Joan Levergood, Feline Behavior Consultant
Chicago, IL - The majority of the more than 70 million cats and kittens that end up in shelters across the United States, are owner surrenders due to behaviorial problems. In Fundamentals of Feline Behavior taught by feline behavior consultant Joan Levergood, cat owners will learn the common causes of feline behavioral problems and methods to change the cat’s behavior.
“So many cats and kittens end up in local shelters or with rescue groups because of the top two behavior problems for feline caretakers which are litter box issues and cat-on-cat aggression,”
Levergood’s Feline Behavior Study Program hosted by the Animal Spirit Healing and Education Network, includes Fundamentals of Feline Behavior and Feline Behavior Solutions. Both courses are available as on-demand distance learning courses.
Another problem facing shelters is overcrowding As spring and summer has an increase in litters brought to the shelters as owner surrenders. “The sheer number of kittens entering shelters leaves no room for the adult cats....and if they were an owner surrender due to a behavioral problem, those cats have a lesser chance of being adopted out,” said Levergood.
June was proclaimed Adopt A Cat Month to promote the adoption of not only the swelling number of kittens, but the adult cats who need to find forever homes from local shelters and rescue groups.
“During Adopt A Cat Month the cute, young kittens will quickly find homes...but the adult and older cats need to find forever loving homes too,” said Carol Schultz, Founder of Animal Spirit Network. “We encourage cat lovers to give the older cats a chance even if they were an owner surrender due to a litter-box, cat aggression or other behavioral problem. Understanding the problem, knowing how your cat sees its world and understanding how to help the cat, your new family member can bring you many years of love and enjoyment ”
Fundamentals of Feline Behavior introduces the basic concepts of animal and feline behavior. Material will include factors that influence behavior, what motivates behavior, and basic management strategies for feline behavior problems. Participants will learn how to look at feline behavior from a cat's point of view, an essential starting place for understanding feline behavior.
Feline Behavior Solutions focuses on the basic concepts of animal and feline behaviorial problems and methods to change the cat’s behavior. The concepts learned in the Fundamentals of Feline Behavior class will be applied to different problems, and students will learn how instinctive feline safety and dominance issues can influence behavior. This class will include an in depth discussion of the most common causes of litter box issues as well as cat on cat aggression, the top two behavior problems for feline caretakers. In addition,specific feline behavior topics such as play aggression, scratching furniture, chewing and more will be addressed in the class. Students will also learn how to work with shy and feral cats.
Visit your local animal shelter or rescue group during June to meet cats and kittens needing loving homes as part of Adopt a Cat Month which is celebrated June 1-30.
To learn more Animal Spirit Network’s Feline Behavior Study Program, visit http://animalspiritnetwork.com/
About Joan Levergood
Joan Levergood has been a practicing feline behavior consultant for over eight years, and has helped hundreds of people from across the country with common and uncommon cat behavior issues. She is an experienced feline veterinary assistant, animal communicator, Bach Flower Essence practitioner, and is behavioral consultant for the Tree House Animal Foundation, a local Chicago no-kill cat shelter.
Photo:
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