This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast.

In this inspiring episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes longtime animal welfare advocate Carrie Weber to discuss her three-decade journey championing the needs of cats and how one tiny idea could solve a massive problem.

Carrie's passion for animals stems from a childhood filled with rescues—both human and animal—guided by her mother's compassionate example. Her career has included roles in adoption, temperament testing, medical assistance, TNR, and hospice care, as well as leadership positions in multiple nonprofits. But it's her work with PennyFix, a nonprofit striving to solve pet overpopulation through a groundbreaking one-penny-per-can model, that's capturing attention.

Carrie discusses how her views on animal needs have evolved, emphasizing the importance of understanding what animals actually need—not what humans wish for them. She also opens up about her time at The Best Little Cat House in Pennsylvania, the nation's oldest cat hospice, and her hands-on experience with fostering, board service, and the vital (if often overlooked) role of volunteers.

The episode dives deep into how PennyFix awards spay/neuter grants, their efforts to partner with pet food manufacturers, and the challenges of rising vet costs and a shrinking workforce. Carrie also shares smart fundraising strategies—from posters in unexpected places to donor-advised funds—and introduces PennyFix's new "Penny a Day" campaign, showing how small donations can make a massive impact.

Press Play Now For:

• Why a single penny could change the future of animal overpopulation
• How Carrie's policing career shaped her advocacy for the voiceless
• Surprising truths about spay/neuter access across the U.S.
• Fundraising tips you've likely never heard before
• A behind-the-scenes look at The Best Little Cat House

Resources:

• Visit: www.pennyfix.org to apply for grants, donate, or join the Penny a Day campaign (http://www.pennyfix.org/)
• Learn about The Best Little Cat House in Pennsylvania (http://www.thebestlittlecathouseinpa.com/)
• Check out PennyFix on Facebook for updates (https://www.facebook.com/PennyFix2017)
• Listen to a previous episode about PennyFix (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/episode-386-mikaela-fleisher/)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies645)
• Underfoot Podcast (https://communitycatcentral.com/underfoot-podcast)

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.

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast.

In this powerful and enlightening episode, Stacy LeBaron sits down with attorney Joyce Glass, a passionate and pioneering voice in animal welfare law. From her start as a bankruptcy attorney to becoming a tireless advocate for animals, Joyce shares the deeply personal journey that led her to found a pro bono legal practice focused on protecting animals from cruelty and neglect. Her mission is clear: addressing animal cruelty not only helps animals but also creates safer, more compassionate communities.

Joyce walks us through her work drafting legislation, collaborating with law enforcement, and handling complex animal cruelty cases across New York, Connecticut, and North Carolina. Learn how laws like Desmond's Law in Connecticut and innovative partnerships such as the Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk Inc. are creating new models for justice. She explains why recognizing the link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence is crucial, and why community collaboration is key to long-term solutions.

Listeners will gain insight into the legal classification of animals, the challenges of prosecuting cruelty cases, and the evolving role of courtroom advocates. Whether you're a community cat caregiver or just passionate about animal welfare, this episode empowers you to take action and be the voice animals need.

Press Play Now For:

• How Joyce Glass transitioned from finance law to animal advocacy
• Why community-level collaboration matters more than state mandates
• An overview of Desmond's Law and its real-world impact
• What to do if you witness animal cruelty
• How trail cams and Ring doorbells are changing investigations
• The case for expanding protections to all animals, not just cats and dogs

Resources & Links:

• Desmond's Law (https://harvardlawreview.org/forum/vol-134/desmonds-law-early-impressions-of-connecticutrsquos-court-advocate-program-for-animal-cruelty-cases/)
• Desmond's Army (https://www.desmondsarmy.org/)
• Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk Inc. (https://factssaves.org/)
• Find Joyce on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-glass-7708b1158/)
• Database - Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates, the Passage of Desmond's Law in Connecticut and Analysis of Animal Cruelty Cases and Attorney Advocate Appointments from 2016-2025 (https://www.desmondsarmy.org/_files/ugd/75ac3d_d9e4c424c5ca46e6a1d48548c9e8f12e.pdf)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies645)
• Underfoot Podcast (https://communitycatcentral.com/underfoot-podcast)

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.

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund and the Underfoot Podcast.

As 2025 draws to a close, host Stacy LeBaron takes the mic solo to share heartfelt reflections, bold vision, and a rallying cry for cat advocates everywhere. In this special year-end episode, Stacy unveils Community Cats Central, a transformative evolution of the Community Cats Podcast, designed to deepen education, networking, and support for cat lovers turning their passion into action.

This isn't just a look back—it's a forward march. Stacy encourages each listener to embrace their leadership potential, set attainable goals for 2026, and build stronger bonds within their communities. With stories like the Newburyport case study and a touching tribute to her late friend Betty Bro, this episode bridges the personal and the strategic, reminding us that every cat saved starts with a connection, a plan, and a little courage.

Whether you're new to TNR or a seasoned advocate, this episode is your invitation to step into leadership and create lasting change.

Press Play Now For:

• A preview of the 2026 vision for Community Cats Central
• Tips to set realistic goals and avoid burnout in rescue work
• Why YOU are a leader—even if you don't feel like one
• The power of positive connections in advocacy
• Sneak peeks at new on-demand TNR courses and January events
• A moving tribute to cat champion and what she teaches us about legacy

Resources Mentioned:

• Community Cats Central (http://communitycatscentral.com)
• Newburyport TNR Case Study (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5704110/)
• TNR Certification Workshop – Jan 3 (https://communitycatscentral.thinkific.com/courses/tnrcert-january-2026)
• The Cat Conference – Jan 24–25 ()
• Community Cat Program Management Course – Starts Jan 26 ()
• All About Animals Rescue – Michigan ()

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies645)
• Underfoot Podcast (https://communitycatcentral.com/underfoot-podcast)

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.