The Community Cats Podcast

• Fiscal Sponsorship for Feline Good: The Chappy & Friends Way, Featuring Robert Bills, Founder of Chappy & Friends

  “I’ve always just had a goal of helping as many animals as possible.” This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants. For passionate individuals and grassroots organizations working tirelessly in the world of animal welfare, financial logistics and nonprofit administration can feel like insurmountable hurdles. In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Robert Bills, founder of Chappy & Friends, a unique fiscal sponsor dedicated exclusively to animal welfare initiatives. Robert’s journey from finance and entertainment to animal advocacy was inspired by Chappy, a resilient Havanese poodle rescued from a Tennessee puppy mill. This heartfelt backstory paved the way for Chappy & Friends, which now helps individuals and small organizations carry out impactful work—without the daunting burden of establishing their own 501(c)(3). This episode dives deep into how Chappy & Friends empowers TNR groups, rescue efforts, and even equine programs by providing the legal and administrative infrastructure they need to accept tax-deductible donations, manage finances, and remain compliant with IRS regulations. Robert outlines the application and vetting process, explains how funds are disbursed, and shares examples of successful projects, including angel funds for veterinary hospitals and trap bank campaigns for cat rescues. Whether you’re a one-person rescue or a small team with big dreams, this conversation offers a practical alternative to traditional nonprofit formation. Robert’s insights are especially valuable for listeners ready to take their mission to the next level without getting bogged down by red tape. Press Play Now For: A simple explanation of what a fiscal sponsor is and how it works How to get started with your own cat rescue project—without forming a nonprofit Ways Chappy & Friends supports animal lovers across species and borders An honest look at donor transparency and IRS compliance Real-life stories of grassroots groups that are making it work Resources & Links: Chappy & Friends Website (https://chappyandfriends.org/) Contact Robert: [email protected] | 212-641-0203 Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies623) Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/virox) 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.

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• Grassroots & Grit: Building TNR Success in Small-Town Indiana, Featuring KerryAnn May, Founder of Animal Outreach of Shelby County

  "I'm giving people the really good traps now. The ones that make their lives easier—because the cats shouldn’t be the ones who suffer when we don’t have our act together." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants. In this episode, Stacy sits down with KerryAnn May, founder of Animal Outreach of Shelby County, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful TNR program from the ground up. KerryAnn shares how a random encounter with a feral kitten set her on a decades-long path in cat rescue, eventually leading her to pioneer the first multi-county TNR effort in Indiana. She opens up about growing a small rescue into a well-oiled operation—without losing that local, community-driven spirit. From fundraising with handwritten letters to implementing tech solutions like Asset Tiger to keep track of equipment, KerryAnn proves that small organizations can still think big. The two also get real about the challenges of managing supplies, fostering community buy-in, and creating sustainable partnerships with local vets. This is a conversation packed with practical tips, relatable stories, and a refreshing sense of what’s possible when passion meets a good plan. Press Play Now For: How one feral kitten changed KerryAnn May’s life A blueprint for scaling TNR with local vet partnerships Fundraising made simple: From $1K to $50K with direct mail How Asset Tiger revolutionized their equipment tracking Why grassroots doesn’t mean small thinking The power of community-led, local-focused cat care Tips for inspiring neighbors and nurturing mini TNR pods Resources & Links: ShelbyCats.com (http://ShelbyCats.com) Community Cats Grants (https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/community-cats-grants/) Mission Meow (https://missionmeow.org) Asset Tiger (https://www.assettiger.com) Community Cats Podcast Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/communitycatspodcast) Episode with Sally Williams of Mission Meow (https://youtu.be/rq2Sp2ZvNmM) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies622) Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/virox) 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.

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• Is Return-to-Field the Future? Insights from Expo, Featuring Karen Little of Alley Cat Advocates and Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats

  “They’re not homeless. They know exactly where their home is, and they’ve chosen to be there. We’re literally returning them home—vaccinated and spayed—so it’s a win for the cat, the shelter, and the neighborhood.” - Karen Little This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants. In this special on-location episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron brings you to the bustling Humane World for Animals Expo in Las Vegas for a candid, practical conversation on the future of Return-to-Field (RTF) and community cats. Joined by Karen Little of Alley Cat Advocates and Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats, this episode breaks down what RTF really means, why it remains one of the field’s most pressing challenges, and how shelters of all sizes can adapt best practices while navigating real-world limitations. Karen and Bryan, each with decades of frontline TNR and shelter collaboration experience, explore the tension between “gold standard” individual cat assessments and the operational realities of crowded shelters. They emphasize the importance of gathering quality intake information, partnering with communities, and maintaining flexibility during kitten seasons, all while ensuring the welfare of cats remains central. The episode also unpacks the misconceptions around RTF, the critical difference between TNR and RTF, and the complexities of assessing “friendly” cats in the shelter environment. Whether you’re a large urban shelter manager or a small grassroots TNR organizer, this conversation will leave you with a clearer, practical understanding of how RTF can reduce euthanasia, manage overpopulation, and align with your community’s needs. Tune in for insights, humor, and a real-time feel of Expo energy as you learn actionable strategies to strengthen your community cat programs and advocate effectively for cats wherever you are. Press Play Now For: The clear difference between Return-to-Field and TNR you must understand How to make case-by-case decisions under real shelter constraints Why “friendly cats” are the most controversial aspect of RTF The critical role of community collaboration in cat management Strategies for small TNR groups attending their first big expo Why RTF is not “abandonment”—and how to explain it to your community Insights on the upcoming updated Return-to-Field Handbook Tips for managing seasonal intake and aligning outcomes with resources Resources & Links: Alley Cat Advocates (https://alleycatadvocates.org/) Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/) Community Cats Podcast TNR Certification Workshops (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/) Community Cats Podcast “Cat Cycling” Blog (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cat-cycling-how-to-make-your-spay-neuter-programs-most-impactful-and-not-overwhelm-your-staff/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies621) Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/virox) 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.

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• Let Meowt! How Rikers Island Is Saving Its Cats, Featuring Gloria Murli of Rikers Island Cat Rescue and Mike Phillips of Urban Cat League

  “My biggest challenge is making sure the welfare of these cats is taken care of. I’ll never desert these cats. Never.” - Gloria Murli This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants. What happens when a prison island becomes a refuge for hundreds of community cats? In this powerful episode, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Gloria Murli, retired Rikers Island captain, and Mike Phillips of Urban Cat League to explore the decades-long, compassionate mission to care for and manage the cat colonies of Rikers Island. Gloria shares how a promise to a fellow officer turned into a lifelong commitment to Rikers’ feral cats, evolving into one of the nation’s largest TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) initiatives inside a correctional facility. Together with Mike, they recount the logistical, emotional, and bureaucratic challenges of working within a highly secure, sprawling facility, where cats once numbered over a thousand and lived in hidden colonies across 400 acres. Now, the project is taking an inspiring next step: creating a dedicated sanctuary on Rikers Island, transforming a former softball field into a safe haven for cats. This model sanctuary will not only stabilize the cat population but also serve as a workforce development opportunity, training low-security inmates in animal care—providing skills and hope for post-incarceration employment while improving animal welfare. We discuss creative solutions for feeding, the importance of partnerships with the Humane Society of New York, and how these lessons can guide sensitive area TNR and community cat care nationwide, from airports to correctional facilities. If you’ve ever wondered how passion and persistence can drive systemic change for cats, this episode will inspire you to believe in what’s possible—no matter how challenging the environment. Press Play Now For: The untold story of Rikers Island’s hidden cat colonies. How TNR became possible inside one of America’s largest prisons. Challenges of managing 27 feeding stations on a secure island. Why building trust with authorities is key to community cat projects. How the sanctuary model may revolutionize cat care in sensitive areas. Opportunities for incarcerated individuals to gain animal care skills. Creative fundraising ideas, including sponsor-a-feeding-station models. The power of long-term commitment to transform cat welfare. Resources & Links: Rikers Island Cat Rescue (RICR): Donate, view wishlists, or sponsor a feeding station to support the cats of Rikers Island. (http://ricr.org) Urban Cat League (http://urbancatleague.org) Humane Society of New York (http://humanesocietyny.org) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies617) Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://communitycatclinic.com) 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.

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• Trapper Tips and Tricks, Part 2, Featuring Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats

  "Every single cat was easily trained to go into a drop trap with a roof on it. It’s just about giving them time.” This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Community Cat Clinic. Picking up where we left off in Part 1, Bryan Kortis dives into the advanced techniques that helped his team trap the final 20% of cats in Maui’s wildfire burn zone—arguably the most elusive cats of all. From drop traps outfitted with remote controls to fully automated trap systems triggered by feline movement, Bryan shares the groundbreaking tools and strategies that emerged from necessity. This episode also explores the power of technology in modern TNR work, from cellular trail cameras to using remote monitoring to trap smarter and faster. Plus, listeners will learn how to trap cats indoors, lure hard-to-catch toms using scent cues, and turn kittens into bait (safely!) when all else fails. Whether you're facing an uncatchable cat in your backyard or planning for a major disaster response, this episode equips you with next-level knowledge. Press Play Now For: Remote-controlled and auto-triggered drop traps How trail cameras revolutionized field monitoring Using sounds, scents, and laser pointers to lure elusive cats Trap training in public spaces Indoor trapping techniques that actually work Combining creativity and technology to trap “the untrappable” Resources Mentioned: Community Cats Podcast Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/onlinecatconference) Lanai Cat Sanctuary (https://lanaicatsanctuary.org/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies617) Community Cat Clinic (https://communitycatclinic.com) 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

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