Ep. 648: Who’s Throwing the Cats in the River? Rethinking Rescue and Prevention, Featuring Harry Eckman, Global Advisor for Cat Population Management, International Cat Care
Release Date: 01/20/2026
Ep. 648: Who’s Throwing the Cats in the River? Rethinking Rescue and Prevention, Featuring Harry Eckman, Global Advisor for Cat Population Management, International Cat Care
The Community Cats Podcast
“The ultimate goal is to make cat welfare and population management so normal, so embedded in our communities, that it's simply what a community does.” This episode is sponsored-in-part by , , and . In this insightful follow-up to episode 605, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back global animal welfare strategist Harry Eckman, who shares groundbreaking findings from an ambitious five-country research initiative on cat population management. Funded by the Bates Global Enablers Grant and spearheaded by International Cat Care, the project explores the cat welfare landscapes of Portugal, Greece,...
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Ep. 646: The Power of a Penny to End Pet Overpopulation, featuring Carrie Weber of PennyFix
The Community Cats Podcast
"It's not what we think they need—it's about what they actually need. And sometimes, that's just food and space to be left alone." This episode is sponsored-in-part by and the . In this inspiring episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes longtime animal welfare advocate Carrie Weber to discuss her three-decade journey championing the needs of cats and how one tiny idea could solve a massive problem. Carrie’s passion for animals stems from a childhood filled with rescues—both human and animal—guided by her mother’s compassionate example. Her career has...
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Justice for Animals and the Legal Fight to End Cruelty, Featuring Joyce Glass, Attorney at Joyce M. Glass, P.C.
The Community Cats Podcast
“One person can definitely make a difference. Don’t be afraid to be the first voice—sometimes the biggest cases start with one person speaking up.” This episode is sponsored-in-part by and . In this powerful and enlightening episode, Stacy LeBaron sits down with attorney Joyce Glass, a passionate and pioneering voice in animal welfare law. From her start as a bankruptcy attorney to becoming a tireless advocate for animals, Joyce shares the deeply personal journey that led her to found a pro bono legal practice focused on protecting animals from cruelty and neglect. Her mission is...
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Leadership, Legacy & A New Chapter for Community Cats, Featuring Stacy LeBaron, Head Cat for Community Cats Central
The Community Cats Podcast
“Helping that one cat is incredibly valuable... but it also represents a new behavior, a new calling, as to how we are addressing cats in our community.” This episode is sponsored-in-part by and . As 2025 draws to a close, host Stacy LeBaron takes the mic solo to share heartfelt reflections, bold vision, and a rallying cry for cat advocates everywhere. In this special year-end episode, Stacy unveils Community Cats Central, a transformative evolution of the Community Cats Podcast, designed to deepen education, networking, and support for cat lovers turning their passion into action. This...
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From Greece to Global: Transforming TNR With Passion and Purpose, Featuring Adelle Louise and Alex Ricard, Founders of the Saaving the Streets Podcast, Travel Animal Rescue, and Saaving Lives
The Community Cats Podcast
“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 and . 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...
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Targeted TNR: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 2, Featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats
The Community Cats 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 . 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...
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Targeted TNR: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck, Part 1 featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats
The Community Cats 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 . 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...
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Beyond the Bottle: A Smarter Way to Save Kittens featuring Jackie Noble, Executive Director of the Orphan Kitten Club
The Community Cats 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 . 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...
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Return to Field with Neighborhood Cats – Part 2, featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director of Neighborhood Cats
The Community Cats 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 . 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...
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Return to Field with Neighborhood Cats, Part 1, Featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director at Neighborhood Cats
The Community Cats 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 . 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...
info_outline“The ultimate goal is to make cat welfare and population management so normal, so embedded in our communities, that it's simply what a community does.”
This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, and The Underfoot Podcast.
In this insightful follow-up to episode 605, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back global animal welfare strategist Harry Eckman, who shares groundbreaking findings from an ambitious five-country research initiative on cat population management. Funded by the Bates Global Enablers Grant and spearheaded by International Cat Care, the project explores the cat welfare landscapes of Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Australia, and the UK—identifying challenges, public perceptions, and innovative strategies tailored to each country.
Harry delves into what makes this research unique: over 120 in-depth stakeholder interviews, public opinion surveys, and detailed country reports culminating in two critical resources—a foundational 18-month strategy and a visionary 10-year framework. With an upstream-thinking approach, he emphasizes aligning communities, funders, and policymakers under shared goals, whether on a city block or a national level.
From addressing cat stigmatization in Australia to proposing a model project in Cyprus, Harry's holistic, data-driven approach provides a roadmap for turning compassion into coordinated, sustainable action.
Whether you’re managing a colony or planning municipal policies, this episode will inspire you to think bigger—and upstream—about community cat care.
Press Play Now For:
- The difference between treating cat population symptoms vs. root causes
- Key findings from five countries and how cultural context shapes cat welfare
- How to use a “community cat needs assessment” to create localized strategies
- Insights on why Australia's media portrayal of cats matters
- What makes Portugal a model for progress—and why Cyprus needs proof-of-concept projects
- Why long-term thinking is essential for sustainable TNR efforts
- How Singapore is innovating spay/neuter solutions at scale
- The power of inclusive frameworks that serve both rescuers and policymakers
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