Interview! Jackson Cunningham, Founder of Tuft + Paw
June 8, 2019
Scott Giacoppo, Director of National Shelter Outreach, Best Friends Animal Society
June 15, 2019
When I first started this podcast, I did a few book review shows. I really enjoyed doing them, but I just got so busy with other interviews that I haven’t done one lately. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been reading. I know so many of us don’t have time for summer reading, but while you are waiting for that last kitten to get into the trap, maybe throw a book in the car and enjoy a good read!
FUN Books
Claws — Confessions of a Professional Cat Groomer by Anita Kelsey. I found the stories in this book incredibly entertaining! Even though for the me the thought of grooming a cat isn’t enjoyable, Anita seems to make the process feel as relaxing as possible for all parties. She shares her relationships with the cats and their owners. It is a very human book.
The Power of Joy in Giving to Animals by Linda R. Harper, Ph.D. This book is truly inspirational. Linda understands why we do what we do, but she also knows why we can sometimes feel overwhelmed and have negative thoughts, etc. She shares her experience in learning how to set limits and find her niche.
General Animal Books
Leaving the Wild: The Unnatural History of Dogs, Cats, Cows and Horses by Gavin Ehringer. Gavin has been a guest on the Community Cats Podcast twice, first on Episode 155, and again on Episode 232. He did some incredible research around the topic of how we treat animals now vs. how we treated them in the past. His section on cats talks about the history of bringing cats indoors and how Trap Neuter and Return started and whether or not it is successful. He even references the Newburyport, MA TNR project. If you are interested in finding out about dogs, cats, cows, and horses and how we have domesticated them, then this book is for you.
Behavior Books
The Secret Language of Cats by Susanne Schötz. This book is fascinating. We get to learn how cats communicate with their humans. Professor Schötz researches feline vocalization at the Lund University in Sweden. Using sounds that cats give us, we can understand more of their needs, which in turn help us make living with our cats much better.
Saving the World, One Cat At A Time by Rachel S. Geller, Ed.D., as told to Nancy Shohet West. Rachel is committed to saving the world of cats through behavioral education. Rachel is a frequent guest on the CCP (check out Episode 18 and Episode 146) and is doing some amazing work with organizations. Her stories are very enjoyable and even a bit sad. She helps us understand kitties as well as how to say goodbye. I’ll be talking to Rachel again in an upcoming episode, this time about her new book and other topics, so stay tuned!
Performance Books
The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier. This is a very quick but impactful read for anyone that has very little time and works with others or manages others. Mr. Stanier shares stories about how others created an environment to work more efficiently and be able to help others make a difference coaching others. He draws upon his work at Box of Crayons to show us how that organization works less for greater impact. If you work with community cats you are a leader in some way. I think there is a takeaway or two for everyone in this book.
Atomic Habits (An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones) by James Clear. I loved this book! I have heard several interviews with Mr. Clear and really like the ideas that he shared around habits. It is my dream that TNR, accessing low cost spay/neuter, and getting help for pets will become society’s “habits.” Much of Mr. Clear’s conversation revolves around individuals and their goals and he has some handy tricks for overlapping habits. In other words, doing some habit you normally do while adding another new habit in the mix. For example, you could do household chores while the laundry is going. That becomes the only time you do that and so you don’t feel that stuff hanging over your head all the time. I just found so many tips to help save time and work more efficiently that I thought were great for both my business and personal lives.
I hope one or more of these books piques your interest. Happy reading!
