About this episode
"Stop treating cats like dogs—when we see them for who they really are, the right solutions start to emerge." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. In this dynamic episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron is joined by two passionate advocates making waves in Miami's cat welfare scene: Tia Williams, Director of Cat Solutions 305, and Dr. Matt Tano, Executive Director and Chief of Surgery at Street Cat Clinic. Together, they're addressing South Florida's year-round kitten crisis and pushing the boundaries of collaboration in feline-focused care. Miami-Dade County faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to its large urban population of free-roaming cats. Tia and Dr. Tano offer an inspiring blueprint for what's possible when dedicated individuals and municipal support align. With a shared mission to change the narrative for community cats, their approach goes beyond simple trap-neuter-return (TNR). They're building systems, fostering partnerships, and creating a community-driven model focused on long-term impact. You'll hear how Street Cat Clinic is designed with trapper convenience in mind—from 24/7 drop-off access to hurricane-proof infrastructure—and how Cat Solutions 305 bridges the gap between feeders, trappers, and fosters. The conversation dives into the real-life logistics of operating a high-volume clinic and the vital role of empathy, flexibility, and data-driven strategies. Press Play Now For: Why Miami's climate makes cat overpopulation especially challenging The importance of treating cats as a unique species, not like small dogs How community collaboration fuels success in TNR efforts What it takes to run a high-volume, trapper-friendly spay/neuter clinic Creative problem-solving in veterinary deserts A sneak peek at what it means to build a "super clinic" Resources & Links: Street Cat Clinic (https://streetcatclinic.org/) Cat Solutions 305 (https://www.catsolutions305.com/) Contact Tia: catsolutions305@gmail.com Mentioned leaders: Bryan Kortis (Cat Stats - https://www.catstats.org/), Rick DuCharme (Community Cat Clinics - https://communitycatclinic.com/) Sponsor Links: Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies612) Follow & Review We'd
