Vanessa Forney, Founder & President of Bay Area Cats

  "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.

  --------  

  33:43

  --------

  33:43
• Revolutionizing Animal Fundraising With Furlanthropy Featuring Adam Spencer, Founder of Furlanthropy

  "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.

  --------  

  23:46

  --------

  23:46

Más podcasts de Economía y empresa

Podcasts a la moda de Economía y empresa

Acerca de The Community Cats Podcast