"The fatality rate for kittens is appalling, and the goal is to reduce their suffering while ensuring healthier, happier lives for the cats that remain." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. Join us this week for an enlightening conversation as Stacy LeBaron sits down with Gary Evans, the visionary President of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D). Together, they explore groundbreaking advancements in non-surgical sterilization and their potential to transform how we manage cat and dog populations. Gary unpacks the science, challenges, and promising developments behind single-injection contraceptives and the innovative marking solutions being developed at Georgia Tech, like microneedle tattoos. Gather valuable insights into how these solutions could drastically increase sterilization rates, reduce veterinary resource demands, and pave the way for a future with fewer homeless animals. Gary also digs into the critical role of targeted Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs and the economic strategies that amplify their impact. With a realistic but hopeful view, he outlines the timeline for non-surgical sterilants to become widely accessible and the steps needed to bridge the gap between research and real-world application. Whether you are an animal advocate, veterinary professional, or a community cat caretaker, we know this episode will leave you with hope in the real progress we are making to create a world where every cat and dog can live a healthier, safer life. Press play now for: Gary's transition from tech to non-profit and his passion for community cats. The promise and challenges of non-surgical sterilization methods. Why targeted TNR programs are the key to impactful population control. Innovative solutions like magistral acetate and microneedle tattooing for marking sterilized animals. Insights into how non-surgical methods can alleviate veterinary staffing shortages. The economic and ethical case for scaling humane population control methods. Gary's advice for engaging veterinarians and using available resources to make a difference. Resources mentioned: Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D): http://www.acc-d.org/ Follow ACC&D on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064891893927 Follow ACC&D on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-for-contraception-in-cats-and-dogs/ Follow & Review We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-community-cats-podcast/id1125752101?mt=2). Select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.