What if feeding your pet meant you had to skip dinner yourself?

For thousands of families, that’s not a hypothetical—it’s a heartbreaking daily decision. And when the bills pile up, surrendering a beloved pet can feel like the only option left.

In this episode, I talk with Stacey LeBaron, founder of PAWSitive Pantry and host of The Community Cats Podcast, about how her team is tackling pet food insecurity and keeping pets in the homes where they’re loved. From distributing more than 140,000 pounds of food each year to partnering with shelters and food banks, Stacey shares exactly how they’re doing it—and how you can help too.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The root causes of pet surrenders and how access to food can change everything
• How one nonprofit built a scalable model to distribute massive amounts of pet food
• Practical steps you can take in your own community to support pets and their people

This episode is proof that solving big problems doesn’t always require big budgets—it starts with people who care and take action. Whether you’re in rescue, animal welfare, or just want to help, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped.

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode.
Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me [@YourSocialHandle]!

While you’re there, follow me for more behind-the-scenes stories, practical pet care tips, and ways to create real change in your rescue, your home, and your community.

CONNECT WITH STACEY LeBARON:
Instagram | pawsitivepantry.org

LEARN MORE FROM AMY CASTRO:
Instagram | [YourWebsite.com]

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Pet Food Assistance Directory
• The Community Cats Podcast
• Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society
• Community Cat Pyramid & Calculator
• Animal Policy Group
• Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory

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Big pet challenges we help pet parents solve include: puppy training, cat behavior, pet budgeting, stress-free vet visits, solutions for multi-pet households, and more.

Contact: Amy@muddypawsandhairballs.com

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