The Community Cats Podcast

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund.

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 often fall short. Using real-world case studies and expert insight, Bryan illustrates how geographic targeting, colony-level focus, and an understanding of carrying capacity and the vacuum effect can dramatically increase the impact of your spay/neuter efforts.

You'll also discover how strategic targeting has successfully transformed neighborhoods from overrun to manageable, with results that include reduced shelter intake, lower euthanasia rates, and fewer cat complaints. If your organization has limited resources and big goals, this session is your roadmap to making the most of every dollar—and every surgery.

Whether you're running a spay/neuter clinic, a grassroots rescue, or a municipal program, Bryan offers scalable advice that adapts to any community size. Learn how to prioritize, structure, and execute a targeted TNR program for maximum effect.

Press Play Now For:

• Why targeting is essential when resources are limited
• The concept of carrying capacity and why colonies don't explode endlessly
• How the vacuum effect can undo your hard work—and how to prevent it
• The difference between colony-level and community-level targeting
• Case studies from New York, Tampa Bay, and Newburyport

Resources Mentioned:

• Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/)
• Additional Training (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/conferences-and-events/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies642)

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.

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 organizations in the kitten welfare world.

You'll hear how Jackie and her team are flipping the script on kitten rescue with their "Full-Circle TNR" approach. Because saving one kitten just isn't enough when you know there's a whole colony behind it. From identifying "kitten hotspots" to preventing disease outbreaks, Jackie reveals how data, partnerships, and smart strategy are reshaping how we help our tiniest feline friends.

Plus, discover why spay/neuter isn't just a vet visit, it's a movement, how research is saving kittens' eyes and lives (literally), and why every trap, foster, and grant dollar counts.

Press Play Now For:

• A wedding story that launched a career in kitten care
• The magic behind Full-Circle TNR (it's smarter than it sounds)
• How foster parents are becoming frontline changemakers
• Why "feral" might not mean what you think
• Inspiring collaborations that actually move the needle
• How one group saved an entire colony—and every kitten's eyesight
• Why the Orphan Kitten Club is going big in 2026 (and how you can help)

Resources Mentioned:

• Orphan Kitten Club (https://orphankittenclub.org/)
• TNR Certification Workshop (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-mar-2022/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies641)

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 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 shelters can handle complaints, use targeted TNR to reduce future intake, and avoid legal pitfalls. This is the roadmap for anyone serious about humane, effective community cat management.

Press Play Now For:

• How to assess a cat's eligibility for RTF
• What to do when a cat seems friendly or may have been abandoned
• Legal lessons from the San Diego lawsuit on "friendly" RTF cats
• Why tracking, mapping, and post-release follow-up are key
• Combining RTF with targeted TNR for maximum impact
• How to navigate complaints and educate your community

Resources Mentioned:

• Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/)
• Return to Field Handbook (https://humanepro.org/return-to-field)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies640)

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 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 experimental collaboration between a spay/neuter clinic and the city shelter resulted in a 90% reduction in euthanasia. You'll discover how RTF improves shelter morale, increases public support, and significantly lowers intake over time. With deep experience in fieldwork and policy, Bryan and Susan bring practical wisdom and data-backed insights into why this method is saving lives—and reshaping entire communities.

Press Play Now For:

• The critical difference between RTF and traditional TNR
• How Jacksonville became a national model for RTF success
• Proof that RTF leads to lower euthanasia and intake rates
• Why euthanizing cats fails to control populations long-term
• The "vacuum effect" explained—why removed cats are quickly replaced
• How RTF changes shelter culture and staff wellbeing

Resources Mentioned:

• Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/)
• Return to Field Handbook (https://humanepro.org/return-to-field)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies639)

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.

Courtney Protz-Sanders, founder of Paws for Life Rescue and board member of the Michigan Pet Alliance, shares her journey from individual rescuer to statewide advocate for animal welfare. In this episode, Courtney and host Stacy LeBaron dive into how collaboration, legislative engagement, and education can transform communities and protect animals more effectively.

With over two decades in the field, Courtney explains how the Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) brings shelters, rescuers, pet owners, and professionals together to fight for legislative change, share resources, and strengthen local programs. From telehealth veterinary access and regional workshops to battling unjust ordinances like outdoor feeding bans, the MPA stands as a powerful force for change.

This episode is packed with practical insights for individuals and organizations alike. Whether you're trapping your first colony cat or lobbying for animal welfare laws, you'll learn why uniting under a shared mission makes all the difference. Courtney's emphasis on education, proactive leadership, and building coalitions provides a hopeful roadmap for communities nationwide.

Press Play Now For:

• Why collaboration is key to effective animal advocacy
• How the Michigan Pet Alliance supports community cat caretakers
• The fight to legalize telehealth veterinary services in Michigan
• Navigating ordinances that hinder TNR and outdoor feeding
• Practical tips for getting involved with local advocacy efforts
• The importance of accessible, high-quality training for rescuers

Resources:

• Michigan Pet Alliance (http://michiganpet.org)
• Paws for Life Rescue (http://pawsforliferescue.org)
• TNR Certification Workshop (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/conferences-and-events/)
• CSNIP (Spay/Neuter) (http://csnip.org)
• All About Animals Rescue (http://allaboutanimalsrescue.org)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies638)

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.