The Jackson Galaxy Project’s Cat Pawsitive Pro helps socialize shy shelter cats with the goal of finding them a forever home
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
At one time or another, we all have to adapt to a new environment. Whether it’s moving into a college dorm or navigating the office building of a new job, we’re forced to acclimate to these drastic changes. The process is nerve-wracking and stressful, but our success ultimately depends on it.
The same is true for animals. When a pet is placed in a shelter for the first time, the experience can be borderline traumatizing. Shelter staff can do everything right by feeding, grooming, and loving the animal, but for some, being surrounded by strange new faces and noises proves to be too much. They’ll seek solitude in the back of their habitat, and growl or hiss at passersby. For these apprehensive animals, being adopted into a forever home can take much longer than usual.
To help increase adoption rates of its felines, the Women’s Humane Society in Bensalem applied for The Jackson Galaxy Project’s Cat Pawsitive Pro, a life-saving initiative that introduces positive-reinforcement training to shelter cats. Earlier this year, it was announced Women’s Humane was one of six shelters selected nationwide to participate in the autumn 2018 semester of the program.
Cat Pawsitive Pro was developed in 2014 by Jackson Galaxy, star of the Animal Planet show My Cat from Hell, who is working to spread the message that cats are, in fact, trainable.
“The genesis of Cat Pawsitive Pro stemmed from the simple desire to duplicate the ‘AHA!’ moment I had in the early stages of my life with cats as a shelter worker,” Galaxy said. “By utilizing the training concepts that were, to that point, only used for the dogs in our care, not only were the cats stimulated, motivated and energized, but so was I. That, along with the most important result, lives being saved, was the win-win I envisioned passing on to as many cats and shelters as I possibly could.”
Since Aug. 23, Women’s Humane staff and volunteers have been participating in weekly online seminars with Lisa Stemcosky, a feline behavior expert hand-picked by The Jackson Galaxy Project, who will lead the program through Oct. 26. During these seminars, staff members learn how to improve cat adoptability and feline social skills, particularly for shy or fearful cats and long-term residents; enrich day-to-day life for cats in shelters with physical and mental activity; and promote the human-cat bond.
“A cat needs mental stimulation, something to do and to learn, just like people,” said Laura Horton, volunteer coordinator and team leader for Cat Pawsitive Pro at Women’s Humane. “If we get stagnant, we develop all kinds of issues. So do cats. Giving our shelter cats the chance to learn is good for their mental health and ultimately their ability to find a family.”
The training methods of Cat Pawsitive Pro are rewards-based, which help the cats gain confidence, experience reduced stress levels and build connections with staff, volunteers and potential adopters. The program can help a shy cat learn to feel comfortable coming up to the front of the cage to meet an adopter, a feisty cat learn to play nice, and an outgoing feline learn to give an endearing “high five.”
According to Jack Griffith, director of shelter services, 12 cats were selected to participate in Cat Pawsitive Pro, all with varying degrees of sociability.
“It’s a mixture of cats that need the extra work and a mixture of cats that we think have the energy to do some of the more advanced stuff,” he said.
Griffith explained how he and his staff have learned three key training methods. “Capturing” is when the trainer waits for the animal to perform a desired action, such as sitting, and rewards them with food when they do so. “Targeting” requires the animal to move toward something before receiving a treat, and “classical conditioning” instills the idea of “this means that.” For example, if a cat sees a volunteer, they’ll learn to associate that person with good things such as food.
Staff members and volunteers work with each cat for 20 minutes every day either in their habitat or a designated Cat Pawsitive Pro room, which has more space. So far, things are running smoothly. Griffith reflected on one cat who, just a few weeks ago, would hide at the back of his box and growl at anyone who went up to him. Now, he willingly comes to the front of his box and is more inviting to visitors.
“The whole goal of the program, it’s really to help socialize and help shy cats,” said Catherine Malkemes, executive director of Women’s Humane Society. “Some cats react just fine (to being in a shelter), but some cats tend to draw back, maybe settle down in the back of their cage. They won’t look for interaction as people are walking through the cat room, which makes it more challenging to adopt those cats out.”
Though training provided by The Jackson Galaxy Project will end next month, Malkemes described the opportunity as a “great launching pad.” By participating in the program, Women’s Humane now has the tools and resources to continue working with not only its cats, but all animals.
“The Women’s Humane Society is both honored and privileged to be selected as one of a handful of shelters nationwide to work with the amazing team at The Jackson Galaxy Project as part of Cat Pawsitive Pro,” she said. “This pioneering program will give us invaluable tools to improve the lives of our shelter cats now, and for years to come. The potential of its life saving impact cannot be underestimated.” ••
To learn more about The Jackson Galaxy Project and Cat Pawsitive Pro, visit catpawsitive.org. For more on Women’s Humane Society, located at 3839 Richlieu Road, Bensalem, visit womenshumanesociety.org or call 215–750–3100.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
