This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

How do we piece together the puzzle of cat overpopulation? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron chats with Vicky Halls, Head of Unowned Cats at International Cat Care, about innovative strategies to address this global challenge. Drawing on decades of experience in feline welfare, Vicky introduces her "jigsaw puzzle" approach to managing cat populations, highlighting the importance of collaboration, root-cause solutions, and strategic trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs.

Learn how to connect the pieces for effective cat population management, navigate the challenges of global resource disparities, and explore the progressive work of the Battersea Cat Project. Whether you’re a TNR pro or new to community cat care, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration.

Press Play Now For:

• The emotional and professional journey of a feline welfare trailblazer.
• Understanding root causes vs. symptoms in cat overpopulation.
• Insights into the "jigsaw puzzle" of cat population management.
• Strategies for effective TNR programs and community collaboration.
• An overview of the Battersea Cat Project's global impact.
• How access to resources shapes outcomes in cat population management.

Resources Mentioned:

• International Cat Care
• Email Vicky Halls at vicky.halls@icatcare.org for insights and collaboration.
• Video: Completing the jigsaw puzzle of sustainable and effective cat population management

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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. Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, and the Whisker Tracker App.

In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Dr. Bob Weedon, an expert in veterinary public health and a leading advocate for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs. Dr. Weedon shares insights into how TNVR programs are essential for managing cat populations and offer critical public health benefits. By vaccinating community cats, TNVR efforts create a vital “barrier” against diseases like rabies, protecting pets and humans. Dr. Weedon explains how public health officials can embrace TNVR as a community health strategy, emphasizing the power of collaboration between local governments, public health departments, and animal advocates.

The conversation ventures into the science behind rabies immunity, debunking misconceptions about cat-related diseases like toxoplasmosis, and why cat advocates should focus on reducing misinformation. Dr. Weedon also gives a sneak peek into potential breakthroughs in non-surgical sterilization techniques, which could revolutionize community cat management. Whether you're a cat advocate, public health professional, or just interested in animal welfare, this episode sheds light on the multi-layered impact of TNVR programs on communities nationwide.

Press Play Now For:

• The importance of vaccinating community cats to safeguard public health
• How TNVR programs help reduce rabies risks in local communities
• Strategies for presenting TNVR programs to town officials and addressing misconceptions
• Myths about toxoplasmosis and its connection to outdoor cats
• The potential future of non-surgical sterilization in community cat management
• Real-world examples of successful public-private partnerships in animal control

Resources Mentioned:

• Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer by Peter P. Marra and Chris Santella (2016)
• Response of Feral Cats to Vaccination at the Time of Neutering by S.M. Fischer et al. (2007)
• Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016.
• Handbook of Zoonoses: Identification and Prevention by Colville and Berryhill (2007). This handbook provides detailed information on zoonotic diseases, including identification and preventive measures.
• Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D)
• United Spay Alliance

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. Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Whisker Tracker App.

In this episode, Stacy LeBaron dives into the inspiring intersection of pet welfare and human services with Morgan Hulquist of Meals on Wheels America and Dan Capone of Meals on Wheels South Texas. They discuss the groundbreaking Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program, which provides pet food, veterinary care, and emergency boarding for the pets of homebound seniors. With this unique approach, Meals on Wheels is helping clients maintain cherished bonds with their animals, often their primary source of comfort and companionship.

Morgan and Dan highlight the program’s nationwide growth, supported by partnerships like PetSmart Charities, and share stories that reveal the profound impact these services have on clients’ lives. From local pet food deliveries to connecting seniors with animal welfare resources, Meals on Wheels is tackling both logistical challenges and emotional needs to keep pets and people together. Listeners will learn how this program supports social connection and alleviates financial pressures, enabling seniors to keep their beloved pets close despite challenges. Discover the powerful role pets play in reducing isolation and learn how communities can rally together to expand this compassionate model.

Tune in to explore how Meals on Wheels is innovating to serve not just meals, but also love, care, and peace of mind for seniors and their four-legged family members.

Press Play Now For:

• The Power of Pets: How Meals on Wheels serves seniors and their beloved companions
• Keeping Pets at Home: Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program and its impact
• New Frontiers in Pet Care: From emergency boarding to veterinary partnerships
• Meeting Unique Needs: Finding solutions for pet food delivery challenges
• A Compassionate Approach: Building trust with pet-owning clients
• National Reach, Local Touch: Expanding pet programs through community partnerships
• Future Aspirations: Morgan's vision for a fully pet-inclusive Meals on Wheels

Resources Mentioned:

• Meals on Wheels Find Meals Locator
• Meals on Wheels South Texas
• United Spay Alliance - Find Spay & Neuter Help