"The goal is really to do the maximum good. Not bring in kittens who don't need to be there today, but make sure we have a plan for the future … and importantly that we have a plan to return and sterilize everyone…"

his episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, The Trapper's Tips & Tricks Workshop, and The Community Cat Clinic.

What if the key to saving more kittens isn't working harder — but working smarter?

In this powerful return to the show, Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw, humane educator and founder of Orphan Kitten Club, joins Stacy LeBaron to unpack the biggest shifts in kitten welfare over the past decade. Celebrating 10 years of impact, Hannah shares compelling national data showing a 35% drop in kitten non-live outcomes — and explains why foster programs, community education, and strategic data use are driving real change.

But the conversation doesn't stop there.

Hannah breaks down the "CASA" method — a practical, field-ready framework for deciding when to intervene (and when not to) if you find kittens outdoors. She dives deep into "Full Circle TNR," a strategic approach that turns every kitten intake into an opportunity to identify and sterilize entire colonies — addressing the source, not just the symptom.

You'll also hear insights from the 2025 Hill's State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report, including surprising trends around foster participation, generational differences, fear of attachment, and misconceptions about cost. If your organization struggles with foster recruitment or retention, this episode is a must-listen.

As kitten season approaches, Hannah shares exactly how shelters can prepare now — from staffing and supply planning to smarter data tracking and community messaging.

This is a masterclass in kitten strategy, sustainability, and compassion.

Press Play Now For:

• The 35% national decrease in kitten non-live outcomes — and what's driving it
• Why 80% of pre-adoption age kittens come from outdoors
• The CASA method for deciding when to intervene with outdoor kittens
• How "Full Circle TNR" turns kitten intake into colony sterilization
• Why foster participation is dropping — even as awareness rises
• The real story behind foster affordability (and why messaging matters)
• How to improve foster retention by improving access to care
• The one data metric every shelter should track before kitten season
• Strategic March planning tips to prepare for peak kitten volume

Resources & Links:

• Orphan Kitten Club
• Kitten Lady (Hannah Shaw)
• Hill's State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report

"The board should govern, and the executive director should lead the day-to-day operations. When those lines blur, that's when things get messy."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, The Trapper's Tips & Tricks Workshop, and The Community Cat Clinic.

Strong missions save lives but strong governance sustains them.

In this essential episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Tim Crum, CEO and founder of Animal Shelter

Services, for a deep dive into nonprofit board governance. If you've ever wondered what a board of directors should be doing (versus what they often end up doing), this conversation is for you.

Tim breaks down the core purpose of a nonprofit board: governance, not operations. From fiduciary responsibility to strategic planning, he outlines the three legal duties every board member must understand—duty of loyalty, duty of care, and duty of obedience (think "LOCO" to remember them). He also shares real-world examples of common governance missteps, including conflicts of interest, related board members, executive directors serving as voting board members, and the risks of poorly documented board minutes.

For growing animal welfare organizations—especially those transitioning from all-volunteer to staffed operations—this episode offers practical guidance on when to hire an executive director, how to structure bylaws and policies, and why board composition matters. Tim also addresses board giving requirements, succession planning, and how to recruit skilled board members by first getting your "house in order."

Whether you're a founder wearing too many hats, a seasoned board member, or stepping into governance for the first time, this episode provides clear, actionable insights to help your organization grow responsibly, ethically, and sustainably.

Good governance isn't just paperwork…it's the foundation for saving more lives.

Press Play Now For:

• The three legal duties of nonprofit board members—and why most people don't know they have them
• What Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance actually protects
• Real-life examples of governance "missteps" and how to avoid them
• Why accurate board minutes are your organization's legal safety net
• The difference between bylaws, policies, and standard operating procedures
• When (and how) to hire an executive director
• Why related board members can create major conflicts of interest
• The ideal board size for animal welfare organizations
• Whether board members should have a financial giving requirement
• Practical strategies for recruiting strong, skilled board members

Resources & Links:

• An Animal Shelter's Guide to Board Governance by Tim Crum Available at https://animalshelterguide.com
• Animal Shelter Services
• Tim's Previous Podcast Appearance: Community Cats Podcast Episode 611

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, The Trapper's Tips & Tricks Certification Workshop, and The Community Cat Clinic.

In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Dr. Cheryl McCormick, CEO of the Athens Area Humane Society, for an energetic and inspiring conversation on scaling high-impact, humane strategies for managing community cats. Drawing on her rich background in wildlife ecology and nonprofit leadership, Cheryl shares how her visit to Operation Catnip in Florida sparked a major shift in her organization's approach—resulting in a game-changing, high-volume spay/neuter initiative dubbed "Snip & Tip."

Listeners will hear how Cheryl and her team implemented this model in Georgia, overcoming scorching summer heat, logistical hurdles, and community challenges to sterilize 166 cats in just two days. She outlines the lean-staff, volunteer-driven model powered by professional trappers, strategic scheduling, and strong partnerships with funders. The episode is filled with practical strategies, insights into vet school partnerships, and tips for leveraging data and geography to reduce feline overpopulation—especially in underserved rural areas.

If you're looking for ways to improve cat welfare, build collaborative rescue models, or create sustainable TNR programs, this episode is a masterclass in innovation and impact at scale.

Press Play Now For:

• How a visit to Operation Catnip inspired a major organizational pivot
• Strategies for high-volume, low-cost sterilization events in rural areas
• Why Cheryl believes cat care is a powerful public health initiative
• Building sustainable vet pipelines through early student engagement
• The magic of "stone soup" funding models for humane programs
• Tips on starting community-based "cat action teams" and local satellite support

Resources & Links:

• Athens Area Humane Society
• Operation Catnip
• RedRover
• Shelter Animals Count
• Fix Georgia Pets
• BISSELL Pet Foundation - Fix the Future
• Georgia Pet Foundation