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

In this compelling episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Lara Semple, field team member of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s “Saving Wildcats” project. Based at the Highland Wildlife Park, this initiative is leading the charge in restoring the critically endangered European wildcat to the Scottish Highlands.

Lara shares her lifelong passion for feline welfare, tracing her journey from growing up in a boarding cattery to spearheading cutting-edge conservation work. She dives into the complexities of hybridization between wild and domestic cats, the challenges of reintroducing a species on the brink of extinction, and how their team uses GPS collars, soft-release techniques, and intensive field monitoring to give wildcats a fighting chance.

Listeners will also learn how TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) practices are strategically used to prevent genetic dilution from domestic cats, a major threat to wildcat survival. Lara explains the licensing hurdles, community outreach, and behavioral assessments involved in identifying and managing feral cat populations.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in conservation, community cat management, and the delicate dance of coexistence between humans and wildlife. It’s an inspiring look at science, compassion, and collaboration at work in one of the UK’s most rugged and breathtaking landscapes.

Press Play Now For:

• How European wildcats differ from domestic cats—and why it matters
• The story of Craig, a legendary feral cat with a 10 km² territory
• What it takes to breed and reintroduce wildcats into the Highlands
• How TNVR fits into saving a species from genetic extinction
• Strategies to mitigate conflict between wildcats and rural communities
• The unexpected challenges of identifying "owned" outdoor cats

Resources & Links:

• Saving Wildcats Project Website (https://www.savingwildcats.org.uk/)
• Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (https://www.rzss.org.uk/)
• Cats Protection (UK) (https://www.cats.org.uk/)
• Highland Wildlife Park (https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623)
• Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/virox)

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 Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants.

For passionate individuals and grassroots organizations working tirelessly in the world of animal welfare, financial logistics and nonprofit administration can feel like insurmountable hurdles. In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Robert Bills, founder of Chappy & Friends, a unique fiscal sponsor dedicated exclusively to animal welfare initiatives.

Robert’s journey from finance and entertainment to animal advocacy was inspired by Chappy, a resilient Havanese poodle rescued from a Tennessee puppy mill. This heartfelt backstory paved the way for Chappy & Friends, which now helps individuals and small organizations carry out impactful work—without the daunting burden of establishing their own 501(c)(3).

This episode dives deep into how Chappy & Friends empowers TNR groups, rescue efforts, and even equine programs by providing the legal and administrative infrastructure they need to accept tax-deductible donations, manage finances, and remain compliant with IRS regulations. Robert outlines the application and vetting process, explains how funds are disbursed, and shares examples of successful projects, including angel funds for veterinary hospitals and trap bank campaigns for cat rescues.

Whether you’re a one-person rescue or a small team with big dreams, this conversation offers a practical alternative to traditional nonprofit formation. Robert’s insights are especially valuable for listeners ready to take their mission to the next level without getting bogged down by red tape.

Press Play Now For:

• A simple explanation of what a fiscal sponsor is and how it works
• How to get started with your own cat rescue project—without forming a nonprofit
• Ways Chappy & Friends supports animal lovers across species and borders
• An honest look at donor transparency and IRS compliance
• Real-life stories of grassroots groups that are making it work

Resources & Links:

• Chappy & Friends Website (https://chappyandfriends.org/)
• Contact Robert: chapster@chappyandfriends.org | 212-641-0203

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623)
• Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/virox)

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 Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants.

In this episode, Stacy sits down with KerryAnn May, founder of Animal Outreach of Shelby County, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful TNR program from the ground up. KerryAnn shares how a random encounter with a feral kitten set her on a decades-long path in cat rescue, eventually leading her to pioneer the first multi-county TNR effort in Indiana.

She opens up about growing a small rescue into a well-oiled operation—without losing that local, community-driven spirit. From fundraising with handwritten letters to implementing tech solutions like Asset Tiger to keep track of equipment, KerryAnn proves that small organizations can still think big. The two also get real about the challenges of managing supplies, fostering community buy-in, and creating sustainable partnerships with local vets.

This is a conversation packed with practical tips, relatable stories, and a refreshing sense of what’s possible when passion meets a good plan.

Press Play Now For:

• How one feral kitten changed KerryAnn May’s life
• A blueprint for scaling TNR with local vet partnerships
• Fundraising made simple: From $1K to $50K with direct mail
• How Asset Tiger revolutionized their equipment tracking
• Why grassroots doesn’t mean small thinking
• The power of community-led, local-focused cat care
• Tips for inspiring neighbors and nurturing mini TNR pods

Resources & Links:

• ShelbyCats.com (http://ShelbyCats.com)
• Community Cats Grants (https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/community-cats-grants/)
• Mission Meow (https://missionmeow.org)
• Asset Tiger (https://www.assettiger.com)
• Community Cats Podcast Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/communitycatspodcast)
• Episode with Sally Williams of Mission Meow (https://youtu.be/rq2Sp2ZvNmM)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies622)
• Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/virox)

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 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.

Picking up where we left off in Part 1, Bryan Kortis dives into the advanced techniques that helped his team trap the final 20% of cats in Maui’s wildfire burn zone—arguably the most elusive cats of all. From drop traps outfitted with remote controls to fully automated trap systems triggered by feline movement, Bryan shares the groundbreaking tools and strategies that emerged from necessity.

This episode also explores the power of technology in modern TNR work, from cellular trail cameras to using remote monitoring to trap smarter and faster. Plus, listeners will learn how to trap cats indoors, lure hard-to-catch toms using scent cues, and turn kittens into bait (safely!) when all else fails. Whether you're facing an uncatchable cat in your backyard or planning for a major disaster response, this episode equips you with next-level knowledge.

Press Play Now For:

• Remote-controlled and auto-triggered drop traps
• How trail cameras revolutionized field monitoring
• Using sounds, scents, and laser pointers to lure elusive cats
• Trap training in public spaces
• Indoor trapping techniques that actually work
• Combining creativity and technology to trap “the untrappable”

Resources Mentioned:

• Community Cats Podcast Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/onlinecatconference)
• Lanai Cat Sanctuary (https://lanaicatsanctuary.org/)

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