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PODCAST

The Shelter Cats Podcast

Dan Trachtenberg

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, please give our podcast a listen or a watch. Hosts: Dan "The Cat Man" Trachtenberg Michelle "The Meow Maven" Nielsen Head to our website to learn more about The Shelter Cats Podcast, get all our links,

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

01:04:18

Episode 83: Greetings from Catsbury Park, N.J. with...

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/10/09

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

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01:16:24

Episode 82: You Don’t Lose Cool Points For...

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/10/06

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

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00:59:00

Episode 81: The Best Of Season 4 🐾

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/07/28

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

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00:54:24

Episode 80: Where the Love Began: Your First Cat...

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/06/02

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!📸

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01:16:14

Episode 79: Awesome Happy Awesome Healthy With Amy...

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/05/19

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

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01:01:55

Episode 78: Finding Purpose For Non-Socialized Cats...

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/03/31

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

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01:06:26

Episode 77: Get Meowta Here: Treetop Cat Rescues With...

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/03/17

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

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00:57:50

Episode 76: Tiny But Mighty: Hannah Shaw, Kitten Lady

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/03/03

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

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00:35:57

Episode 75: Why do we love cats?

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/02/17

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/42m1R8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We have an all-new website!https://www.sheltercatspod.com⁠⁠Visit our shop for Shelter Cats Podcast MERCH! Learn more about Dan, Michelle, Stephen, and Jake and get links!The

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00:57:36

Episode 74: Urban Cat League

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/02/03

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

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00:58:56

Episode 73: Dr. Mary Manspeaker, DVM, MS

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/01/20

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

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00:50:51

Episode 72: Cat Amazing/Brook Fountains!

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2026/01/06

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

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00:31:43

Episode 71: Holiday Episode!

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/12/23

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

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01:03:57

Episode 70: Jackson Galaxy

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/12/09

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

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00:18:19

Episode 69: Cat Treats: Holiday Safety Tips!

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/11/25

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-controlGet well soon, Michelle!Follow Michelle The Meow Maven on her personal TikTok for updates on her

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00:16:08

Episode 68: Cat Treats: Shelters Are Overcrowded!

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/11/04

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

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00:15:20

Episode 67: Cat Treats: The Fraidy Cat Club

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/10/07

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

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00:42:03

Episode 66: The Farty Feline: A Reading

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/09/23

Special bonus episode!Michelle The Meow Maven, our beloved co-host, is currently fighting breast cancer with all the bravery and grace and positive energy that she is known and loved for. As a surprise to wish her well before her lumpectomy, Michelle's lifelong friend Melissa Snow Haley joined us to record this special podcast where we did a reading of Michelle's book The farty Feline. Michelle herself then provides an update on the treatment plan she is about to begin. Get well soon

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00:45:41

Episode 65: Bobbi Brink: Lions Tigers & Bears

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/09/09

Season 3 Finale!Bobbi Brink is the Founder and Director of Lions Tigers & Bears. Bobbi has been working with and advocating for captive big cats, bears and other exotic animals since the early 90s. She began her personal involvement with these efforts after witnessing the abuses and neglect inflicted on captive exotics victimized by the exotic animal trade. Bobbi made a decision that something must be done, and since then she has made it her personal mission to end the abuses that stem from this

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01:13:33

Episode 64: The Truth About Bodega Cats

The Shelter Cats Podcast ·

2025/08/19

Our most important episode. Becky Wisdom from Greenpoint Cats and Amanda Barstow from Bookstore Cats join the panel to shed light and discuss the TRUTH about the bodega cat crisis in New York City. Think you know the truth about bodega cats?You're wrong. What you see on social media about bodega cats in New York City is far from the truth. Bodega cats need our help.Please visit Greenpoint Cats at:https://www.greenpointcats.orgPlease also visit Bookstore Cats

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