What if feeding your pet meant you couldn’t feed yourself? For thousands of struggling families, that’s reality—and it’s driving heartbreaking surrenders. But one organization is changing the game.

In this episode, Amy Castro talks with Stacey LeBaron, founder of PAWSitive Pantry and host of The Community Cats Podcast, about how her team is tackling pet food insecurity—and helping pets stay in the homes where they’re loved.

You’ll hear about:
• A nonprofit that distributes 140,000+ lbs of pet food annually
• How food access prevents shelter surrenders and supports vet care
• The real reasons people give up their pets—and how to stop it
• Starting local: how to create change in your own community
• Practical tips for partnering with shelters, food banks & volunteers

Resources Mentioned:

• PAWSitive Pantry
• Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory
• Pet Food Assistance Directory
• The Community Cats Podcast
• Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society
• Animal Policy Group
• Community Cat Calculator
• Community Cat Pyramid

Listen now and learn how to help pets and families stay together—because no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pet.

Comment on this episode! For questions or if you need a reply- please email us at Amy@StarlightPetTalk.com

Starting Sunday, April 27, 2025, we’re switching things up—new episodes will now drop every Sunday instead of Tuesday!

Why the change? Because Sundays just feel better. Quieter mornings, fewer midweek distractions, and a better chance to catch up with your favorite pet podcast (aka us 😎).

Set your alarms (or don’t—we’ll be waiting patiently like a well-trained Golden Retriever 🐾) every Sunday morning starting at 8AM EST / 7AM CST.

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Thanks for listening to Muddy Paws and Hairballs, your go-to resource for all things pet care. From dog training, behavior, and socialization to cat enrichment, pet adoption, and tackling behavior problems, we provide expert advice and real talk to help you create a happy, healthy life with your pets. Whether you're dealing with dog anxiety, looking for puppy training tips, or exploring enrichment ideas for your cat, we've got you covered. Be sure to check out all our episodes!