Best Sanctuary Berkeley Podcasts (2026)

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Our Shared History with Cats 29:07

Play Pause

2d ago29:07

29:07

#285: Jerry D. Moore’s nonfiction book “Cat Tales: A History” is a long look back at how cats evolved alongside humans and made a pact to cohabitate with us (on their terms!)By Tracie Hotchner

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Cat Tails Tell A Tale 11:39

9d ago11:39

11:39

#284: Mikel Maria Delgado discusses the variety of positions in a cat’s tail and how it reflects their feelings and mood, which is very particular to each kitty. Tracie likens deciphering cat tails to learning to read Morse code signals.By Tracie Hotchner

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The Urban Kitty Living Large (even in a small apartment) 16:38

16d ago16:38

16:38

#283: Stephen Quandt (https://catbehaviorhelp.com/) suggests ways to make a cat-centric city apartment including a space-saving cat climbing tree that is suspended from the ceiling and a window perch.By Tracie Hotchner

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Feline Purradise: the Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary 25:35

23d ago25:35

25:35

#282: Keoni Vaughn, the Executive Director and caretaker of 767 cats (!) at the Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary on the tiny Hawaiian island of Lāna‘i, explains its history and how they look after these previously feral cats (40% of whom become so tame they are adopted out to some of the nearly 20,000 tourists a year), while protecting a rare and vulnerable lo…

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Ursula K Le Guin’s "Book of Cats" 17:38

1M ago17:38

17:38

#281: Jennifer Mowdy of the Literary Cat Co bookstore and cat cafe (where you can buy the book) joins Tracie to discuss this beautiful, quirky posthumous book of collected works (prose, poetry, drawings) relating to cats, from the late renowned science fiction author, Ursula K Le Guin.By Tracie Hotchner

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Your Cat’s Kidneys Need Help! 29:51

1M ago29:51

29:51

#280: Dr. Michelle Dulake discusses the ingredients in her Fera Pets Kidney Support for cats: how it binds the phosphate in their diet, which is the culprit in most chronic kidney diseases. Tracie recommends that the sooner you start the supplement (and switch to an all wet food diet!), the better chance you have to stave off the inevitable kidney …

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Take the Lid Off That Litter Box! 10:22

1M ago10:22

10:22

#278: Mikel Maria Delgado talks about how very much cats dislike covered litter boxes — which might be aesthetically pleasing to humans, but can be scary for cats who feel trapped because there’s only one way in and out and no way to guard against intruders.By Tracie Hotchner

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The Black Cat Detective Agency Series 22:13

2M ago22:13

22:13

#279: David Stirling wrote “The Cat That Followed Phantoms” and “The Cat That Chased Cadillacs” which Tracie compares to Richard Adams’ “Watership Down,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little" and “Alice in Wonderland,” introducing us to an utterly believable alternate feline universe in which cats have fully realized inner and outer lives in which the…

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The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen 10:36

2M ago10:36

10:36

#277: Jennifer Mowdy — owner of the Literary Cat Company book store and cat rescue — discusses this magical, allegorical Japanese best-selling novel by Yuta Takahashi, about a restaurant that appears only to those who need closure with a departed loved one and need to have one last meal with them.By Tracie Hotchner

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They Have a Cat in This Fight 33:21

2M ago33:21

33:21

#276: Dr. Bruce Elsey talks about the $17 million he and his wife Kathy [a Multiple myeloma survivor herself] have raised over the years for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation through their Dr. Elsey’s Fund to Cure Cancer — through litter coupon donations and an annual million dollar matching grant — because all cancer research helps find tre…

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Have Cat, Will Travel 17:09

2M ago17:09

17:09

#275: Stephen Quandt (Certified feline behavior specialist in private practice (https://catbehaviorhelp.com/) working virtually with clients works in feline behavior and for the Animal Care Centers of New York City) gives recommendations on traveling with a cat, whether in a car or plane — for holiday travel, relocation or emergencies.…

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Loki, Ukrainian Cat 15:33

3M ago15:33

15:33

#274: Filmmaker Tania Bashkatova discusses her film “Loki, Ukrainian Cat,” (which will be in the 8th Annual NY Cat Film Festival premiering in NYC October 26th) chronicling the journey her cat Loki had to make with her to escape the Russian attacks on Ukraine.By Tracie Hotchner

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Cat Sushi 11:08

3M ago11:08

11:08

#273: Mikel Maria Delgado's kitties love the Cat Sushi bonito flakes but are uninterested in other crunchy treats - proving how important it is to have friends with cats who can happily receive your food and toy “rejects!”By Tracie Hotchner

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Paws & Purpose 29:02

3M ago29:02

29:02

#272: Film director Kim Best discusses having two films (yet again!) in the upcoming NY Cat Film Festival — “Paws and Purpose,” a documentary about a cat rescuer in North Carolina and “When Left is Right,” about a “southpaw” kitty.By Tracie Hotchner

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Cats About Town 13:02

3M ago13:02

13:02

#271: Author of "The Cat Men of Gotham," Peggy Gavan leads cat-centric, architectural and historical walking tours of three different Manhattan neighborhoods at Cats About Town Tours.By Tracie Hotchner

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Daily Tabby 18:16

4M ago18:16

18:16

#270: Anaya Kay Dalton made her first film as a student about her kitty who went to college with her — and served as an ESA for her and all her roommates as they dealt with anxiety, depression and the general stress of being a student.By Tracie Hotchner

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Mikel Maria Delgado is an International Star! 12:50

4M ago12:50

12:50

#269: It’s our good luck to have the wisdom and feline support of our very own Mikel, since she is in high demand as a speaker at many conferences — including the very recent World Feline Conference in Scotland, which she describes as having a quite different perspective from gatherings in America.By Tracie Hotchner

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Finally, Supplements Just for Cats 21:23

4M ago21:23

21:23

#268: Dr. Michelle Dulake — the practicing veterinarian who co-founded Fera Pets supplements and devises all the formulations — talks about how she created feline supplements to address the special and specific health needs of cats, from immune system support to kidney disease.By Tracie Hotchner

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The Full Moon Coffee Shop 11:51

4M ago11:51

11:51

#267: Jennifer Mowdy — the proprietor of the Literary Cat Company in Kansas — discusses the Japanese best-selling novel “The Full Moon Coffee Shop” by Mai Mochizuki, an allegorical novel about a mysterious coffee shop run by cats that only appears to those in need of its magical powers.By Tracie Hotchner

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Cats About Town — A NYC Walking Tour! 13:01

5M ago13:01

13:01

#266: Peggy Gavan (author of "The Cat Men of Gotham") conducts walking tours of three NYC neighborhoods (Brooklyn Heights, the Financial District and the Lower East Side), discussing architecture, history and tales of cats in that area, all arranged at Cats About Town Tours.By Tracie Hotchner

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Creamy is for Playtime 15:26

5M ago15:26

15:26

#265: Stephen Quandt at https://catbehaviorhelp.com/ really likes lickable treats for cats — and Catit's new Creamy really rings their bell! The cats for adoption at the NYC Animal Care & Control [where Stephen works with them to help make them more adoptable] have shown more response to Creamy than any other treat Stephen has tried with them!…

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The Classiest Cat Fountain 14:53

5M ago14:53

14:53

#264: Mikel Maria Delgado talks about how much her cats love the clear glass Brooks fountain, and how helpful fountains are to entice cats to drink (and sometimes play in!) the circulating water hydration. Tracie thinks Goat Milk by Brutus Broth is another great way to introduce liquids [but clearly not appropriate to put in a fountain!]…

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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 13:15

5M ago13:15

13:15

#261:Dr Mikel Maria Delgado explains that heat stroke is less common in cats because their “thermo neutral zone” is much higher than ours (or that of dogs), but there are notable ways to protect them from extreme environmental heat.By Tracie Hotchner

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“We’ll Prescribe You a Cat” 13:16

5M ago13:16

13:16

#262: Tracie and Jennifer Mowdy [from the Literary Cat Bookstore and Cat Lounge] discuss the international bestseller "We'll Prescribe You a Cat" by Syou Ishida, translated from the Japanese, which strikes them as a metaphorical fable about how cats can teach us important lessons.By Tracie Hotchner

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Does your cat love you but ignore your significant other? 13:07

6M ago13:07

13:07

#260: Stephen Quandt talks about ways to reset your partner’s relationship with your cat by taking advantage of the "kitten-mother" relationship between cats and people. Have the person take over feeding. Schedule interactions between them using a special treat, like Creamy from Catit.By Tracie Hotchner

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Dr. Elsey Speaks for Cats 30:28

6M ago30:28

30:28

#261: The feline veterinarian whose name is on the bag of America's favorite litter talks about removing all scents from his litters because of the harm they do cats — and Tracie explains why Dr. Elsey's CleanProtein is the only dry cat food she can recommend.By Tracie Hotchner

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Street Cats and Where to Find Them Around the World 28:55

6M ago28:55

28:55

#259: Travel writer and cat lover Jeff Bogle talks about his book “Street Cats & Where to Find Them: the Most Feline-Friendly Cities and Attractions Around the World,” which could serve as a road map for anyone wanting to give a feline theme to their travel planning.By Tracie Hotchner

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A Bookstore for Lovers of Literature and Cats 29:13

6M ago29:13

29:13

#258: Jennifer Mowdy created The Literary Cat Co., a bookstore and “cat lounge" in Pittsburg, Kansas, to bring books and reading to people in a lower socio-economic environment, who otherwise might not have access to books — while surrounding them with adoptable cats from her local shelter.By Tracie Hotchner

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How to “Cure” the Nighttime Crazies 15:18

7M ago15:18

15:18

#257: Stephen Quandt (CatBehaviorHelp.com) describes how you can get your “nighttime terror” (or early morning riser) to go from crazy to calm — and let you sleep through the night.By Tracie Hotchner

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"Creamy" is Dreamy — The Versatile Cat Treat 19:05

7M ago19:05

19:05

#256: Sandra Grossman (https://www.thefelineconsultant.com/), who specializes in companion animal nutrition, explains the importance of feeding treats to your kitty that are good for her and also delicious, so that they are a huge incentive and a "big pay day" for trick training (meaning teaching your cat to do something you ask her to!)…

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A TNR Colony in Your Own Backyard? 15:01

7M ago15:01

15:01

#255: Mikel Maria Delgado says that cat ownership can be caring for a small colony in your own backyard, but she cautions that not all “loose cats” are unowned, so you need to try to find the owner by using social media or just asking around/posting notices in the community.By Tracie Hotchner

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Goat’s Milk from Happy Austrian Goats! 24:09

7M ago24:09

24:09

#254: Sue Delegan from Brutus Broth talks about how they developed their Goat Milk product as the perfect hydrating treat for cats, in a unique shelf-stable tetra pack, by importing the triple-safety-tested milk from goats in Germany and Austria.By Tracie Hotchner

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Pop Manga Cat Coloring Book for Adults 16:03

8M ago16:03

16:03

#253: Pop Surrealist artist Camilla d’Errico's (https://www.camilladerrico.com/) "Pop Manga CATITUDE Coloring Book (as she says, she's "the Stephen King of coloring books"!) gives adults who like to color inside the lines a chance to express their inner catitude using her big-eyed cat drawings as their guide.…

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What Can Old Cats Tell Us About Old People? 28:53

8M ago28:53

28:53

#252: They have been studying geriatric cats at Penn Vet at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Carlo Siracusa — Chief of the Animal Behavior Service — talks about how their study might give us clues to healthier aging for humans.By Tracie Hotchner

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Yes! Let Your Vet Take Out Your Old Kitty’s Teeth! 20:44

8M ago20:44

20:44

#251: Tracie tells about an old friend who wrote to her because the woman’s veterinarian had recommended removing some teeth from her 17 year old kitty, Thelma. She wanted Tracie’s advice: was it worth the investment for an old cat? Tracie’s own vet, Dr. Suzy Pence, explains why oral disease in cats is such a big deal to their health and welfare si…

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Cat Sushi — Pure Yumminess! 21:41

8M ago21:41

21:41

#249: Spyq Sklar, a co-founder of Earthly, describes how Cat Sushi came to be — from his visits to tuna processors in Japan and securing bonito flakes as cat treats.By Tracie Hotchner

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Choose a Friendly Father to Get a Friendly Kitten 17:55

8M ago17:55

17:55

#250: Mikel Maria Delgado talks about purebred cats and how limiting the gene pool for physical characteristics can lead to inborn physical problems. Selecting for appearance not for temperament can backfire.By Tracie Hotchner

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Would You Re-Design Your House for Your Cat? 18:50

9M ago18:50

18:50

#247: Meet Yosh, who traveled the world with his Bombay cat Simon, then decided to build his house for Simon’s pleasure.By Tracie Hotchner

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Rachel the Cat Savior 23:01

9M ago23:01

23:01

#246: Cat behaviorist Rachel Geller, with her own nonprofit All Cats All the Time, has helped more than 1,000 cats and their people to have a better relationship and stay together — and she’s done it without changing her own style of patient insight and support.By Tracie Hotchner

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Living Well With Your Blind Pussycat 14:58

9M ago14:58

14:58

#245: Behavior tips from cat behaviorist Stephen Quandt about living with a blind cat, whether blind from birth or she becomes so later. He recommends starting with a compressed space, giving them a chance to explore their litter box, food and “cat cave” safe space before you slowly expand their physical world.…

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Your Cat Doesn’t Play? That’s on YOU! 16:34

9M ago16:34

16:34

#244: Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado published a research project with other feline experts in England to ascertain what keeps people from playing with their cats? Turns out, changing human behavior is harder than changing that of kitty cats!By Tracie Hotchner

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Jenny the Brilliant Blind Kitten 13:58

10M ago13:58

13:58

#243: Cat behaviorist Stephen Quandt [CatBehaviorHelp.com] describes how he adopted blind Jenny as a kitten and realized she had “sight without vision” — she spent 8 hours nonstop roaming his entire apartment when he first brought her home, only resting once she had made a mental map of new territory.…

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What Every Whisker Twitch Can Tell You 15:33

10M ago15:33

15:33

#235: Understand how a cat’s whiskers function, then Mikel Delgado tells you how to watch them to discover your cat’s feelings.By Tracie Hotchner

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The Cat Psychiatrist Will See You Now 28:23

10M ago28:23

28:23

#228: Veterinary behaviorists are called "psychiatrists" in France, where Dr Claude Beata is one of a very small number of these doctors who are helping treat emotional issues in pets, including the use of psycho-pharmaceuticals.By Tracie Hotchner

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Is Your Kitty a Retriever? 28:11

10M ago28:11

28:11

#229: Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado discusses her scientific paper on whether cats play fetch.By Tracie Hotchner

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Nothing Crazy About the 2 Crazy Cat Ladies 19:03

11M ago19:03

19:03

#240: These two cat lovers have a loving following for a reason!By Tracie Hotchner

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How to Rate a Cat 21:45

11M ago21:45

21:45

#242: Matt McGlasson's delightful book "How to Rate a Cat: Rate Any Feline Friend From Their Boopable Nose to Their Sweet Toe Beans" features his hilarious Cat Rating System (CRS) that rates all aspects of cats. He has three special needs cats himself and says anybody who can should get one because they give us a great perspective on life: they nev…

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How To Give a New Home to Old Cats Set in Their Ways 15:48

11M ago15:48

15:48

#239: It takes patience and time, but novelist Brian Porter explains how he made it work when he inherited a pair of cats after his mother passed away.By Tracie Hotchner

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Teaching Your Cat to Love Her Carrier 16:21

11M ago16:21

16:21

#227: Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado recommends a carrier the cat can enjoy as a resting place and bed that you keep out all the time in your home — not a soft-sided carrier but a hard-sided one (Sleepypod is her favorite — if you can afford one or put it on your wish list for Santa Claus!)By Tracie Hotchner

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Translating What Your Cat is Telling You 16:44

12M ago16:44

16:44

#237: Wonder what your cat is thinking and feeling? The answers are in Lili Chin’s book “Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat.”By Tracie Hotchner