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 parenting is tough, but The Pet Parent Hotline helps solve real pet parenting struggles with practical pet advice. Each week, we provide pet care advice and pet saving hacks for overwhelmed pet parents trying to save money at the pet store and on vet bills, make puppy training easy, fix cat behavior problems like litter box issues and scratching, and keep multi-pet households in balance. We share pet advice on pet budgeting, cat care, dog training tips, dog behavior, stress-free vet visits, and home cleaning with pets. Follow for the pet parent support you need to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying life with pets.

Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro