Description

What if feeding your pet meant you had to skip dinner yourself?

For thousands of families, that’s not a hypothetical—it’s a heartbreaking daily decision. And when the bills pile up, surrendering a beloved pet can feel like the only option left.

In this episode, I talk with Stacey LeBaron, founder of PAWSitive Pantry and host of The Community Cats Podcast, about how her team is tackling pet food insecurity and keeping pets in the homes where they’re loved. From distributing more than 140,000 pounds of food each year to partnering with shelters and food banks, Stacey shares exactly how they’re doing it—and how you can help too.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The root causes of pet surrenders and how access to food can change everything
• How one nonprofit built a scalable model to distribute massive amounts of pet food
• Practical steps you can take in your own community to support pets and their people

This episode is proof that solving big problems doesn’t always require big budgets—it starts with people who care and take action. Whether you’re in rescue, animal welfare, or just want to help, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped.

CONNECT WITH STACEY LeBARON:
Instagram | pawsitivepantry.org

PS: If you hear us mention Muddy Paws and Hairballs, that was before we shifted our focus to what really matters: helping you thrive as a pet parent. Same host, sharper mission. 

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Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear pet parenting advice plus expert guidance on dog and cat behavior, dog training, nutrition, stress-free vet visits, and routines that make life easier. We'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro