025: Behind the Mic with Stacy LeBaron on Cats, Clinics, and Burnout
United We Spay
In this special episode of United We Spay, the mic flips as longtime host Stacy LeBaron takes the guest seat for the first time. Interviewed by United Spay Alliance's Administrative Director Brianna Lovell Myers, Stacy reflects on her 30+ years in animal welfare, her unexpected entry into the world of trap-neuter-return (TNR), and the pivotal moments that shaped her mission to prevent animal suffering through spay/neuter advocacy. Stacy shares the story that sparked her passion for accessible spay/neuter — a heartbreaking encounter with dozens of suffering kittens in a New Hampshire dumpster...
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024: Confronting the Vet Shortage with Cheri Storms
United We Spay
In this episode of United We Spay, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Cheri Storms, Executive Director of Pet Friendly Services of Indiana and Chair of the United Spay Alliance Vet Shortage Task Force. With a statewide view of spay/neuter services and firsthand experience navigating the challenges of veterinary access, Cheri brings clarity and urgency to a national crisis: the veterinary shortage threatening spay/neuter capacity across the U.S. Cheri shares how the vet shortage—once a simmering concern—boiled over post-pandemic, leaving shelters, rescues, and pet owners scrambling. She explains...
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023: Revolutionizing Veterinary Care: Dr. Michelle Gonzalez and the Rascal Unit
United We Spay
On today’s episode of United We Spay, join Stacy LeBaron as she welcomes Dr. Michelle Gonzalez, the passionate founder of the Rascal Unit, a mobile veterinary clinic making waves in Ohio. Dr. G shares her mission to tackle animal overpopulation through accessible and affordable spay-neuter services. Stacy and Dr. G’s conversation reveals the hurdles pet owners face, from financial struggles to a need for more education, unveiling the moral challenges that come with pet care decisions. This episode paints a portrait of empathy and collaboration, urging the animal welfare community to...
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022: Helping Animals that Confront Crisis due to Climate Change with Pat Chan
United We Spay
What if there was a way to directly impact animal welfare and environmental sustainability while honoring cultural traditions? Join us for United We Spay as we uncover the inspiring path of Patricia “Pat” Chan, a trailblazer in animal welfare and the first female division chief for the Panama Canal Commission. Through her vision, Spay Panama has become a beacon of hope, providing spay-neuter services to over 350,000 animals, including those in the unique cultural landscape of the Guna community in Guna Yala. Explore the profound impact of these programs on managing animal populations in...
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021: Spay/Neuter Success: How Humboldt County Ended Shelter Euthanasia with Jennifer Raymond
United We Spay
Imagine having the power to transform entire communities by addressing a single, crucial issue: pet overpopulation. Join us for this episode of United We Spay as we unfold the inspiring journey of Jennifer Raymond, whose unwavering passion for animal welfare has led to significant changes in Humboldt County and beyond. From her college days promoting animal birth control to founding the Humboldt Spay-Neuter Network, Jennifer's initiative has been pivotal in reducing euthanasia rates through affordable spay-neuter clinics. Her story is a powerful testament to how accessible and high-volume...
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020: Building Solutions: Tackling NYC’s Overpopulation Crisis with Flatbush Vet with Will Zweigart
United We Spay
Could the key to solving New York City's animal overpopulation crisis be more accessible than we think? Join us for this episode of United We Spay as we unravel the transformative journey of Will Zweigart, the driving force behind Flatbush Cats and Flatbush Vet. Once an advertising executive, Will discovered that adoption and rescue efforts alone were insufficient to address the city's crowded shelters. Through our conversation, you'll uncover how his nonprofit veterinary clinic, established in 2023, aims to systematically “turn off the sink” of animal overpopulation by making spay-neuter...
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019: Systemic Solutions: Targeted Spay/Neuter and Legal Advocacy for Animal Welfare with Prof. Lisa Milot
United We Spay
On this episode of United We Spay, Lisa Milot, a distinguished professor of Canine Welfare Law at the University of Georgia, shares her transformative journey from an animal rescue volunteer to a nonprofit founder focused on strategic spay-neuter programs. Her passion for systemic change in animal welfare underscores the episode as she recounts her “aha moment” that shifted her focus toward addressing the root causes of pet overpopulation. Stacy and Lisa explore how collaboration with animal control and community engagement can significantly enhance spay-neuter efforts, dramatically...
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018: Turning the Tide: Operational Efficiencies and Legislative Wins for South Carolina’s Animals with Dawn Wilkinson
United We Spay
Dawn Wilkinson, the dynamic executive director of the Humane Society in South Carolina, joins us on this episode of United We Spay to share her inspiring journey from accounting and healthcare to animal welfare advocacy. Her leadership has been pivotal in transforming the organization by reducing costs and expanding programs to perform thousands of spay-neuter surgeries annually. Dawn's passion for ending animal cruelty and overpopulation shines as she discusses the importance of making these services accessible to more communities. We explore the financial strategies that are driving...
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017: On the Frontlines: Managing Shelter Operations and Ensuring Spay/Neuter in Alaska with JJ Hendrickson
United We Spay
On this episode of United We Spay, join us for an enlightening conversation with JJ Hendrickson, former Chief Animal Control Officer at the Kenai Animal Shelter in Alaska, as she shares her insights into the world of spay-neuter programs and their crucial role in animal welfare. JJ recounts her journey from implementing a voucher system to adopting a more direct approach to fixing animals before adoption. This shift significantly curbed the number of animals returning with litters despite the obstacles posed by Alaska's unique environment and limited veterinary resources. Her experiences offer...
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016: Advancing Spay/Neuter: Inside United Spay Alliance's High-Quality, High-Volume Wet Labs with Brianna Lovell Myers
United We Spay
On this episode of United We Spay, Stacy welcomes Brianna Lovell Myers, the Administrative Director of the United Spay Alliance. Brianna shares her compelling journey and deep passion for promoting accessible spay-neuter services. Growing up in a low-income household, Brianna witnessed firsthand the challenges of managing cat overpopulation without affordable spay-neuter options. These personal experiences have fueled her commitment to finding better solutions for animal welfare. We explore the various initiatives she leads, such as the Wet Lab Program, which provides crucial hands-on training...
info_outlineWelcome to United We Spay - the show dedicated to promoting affordable spay/neuter services across the USA and beyond. In each episode, we delve into the heart of a movement that's changing the lives of animals and communities for the better. Our mission is clear: build awareness, educate, and empower.
In this podcast, we'll explore the inspiring stories and voices that drive the spay/neuter movement, all while keeping our eyes on the bigger picture. Hosted by Stacy LeBaron, our team at United Spay Alliance is here to make a difference by tackling the root causes of overpopulation, ensuring that every animal has the chance for a better life. Join us as we embark on a journey to address the problems and pain points faced by grassroots rescue and shelter workers, and the general public.
We'll answer the three most common questions we receive, discuss the challenges of finding low-cost spay/neuter services, and explore strategies for recruiting more veterinarians to support these crucial efforts.
What truly irks us is when the animal welfare space fixates on the symptoms of overpopulation, rather than focusing on prevention through spay/neuter. We believe it's time to change the conversation.
Moreover, it breaks our hearts to witness the animal welfare landscape taking steps backward, reverting to a time before the spay/neuter movement's progress.
We're committed to ensuring that history does not repeat itself. The problem we aim to solve is clear: there are too few people with access to affordable spay/neuter services, leading to unwanted litters, overcrowded shelters, and other avoidable consequences. Our podcast seeks to be a platform for solutions, education, and empowerment.
We're honored to serve our best stakeholders, the dedicated individuals actively involved in grassroots rescue and shelter work. We understand that the general public often remains unaware of the scale and impact of the current veterinary shortage, as well as the challenges in finding affordable spay/neuter services. We're here to bridge that knowledge gap.
So, join us on United We Spay where we're all about making a difference, spreading knowledge, and building a stronger, more compassionate world for animals. Together, we can put prevention at the forefront and shine a spotlight on the importance of spay/neuter in the animal welfare space.