This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants.

What happens when a prison island becomes a refuge for hundreds of community cats? In this powerful episode, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Gloria Murli, retired Rikers Island captain, and Mike Phillips of Urban Cat League to explore the decades-long, compassionate mission to care for and manage the cat colonies of Rikers Island.

Gloria shares how a promise to a fellow officer turned into a lifelong commitment to Rikers’ feral cats, evolving into one of the nation’s largest TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) initiatives inside a correctional facility. Together with Mike, they recount the logistical, emotional, and bureaucratic challenges of working within a highly secure, sprawling facility, where cats once numbered over a thousand and lived in hidden colonies across 400 acres.

Now, the project is taking an inspiring next step: creating a dedicated sanctuary on Rikers Island, transforming a former softball field into a safe haven for cats. This model sanctuary will not only stabilize the cat population but also serve as a workforce development opportunity, training low-security inmates in animal care—providing skills and hope for post-incarceration employment while improving animal welfare.

We discuss creative solutions for feeding, the importance of partnerships with the Humane Society of New York, and how these lessons can guide sensitive area TNR and community cat care nationwide, from airports to correctional facilities.

If you’ve ever wondered how passion and persistence can drive systemic change for cats, this episode will inspire you to believe in what’s possible—no matter how challenging the environment.

Press Play Now For:

• The untold story of Rikers Island’s hidden cat colonies.
• How TNR became possible inside one of America’s largest prisons.
• Challenges of managing 27 feeding stations on a secure island.
• Why building trust with authorities is key to community cat projects.
• How the sanctuary model may revolutionize cat care in sensitive areas.
• Opportunities for incarcerated individuals to gain animal care skills.
• Creative fundraising ideas, including sponsor-a-feeding-station models.
• The power of long-term commitment to transform cat welfare.

Resources & Links:

• Rikers Island Cat Rescue (RICR): Donate, view wishlists, or sponsor a feeding station to support the cats of Rikers Island. (http://ricr.org)
• Urban Cat League (http://urbancatleague.org)
• Humane Society of New York (http://humanesocietyny.org)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies617)
• Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (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 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.

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.

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.

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.