MY: We are thrilled to have cat welfare hero Stacy LeBaron with us today. Hailing from Vermont, Stacy has been advocating for cats for over twenty years.
While running the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society in 2010-2013, Stacy spearheaded a mentoring program to help others “Trap, Neuter and Return” (TNR) feral cats in the community. The program ended up supporting eighty organizations with setting up and getting funding for TNR efforts. After Stacy left the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, she had a waiting list of 400 organizations wanting such support, thus the Community Cats Podcast and the Community Cats Grants Program were created.
Stacy is the founder of the Community Cats Podcast and website, which is chock-full of helpful information and education to support cats in the community. On the site’s podcast, she interviews international experts about various cat welfare issues.
Let’s hear from Kwazi’s July Cat Person of the Month. Welcome Stacy, Tell us what’s new at Community Cats!
SL: We just celebrated our six-year anniversary. Our podcast has been downloaded over 300,000 times, we have almost 500 episodes, and our reach is world-wide. Our Community Cats Grants Program has provided funding to almost 200 organizations, helping 10,000 cats with spay/neuter support.
The Community Cats Podcast is the place to “turn your passion for cats into action.” It doesn’t matter if you are brand new to helping cats (you might just have a cat in your backyard you want to help), or if you are the executive director of a non-profit. We have something for everyone. During the course of the year, we hold 26 online educational events for folks to tune in and get the help and support that they need.
MY: Your impact on the cat community is phenomenal, Stacy! How inspiring to know that so many sites have been able to get funding to support their work. I’m sure our readers want to know more about your online events and podcasts.
What topics do you cover on the Community Cats Podcasts?
SL: The podcast is the place for stories. This is where I meet people who have helped cats in their community. It doesn’t always have to be TNR focused. I have chatted with cat behaviorists, politicians, writers, veterinarians, and others who really just want to make a difference in the lives of cats.
In addition to the podcast I hold several educational events that focus on topics like kittens, spay/neuter, Feline Leukemia, return to home, etc.. We like to provide an opportunity for everyone to learn about cats.
MY: There are so many opportunities to get involved, and you have made it easy, Stacy. Even if someone is physically unable to get out and about, there is always a need to support local shelters by writing letters or by volunteering in other ways.
Something we love to find out about our Featured Cat People is, when did you first fall in love with cats?
SL: Like most, I have had cats my whole life (until right now). My “aha” moment where I knew I wanted to and could do something to make the lives of cats better in my community was when I first made a donation of cat litter and cat food to the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (www.mrfrs.org).
When I went into their new adoption center they had just taken in 80 cats from a hoarding situation. Many of the cats were traumatized and scared. This was back in 1994. The people at the adoption center were doing their best, but they were clearly overwhelmed. It was an easy demonstration to me that if this person had just had access to spay and neuter, these scared kitties wouldn’t have been in this situation.
I continued being involved with MRFRS and leading the group until 2012 and there were several other “aha” moments like this first one to help keep me motivated on my journey to help all cats. In 2020 I joined the MRFRS board and continue to support their work.
MY: Your story about the cats who were hoarded is very sad, but speaks to the level of need there is to help cats. Right now (in July), many shelters are overrun with homeless cats. There remains a tremendous need for volunteers and donations to help get out the word. Spay/Neuter your pets, everyone!!
Thank you for your amazing dedication to cats and leadership in promoting cat welfare, Stacy! Where can readers go to find out more about training and your latest work?
SL: The best place to turn to is the website, www.communitycatspodcast.com and I would ask that folks become a subscriber to the show.
We are also on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. If folks are interested in reaching out to me directly with any questions they are most welcome to at stacy@commuitycatspodcast.com.
Okay everyone! Time to “turn your passion for cats into action!”
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Stacy deserves a hero award for devotion and hard work. Spay/Neuter initiatives among unhomed cats is the only way to end the cycle. I would like to see more money being given to agencies and shelters by the govt and private organizations towards this end. A few less war machines could probably fund every single individual and group that undertakes this heart breaking task. Thank you Stacy snd much love.
Congratulations on your continued accomplishments, Stacy! Thank you for a great article.
Congrats, Stacy! Thanks for all you do to save lives through prevention and promoting spay/neuter!
Congratulations to Stacy! Wonderful article! I will check out the website.