Hi Stephanie,
It would be wonderful if you could do behavior consults with potential adopters!
There are several studies looking at clicker training in cats resulting in a decrease in LOS and an increase in adoptability. We clicker trained our cats to take medications on a mat and targeting. Environmental enrichment is also key.
I do not have any ready made SOP's but others on here may. The first step that I recommend is getting as much information from the person surrendering that cat as you can not only about problem behaviors but normal behaviors as well. What are the cats likes and dislikes? Are there special toys they enjoy? Are they lap cats? Do they like to be pet? Questions along those lines. You can then use that information for enrichment and behavior modification.
Also- make sure you are getting the veterinary records (if possible) these sometimes hold a wealth of information on how long certain behaviors have been going on and what has been done to diagnose and treat. For instance, many cat urinary behaviors (not marking) have a medical origin or component to them along with the environmental influence on behavior.
When screening for adopters, we would have them fill out a pre-adoption survey. This would help us pair up potential adopters with the cats we had in the shelter. This can be helpful as well to make sure expectations are met and everyone is on the same page. These are very helpful for adoption counselors to be better match makers.
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Christine D. Calder DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Calder Veterinary Behavior Services
www.caldervbs.comVeterinary Behaviorist
Behavior Specialist, MPF
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-09-2021 05:06 PM
From: Stephanie Cohen
Subject: Behavior Cats
Hi,
I have experience in dog behavior departments of a shelter, so I was thinking if and how to do behavior consults with potential adopters for cats who have significant behavioral concerns. My goal with SOPs is behavioral modification and management to help these cats get adopted, including talking points for adoption counselors that don't focus on the negative and turn away potential adopters.
Thank you!!!
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Stephanie Cohen
Humane Society of Pinellas
Original Message:
Sent: 09-08-2021 11:41 PM
From: Christine Calder
Subject: Behavior Cats
Hi Stephanie,
Who are you wishing to consult with? What are your specific goals with SOP's? If your looking at marketing behavior consults then I would start with those calling to surrender cats. Have a conversations with them. We had all behavior surrenders fill out a pre-surrender form before they could schedule an appointment to surrender. This allowed us to offer help and reduce surrenders. Many didn't even know help was out there.
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Christine D. Calder DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Calder Veterinary Behavior Services
www.caldervbs.com
Veterinary Behaviorist
Behavior Specialist, MPF
Original Message:
Sent: 09-08-2021 04:37 PM
From: Stephanie Cohen
Subject: Behavior Cats
Hi,
I am the new Behavior and Training Coordinator at Humane Society of Pinellas! Does anyone have resources, SOPs, behavioral consults, etc for behavior cats? Or ideas for helping to market them?
Thank you!
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
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Stephanie Cohen
Humane Society of Pinellas
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