"Taking that first step is going to change your life—but it's also going to change the lives of so many animals." – Alex Ricard

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

In this globally-minded episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron chats with Adelle Louise and Alex Ricard—two trailblazing young leaders reshaping the future of TNR. As founders of the Saaving the Streets podcast and grassroots nonprofits spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Adelle and Alex have turned compassion into action, collectively sterilizing over 3,000 cats while mentoring others along the way.

Adelle shares her shift from general rescue work in Vietnam to high-volume TNR operations in Greece, supported by collaborations with local and international organizations. Alex opens up about how rescuing one kitten in a dog's mouth on a Greek island set her on a mission to tackle the root causes of feline overpopulation. Together, they explore how cultural context, veterinary access, and community engagement impact outcomes—offering practical advice for improving programs at any scale.

With a focus on strategy, collaboration, and the power of storytelling, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to level up their approach to TNR—whether in a city, on a farm, or across borders.

Press Play Now For:

• How Adelle and Alex went from solo rescuers to global educators
• What TNR looks like in Greece, France, Mexico, and beyond
• The story behind their podcast Saaving the Streets
• Why thinking like a funder helps you do more with less
• Equipment, training, and collaboration tips for mass trappings
• How to turn your first sterilization into a life of impact

Resources Mentioned:

• Saaving the Streets Podcast (https://www.petliferadio.com/saavingthestreets.html)
• Travel Animal Rescue (https://travelanimalrescue.org/)
• Saaving Lives (Alex's Nonprofit) (https://www.instagram.com/saavinglives/)
• Feline Fix by Five (https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/feline-fix-by-five/)
• Spay Panama (https://spaypanama.org/)
• Spay Mexico (https://www.spaymexico.org/)
• Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/)
• The Cat Report (https://www.thecatreport.org)
• United Spay Alliance (https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies644)
• 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.

"Knowing where the cats are is only half the battle—knowing how to reach the people who care for them is what makes targeting truly work."

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.

"You don't need to fix all the cats to make a difference—you just need to fix the right ones, in the right places, at the right time."

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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"It's better to miss than to mistime the drop—because once they learn it's a trap, they won't come back."

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

In this first installment of our Drop Trap Workshop, we're diving deep into the fundamentals of drop trapping—a powerful and underutilized tool in the TNR world. Join Community Cats Podcast Tech Tabby Kristen Petrie and expert guest Bryan Kortis, National Program Director of Neighborhood Cats, as he walks you through the mechanics, mindset, and must-have equipment for mastering the drop trap. With insight from co-founder and seasoned trapper Susan Richmond, this session breaks down the "why" and "how" of drop trapping, emphasizing how this method can help trap those elusive last colony cats, outsmart picky feeders, and improve overall trapping success.

You'll learn why cats perceive drop traps differently than standard box traps, how to set up the equipment for maximum effectiveness, and what to do once you've got your feline in the trap. From practical gear lists to step-by-step demos—including videos of actual drop trapping scenarios—you'll get a front-row seat to best practices for selective trapping. Bryan also covers safety tips, troubleshooting misfires, and how to ensure a smooth transfer once you've successfully made the catch.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your TNR skills, this episode lays the groundwork for humane, strategic trapping that gets results.

Press Play Now For:

• The psychology behind why drop traps work better for wary cats
• Gear breakdown: what you need to trap successfully
• How to pick the perfect drop trap location
• Real-world video demonstrations of drop trapping
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• When (and why) to use a drop trap instead of a box trap

Mentioned Resources:

• Tomahawk Drop Trap Model DT1 (https://www.livetrap.com/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies636)

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.

"Imagine if you told New Yorkers, 'Well, you want someone to take your trash away from your block? Oh, you're gonna have to find a volunteer to do that.' That's exactly what's happening here. But with animal care."

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

Stacy LeBaron talks with Allie Taylor, founder and president of Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), an organization she started in 2016 to bring political voice for animals throughout New York State. Allie is a volunteer TNR rescuer in Brooklyn who has successfully passed numerous landmark laws including banning foie gras, banning wild animals in circuses, prohibiting the sale of guinea pigs in pet stores, and prohibiting backyard breeders. When she moved to Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn in 2016, she was struck by the overwhelming number of community cats and decided to get TNR certified and start trapping her block—like many cat advocates, quickly learning that you don't have to go much further than your own block to find plenty of cats that need help.

In this episode, Allie discusses the broken system for community cat care in New York City, where everything falls on volunteers with no government support despite NYC having one of the worst per capita spending rates on animal care in the country ($2.89 per capita compared to $10 in Los Angeles, $13.70 in Miami-Dade, and $15 in Dallas). She shares the historic September 2024 City Council hearing where hundreds of cat rescuers testified, leading to the first-ever city funding for animals—$500,000 (later increased from the originally proposed $1.5 million) for spay/neuter services that will provide 3,500 additional surgeries. Allie also discusses VFAR's Community Cat Fund that has distributed $30,000 in grants to rescuers and organizations, including the largest grant to Bronx Community Cats to establish a trap bank in the Bronx. She explains why New York City desperately needs a fully staffed and funded Department of Animal Welfare, professional paid TNR workers, and free/low-cost veterinary care for all income levels to address the city's massive cat overpopulation crisis.

Listeners will learn about the power of political organizing and advocacy to create systemic change for community cats, how to work effectively with city councils and state legislatures on budget processes, the importance of getting TNR advocates involved in local politics, and why addressing income inequality and providing resources to underserved communities is essential to solving cat overpopulation. Allie's work demonstrates that grassroots organizing, strategic lobbying, and holding elected officials accountable can lead to landmark victories that create lasting infrastructure for animal welfare.

Press play now for:

• Why NYC's per capita spending on animal care ($2.89) is shockingly low compared to other major cities
• How hundreds of cat rescuers organized to testify at a historic September 2024 City Council hearing
• The first-ever NYC budget allocation for animal welfare: $500,000 for spay/neuter services
• Why TNR in NYC is completely volunteer-based with no city support or scheduling system
• The challenge of accessing ASPCA's free spay/neuter clinic as a newly certified TNR rescuer
• VFAR's Community Cat Fund that distributed $30,000 in direct grants to NYC rescuers
• The $5,000 grant to Bronx Community Cats to establish a trap bank in the Bronx
• Why NYC needs a fully funded Department of Animal Welfare (not just a one-person mayor's office)
• The connection between income inequality and cat overpopulation in NYC's boroughs
• How getting TNR advocates involved in local politics creates lasting systemic change
• The importance of making major investments in public education about keeping cats indoors and spay/neuter
• Why paid professional TNR workers could transform the city's response to cat overpopulation

Resources mentioned:

• Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR) (https://vfar.org/)
• VFAR on Instagram (@votersforanimalrights) (https://www.instagram.com/votersforanimalrights/)
• ASPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic (https://www.aspca.org/)
• Brooklyn Cat Cafe / Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition (https://catcafebk.com/)
• Bronx Community Cats (https://www.facebook.com/bronxcommunitycats/)
• Flatbush Cats (https://www.flatbushcats.org/)
• NYC Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare (https://www.nyc.gov/site/animalwelfare/index.page)
• Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) (https://www.nycacc.org/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies635)

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.

"Our goal here is really to work from the bottom up and help change the mentality, help the groups to negotiate better fundings with the municipality. We are only here for a limited time, right? So we wanna make sure that we are building a lasting, sustainable system."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and The Community Cat Clinic.

Stacy LeBaron talks with Isabel (Isa) Borst, Communications, Engagement and Education Lead for Animal Action Greece's groundbreaking community cat care project on the Cycladic islands of Paros and Antiparos. Originally from Brazil and having lived in Germany, Isa moved to Paros after the pandemic and never left, drawn by the island's active animal welfare community. She now coordinates the largest community cat care project in Greece, supported by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which launched in April 2023 as a three-year initiative focused on mapping stray cat populations and building local involvement in humane care.

In this episode, Isa shares the unique challenges of running a TNVR program on tourist-dependent Greek islands where the population swells dramatically during summer months. She discusses how the project has sterilized, microchipped, and vaccinated over 4,728 cats (averaging 200 per month), working with five local animal welfare groups, three veterinary clinics, and two municipalities. Isa explains the seasonal dynamics of trapping—winter brings concentrated colonies that are easier to trap, while summer disperses cats across tourist accommodations but brings increased visibility and tourist engagement. She also addresses the importance of building collaborative, systems-based partnerships with diverse stakeholders, capacity building for local organizations, and creating sustainable programs that will continue after the three-year project concludes.

Listeners will gain insights into implementing large-scale TNVR on islands and in tourist-heavy locations, understanding how community cat programs must adapt to unique local conditions, and the critical importance of collaboration between municipalities, veterinary clinics, and welfare organizations. Isa's story demonstrates how thorough planning, community engagement, data collection through colony mapping, and a holistic approach can transform cat welfare while preparing local communities to sustain the work long-term.

Press play now for:

• How Greece's largest community cat care project achieved over 4,728 sterilizations since April 2023
• The unique challenges of TNVR in tourist-dependent locations where populations fluctuate dramatically by season
• Why winter is peak trapping season and summer focuses on education and tourist engagement
• Building collaborative partnerships with five welfare groups, three vet clinics, and two municipalities
• The importance of colony mapping and health score tracking for strategic planning and advocacy
• Capacity building strategies to ensure local organizations can sustain the work after the project ends
• Working with municipalities to secure funding and implement infrastructure like feeding stations and road safety measures
• How to balance requests from tourists with fresh eyes versus managing realistic expectations
• Creating systems-based, holistic programs that address overpopulation, health, and community attitudes
• The concept of proving a model on islands that can be replicated across other Greek islands

Resources mentioned:

• Paros and Antiparos Cats Project Website (https://www.parosandantiparoscats.org/)
• Animal Action Greece (https://www.animalactiongreece.org/)
• Animal Action Greece on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/animalactiongreece/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies634)
• Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga)

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.