The Community Cats Podcast

• Beyond the Bottle: A Smarter Way to Save Kittens featuring Jackie Noble, Executive Director of the Orphan Kitten Club

  "We are dedicated to making sure the kittens that we take in are the last kittens born in that colony." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. What do neonate kittens, a chance wedding conversation, and a global mission to stop kitten overpopulation have in common? Jackie Noble. In this lively episode, Stacy LeBaron welcomes Jackie Noble, Executive Director of the Orphan Kitten Club, to dish on all things kitten rescue, and the bold vision to end the cycle once and for all. With a career that began thanks to a wedding guest and a little wine, Jackie now leads one of the most impactful organizations in the kitten welfare world. You'll hear how Jackie and her team are flipping the script on kitten rescue with their "Full-Circle TNR" approach. Because saving one kitten just isn't enough when you know there's a whole colony behind it. From identifying "kitten hotspots" to preventing disease outbreaks, Jackie reveals how data, partnerships, and smart strategy are reshaping how we help our tiniest feline friends. Plus, discover why spay/neuter isn't just a vet visit, it's a movement, how research is saving kittens' eyes and lives (literally), and why every trap, foster, and grant dollar counts. Press Play Now For: A wedding story that launched a career in kitten care The magic behind Full-Circle TNR (it's smarter than it sounds) How foster parents are becoming frontline changemakers Why "feral" might not mean what you think Inspiring collaborations that actually move the needle How one group saved an entire colony—and every kitten's eyesight Why the Orphan Kitten Club is going big in 2026 (and how you can help) Resources Mentioned: Orphan Kitten Club (https://orphankittenclub.org/) TNR Certification Workshop (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-mar-2022/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies641) 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.

  --------  

  33:11

  --------

  33:11
• Return to Field with Neighborhood Cats – Part 2, featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director of Neighborhood Cats

  "The goal is simple. Do what's best for this individual cat—not what's easiest for us." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. In Part 2 of the Return to Field training, Bryan Kortis walks us through the practical side of RTF implementation—how to assess which cats qualify, how to safely house and return them, and what to do when friendly cats enter the system. With an emphasis on individualized outcomes, this session covers the real-world nuance of returning cats to their original locations while balancing public concerns, shelter capacity, and cat welfare. You'll hear how shelters can handle complaints, use targeted TNR to reduce future intake, and avoid legal pitfalls. This is the roadmap for anyone serious about humane, effective community cat management. Press Play Now For: How to assess a cat's eligibility for RTF What to do when a cat seems friendly or may have been abandoned Legal lessons from the San Diego lawsuit on "friendly" RTF cats Why tracking, mapping, and post-release follow-up are key Combining RTF with targeted TNR for maximum impact How to navigate complaints and educate your community Resources Mentioned: Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/) Return to Field Handbook (https://humanepro.org/return-to-field) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies640) 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.

  --------  

  40:59

  --------

  40:59
• Return to Field with Neighborhood Cats, Part 1, Featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

  "Euthanasia is a dead-end policy. We've tried it for decades and the cats are still here." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. In Part 1 of this informative workshop replay, Bryan Kortis and Susan Richmond of Neighborhood Cats dive into the effective approach of Return to Field (RTF), reshaping how shelters manage community cats. As a key evolution of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), RTF empowers shelters to sterilize, vaccinate, and return healthy, unowned cats to their territories rather than euthanizing them. Bryan traces the roots of the movement back to Jacksonville, Florida, where an experimental collaboration between a spay/neuter clinic and the city shelter resulted in a 90% reduction in euthanasia. You'll discover how RTF improves shelter morale, increases public support, and significantly lowers intake over time. With deep experience in fieldwork and policy, Bryan and Susan bring practical wisdom and data-backed insights into why this method is saving lives—and reshaping entire communities. Press Play Now For: The critical difference between RTF and traditional TNR How Jacksonville became a national model for RTF success Proof that RTF leads to lower euthanasia and intake rates Why euthanizing cats fails to control populations long-term The "vacuum effect" explained—why removed cats are quickly replaced How RTF changes shelter culture and staff wellbeing Resources Mentioned: Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/) Return to Field Handbook (https://humanepro.org/return-to-field) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies639) 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.

  --------  

  33:17

  --------

  33:17
• Building a United Voice for Michigan's Animals, Featuring Courtney Protz-Sanders, Founder of Paws for Life Rescue and Board Member of the Michigan Pet Alliance

  "One of the worst things is to have a passion to do something, but no idea how or where to start. That's where we come in—we're a resource. You're not floating out there alone." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. Courtney Protz-Sanders, founder of Paws for Life Rescue and board member of the Michigan Pet Alliance, shares her journey from individual rescuer to statewide advocate for animal welfare. In this episode, Courtney and host Stacy LeBaron dive into how collaboration, legislative engagement, and education can transform communities and protect animals more effectively. With over two decades in the field, Courtney explains how the Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) brings shelters, rescuers, pet owners, and professionals together to fight for legislative change, share resources, and strengthen local programs. From telehealth veterinary access and regional workshops to battling unjust ordinances like outdoor feeding bans, the MPA stands as a powerful force for change. This episode is packed with practical insights for individuals and organizations alike. Whether you're trapping your first colony cat or lobbying for animal welfare laws, you'll learn why uniting under a shared mission makes all the difference. Courtney's emphasis on education, proactive leadership, and building coalitions provides a hopeful roadmap for communities nationwide. Press Play Now For: Why collaboration is key to effective animal advocacy How the Michigan Pet Alliance supports community cat caretakers The fight to legalize telehealth veterinary services in Michigan Navigating ordinances that hinder TNR and outdoor feeding Practical tips for getting involved with local advocacy efforts The importance of accessible, high-quality training for rescuers Resources: Michigan Pet Alliance (http://michiganpet.org) Paws for Life Rescue (http://pawsforliferescue.org) TNR Certification Workshop (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/conferences-and-events/) CSNIP (Spay/Neuter) (http://csnip.org) All About Animals Rescue (http://allaboutanimalsrescue.org) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies638) 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.

  --------  

  26:40

  --------

  26:40
• Drop Traps, Stubborn Cats & DIY Hacks: Level Up Your TNR Game Featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats

  "If they won't go hungry, feed them into the trap. We don't just wait—we adapt." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. In Part 2 of our Drop Trap Workshop, we move beyond the basics into the advanced strategies and inventive solutions that make drop trapping even more powerful. Brian Cordes returns to unpack real-world tactics for high-stakes trapping scenarios—from uneven terrain and stubborn caretakers to high-volume colony projects and post-disaster recovery. This episode showcases smart hacks like drop trap pads for unstable ground, audio lures using kitten cries, how to use kittens or queens as live bait, and managing nighttime trapping with minimal stress. Brian also reveals how drop traps played a pivotal role in Neighborhood Cats' mission to rescue over 600 cats from the Maui wildfire burn zone, including the creation of an "auto drop trap" that works without a human present. With crystal-clear instruction and field-tested examples, this workshop gives seasoned trappers the tools to scale their efforts, adapt to tricky environments, and stay one step ahead of even the savviest felines. Press Play Now For: Using flour or chalk to gauge cat positioning under the trap How to safely use kittens or audio as live bait Tips for dealing with determined but untrained feeders Building drop trap pads for rough terrain How auto drop traps and remote triggers expand your reach Mass trapping with drop traps for entire colonies Mentioned Resources: Auto Drop Trap Instructions – DIY Guide (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/resources) Tomahawk Live Trap Remote Control Accessories (https://www.livetrap.com/) Spypoint LM2 Live-View Trail Camera (https://www.spypoint.com/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies637) 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.

  --------  

  37:48

  --------

  37:48

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About The Community Cats Podcast