Underfoot is a new podcast about the hidden cat crisis in NYC and what we can do to solve it. In this podcast, we go beyond rescue stories to reveal the systems that created this problem in the first place, and ask the question: What would it take to build a city where no cat is left behind? <br/><br/><a href="https://flatbushcats.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">flatbushcats.substack.com</a>
Underfoot
Claim This Podcastby Flatbush Cats
5.0(77 reviews)
8 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Underfoot is a new podcast about the hidden cat crisis in NYC and what we can do to solve it. In this podcast, we go beyond rescue stories to reveal the systems that created this problem in the first place, and ask the question: What would it take to build a city where no cat is left behind? <br/><br/><a href="https://flatbushcats.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">flatbushcats.substack.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/1/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Underfoot
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Recent Episodes
January 23, 2026
Bonus Episode: Animal Welfare City Policy Lab
<p>After the end of the season, we stay with the question at the heart of Underfoot: what would it actually take to fix New York City’s animal welfare system?</p><p>In this bonus episode, host Will Zweigart sits down with Allie Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights, to break down the policy gaps behind the crisis — and the concrete steps the city could take right now to prevent pets from ending up on the street in the first place. Together, they explore a prevention-first framework focused on affordable veterinary care, community support, and stronger public infrastructure.</p><p>Featured Voices:</p><p>* Allie Feldman Taylor — President, Voters For Animal Rights</p><p>Learn More / Related Links</p><p>* Voters For Animal Rights <a target="_blank" href="https://vfar.org/">website</a></p><p>* To learn more about Flatbush Cats, visit our website: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flatbushcats.org/">flatbushcats.org</a></p><p>* Full episode transcript here.</p><p>Subscribe to Underfoot wherever you get your podcasts, and <a target="_blank" href="https://flatbushcats.fillout.com/podcast_feedback">join the conversation</a> — share your questions, reactions, or stories with us. Your voice might even make it into a future episode.</p><p>Ready to get more involved? <a target="_blank" href="https://mailchi.mp/flatbushcats/subscribe-now">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> now to join our community of 18,000+ passionate animal advocates and follow Flatbush Cats on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook @flatbushcats to learn more about our on-the-ground efforts to give cats the life they all deserve.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://flatbushcats.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">flatbushcats.substack.com</a>
December 17, 2025
Episode 6: Vision for Tomorrow
<p>To close the season, we look toward bold, realistic solutions and a future where New York’s animal care system finally works. We revisit the blocks and caretakers from earlier episodes to imagine what changes when the city commits to access, equity, and shared responsibility.</p><p>Through conversations with rescuers, policy leaders, and community members, we outline a scalable blueprint: expanding affordable vet care, investing in prevention, strengthening neighborhood care networks, and building humane infrastructure that keeps families together. It’s a hopeful vision shaped by the people closest to the problem and to the solution.</p><p>Featured Voices:</p><p>* Rosario Washburn — Colony Caretaker</p><p>* Hanna Lentz — Executive Director, SPARC</p><p>Learn More / Related Links</p><p>* Supporting People & Animal Relationships for Change (SPARC) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sparcinsight.org/">website</a></p><p>* Treehouse Humane Society’s <a target="_blank" href="https://treehouseanimals.org/">website</a></p><p>* To learn more about Flatbush Cats, visit our website: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flatbushcats.org/">flatbushcats.org</a></p><p>* Full episode transcript here.</p><p>Underfoot is hosted by Will Zweigart and Virginia Marshall. Field reporting by Sarah Gabrielli, with additional reporting by Priscilla Alabi. Episodes were recorded at Good Studio in Brooklyn, and mixed and mastered by Will Whatley. Podcast art was created by Lazy Chief and the series was Executive Produced by None Other.</p><p>Subscribe to Underfoot wherever you get your podcasts, and <a target="_blank" href="https://flatbushcats.fillout.com/podcast_feedback">join the conversation</a> — share your questions, reactions, or stories with us. Your voice might even make it into a future episode.</p><p>Ready to get more involved? <a target="_blank" href="https://mailchi.mp/flatbushcats/subscribe-now">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> now to join our community of 18,000+ passionate animal advocates and follow Flatbush Cats on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook @flatbushcats to learn more about our on-the-ground efforts to give cats the life they all deserve.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://flatbushcats.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">flatbushcats.substack.com</a>
December 10, 2025
Episode 5: Rethinking the Role of Animal Shelters
<p>New York’s cat crisis didn’t appear out of nowhere. It was built through decades of underinvestment and policy decisions that left no agency truly responsible for animal welfare. In this episode, we examine why the city has been so slow to act and how bureaucratic gaps and fragmented authority make progress nearly impossible.</p><p>We explore what a prevention-first model could look like — citywide spay/neuter programs, nonprofit veterinary clinics in every neighborhood, and a system designed to stop cat math before it starts.</p><p>Featured Voices:</p><p>List the main people (and sometimes cats!) heard in the episode:</p><p>* Justin Brannan — New York City Councilmember, 47th district</p><p>Learn More / Related Links</p><p>* Watch the full September 2024 hearing on the state of animal rescue in New York City <a target="_blank" href="https://citymeetings.nyc/meetings/new-york-city-council/2024-09-13-1000-am-committee-on-health/">here</a>, or you can jump to DOHMH questioning on spaying and neutering outdoor cats <a target="_blank" href="https://citymeetings.nyc/meetings/new-york-city-council/2024-09-13-1000-am-committee-on-health/chapter/discussion-on-spayneuter-requirements-and-dohmh-enforcement/">here</a>.</p><p>* News clips at the top of the episode came from a 2023 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhJH4cmTMa0">NBC New York segment</a>.</p><p>* To learn more about Flatbush Cats, visit our website: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flatbushcats.org/">flatbushcats.org</a></p><p>* Full episode transcript here.</p><p>Underfoot is hosted by Will Zweigart and Virginia Marshall. Field reporting by Sarah Gabrielli, with additional reporting by Priscilla Alabi. Episodes were recorded at Good Studio in Brooklyn, and mixed and mastered by Will Whatley. Podcast art was created by Lazy Chief and the series was Executive Produced by None Other.</p><p>Subscribe to Underfoot wherever you get your podcasts, and <a target="_blank" href="https://flatbushcats.fillout.com/podcast_feedback">join the conversation</a> — share your questions, reactions, or stories with us. Your voice might even make it into a future episode.</p><p>Ready to get more involved? <a target="_blank" href="https://mailchi.mp/flatbushcats/subscribe-now">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> now to join our community of 18,000+ passionate animal advocates and follow Flatbush Cats on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook @flatbushcats to learn more about our on-the-ground efforts to give cats the life they all deserve.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://flatbushcats.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">flatbushcats.substack.com</a>
8 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Underfoot?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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