Ep. 649: Saving Cats Through Working Cat Programs with Mary Scott, Director of the ASAP Working Cats Program
Release Date: 01/27/2026
Ep 650: From Shy to Shine: Transforming Cat Behavior in Shelters with Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Director of Behavior at the Toronto Humane Society
The Community Cats Podcast
“The cat was telling me—I was just the one writing it down.” This episode is sponsored-in-part by , , and . What if there were a scientifically validated system to help shy, fearful, or traumatized cats become adoptable and happy? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Director of Behavior at the Toronto Humane Society, sits down with host Stacy LeBaron to share her groundbreaking work in feline behavior and welfare. With a PhD in animal welfare and a passion ignited in second grade, Dr. Ellis has built a career helping cats communicate...
info_outline
Ep. 649: Saving Cats Through Working Cat Programs with Mary Scott, Director of the ASAP Working Cats Program
The Community Cats Podcast
“No matter what’s going on out there, there’s always hope.” This episode is sponsored-in-part by , , and . What happens to cats deemed unadoptable due to behavioral challenges? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Mary Scott, Director of the ASAP Working Cats Program in Santa Barbara, California. With over 17 years of animal welfare experience, Mary sheds light on the complex and often misunderstood issue of behavioral euthanasia in shelters—and offers a powerful alternative. Mary shares how her Working Cats program provides safe,...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline“No matter what’s going on out there, there’s always hope.”
This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, and The Underfoot Podcast.
What happens to cats deemed unadoptable due to behavioral challenges? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Mary Scott, Director of the ASAP Working Cats Program in Santa Barbara, California. With over 17 years of animal welfare experience, Mary sheds light on the complex and often misunderstood issue of behavioral euthanasia in shelters—and offers a powerful alternative.
Mary shares how her Working Cats program provides safe, fulfilling lives for semi-social and non-social cats who might otherwise face euthanasia. By partnering with cat-savvy caretakers and relocating these felines to barns, sheds, or outbuildings, the program offers these cats a chance to thrive in an environment aligned with their needs. Through structured acclimation, sound matching, and supportive protocols, Mary and her team have achieved a remarkable 95% live release rate and a 67%+ retention rate for placed cats.
This candid and inspiring conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about finding innovative solutions to shelter overpopulation, reducing euthanasia rates, and celebrating every cat's right to a dignified life.
Press Play Now For:
- A clear definition of behavioral euthanasia and how it impacts shelter cats
- How Working Cats programs provide life-saving alternatives
- The step-by-step relocation process for cats in the program
- Tips for matching cats with suitable caretakers and environments
- The role of shelters, resources, and flexibility in saving lives
- National stats on cat euthanasia and reasons for hope
- Real-life success stories like DeLorean and Wobble
Resources & Links:
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. 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.