The Community Cats Podcast cover art

The Community Cats Podcast

The Community Cats Podcast

By: The Community Cats Podcast
Listen for free

About this listen

 Our mission is to provide education, information and dialogue that will create a supportive environment empowering people to help cats in their community. *For transcripts of most shows, visit https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/podcast/.© 2023 The Community Cats Podcast, All Rights Reserved Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • From Founder to Ambassador: Building Sustainable Community Cat Programs Featuring Joy Smith, Founder and Ambassador, FieldHaven Feline Center

    From Founder to Ambassador: Building Sustainable Community Cat Programs Featuring Joy Smith, Founder and Ambassador, FieldHaven Feline Center
    Sep 9 2025
    "We want to turn cat haters into cat toleraters, and that has worked so well. Even the people who say 'I hate cats.' Okay, that's fine if you hate cats. But don't wish them dead. We're gonna work to keep them out of your yard." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats. In this inspiring episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Joy Smith, founder of FieldHaven Feline Center in Lincoln, California, who shares her remarkable journey from accidentally rescuing a few cats on her street to building a $1.5 million organization that has transformed entire communities. Joy's story begins in 2003 when a simple call to help with trapping led to raising kittens in her barn's tack room, selling them at a local farmer's market, and ultimately creating one of California's most innovative community cat programs. Her evolution from reluctant rescuer to strategic leader offers valuable lessons about growing sustainable, community-focused programs. Joy details FieldHaven's groundbreaking partnership with the Marysville Police Department, which began in 2018 with a goal to spay and neuter every cat in the city. She explains how they overcame initial community resistance through education, implemented a feeding ordinance to address business owner concerns, and created a comprehensive system that includes mobile spay/neuter clinics, vaccine and microchip services, and community resource centers. The program's success demonstrates how strategic thinking, community engagement, and municipal support can transform a city overrun with cats into one operating in maintenance mode with occasional weeks where they can't fill their spay/neuter quota. The conversation also explores Joy's recent transition from executive director to founder and ambassador, sharing the challenges and rewards of succession planning in animal welfare organizations. Her insights about treating nonprofits as businesses, paying competitive salaries to attract talent, and the cultural shift toward recognizing pets as family members offer valuable perspective for leaders navigating organizational growth and sustainability in today's evolving animal welfare landscape. Press Play Now For: Joy's accidental entry into cat rescue and the organic growth from tack room to multi-location organizationStrategic expansion philosophy: starting with your backyard and expanding community by communityThe Marysville Police Department partnership and how municipal support transforms TNR effortsCommunity education strategies for turning resistance into acceptance and "cat haters into cat toleraters"Implementation of feeding ordinances and how addressing business owner concerns solved community conflictsMobile spay/neuter clinics, vaccine programs, and resource centers as comprehensive community solutionsTraining animal control officers in TNR methods and creating internal advocatesThe importance of microchipping for tracking outcomes and addressing dumping issuesFour-year succession planning process and the challenges of transitioning founder leadershipRunning nonprofits as businesses while maintaining mission focus and community trustSalary competitiveness in animal welfare and attracting career professionals to the fieldCultural shifts in spay/neuter acceptance and the exciting future of animal welfare careersInnovative programs like "Kitten Sitters" that engage community members as part of the solutionFieldHaven's expansion to four locations and disaster response work including the Camp Fire recovery Resources Mentioned: FieldHaven Feline Center website (https://fieldhaven.com/)FieldHaven Feline Center Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FieldHaven/)FieldHaven Marketplace - thrift store and adoption center (https://www.fieldhavenmarketplace.com/)Animal Spay and Neuter - Auburn, California (https://animalspayneuter.com/)Animal Spay and Neuter Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/p/Animal-Spay-and-Neuter-Auburn-100063466875709/)Dan Pallotta TED Talk: "The way we think about charity is dead wrong"(https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong)Dan Pallotta's official website (https://www.danpallotta.com/)"The Fire Cats: Save Something Small" documentary - Camp Fire recovery (https://www.thefirecatsfilm.com/)FieldHaven's Kitten Sitters program (https://fieldhaven.com/programs/kitten-sitters/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623)Six Degrees of Cats (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-degrees-of-cats/id1669849217) 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 ...
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Building Professional Community Cat Programs: From Strategy to Implementation, Featuring Elizabeth Finch, Educator, Author, and Community Cat Program Consultant

    Building Professional Community Cat Programs: From Strategy to Implementation, Featuring Elizabeth Finch, Educator, Author, and Community Cat Program Consultant
    Sep 2 2025
    "A community cat program does not just help cats. You think you're going in there to help cats and you turn out really having more impact on the people in that community." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats. In this insightful episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Elizabeth Finch, an impact-driven leader who has been transforming community cat programming since 2015. Elizabeth's journey from launching a robust community cat program serving over 4,000 cats annually in metro Atlanta to becoming an educator and consultant offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to create systematic change. Her experience reveals how effective community cat work extends far beyond individual rescue efforts to become a comprehensive approach that benefits both cats and the people who care about them. Elizabeth shares the strategic thinking behind successful community cat programs, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond "onesie-twosie" approaches to tackle entire colonies, neighborhoods, and zip codes systematically. The conversation explores how she and Stacy partnered to create the first-of-its-kind Community Cat Program Management Certification course at University of the Pacific, addressing the gap between skilled trappers and comprehensive program management. Elizabeth discusses the eight-module curriculum that covers everything from funding and marketing to legal roadblocks and public engagement—skills that most passionate trappers never learned but desperately need. The episode also touches on Elizabeth's creative outlets, including her book "Colony Tails: Lessons from the Alley," which captures the human side of community cat work through short stories that honor frontline caretakers. Whether you're running a small TNR group, working in municipal animal services, or considering starting a community cat program, this conversation provides both strategic insights and practical tools for professionalizing this critical work while maintaining its heart and compassion. Press play now for: Elizabeth's journey from individual cat rescue to systematic community cat programmingWhy community cat programs help people as much as cats in underserved communitiesThe strategic approach to TNR: targeting whole colonies, neighborhoods, and zip codes rather than individual catsHow the Community Cat Program Management Certification course fills the gap between trapping skills and program managementDetails on the eight-module curriculum covering funding, marketing, legal issues, data management, and public engagementThe partnership between passionate educators with different strengths (methodical writer vs. dynamic speaker)Live weekly sessions, Q&A opportunities, and expert guest interviews from field veteransThe Sue Black Memorial Scholarship honoring a dedicated community cat program managerTNR certification workshops and the movement toward professionalizing community cat workElizabeth's book "Colony Tails: Lessons from the Alley" and upcoming series of standalone management guidesWhy effective TNR requires far more than "traps and tuna" to create lasting community impactPartnership opportunities for organizations wanting to support volunteer training Resources mentioned: University of the Pacific Community Cat Program Management Certification Course(https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/university-of-the-pacific-community-cats-program-management-certificate-program-853-372/)Community Cat Champions - Sue Black Memorial Scholarship (https://communitycatchampions.org/)Colony Tales: Lessons from the Alley on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Colony-Tails-Lessons-Elizabeth-Finch/dp/B0DGG2SMSS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3ODXF70MNCC5C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tONPSO-TUDZMhENuCmEHoOVqaKfXgEoTcOhTEH0gq7XUpOH3wONtfcdWlwWfOAaP.7RgU5T0GsT_FpRvxTxxIHNJNrWPTrd6nhZ83TwFwc2Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=colony+tails&qid=1756150798&sprefix=colony+tails,aps,98&sr=8-1)Community Cats Podcast TNR Certification Workshops (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/)Community Cats Podcast Partnership Programs (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/)Contact Elizabeth Finch: elizabeth@communitycatspodcast.comContact Stacy LeBaron: stacy@communitycatspodcast.comAdditional certifications: Drop Trap Certification, Trappers Tips & Tricks, Colony Caretaking Tips & Tricks(https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/conferences-and-events/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623)Six Degrees of Cats (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-degrees-of-cats/id1669849217) 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. ...
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Scaling Spay/Neuter: How One Foundation Is Disrupting Access to Care, Featuring Cathy Bissell, Founder of the Bissell Pet Foundation

    Scaling Spay/Neuter: How One Foundation Is Disrupting Access to Care, Featuring Cathy Bissell, Founder of the Bissell Pet Foundation
    Aug 26 2025
    "If you love cats, you should be concerned about trying to help bring those numbers down so animals don't suffer because this is why we do this. We don't want animals suffering, having unwanted litters of cats and having to have them suffer." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and 6 Degrees of Cats. In this powerful episode, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Cathy Bissell, founder of Bissell Pet Foundation, who has revolutionized animal welfare through innovative programs reaching over 6,000 shelters across 49 states. From her unexpected entry into animal welfare during Hurricane Katrina to creating the nation's largest funded adoption event, Cathy's journey demonstrates how strategic thinking and passionate commitment can create systemic change. Her foundation has impacted nearly one million pets since 2011, but it's her latest initiative that's truly disrupting the industry. Cathy shares the incredible success of her groundbreaking "Fix the Future" program, launched in 2023 to address the veterinary care access crisis. In just under 18 months, this free spay/neuter initiative has sterilized 138,000 animals across 27 states, with an astounding 86,963 of those being cats. Through a network of 385 high-volume, high-quality relief veterinarians, the program is tackling overpopulation at its source while keeping costs remarkably low at just $35 per surgery. Cathy discusses the challenges of scaling this model, the importance of treating every animal that comes through their doors, and why she believes this "disruptor program" is essential for breaking down cost barriers that prevent people from accessing veterinary care. Whether you're working in a small grassroots rescue or leading a major shelter, this episode provides invaluable insights into creating sustainable, scalable solutions that address root causes rather than just symptoms. Cathy's emphasis on collaboration, her honest discussion about learning from mistakes (including a powerful story about declawing), and her practical advice for getting started at any age will inspire listeners to think bigger about their impact and consider how they can contribute to solving the access to care crisis in their own communities. Press play now for: Cathy's unexpected journey from Hurricane Katrina volunteer to founding a major animal welfare foundationThe evolution from disaster response to adoption events to addressing systemic access to care challengesIncredible statistics: 138,000 spay/neuter surgeries in 18 months with 86,963 cats across 27 statesHow the Fix the Future program operates with 385 relief veterinarians at just $35 per surgeryThe power of MASH-style clinics and why community cat advocates should consider creating their ownWhy Michigan serves as a prime example with 3,000 cats out of 4,000 total surgeries at their clinicThe importance of spaying/neutering before adoption and addressing kittens under six monthsHow veterinary school limitations (graduating with only 1-3 spay/neuter surgeries) impact private practice capacityCathy's honest story about learning from the declawing controversy and how it changed her foundation's policiesPractical advice for getting involved at any age and making a difference beyond just donating moneyThe role of Empty the Shelters adoption events in supporting shelter operations nationwideWhy every animal deserves vaccination and ear-tipping as part of comprehensive TNR programs Resources mentioned: Bissell Pet Foundation website (https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/)Empty the Shelters adoption events (https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/programs/empty-the-shelters/)Fix the Future spay/neuter initiative (https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/programs/fix-the-future/)Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (https://www.vetmed.msstate.edu/)MSU shelter medicine program details (https://www.vetmed.msstate.edu/about/points-of-pride)United Spay Alliance website (https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/)United Spay Alliance wet lab training programs (https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/hqhvsn-wet-labs/)BISSELL Pet Foundation grant information (https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/grant-information/)Operation Fix the Future clinics (https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/operation-fix-the-future/)BISSELL Pet Foundation Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bissellpets/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623)Six Degrees of Cats (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-degrees-of-cats/id1669849217) 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 ...
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.