THINKING OUTSIDE THE LITTERBOX: HELPING OUR COMMUNITY SOLVE CAT BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

Amanda Kowalski, M.S., CPDT-KA

Behavior Center Director

Cats Surrendered to SheltersOver 3 million annually!!

Behavioral Reasons for Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats to 12 Shelters (Salman et al. 2000)

San Diego County Demographics3.2 million residents

4,500 square miles

230,000 active military and families

12 animal shelters

SDHS DemographicsFounded in 1880

350 employees

5,000 volunteers

Multiple campuses, each with their own strong community ties

30,000 animals in care annual

San Diego Humane Society

6 City Contracts - Current

Limited to Open Admissions

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

2006 2008 2010 2012 2016 2018

Cats at SDHS 16-17

8672 Cats and Kittens Annually

2565 Owner Surrenders and Returns

289 for Behavior Reasons

Top Behavior Reasons for Surrender or Return

Fearful/Aggression Towards Other Animals in the Home

Fearful/Aggression Towards People

Litter Box Issues

Not good with Kids

Behavior Resources and Pet RetentionPre- and Post- Adoption Consults

“On the Spot” Behavior Consults

Community Events

Behavior Helpline

Community Training Classes

Kitten Kindergarten

Resource Library

Behavior Helpline est. 1994

1365

1642

1718

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

2014-2015

2015-2016

2016-2017

# Helpline Calls

Behavior HelplineTOP Behavior Issues:• Multi-Cat Household (26%)• Aggression Towards People (19%)• Litter Box (16%)

• Managed by Community Training Coordinator• 3 Volunteers, 5 Trainers

• Calls/Emails are logged and tracked• Excel• Google Drive

Call Log

Email Template

Starting a Behavior Helpline

Identify Key Staff Member(s)

Trainer, B&T Supervisor, or Shelter Manager

Designated Phone and/or Email

Application for Tracking

Recruit Volunteers!

Pre-Drafted Emails/Phone Scripts

Trainings

Marketing

Sit, Stay, Really?

Kitten Kindergarten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=524r9JbkGr4

3 Week Curriculum Week 1 Week 2 Week 3

How Cats Learn Group Play Practice Veterinary Handling

Intro to Class-Why you are here Practice Handling Practice Harness

How to play with your kitten Practice Training: Sit, Target, Recall Practice Training: Review, add cues, following a target

Kitten/Cat Behavior Practice Harness Behavior Prevention: Counter Surfing, Door Dashing,

Discuss Socialization Behavior Prevention: Scratching, Nail Health, and Biting

Playtime with Kitty Agility Equipment

Intro to Clicker Training Graduation!

Behavior Prevention: Litter Box

Intro Handling Basics

Intro to Harness

Group Play

Starting your own Kitten KindergartenInstructor (B&T staff/high-level volunteer)

Create your Curriculum

Length (typically 3-4 weeks)

Choose a Secure Location

SuppliesEx-pens, tongue depressors, syringes, towels, sheets, high-value treats, variety of toys, clickers

Decide Cost Establish Prerequisites

Consult with your VeterinarianWhat about Auditors?

Which Kittens Can Attend?SDHS Prerequisites:

(Proof Required for all vaccines, deworming, and negative FELV test)

Kittens must be no older than 13 weeks by the first class

Kittens must have at least one set of vaccinations given 7 days prior to class start date.

Kittens must be up to date with vaccines, dewormed and tested negative for FELV

Be in good health- no diarrhea, sneezing, congestion, missing hair

We reserve the right to turn any kittens away if we notice any of the above issues (missing hair, sneezing, etc). Participants participate at their own risk.

Owners will be turned away at start of class without proof of vaccinations, deworming, and negative FELV test and will not receive a refund.

Online Resource Library

Behavior Tips Info Sheet

❖ Do Your Research❖ Which behavior concerns are the

most common in your communities?

❖Provide Takeaways❖ Provide real solutions your readers

can implement right away

❖Choose A Good Title❖ Choose a title that will attract

readers but not confuse them

❖Design For Readers❖ Bold title, short paragraphs, lists,

pictures, additional resources!

Video-Helping Your Fearful Cat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oES3AkLLefI&feature=youtu.be

The Litter Box Do’s and Don’ts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=28&v=OvZ0Vcf1FjY

Getting Started•Pick a Topic

• Which is the most common behavior question?

•Create a Script

• Keep it Short

• Be Concise

• Stay Natural

• Create a Vision

• What will your video look like?

Smartphone Video Tips❖ Use the Back Camera

❖Landscape Mode and Wide Angles

❖Focus (use two hands)

❖Avoid Unnecessary Movement

❖Avoid Zooming

❖Be Mindful of Lighting❖ Avoid using your flash

Editing Your Video❖Open and Closing Screen❖ Brand it, add contact info

❖Video Editing Application

❖Music❖ Music can elevate your video

❖ Keep it Short❖ ~2 minutes

❖Avoid Unnecessary Cuts

Break into groups by Topic…

Inappropriate Elimination

Overstimulation/petting-induced aggression

Cat-Cat Aggression

Enrichment for Cats

Cats and Kids

Cats and Dogs

Destructive Behavior

Fearful Cats

Spend the next 15 minutes drafting an outline for a script to take home to create your own

videos to help your community

Title

Intro (20-30 Seconds)

Tips (45 secs-1min 15 sec)

Conclusion (15-30 Seconds)

Let’s Share!One person from each group share content idea for video

Future IdeasVideo Consults

Webinar Series

Expand Cat Training Classes

Kitten Pre-School

Kitten Playgroups

Support Group for Owners of Animals with Behavior Problems

Questions?

We’re Hiring!

Animal Trainers

Behavior Modification Coordinator

Community Training Coordinator

And MANY more…..

https://sdhumane.org/careers/

Thank you!

akowalski@sdhumane.org