This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast.

In this powerful and enlightening episode, Stacey LeBaron sits down with attorney Joyce Glass, a passionate and pioneering voice in animal welfare law. From her start as a bankruptcy attorney to becoming a tireless advocate for animals, Joyce shares the deeply personal journey that led her to found a pro bono legal practice focused on protecting animals from cruelty and neglect. Her mission is clear: addressing animal cruelty not only helps animals but also creates safer, more compassionate communities.

Joyce walks us through her work drafting legislation, collaborating with law enforcement, and handling complex animal cruelty cases across New York, Connecticut, and North Carolina. Learn how laws like Desmond's Law in Connecticut and innovative partnerships such as the Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk Inc. are creating new models for justice. She explains why recognizing the link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence is crucial, and why community collaboration is key to long-term solutions.

Listeners will gain insight into the legal classification of animals, the challenges of prosecuting cruelty cases, and the evolving role of courtroom advocates. Whether you're a community cat caregiver or just passionate about animal welfare, this episode empowers you to take action and be the voice animals need.

Press Play Now For:

• How Joyce Glass transitioned from finance law to animal advocacy
• Why community-level collaboration matters more than state mandates
• An overview of Desmond's Law and its real-world impact
• What to do if you witness animal cruelty
• How trail cams and Ring doorbells are changing investigations
• The case for expanding protections to all animals, not just cats and dogs

Resources & Links:

• Desmond's Law (https://harvardlawreview.org/forum/vol-134/desmonds-law-early-impressions-of-connecticutrsquos-court-advocate-program-for-animal-cruelty-cases/)
• Desmond's Army (https://www.desmondsarmy.org/)
• Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk Inc. (https://factssaves.org/)
• Find Joyce on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-glass-7708b1158/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies645)
• Underfoot Podcast (https://communitycatcentral.com/underfoot-podcast)

Follow & Review

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This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast.

As 2025 draws to a close, host Stacy LeBaron takes the mic solo to share heartfelt reflections, bold vision, and a rallying cry for cat advocates everywhere. In this special year-end episode, Stacy unveils Community Cats Central, a transformative evolution of the Community Cats Podcast, designed to deepen education, networking, and support for cat lovers turning their passion into action.

This isn't just a look back—it's a forward march. Stacy encourages each listener to embrace their leadership potential, set attainable goals for 2026, and build stronger bonds within their communities. With stories like the Newburyport case study and a touching tribute to her late friend Betty Bro, this episode bridges the personal and the strategic, reminding us that every cat saved starts with a connection, a plan, and a little courage.

Whether you're new to TNR or a seasoned advocate, this episode is your invitation to step into leadership and create lasting change.

Press Play Now For:

• A preview of the 2026 vision for Community Cats Central
• Tips to set realistic goals and avoid burnout in rescue work
• Why YOU are a leader—even if you don't feel like one
• The power of positive connections in advocacy
• Sneak peeks at new on-demand TNR courses and January events
• A moving tribute to cat champion and what she teaches us about legacy

Resources Mentioned:

• Community Cats Central (http://communitycatscentral.com)
• Newburyport TNR Case Study (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5704110/)
• TNR Certification Workshop – Jan 3 (https://communitycatscentral.thinkific.com/courses/tnrcert-january-2026)
• The Cat Conference – Jan 24–25 ()
• Community Cat Program Management Course – Starts Jan 26 ()
• All About Animals Rescue – Michigan ()

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies645)
• Underfoot Podcast (https://communitycatcentral.com/underfoot-podcast)

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.

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

In Part 2 of this dynamic webinar, Brian Kortis of Neighborhood Cats returns to guide us through the nuts and bolts of implementing a targeted TNR program. If Part 1 was the "why," this episode is the "how." Learn how to identify where to focus your resources using data such as shelter intake, complaint calls, and community insights. Brian explains how to structure your outreach—from yard signs to door knocking—and how to overcome challenges like uncooperative caretakers or underestimated cat populations.

Through real-world case studies and expert recommendations, you'll understand the importance of spatial continuity, microtargeting, and setting achievable sterilization goals, even when resources are tight. You'll also explore tools for measuring program success—whether you're tracking shelter intake, complaint reduction, or cat population decline through on-the-ground censuses.

Whether you're targeting an entire city or a single block, this episode equips you with strategic tools to design and execute efficient, high-impact TNR campaigns.

Press Play Now For:

• How to use data to pinpoint high-need areas
• Estimating cat populations using human-to-cat ratios
• Outreach methods that work: flyers, billboards, boots on the ground
• Who should do the trapping—and why you can't always rely on caretakers
• The importance of measuring results and how to adapt on the fly
• A new frontier: Microtargeting based on real-time shelter data

Resources Mentioned:

• Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/)
• Additional Training (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/conferences-and-events/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies643)

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.

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

In Part 1 of this two-part webinar, Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, breaks down the power of targeted TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and why it's essential for managing community cat populations effectively. Hosted in partnership with the Community Cats Podcast, this episode dives deep into the theory behind concentrating resources in high-need areas and why traditional, scattered approaches often fall short. Using real-world case studies and expert insight, Bryan illustrates how geographic targeting, colony-level focus, and an understanding of carrying capacity and the vacuum effect can dramatically increase the impact of your spay/neuter efforts.

You'll also discover how strategic targeting has successfully transformed neighborhoods from overrun to manageable, with results that include reduced shelter intake, lower euthanasia rates, and fewer cat complaints. If your organization has limited resources and big goals, this session is your roadmap to making the most of every dollar—and every surgery.

Whether you're running a spay/neuter clinic, a grassroots rescue, or a municipal program, Bryan offers scalable advice that adapts to any community size. Learn how to prioritize, structure, and execute a targeted TNR program for maximum effect.

Press Play Now For:

• Why targeting is essential when resources are limited
• The concept of carrying capacity and why colonies don't explode endlessly
• How the vacuum effect can undo your hard work—and how to prevent it
• The difference between colony-level and community-level targeting
• Case studies from New York, Tampa Bay, and Newburyport

Resources Mentioned:

• Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/)
• Additional Training (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/conferences-and-events/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies642)

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.

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.

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.

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.