Ep. 648: Who's Throwing the Cats in the River? Rethinking Rescue and Prevention, Featuring Harry Eckman, Global Advisor for Cat Population Management, International Cat Care

"The ultimate goal is to make cat welfare and population management so normal, so embedded in our communities, that it's simply what a community does."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, The Animal Rights Foundation, and The Underfoot Podcast.

In this insightful follow-up to episode 605, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back global animal welfare strategist Harry Eckman, who shares groundbreaking findings from an ambitious five-country research initiative on cat population management. Funded by the Bates Global Enablers Grant and spearheaded by International Cat Care, the project explores the cat welfare landscapes of Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Australia, and the UK—identifying challenges, public perceptions, and innovative strategies tailored to each country.

Harry delves into what makes this research unique: over 120 in-depth stakeholder interviews, public opinion surveys, and detailed country reports culminating in two critical resources—a foundational 18-month strategy and a visionary 10-year framework. With an upstream-thinking approach, he emphasizes aligning communities, funders, and policymakers under shared goals, whether on a city block or a national level.
From addressing cat stigmatization in Australia to proposing a model project in Cyprus, Harry's holistic, data-driven approach provides a roadmap for turning compassion into coordinated, sustainable action.

Whether you're managing a colony or planning municipal policies, this episode will inspire you to think bigger—and upstream—about community cat care.

Press Play Now For:

• The difference between treating cat population symptoms vs. root causes
• Key findings from five countries and how cultural context shapes cat welfare
• How to use a "community cat needs assessment" to create localized strategies
• Insights on why Australia's media portrayal of cats matters
• What makes Portugal a model for progress—and why Cyprus needs proof-of-concept projects
• Why long-term thinking is essential for sustainable TNR efforts
• How Singapore is innovating spay/neuter solutions at scale
• The power of inclusive frameworks that serve both rescuers and policymakers

Resources & Links:

• International Cat Care's Website
• ICAM Conference – Cat Management in the Urban City State of Singapore
• Previous episode with Harry Eckman: Episode 605 – Managing Cat Populations: A Global Perspective
• Harry Eckman on LinkedIn
• Harry's Published Research on Cat & Dog Welfare in Portugal