spca of texas animal handling 5

Safe Animal Handling

SPCA of TexasAnimal Behavior Programs

2015Part 5

What you will learn in this section

• Working with Cats• Practice Observing

Cats• Picking up Cats• Crating & Moving Cats• Escaped Cats• Cat Attacks• Animal Handler

Opportunities

Working with Cats

Cats are very sensitive to their environments and are aware of sounds, movements, smells, textures and more. Sometimes a small change in the room can cause a big change in the cat’s behavior. • Do SODA before opening the kennel• Speak softly and comfortingly• Think through what you are going to do with the

cat • Make sure you have everything you need before

interacting

Think Like A Behaviorist

In the following slides you will be observing photos of shelter cats. Take 10-15 seconds to describe what the cat is doing. Remember to use objective, rather than subjective, observations.

Is This Cat Safe to Handle?


Ears forward


Soft eyes


Looking up at person


Moving towards person


Tail High up in the

air

Is This Cat Safe to Handle?Yes!

Is This Cat Safe to Handle?Yes!This cat’s face is open and interested, and he is gently moving toward the person.


Ears forward


Rubbing face on objects


Body off balance


Eyes Squinty


Body relaxed, soft


Rubbing face on objects

Is This Cat Safe to Handle?Probably

This cat is providing us with some physical information that isn’t related

to her behavior.

Ear Notch

Ear Notch The tip of a cat’s ear is clipped off when they are spayed or neutered in

a Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) program for feral cats so that it’s obvious they’ve been altered.

Ear Notch

Sometimes pet cats are accidentally captured and spayed or neutered in a TNR program. This may explain this

cat’s friendly behavior.

Ear Notch

Is This Cat Safe To Handle?


Ears forward


Eye shape slightly

flattened on top


Front paws collected

under body but not in a position to

move.


Lips short or pursed


Whiskers flared

Is This Cat Safe To Handle?Maybe


The look on this cat’s face indicates that he might be a little cautious. Through a slow introduction we can continue to observe him for friendly, aggressive or

fearful behavior.

Maybe


Lying in litterbox


Ears facing

different directions


Pupils dilated


Tail curled around tightly

Is This Cat Safe To Handle?Use Caution.

Is This Cat Safe To Handle?Use Caution.

This cat is lying in her litterbox because she is looking for a place to hide.

Because she needs a place to go to the bathroom as well as a place to hide, we

should provide her with an alternate location to hide such as a cardboard box or a cat hidey bed. By providing her an

appropriate place to hide she may become more comfortable and friendly.


Hair Piloerect

(standing on end)


Ears pointing different directions


Tail wrapped around tightly


Pupils appear dilated


Looking away (averting

eyes)


Tail wrapped around tightly

This kitten shows signs of either fear or illness. A sick cat or one that is recovering from surgery will often crouch with its neck extended and other physical signs seen here. Check its kennel card or talk to the ACC supervisor

before handling an animal if illness is a possibility.


Ears back


Pupils Dilated


Tongue out or Tongue

flicking


Front feet in balance for fight or flight.

Is This Cat Safe to Handle?No.


Similar to dogs, cats may also display stress signals such as shaking/shivering, tongue flicking, yawning or stretching. Based on our observations of this cat, it appears he is ready for Fight or Flight.

Be very cautious if you must handle this cat.

No.

Introduce YourselfOffer the back of your hand a few feet away and watch the cat for any forward movement, poking their nose forward to sniff you or walking over to you.

If you do not observe any forward movement proceed with caution.

Touching Cats

Introduce yourself first by offering the back of your hand. Next, sweep the back of your fingers along the cat’s cheek. If the cat behaves aggressively or fearfully, slowly back away.

Cat’s have scent glands in their cheeks so by rubbing our fingers on their cheeks it releases their scent onto us. Also, when a cat rubs his

face on you or an object it releases pheromones which make him feel happy and secure.

Petting Cats

When petting a cat it is safest to pet on the cheeks and under the chin. As the cat gets more comfortable they may rub their head on you and accept petting on the top of the head and along their back.

Protect Them, Protect Us

Towels can be useful when working with cats. They can be wrapped in a towel to be safely picked up and restrained, that way if he chooses to swat or scratch he is contained in the towel rather than scratching your skin.

Fingerless gloves should always be used when performing invasive procedures or medically evaluating a cat. They are also useful when handling cats that are resistant or overstimulated.

Picking Up Cats- SODA- Introduce yourself first- Then, turn the cat’s body so that

his face is 180 degrees away from you

- Place one hand under his chest and control his front legs with your fingers

- Scoop up his back end and tail with the other hand

- Be careful to avoid his rear claws while supporting him. You can also wear protective gloves and/or wrap him in a towel.

- Move him where he needs to go in as smooth a motion as possible.

Picking Up Resistant Cats

- SODA- Put on fingerless protective gloves- Cover the cat with a towel and pick him up as

previously described

If the cat is extremely resistant he may need to be scuffed to be picked up. You must complete the Restraint training at the SPCA of Texas for more information before using this technique.

Moving & Crating Cats

If you are moving a cat through a doorway, across a large room, through an area where there is noise or activity or where there may be dogs the cat must be put into a crate.

Moving & Crating CatsTo put a cat in a crate:

If available, use a top-loading crate. These crates are easiest when getting a cat into a crate.

Offer the cat a chance to go into the crate on his own.

If he does not enter on his own and you are using a crate that opens from the front, set the crate on a raised surface with the edge hanging over the edge of the surface approximately 2” . Then, lift the cat as previously described and put him into the crate.

Top-Loading Crate

Moving & Crating Cats

If the cat does not go into the crate work with a partner. Your partner will hold the crate upright with the door open and the opening facing the ceiling. Lift the cat and lower him, bottom first, into the crate and your partner will close the crate.

Lower the cat in bottom first

Your partner will close the door.

Escaped Cats

• Make sure all doors to the area are closed before you do anything else.

• Follow or watch the cat but do not chase it.

• If the cat is friendly, simply lift using the technique describe previously and return it to it’s cage

• If the cat resists capture• Close the are to the public until he is secured• Notify your supervisor immediately

Escaped CatsIf he can remain loose until he calms down:• Put a notice on the door that there is a loose cat inside. Often they are easier to

capture after resting for a while. If he cannot remain loose until he calms down:• Put on protective gloves. • Work with a partner to heard the cat into a small area using towels and capture with a

net or protective gloves with fingers (not fingerless type).

Once the cat is secure, lift it into the appropriate cage. Release the cat and close the door.

Do not chase or grab at a loose cat or it will become increasingly fractious. Do not ever use a catch pole or cat tongs with a cat in the shelter R&I may use a net, gloves or cat tongs (but never a catch pole) as needed in urgent

rescue situations

Overstimulated Cats

Cats that become overstimulated are likely to bite or scratch. Overstimulated cats often display the following behaviors:- Vocalizing, or meowing, frequently- Vigorously rubbing face and body on objects or people.- Hair standing on end, most often on tail but sometimes all over

bodyUse caution when handling a cat that appears overstimulated. Put on fingerless gloves for protection. Also, avoid overstimulation through petting and redirect the cat’s energy onto a cat wand toy.

Cat Attacks• If you are holding a cat and it becomes fractious, let it go

immediately and follow the guidelines for an escaped cat. – If you need first aid, call for help and allow other staff members to

capture the cat. • If the cat lunges at or chases you, remain calm, and protect your

body as well as possible while moving toward the nearest exit. – Cat attacks of this type are rare.– The cat will usually charge, attack and then run away.

• If the cat manages to grab you with his teeth or claws and hangs on:– Do not jerk away– Push the cat forward and then pull up to dislodge his claws– If the cat manages to hold on, cover his head with a towel and the lift

him forward and then up.

You’re almost ready for the hands-on training!

You have completed the online portion of the Safe Animal Handling class.

Next Steps:1. Complete the Animal Handling Quiz 2. Complete Hands-On Training with the

Behavior Department

• Dog Walker• Cat Volunteer

The following opportunities may require additional training.

• iFoster Foster shelter animals that are not yet ready for adoption for up to 2 weeks, all supplies provided to you.

• PetSmart Cat Volunteer Clean and feed cats at our PetSmart locations.

• Adoption Counselor Assist adopters with meeting our available pets and completing adoption paperwork.

• Clinic Patient Services Assist the clinic staff with both surgery and wellness services.

• Surgery Tech Assistant Assist with spay/neuter services and animals recovering from surgery.

• PET/CLASS Basic Obedience training for shelter dogs

• Play Groups Introduce shelter dogs and allow them to play together

• Admitting Tech Assistant Evaluate incoming animals and administer vaccinations

• Livestock Assistant Provide exercise, cleaning, training and enrichment for livestock animals.

Here are some animal handling opportunities that will be available to you after you complete the hands-on training:

You’ve finished the slide show!Now, take the Quiz!

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=mtyzotg2oqwnl0



spca of texas animal handling 5

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