The Community Cats Podcast

"Everybody has a role, and if we open up the conversation just a little more, we can help change the numbersand the lives of these animals."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddies Fund.

In this powerful and emotionally resonant episode, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Brandi Winkleman, President and Executive Director of A HOPE Inc., an animal welfare organization based in Milton, Florida. Brandi shares the raw, eye-opening experiences that catapulted her from volunteer to changemaker, including heart-wrenching scenes from her local shelter that inspired her to take action. Through grassroots advocacy, community education, and data-driven approaches, Brandi and her team have transformed a once high-kill county into a model of collaborative, humane solutions.

Listeners will gain insight into the complexities of rural animal welfare and the lifesaving gaps Brandi is working to bridgeespecially around low-cost spay/neuter access and shelter-to-rescue transfers. She also provides a behind-the-scenes look at A HOPE's upcoming spay/neuter clinic, designed with input from top industry professionals to meet the unique needs of her community. This episode is a masterclass in how local leadership, transparency, and positive collaboration can create sustainable change.

Press Play Now For:

• A vivid account of the moment that changed Brandis life forever
• How data visualization helped shift public opinion on shelter euthanasia
• The two key "lifesaving gaps" Brandi identifiedand how shes solving them
• Tips on navigating small-town politics and turning skeptics into allies
• A sneak peek at A HOPEs new 4,000 sq. ft. clinic designed for both efficiency and compassion

Resources & Links:

• A HOPE Website - https://www.ahope4src.com
• A HOPE on Facebook: @AHOPEMilton - https://www.facebook.com/ahopemilton
• Florida SART Emergency Management Courses - https://flsart.org/
• Bissell Pet Foundation - https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/
• Florida Animal Friend Grant Program - https://floridaanimalfriend.org/grants/

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies616)

Follow & Review

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“Vaccinating community cats creates a barrier to disease between wildlife, domestic animals, and people.”

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

In this special webinar replay edition of the Community Cats Podcast, Brianna Lovell Myers of United Spay Alliance is joined by Dr. Bob Weedon, a leading expert in high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter and public health. Together, they delve into the synergistic relationship between trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) and public health initiatives.

Dr. Weedon shares compelling data illustrating how TNVR not only reduces shelter intake and euthanasia rates but also fortifies community immunity against rabies. He challenges anti-TNVR narratives using scientific evidence, such as the minimal risk of rabies transmission from cats and the misunderstood lifecycle of toxoplasmosis. A major highlight includes a recent pilot study proving the effectiveness of rabies vaccines in kittens under 12 weeks — a potential game-changer for field operations.

This conversation is more than an academic discussion; it's a rallying cry for more integrated, humane, and scientifically-backed approaches to community cat care. Whether you're a vet, policymaker, or colony caretaker, you'll walk away with actionable insights and renewed motivation to champion TNVR.

Press Play Now For:

• The public health benefits of including vaccination in TNVR programs
• A breakdown of the latest research on rabies in community cats
• The truth behind toxoplasmosis transmission and how TNVR helps
• Insights on the effectiveness of rabies vaccines in kittens under 12 weeks
• A glimpse into future innovations: non-surgical sterilization methods
• How to position TNVR programs to gain support from public health officials

Resources & Links:

• Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D) - https://www.acc-d.org/
• “Cat Wars” by Peter Marra (mentioned critically)
• CDC Rabies Information - https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies615)

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.

"You're not trying to make the situation perfect. You're just trying to improve it."

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

Part 2 of "From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement" dives into the operational tactics that sustain and grow a Trap-Neuter-Return program. In this recorded webinar, Bryan Kortis shifts from early movement-building to the nuts and bolts of long-term implementation, covering everything from trap banks and caretaker support systems to negotiating municipal cooperation and adapting strategies to fit different community types.

Listeners will gain practical insights into building a network of services, supporting grassroots participation, and working effectively with both rural and urban populations. Bryan also shares hard-earned lessons on using pilot projects, engaging local government, and maintaining momentum without exhausting your organization’s capacity.

Press Play Now For:

• Setting up and managing a functional trap bank
• Volunteer trapping and in-field coaching models
• How to engage animal control and shelter officials effectively
• Rural vs. urban adaptation: what works where
• Designing successful pilot projects with low risk and high reward
• A proven strategy for convincing hesitant local governments
• Creating strong caretaker networks that can stand the test of time

Resources & Links:

• Neighborhood Cats Handbook (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/learn-more/books-guides)
• TNR Certification Workshops (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/)
• Cat Stats: Colony Tracking Tool (https://www.catstats.org/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies614)

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.

"Success attracts donors and grantors, and just provides that foundation for expanding into the wider community."

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

In Part 1 of this recorded webinar, "From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement," Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, presents a compelling behind-the-scenes look at how one of the nation's most impactful TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) efforts got started. Originally presented live, this session offers listeners a chance to hear how a single encounter with kittens in a Manhattan lot sparked a grassroots movement that helped reshape New York City’s approach to community cats.

Bryan walks viewers through the early years of Neighborhood Cats—what worked, what didn’t, and how starting small with a focused colony led to scalable, measurable success. He emphasizes the strategic principles that shaped the organization’s growth, including the power of targeting, the role of data, and the importance of community involvement.

Press Play Now For:

• The story that sparked a citywide TNR movement
• What makes a “model colony” and why that matters
• How to work smart with limited surgeries and resources
• The power of strategic targeting vs. “first come, first served”
• Building support through community participation
• Real-world impact: dramatic reductions in NYC euthanasia rates
• Why tracking and storytelling are essential for growth

Resources & Links:

• Neighborhood Cats Handbook (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/learn-more/books-guides)
• TNR Certification Workshops (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/)
• Cat Stats: Colony Tracking Tool (https://www.catstats.org/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies613)

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.

"Stop treating cats like dogs—when we see them for who they really are, the right solutions start to emerge."

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

In this dynamic episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron is joined by two passionate advocates making waves in Miami’s cat welfare scene: Tia Williams, Director of Cat Solutions 305, and Dr. Matt Tano, Executive Director and Chief of Surgery at Street Cat Clinic. Together, they’re addressing South Florida’s year-round kitten crisis and pushing the boundaries of collaboration in feline-focused care.

Miami-Dade County faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to its large urban population of free-roaming cats. Tia and Dr. Tano offer an inspiring blueprint for what’s possible when dedicated individuals and municipal support align. With a shared mission to change the narrative for community cats, their approach goes beyond simple trap-neuter-return (TNR). They’re building systems, fostering partnerships, and creating a community-driven model focused on long-term impact.

You’ll hear how Street Cat Clinic is designed with trapper convenience in mind—from 24/7 drop-off access to hurricane-proof infrastructure—and how Cat Solutions 305 bridges the gap between feeders, trappers, and fosters. The conversation dives into the real-life logistics of operating a high-volume clinic and the vital role of empathy, flexibility, and data-driven strategies.

Press Play Now For:

• Why Miami’s climate makes cat overpopulation especially challenging
• The importance of treating cats as a unique species, not like small dogs
• How community collaboration fuels success in TNR efforts
• What it takes to run a high-volume, trapper-friendly spay/neuter clinic
• Creative problem-solving in veterinary deserts
• A sneak peek at what it means to build a "super clinic”

Resources & Links:

• Street Cat Clinic (https://streetcatclinic.org/)
• Cat Solutions 305 (https://www.catsolutions305.com/)
• Contact Tia: [email protected]
• Mentioned leaders: Bryan Kortis (Cat Stats - https://www.catstats.org/), Rick DuCharme (Community Cat Clinics - https://communitycatclinic.com/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies612)

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.