By Dawn White of Lola the Rescued Cat
The staff and volunteers at EASEL Animal Rescue League feel there’s “a difference between diffident and hostile.” They report that Olivia, a beautiful adult tabby, gained a reputation for being aloof because she was not fond of the daily hustle and bustle of a busy shelter. Prior to starting in Cat Pawsitive Pro (CPP), she spent most of the day in the rear of her cage, face turned from the sound, light and people. Olivia just needed someone to spend enough time with her so they could learn that she responds affectionately to calm, consistent attention.
The program has been ideal for Olivia, giving her positive reinforcement when she comes forward and interacts. The program’s structure allows for the trainers to interact with her in a consistent manner, so that Olivia knows what to expect. The result? She can now at times be seen sitting in front of her cage, ready to greet her friends.
Another cat they feel has benefited from CPP is Joan, who was abandoned outside after her owner died and was brought into the shelter by a good Samaritan. She was incredibly depressed and would not move from her litterbox or bed for weeks. In fact, staff actually had to lift her in her bed so potential adopters could see her.
Staff and volunteers knew that Joan was a friendly girl because she always readily accepted attention and petting and was never aggressive, but she would not come out of hiding to engage with people. Since the team has started capturing eye contact and reinforcing her with petting, Joan stays out of her bed on a ledge in her cage and will look as people pass by for eye contact. During training, she now leans forward to make sure her eye contact is noticed, and she purrs so much that she drools during her petting reinforcer. They report that “it is the positive change she needed.”
Winding Oreo was an extremely shy cat who also stayed in the back of his cage. “In the beginning we tried brushing him and offering him different treats, but he would just sit back there in the rear of the cage.” By week three “we noticed his body language changed [and] he was now stretched with his face facing toward the front of the cage.” He also started climbing up on his shelf and looked out the front of the cage. By week five, he made tremendous gains and found his forever home. A great success story!
And then there’s Dolly Parton, who has been at EASEL for a year and a half. Although staff was able to make progress with her during this time, she still had difficulty with her space being invaded and objects (including hands) being placed near or in her cage. They report that “she had been so unhappy” and “scarred, possibly from abuse.”
But Dolly has now made so much progress by being a part of the CPP program. As a result of targeting and capturing, “Dolly will now get up from her bed and [go] to the front of the cage when people enter the cat room.” She even gives nose touches if you stick your head in her cage which was “close to unimaginable before she started the program.”
Dr. Georgia Arvanitis, Vice President, reports the staff and volunteers “are very excited about the program,” and are eager to apply what they absorb from the learning modules. EASEL is using CPP to coach their newest employee because “it is a way for her to learn valuable tools for working with cats.” EASEL’s CPP effort is mainly volunteer-based, with the majority having full time day jobs. Arvanitis, whose role is mainly support and troubleshooting, praises the “boots on the ground,” who are all “thrilled to be participating in the program.”
UPDATE: Since this article was written, Olivia has been adopted!
YOU can improve the lives of cats at risk. Donate today to The Jackson Galaxy Project’s Cat Pawsitive Program and transform the places and people that support at-risk pets!