"Think about all the things that cats go through…they're smart, they're clever and we can learn from them." This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie's Fund, The Community Cat Clinic, Humane Canada, and Tomahawk Traps. Are you curious about the evolving landscape of community cat welfare in the United States? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron sits down with Danielle Bays, Senior Analyst for Cat Protection and Policy at the Humane Society of the United States. With more than 20 years of experience, Danielle shares her view on the current state of community cat programs, the challenges posed by veterinary shortages, and the logistic solutions being championed nationwide. Danielle discusses her journey from discovering a family of felines in her backyard to building a city-wide community cat program. She emphasizes the importance of effective legislation and policy in supporting these programs and offers practical advice for individuals and organizations facing barriers to spay-neuter services. Join us for an engaging conversation that highlights the resilience and adaptability of both cats and the dedicated people working to improve their lives. Whether you're a seasoned cat advocate or new to the world of community cat management, this episode offers valuable perspectives and strategies to help you turn your passion for cats into action. In this episode, you will hear: Current state of community cat programs in the U.S. Challenges with veterinary shortages and spay-neuter services Rethinking solutions and policies to help more community cats Importance of effective legislation and community collaboration Practical advice for increasing spay-neuter capacity The role of community cat coordinators and shelter staff Resources: Email Danielle at dbays@humanesociety.org Visit the http://humanepro.org/ for additional information 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. Simply 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.