Animal shelters across America are training their rescued cats to do tricks such as high fives and fist/paw bumps, in order to improve the cats’ lives and make them more attractive for adoption.
Although learning tricks has traditionally been the domain of our canine friends, cat training is growing in popularity thanks to a program called Cat Pawsitive, launched by Jackson Galaxy, host of “My Cat From Hell” on Animal Planet.
Cats who wind up in shelters are often fearful and traumatized, and even the most adaptive felines can find such a new environment highly stressful. The scene which a shelter visitor may encounter typically includes many cats cowering in the back of their cages or hiding under blankets, because past experiences have left them terrified of human contact. The added stress of shelter life can even contribute to ill health, which makes these more nervous animals even less likely to be adopted.
The Jason Galaxy Project created Cat Pawsitive to combat this issue. The project uses positive reinforcement clicker training with animal attendants and volunteers. The program is designed to help reclusive cats trust again, teach more aggressive animals to be more gentle, and make cats’ experience in the shelter more relaxed and pleasant.
Training cats helps build positive relationships between humans and animals, provides enrichment, stimulation, exercise and results in a happier, more confident feline.
“When they arrive in a shelter, they may have lost the only family they’ve ever known, or they may have come from a difficult life as a stray on the street,” says Christie Rogero, program manager for Cat Pawsitive. “We help those cats to feel more confident, to feel safe interacting with new people, to even spend more time at the front of their cages actively soliciting attention.”
In 2016, the project chose nine shelters nationwide as test facilities, and from there it has grown to include around 30 shelters, with a further 50 expected to join this year. The program includes webinars on training with behavioural experts, consultations with mentors, training tools and videos.
Cats, which are highly intelligent animals, can be motivated to learn once a trainer ascertains the right timing and tools to overcome feline fussiness.
So far, Cat Pawsitive has been a huge success, with 400 of the participating cats finding forever homes during the first two semesters of the program, and a new generation of happy, high-fiving, fist-bumping kitties!
I’ve always found cats to be highly trainable. By “trainable” I mean willing to interact in ways that are normally reserved for dogs and kids. Cats are not only trainable; they’re eager to please and will do just about anything for treats and affection. I have always trained my cats to come when called (with reward conditioning) and to do simple things like sit, jump up onto surfaces, jump down, walk through things, fetch, and more. Some will fetch because they enjoy it; but many can be taught. I’m so happy this is “cat”ching on … 😉
I have a deep consideration for Jackson Galaxy, he has compassion for animals and doesnot stop there!!!BE BLESSED, JACKSON FOR EVERY THING YOU DO FOR SAVING ANIMALS!!!???????????
Jackson Galaxy’s plan is awesome. I’ll work on this idea with my two cats and spread the word.
I love Jackson Galaxy, and follow his Project.
I´m from Brazil and love animals.
He is a great and generous guy, and deserve our respect.
He is responsible for saving so many lives since years ago with Cat Pawsitive.
I do hope this kind of action spread around the world, not only for cats but for all animals.
Only two out of ten cats make it out of shelters alive. Too many are looked at as unadoptable because cats tend to shut down when stressed, or become aggressive. And finding yourself in a cage and away from everything you know is enough to mega-stress anyone. Many shelters did not want to invest time or funds to rehab cats. It was easier to put them down. That’s been my nightmare for 30 years now. It’s SO good to see this changing.
Jackson Galaxy, The Cat Daddy, has done so much to elevate cats’ 2nd-class status. Thank Goodness for him ?
I support The Jason Galaxy Project – Cats Pawsative included. Cats make me smile. And helping cats makes me smile more.
Wonderful and great it’s making such a difference!
Hope all these beautiful cats find a loving homes.
NICE — beautiful — thank you – I do it with some of mine. — GIVE ME 5! — FIST-BUMP!
How cool is that ?! Great idea 🙂
Better that and being interacted with while they wait to be adopted than to be just ignored.
They are so cute when they high five and fist bump! ❤❤❤
The people need the training be kind to an animal it will return the kindness.
“Animals” are “PEOPLES” best friends (THE PROBLEM !! IS THE REVERSE) …..Give “LOADS OF HAPPINESS” SENT BY “HIM”
Your posting is ablloutesy on the point!
“Animals” are “PEOPLE’S” best friends (THE PROBLEM!! IS THE REVERSE) … Give “LOADS OF HAPPINESS” SENT BY “HIM”
I think it is people who need the training- to be compassionate!
I was a pound inspector under County Supervisor Baxter Ward, and no one taught the cats to reach out and pat my face with their paws as I went by. But they did. I left in tears.
I will reiterate. It is the people who need training. How did we turn out to be the least sensitive creatures on the planet?
You are so right!
You are absolutely right! But unfortunately, people who are kind & compassionate are less common than the other selfish, ignorant humans who see themselves as superior to animals. IMO, Humans are the lower animals.
What a pawesome idea. Go for it.
Just AWSOME!!
That is so wonderful!! People are under the impression that cats are untrainable! Obviously this is not true! If it helps to get them adopted, I am all for it!
Many years ago we saw a man (Key West) who had adopted several stray cats off the street & trained them to do tricks & perform in public. While I hate this kind of circus stuff with animals, at least they looked healthy & happy. (There were cats & chickens running loose everywhere there!) But the cats could have easily ran away as they were not restrained.
Cats are smarter and more loving than people have been led to believe.
Like anyone, if you treat a cat like it’s stupid, that’s all you’ll see.
I’m sure you’re talking about Dominique LeFort – Dominique the Catman.
His training involves respect and love ?