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

In the first half of this special two-part webinar replay, Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats walks us through the foundational and intermediate techniques that can make or break a successful Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) effort. Drawing from decades of field experience, Bryan shares tried-and-true strategies for preparing a trapping site, creating effective feeding patterns, and managing large colony trappings with confidence.

Listeners will come away with an understanding of the practical tools—like gravity traps, bait techniques, and trap mats—that make trapping more efficient and less stressful for cats and caregivers alike. Bryan also offers valuable seasonal tips, including how to trap safely in winter and how to take advantage of predictable feline behavior. The episode wraps up with an introduction to the monumental post-wildfire trapping campaign in Maui, which sets the stage for Part 2.

Press Play Now For:

• The most overlooked basics that still trip up experienced trappers
• Mass trapping best practices: timing, trap placement, and baiting
• Choosing between spring-loaded vs. gravity traps
• Trap mats, feeding patterns, and sounds cats respond to
• Winter trapping insights that challenge common assumptions
• The setup behind Maui’s 600+ cat burn zone project

Resources Mentioned:

• Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/)
• Tomahawk Live Trap – GT606 & Roundhouse (https://livetrap.com/)
• PVC trap mat material example (https://tinyurl.com/yvecchb3)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies617)
• Community Cat Clinic (https://communitycatclinic.com)

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 this enlightening and heartwarming conversation, feline behaviorist Stephen Quandt joins Stacy LeBaron to explore the intersection of empathy, education, and enrichment in the feline world. With over 20 years of experience, including high-stakes rescue missions like the Joplin tornado and a groundbreaking animal welfare initiative in Chernobyl, Stephen shares how understanding both human and feline behavior can create lasting impact.

He delves into the most common behavioral challenges cat owners face—especially aggression and litter box issues—and why compassion is just as critical as technique when helping people and their pets. Stephen also opens up about his children’s book Happy Comes Home, created to teach young readers empathy and practical cat care through storytelling. This episode is packed with valuable insights for rescue professionals, adopters, and anyone seeking to build a truly humane cat community.

Press Play Now For:

• The emotional story of a scared cat named Patia that changed Stephen’s life
• Top feline behavior issues and how to compassionately address them
• Why indoor cats might still need “the forest and field” inside your home
• How a mission to Chernobyl became a landmark study in post-disaster animal welfare
• The importance of building a humane ecosystem that includes adopters and fosters

Resources and Links:

• Stephen Quandt’s Website - https://catbehaviorhelp.com
• Happy Comes Home (Children’s Book) Animal Care Centers of NYC - https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Comes-Home-Stephen-Quandt/dp/099784289X
• Clean Futures Fund, Chernobyl Animal Welfare Project - https://www.cleanfutures.org/

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies617)

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 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 bridge—especially 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 Brandi’s life forever
• How data visualization helped shift public opinion on shelter euthanasia
• The two key "lifesaving gaps" Brandi identified—and how she’s solving them
• Tips on navigating small-town politics and turning skeptics into allies
• A sneak “peek” at A HOPE’s 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

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.