Dr. Jacquie Rand, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Australian Pet Welfare Foundation

This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network and Doobert.com. Dr. Jaquie Rand is currently using research to tackle issues around community cats and the criminalization of Trap, Neuter, Release practices in Australia. After navigating significant resistance for over a year and a half, she was able to launch a research project to negate arguments about disease spread by cats, the impact of cat predation on native wildlife, and the benefits of sterilization. In the midst of COVID, data collection turned to neighborhood surveys which revealed paradigm-shifting data that challenged notions about the human element in the community cat equation. Stacy and Dr. Rand discuss barriers that are faced by cats' owners⸺especially those with limited financial resources⸺to access spay and neuter procedures. They chat about the value of research in finding possible solutions, prioritizing municipal support based on need, and educating stakeholders to make TNR a more viable option. To learn more, visit the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation's website or email them at: [email protected]. To see the impact that Dr. Jacquie Rand's work is making, follow the APWF's Facebook, Instagram, or connect with them on Linked In.