This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, and the Whisker Tracker App.

In this episode filled with insight and inspiration, Stacy LeBaron, host of The Community Cats Podcast, sits down with Mary Scott, a dedicated animal advocate with over 15 years in the field of animal welfare. Mary’s journey, which started as a veterinary receptionist and shelter volunteer, led her to become the director of the ASAP Cat Shelter's Working Cats Program in Santa Barbara, California. This unique initiative offers non-social, feral, or semi-social cats a second chance by placing them as "working cats" on farms, nurseries, and other properties where they can thrive while providing natural pest control.

Throughout the episode, Mary shares her strategies for acclimating cats to new environments and ensuring they feel at home through careful preparation and adopter education. Stacy and Mary discuss the challenges and successes of maintaining a 95% live release rate, the importance of cultural education around spay and neuter, and the broader impact that working cats programs can have on communities. Whether you're looking to start a similar initiative or simply curious about humane ways to support non-social cats, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical advice for every animal advocate.

Press Play Now For:

• The evolution of Mary's career from teacher to animal welfare leader
• Insights into ASAP's Working Cats Program and its impact on non-social cats
• Proven methods to help cats acclimate safely to new environments
• The vital role of community support in humane cat management
• How microchip-enabled cat doors improve cat safety and security
• Mary's advice for starting a barn cat program in any community
• The importance of self-care for long-term success in animal welfare work

Resources Mentioned:

• ASAP Cats Website: asapcats.org
• Working Cats Program Application: Available under the Services section on the ASAP Cats website
• Contact Mary Scott at workingcats@asapcats.org or call 805-637-796

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Whisker Tracker App.

If you missed Part 1 of this episode click here to listen now!

In this special, two-part audio presentation of a recent live webinar, we'll Explore Return-to-Field (RTF) programs for community cats with Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats. With years of experience managing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs, Kortis and his wife, Suzi Richmond, provide an expert perspective on the RTF approach, discussing its benefits, challenges, and impact on communities. From the origins of RTF programs to their evolving role in shelters across the U.S., they share success stories and compelling data showing how RTF reduces shelter euthanasia rates, frees up resources, and helps create a humane solution for managing feral and stray cat populations. They also touch on practical strategies for implementing RTF in various communities, legal considerations, and the important differences between RTF and TNR. Tune in to explore a groundbreaking approach that's changing the future of animal shelters and the lives of community cats.

Press Play Now For:

• The Journey of RTF Programs: How RTF went from concept to common practice in U.S. shelters
• Defining Terms: Understanding RTF, TNR, and their specific impacts on cat populations
• Success Metrics: How RTF programs reduce euthanasia rates and shelter costs
• Community and Shelter Benefits: Lower complaints, higher public support, and fewer shelter admissions
• Legal and Advocacy Tips: What municipalities should know about implementing RTF
• Practical Advice for Shelters: Managing intake, assessing eligibility, and effective returns

Additional Resources:

• Return-to-Field Handbook
• Neighborhood Cats
• TNR Certification Workshop

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 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 and the Whisker Tracker App.

In this special, two-part audio presentation of a recent live webinar, we'll Explore Return-to-Field (RTF) programs for community cats with Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats. With years of experience managing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs, Kortis and his wife, Suzi Richmond, provide an expert perspective on the RTF approach, discussing its benefits, challenges, and impact on communities. From the origins of RTF programs to their evolving role in shelters across the U.S., they share success stories and compelling data showing how RTF reduces shelter euthanasia rates, frees up resources, and helps create a humane solution for managing feral and stray cat populations. They also touch on practical strategies for implementing RTF in various communities, legal considerations, and the important differences between RTF and TNR. Tune in to explore a groundbreaking approach that's changing the future of animal shelters and the lives of community cats.

Press Play Now For:

• The Journey of RTF Programs: How RTF went from concept to common practice in U.S. shelters
• Defining Terms: Understanding RTF, TNR, and their specific impacts on cat populations
• Success Metrics: How RTF programs reduce euthanasia rates and shelter costs
• Community and Shelter Benefits: Lower complaints, higher public support, and fewer shelter admissions
• Legal and Advocacy Tips: What municipalities should know about implementing RTF
• Practical Advice for Shelters: Managing intake, assessing eligibility, and effective returns

Additional Resources:

• Return-to-Field Handbook
• Neighborhood Cats
• TNR Certification Workshop

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 a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.