hshv powerpoint design template · unclenches, ears relax, pupil reaction, eyes soften, ear...
TRANSCRIPT
JUST SHYUNDERSTANDING AND WORKING WITH
FEARFUL AND SHY CATS
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
DEFINING SHY AND FEARFULTo do this, we must look at behaviors that are likely to
accompany these emotional states
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
Body clenched
Feigning sleep
Pupils dilated
Moving away
Tail wrapped around
body
Ears alert and erect or flat
to head
Whiskers flat against face
Body Language
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
Burrowed or buried
under blankets or
towels
Avoids eye contact
Makes themselves
small
Head turned away/
kept low
Visible tension
Avoidant in every way
Body Language
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
May have no response
to your presence
Often silent
Frozen
Hard stare
May hiss or growl
If forced may strike out
or attempt to leave the
cage
Body Language
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
WHY ARE YOU SHY?Causes of shy and fearful behavior in
cats
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Lack of socialization
from humans, mother or
littermates
• Genetics
• Physical problems
• Previous experience
with humans
• Experience with
veterinarian
• Rough handling by
humans (kids!)
• Life experience
Causes of Shy and Fearful Behavior
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Strays
• Hoarding cases
• Owner surrenders
• Colonies
• Anywhere!
Where Do They Come From?
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
THE GOOD NEWS?No matter what the cause, our approach
will be the same!
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Medical care first
• Safe housing
• Establish a routine
• Quality over quantity
• House singly as often as
possible
Order of Events
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Be calm/ still
• Talk normally
• Act normally
• Move slowly and
deliberately
• Be predictable
Human Body Language
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Give the cat space
• Allow them to choose a
comfortable distance
• Allow them to approach or
retreat
• Allow them to choose to
interact
• Allow them to investigate
• Allow them to watch from
a distance
• Allow them to choose not
to interact
Important Considerations to Remember
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Routine
• Possible helper cats
• Short interactions with
multiple handlers
• Directed/ controlled
interactions
• Exposure to adopters
• Save fosters for the ones
we can’t reach
Benefits to Staying in the Shelter
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
DESENSITIZATIONA process of presenting a weak version of a stimulus
(people) at a level that does not produce undesirable
reaction (fear) and gradually increasing the intensity as
the animal’s comfort level grows.
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
COUNTER-CONDITIONINGThe conditioning of unwanted emotional responses
(fear) to a stimulus into a wanted emotional response
by associating good things with the stimulus
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Toss treats into cage
• Read through cage door
• Talk to cat with door open
• Offer very high value items
to cat
• What is high value? The cat
decides!
• Use of toys
• Hands off until the cat tells
us otherwise
• Watch YOUR body
language
Humans Are Good…
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Watch their body
language
• Cat loosens: body
unclenches, ears relax,
pupil reaction, eyes
soften, ear movement,
whisker movement
• Curious of your hand in
cage
• Responds to your voice
• Responds to food
motivator
Responds to play therapy
When Can I Touch That Cat?
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Go slow, deliberate
movements
• Focus on head/ face/
chin/ cheeks
• Stop as soon as body
language shifts
• No full body pets- not yet
• Don’t reach into their
space
• Let them come to you if
possible
• Offer a toy
He Told Me I Could Touch Him!
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Used to engage with a
cat who may not allow
handling
• Cat chooses the toy and
the game
• Broaden relationship
• Engage natural
behaviors
Play Therapy
Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
• Progress takes time
• Set small goals
• One step at a time
• Rushing creates anxiety =
setback
• All cats are different
• If we push too hard, we
lose them…. Don’t push
hard enough, we never
really meet them… it’s a
balance!!
Final Thoughts to Remember…
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org
QUESTIONS?