Grassroots & Grit: Building TNR Success in Small-Town Indiana, Featuring KerryAnn May, Founder of Animal Outreach of Shelby County

"I'm giving people the really good traps now. The ones that make their lives easier—because the cats shouldn’t be the ones who suffer when we don’t have our act together."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund and the Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants.

In this episode, Stacy sits down with KerryAnn May, founder of Animal Outreach of Shelby County, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful TNR program from the ground up. KerryAnn shares how a random encounter with a feral kitten set her on a decades-long path in cat rescue, eventually leading her to pioneer the first multi-county TNR effort in Indiana.

She opens up about growing a small rescue into a well-oiled operation—without losing that local, community-driven spirit. From fundraising with handwritten letters to implementing tech solutions like Asset Tiger to keep track of equipment, KerryAnn proves that small organizations can still think big. The two also get real about the challenges of managing supplies, fostering community buy-in, and creating sustainable partnerships with local vets.

This is a conversation packed with practical tips, relatable stories, and a refreshing sense of what’s possible when passion meets a good plan.

Press Play Now For:

• How one feral kitten changed KerryAnn May’s life
• A blueprint for scaling TNR with local vet partnerships
• Fundraising made simple: From $1K to $50K with direct mail
• How Asset Tiger revolutionized their equipment tracking
• Why grassroots doesn’t mean small thinking
• The power of community-led, local-focused cat care
• Tips for inspiring neighbors and nurturing mini TNR pods

Resources & Links:

• ShelbyCats.com (http://ShelbyCats.com)
• Community Cats Grants (https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/community-cats-grants/)
• Mission Meow (https://missionmeow.org)
• Asset Tiger (https://www.assettiger.com)
• Community Cats Podcast Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/communitycatspodcast)
• Episode with Sally Williams of Mission Meow (https://youtu.be/rq2Sp2ZvNmM)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies622)
• Rescue Cleaners and Disinfectants (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/virox)

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