The Shelter Cats Podcast brings attention to all those wonderful people who have, in some way or another, helped the lives of cats.
Without them (the people and the cats), who knows where we’d be today.
If you’re a cat person or cat curious or are just looking for a fun way to pass some time, ple
For Episode 83, we’re joined by DJ Bornschein , founder of Catsbury Park and the mastermind behind the world-famous Catsbury Park Cat Convention ! Catsbury Park started back in July 2016 right out of DJ’s Jersey Shore home as a small foster-based rescue caring for a handful of kittens. From opening New Jersey's first-ever cat café in 2017 to launching the massive Catsbury Park Cat Convention in 2018, DJ has dedicated his life to creating safe havens for rescue cats and connecting passionate animal lovers. DJ joins hosts Dan and Michelle to talk about grassroots rescue work, navigating the…
The “TrapKing” himself, Sterling Davis, joins us as our special Season 5 premiere guest! Sterling “TrapKing” Davis is a well-traveled, ex-military, music and cat enthusiast who has always loved entertaining and connecting with people. Growing up, he was often the only guy in his neighborhood championing a love for cats. While taking a hiatus from touring with his rap group, Sterling spotted a job opening cleaning litter boxes at his local shelter. Looking for a meaningful way to spend his time, he applied—and the trajectory of his life changed completely. Sterling quickly fell in love with…
We made it through Season 4, and we’re celebrating with our first-ever "Best Of" compilation episode! Whether you’re catching up or re-living the highlights, Dan and Michelle and editor Jake have pulled together the absolute best moments, advice, and laughs from an incredible run of guests. From legendary feline advocates to vet care experts and inspiring rescue stories, this episode is stacked with the heart of our community. 🌈 A Special Note from the Team Sending our deepest love and condolences to our editor, Jacob Haley, on the passing of his beloved dog, Gus . Rest in peace, sweet boy.…
It’s the Season 4 finale, and Dan "The Cat Man" and Michelle "The Meow Maven" are bringing you a jam-packed episode to close out an incredible season! In this episode, we share an important update on Michelle’s breast cancer journey, issue our first-ever official show “clarification,” and dive into YOUR stories. We asked you on social media: Who was the first cat you ever adopted? and you did not disappoint. We’re reading some of our absolute favorite listener responses on air! 📸 Share Your First Furbaby! If you have pictures of the very first cat you ever brought home, we want to see them!…
Amy Dudley, community manager from Weruva, joins the show to discuss how Weruva is making an impact on the quality of cat food! Amy has been involved in the pet industry in some way or another since 2003 and she recently became Certified as a Pet Nutrition Coach. Perched in Queens, NY, she has two small rescue dogs and one senior cat, and volunteers with rescues whenever she can. Amy has an unhealthy obsession with Taco Bell and hot dogs, and you can often hear her asking "What do you feed your cat?" in the line for the bus. She loves chatting about Weruva, her pets, and making people laugh.…
What happens to the cats that aren’t looking for a lap to curl up in? In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Massey , the founder of Hard Hat Cats® . After a black kitten named Sadie changed her life in 2008, Sheila began performing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) in some of the most unique corners of New York City—from prisons to landmark mansions. She quickly realized that saving cats required more than just traps; it required "Neighborhood Relations." In 2019, she launched Hard Hat Cats to give "unadoptable" feral cats a professional purpose: providing non-toxic rodent control for breweries,…
What do you do when a cat climbs higher than a ladder—or a fire truck—can reach? In this episode, we’re joined by Duane Hook , a professional tree climber and founder of Cat In A Tree Rescue . Since 2010, Duane has been combining expert arborist techniques with a deep love for animals to bring stranded cats back to solid ground. Duane walks us through the high-pressure world of canopy rescues, from managing "indoor-only" escape artists to handling senior and feral cats in dense woods. We dive into the specialized safety gear and low-stress techniques required to keep everyone safe when the…
Hannah Shaw is an award-winning kitten rescuer, humane educator, and New York Times bestselling author who has dedicated her life to innovating kitten care and protecting the most vulnerable felines. Through her project, Kitten Lady , she provides educational media, training resources, and instructional workshops that help individuals and animal shelters save the lives of kittens—all in a fun and engaging format. With a social media following of over 4 million, her educational videos serve as a vital training resource for rescues and foster parents across the globe. Hannah is the author of…
In our 75th episode, we check in with Michelle to see how she is faring on her breast cancer journey, and we also read your responses that we posed on our social media to the question: Why do we love cats? Follow Michelle The Meow Maven on her personal TikTok for updates on her journey: http://bit.ly/42m1R8r We have an all-new website! https://www.sheltercatspod.com Visit our shop for Shelter Cats Podcast MERCH! Learn more about Dan, Michelle, Stephen, and Jake and get links! The Shelter Cats Podcast is part of the Chewy Shelter and Rescue Affiliate Program! Chewy’s…
Mike Phillips is the president of Urban Cat League which he co-founded in 2003. In 2010, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association named Mike recipient of its award, “BEST FRIEND TO FERAL CATS.” In 2014, he was recruited to be the founding Senior Supervisor of the ASPCA’s Neonatal Kitten Nursery after having formerly served as the Vet Tech Supervisor of their NYC Adoption Center and having worked on the A’s mobile Spay/Neuter clinics even before graduating Vet Tech school. Thousands have attended Mike’s workshops for Community Cats on numerous topics including Taming Feral Kittens,…
We finally get to interview a veterinarian! Dr. Mary Manspeaker, DVM, MS is a small animal veterinarian with experience in both shelter and general medicine. A 2002 graduate, she earned her doctorate at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She also earned a master’s degree in veterinary forensic science and a graduate certificate in shelter medicine through the University of Florida. She has practiced in Florida, New York, Connecticut and Tennessee. Prior to returning full-time to general practice, she spent years working for non-profit organizations such as the ASPCA,…
Meet the CEO of Cat Amazing and Brook Fountains! Andrey Grigoryev is the founder and CEO (Cat Entertainment Officer) of Cat Amazing, which specializes in enrichment for indoor cats and was featured on ABC's Shark Tank. More recently, Andrey is also the founder of Brook Fountains – the first all-glass cat water fountain – the most hygienic and functional hydration station for thirsty felines! Andrey has collaborated with the NYC ACC to create specialized toys that go into each of the kennels to provide enrichment for cats awaiting adoption – and two of his own cats came from ACC! Our…
It's that time of year! Holiday time! You know what that means.....our annual holiday episode! Joining hosts Dan and Michelle for this year's holiday episode are Caitlin and Anne Marie Buonomo from Rescue Advocates of Long Island to discuss their 2025 Holiday Drive for Homeless Pets! You can find Rescue Advocates of Long Island on the web, and donate at: https://www.rescueadvocatesli.org/ Follow Michelle The Meow Maven on her personal TikTok for updates on her journey: http://bit.ly/42m1R8r We have an all-new website! https://www.sheltercatspod.com Visit our shop for Shelter…
Season Four Premiere! Jackson Galaxy is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and the host of My Cat from Hell , Animal Planet’s long-running hit show that helped millions of cat guardians solve feline behavior challenges and build stronger bonds with their pets. Beyond television, Jackson is a leader in the animal welfare world, working directly with shelters and rescues to improve the lives of cats in their care. He leads workshops, teaches classes, and consults with organizations to help create cat-friendly spaces, practices, and adoption programs. Jackson’s expertise comes from…
Episode 69: Cat Treats: Holiday Safety Tips! Host Dan The Cat Man, along with Producer Stephen Quandt of catbehaviorhelp.com, discuss important holiday dangers and tips to follow this holiday season to keep your cats safe. You can keep your cat safe and enjoy the holidays with your feline family members! You can reach ASPCA Poison Control at this link: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control Get well soon, Michelle! Follow Michelle The Meow Maven on her personal TikTok for updates on her journey: http://bit.ly/42m1R8r Your link for all things Shelter Cats Podcast: …
Shelters are overcrowded and need our help! Adopt a cat (or dog) today! In our latest Cat Treats episode, Stephen Quandt, our producer and cat behavior expert from catbehaviorhelp.com, rings the alarm! Animal Care Centers of NYC, where Stephen works part-time, is over capacity and needs more adoptions. Now is a great time to adopt! Many shelters are overcrowded and overstretched and need adoptions, please consider adopting today! Disclaimer: Stephen's opinions are his own, and he does not speak on behalf of Animal Care Centers of NYC. Find an amazing cat (or dog) to bring home today!…
Just when you thought it was safe to turn off your favorite podcast platform, The Shelter Cats Podcast is back with a between-seasons series of mini "Cat Treats" episodes while Michelle the Meow Maven recovers. In this "Cat Treat," Stephen describes what is called "The Fraidy Cat Club," a special method used at NYC ACC to help extremely scared, hissing cats learn to calm down. It is possible! If you would like a printout of The Fraidy Cat Club method, send us an email! Get well soon, Michelle! To order your own copy of The Farty Feline: https://a.co/d/6DZeJPb Follow Michelle The Meow Maven…
Author David Grimm joins the panel! David Grimm is an award-winning journalist and the Online News Editor of Science , the world’s leading journal of science news and scientific research. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs , which traces the journey of dogs and cats from wild animals to family members, both in our homes and in the eyes of the law. David is the recipient of the Animal Reporting Award from the National Press Club and the author of “The Mushroom Cloud’s Silver Lining,” which was featured in The Best…
Katy Hansen is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Animal Care Centers of NYC. Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is dedicated to ending animal homelessness in New York City. They also provide compassionate refuge for animals in need. Founded in 1995, ACC serves homeless, lost, and neglected animals across all five boroughs—Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island. As the city’s only open-admissions shelter, they welcome every animal, no matter their background or condition. Each year, they care for over 15,000 animals. You can learn more about ACC on their website:…
Terri Grow, pet sage and feline nutritionist, joins us to dispel the myths regarding the food we feed our cats and offer advice on what a healthy diet should be for our cats. Terri has spent 30 years in the pet industry, working with veterinarians, trainers, behaviorists and pet parents, all while digging into the inner-workings of the pet food industry and voraciously studying pet nutrition, health and behavior. As Terri puts it: "Nutrition is the foundation for health and longevity.The way we feed our pets affects the mind, body, and spirit! This inevitably impacts not just us humans, but…
Jeff Carstens, feline advocate from Floral Park, New York, joins us to discuss his efforts to overturn feral cat feeding law #7 in Floral Park. According to Jeff: "The imposition of law #7 deprives homeless cats of a vital source of food, further endangering their already compromised lives. Communities around the world are adopting TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) programs as humane ways of controlling cat populations, instead of seeking to penalize well-meaning people who offer these animals some respite. It's time the Village of Floral Park did the same. The cats cannot ask for your help, but…
Another in our cat treats series, where we answer one question related to cat behavior! We posed the following question on our social media and then asked Google Gemini AI: Why do cats make biscuits? Join us to find out what everyone and AI thought! The Shelter Cats Podcast has joined the Chewy Shelter and Rescue Affiliate Program! Chewy’s mission is to be the most trusted and convenient online destination for pet parents and partners everywhere. Chewy is passionate about supporting animals and making a positive impact in communities across the country. Local shelters and rescues oftentimes…
Chloe and Ludvig from the amazing travel YouTube channel Chloe and sometimes Ludvig join me to discuss how their amazing channel got started, what it’s like hosting a travel YouTube channel, and all about their new orange kitten Findus! Check out Chloe & Ludvig on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@chloeandludvig Your link for all things Shelter Cats Podcast: https://linktr.ee/sheltercats The Shelter Cats Podcast has joined the Chewy Shelter and Rescue Affiliate Program! Chewy’s mission is to be the most trusted and convenient online destination for pet parents and partners everywhere.…
Our new mini series: Cat Treats! Stephen Quandt of catbehaviorhelp.com, our resident cat behavior expert and show producer, joins Dan The Cat Man to discuss how a cat deals with losing one owner, and gaining another. Do you have a question you'd like Stephen to answer on a future Cat Treats episode? Let us know in the comments! The Shelter Cats Podcast is now part of the Chewy Afiliate Program! Click this link to help support the show and your local rescue! https://prf.hn/l/0eQxNd8/ Your link to all things Shelter Cats Podcast: https://linktr.ee/sheltercats For Stephen Quandt:…
An all new feline spotlight! This time we discuss Michelle's amazing cat Monday. Yes, her name was Monday. It's a great name! Monday lived an amazing life spanning two decades, and this is her story. Your link for all things Shelter Cats Podcast: https://linktr.ee/sheltercats
Kelly Brach of Professional Pet Trackers makes a return appearance! Kelly discusses the right way, and the wrong way, to find your lost cat. Think you know how to find your lost cat? You're probably wrong! Your link to all things Shelter Cats Podcast: https://linktr.ee/sheltercats Professional Pet Trackers: https://www.professionalpettrackers.net
Dan the cat man back solo with some feline essentials that I wanted to share after a life time of being around cats and owning cats for half my life. Whether you're adopting your first cat or another cat, I hope you find these basic tips for food, litter, toys, and essentials useful! Your link for all things Shelter Cats Podcast! https://linktr.ee/sheltercats
Stephen Quandt, our resident cat behavior expert and founder of Cat Behavior Help, joins the Shelter Cats Podcast to discuss coping with the loss of a beloved cat. We discuss how to cope with not only losing your cat as a result of crossing the rainbow bridge, but also through having to make the painful decision to re-home your cat. Your link for all things Shelter Cats Podcast: https://linktr.ee/sheltercats Stephen Quandt's Cat Behavior Help can be found at: https://catbehaviorhelp.com #sheltercatspodcast #catbehaviorhelp #rainbowbridge
Fiftieth Episode! Thanks for your listens and support! Michelle's good friend Melissa joins us from the great state of New York to join us for the feline holiday fun! Happy Holidays from The Shelter Cats Podcast! Your link for all things Shelter Cats Podcast: https://linktr.ee/sheltercats
I am back solo with an all new episode! An update on where I've been and where the show has been, and what comes next. Thanks for your patience and happy holidays! Your link for all things Shelter Cats Podcast: https://linktr.ee/sheltercats
About The Shelter Cats Podcast
The Shelter Cats Podcast brings attention to all those wonderful people who have, in some way or another, helped the lives of cats.
Without them (the people and the cats), who knows where we’d be today.
If you’re a cat person or cat curious or are just looking for a fun way to pass some time, ple
The Shelter Cats Podcast is a English kids & family podcast from Dan Trachtenberg. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
