A Small Organization Making a Big Impact with Linda Chitwood, Volunteer Director, Homeless Animals Relief Project

“The good thing about spay/neuter is one cat fixed: thousands saved. So you get one done, you can feel really good that night about what you’ve done. You don’t have to have these big huge numbers to make a difference in your community, in your neighborhood.” This episode is sponsored in part by Humane Network, Doobert, and Maddie’s Fund. Linda Chitwood is the volunteer director for the nonprofit charity Homeless Animals Relief Project (“HARP”), located in Senatobia, Mississippi. HARP’s mission is to reduce cat suffering and overpopulation by providing free or very low-cost spay/neuter surgery to those with low income or caring for community cats. Since its inception in 1997, HARP has fixed over 20,000 cats. After moving from Memphis to rural Mississippi, Linda encountered a community without any animal welfare programs and she was compelled to take action. In her conversation with Stacy, Linda shares some of her experiences from her 25 years in animal welfare work and in operating a small nonprofit. Linda also discusses the book that she published, $5 For A Cat Head, which provides guidance on how to get started with TNR and what you can do as an individual in the community. This book also provides helpful advice in dealing with community members while trapping in different environments and other practical hands-on tips. In this discussion, Linda reminds us all to “never lose sight of the beauty and the wonder and the joy of the animals we’re trying to help.” To learn more about HARP, visit their website. Linda’s book can be found on BookBabyand the Kindle version can be found on Amazon. All of the proceeds from the sale of the book go to the animals served by HARP and will be used to fund spay/neuter surgeries. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interview with Chris Roy, pilot, and creator of Doobert.com in episode 131.