Roice-Hurst Humane Society V-2 Cat Volunteer Class
Summary
TLDRWelcome to the Royce Hearst Humane Society's Level 2 Cat Class for volunteers. This training, led by Foster and Volunteer Coordinator Jenna Crutchman, covers essential cat behavior and body language to prepare you for success as a V2 cat volunteer. Learn how to socialize cats, handle them at adoption events, and assist with post-surgical recovery. After completing the video and quiz, you'll practice techniques with Jenna to become an official V2 cat volunteer, committing to at least two hours of monthly duties. Discover the importance of play, understanding feline aggression, and the natural cycle of hunting, eating, grooming, and sleeping. Engage with kittens to create positive human associations and consider additional volunteer opportunities like fostering or participating in the Grand Valley Cat Project.
Takeaways
- 🙋♀️ The video is a training for volunteers at the Royce Hurst Humane Society, emphasizing the importance of volunteers in socializing cats for adoption.
- 📹 New volunteers are advised to watch the orientation video first before proceeding with cat-specific training.
- 👩💼 Jenna Crutchman is the Foster and Volunteer Coordinator and can be contacted for further guidance.
- 📚 The training covers cat behavior, body language, and the basics needed for successful volunteering with cats.
- 📝 After the video, volunteers must take a quiz and then contact Jenna to schedule hands-on training.
- 🐾 V2 cat volunteers can perform tasks like cleaning, handling cats at adoption events, and assisting with post-surgical recovery.
- 🚫 Caution is advised with 'door darters' - cats that may escape when a door is opened; if this happens, alert staff and retrieve the cat.
- 🧼 Hand hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of infections among the cats.
- 🔑 Understanding cat body language is fundamental for successful interaction and to ensure the cats feel safe and comfortable.
- 🎮 Playtime is vital for cats' physical and mental health, fulfilling their natural hunting instincts and reducing unwanted behaviors.
- 🚫 Avoid using hands or feet as toys to prevent cats from developing aggressive behaviors towards people's hands or feet.
Q & A
What is the primary role of volunteers at the Royce Hurst Humane Society?
-Volunteers at the Royce Hurst Humane Society play a vital role in helping cats and kittens become well-socialized, adoptable, and ready for their new homes.
Who is Jenna Crutchman and what is her role at the shelter?
-Jenna Crutchman is the Foster and Volunteer Coordinator at Royce Hurst Humane Society. She is the main contact for volunteers and coordinates their activities and training.
What is the first step for new volunteers before starting the cat class?
-New volunteers should first watch the volunteer orientation video before moving on to the cat class.
What are the responsibilities of a V2 cat volunteer?
-V2 cat volunteers are expected to help with cat-related animal care tasks, handle cats at adoption events, transport cats, and assist with post-surgical animal recovery on the mobile unit.
What is required after completing the cat class video?
-After completing the cat class video, volunteers need to take a quiz linked in the video description and then email Jenna to schedule a time to socialize cats with her.
What is the minimum time commitment for a V2 cat volunteer?
-A V2 cat volunteer needs to maintain at least two hours per month of V2C duties to keep their status.
What should volunteers do when they first come in to volunteer?
-Volunteers should sign into the volunteer log in the break room before heading to the cat room.
Why is it important to wash or sanitize hands when entering or exiting the cat room?
-Hand washing or sanitizing is crucial to prevent the spread of germs and upper respiratory infections among the cats, as they are susceptible to kitty colds.
What is the purpose of leaving some cage doors of under-socialized cats open?
-The purpose of leaving some cage doors open is to allow under-socialized cats to wander and explore while still having a safe space to return to, aiding in their socialization process.
How should volunteers introduce themselves to a cat?
-Volunteers should introduce themselves by offering their hand to the cat in a fist shape with the middle knuckle sticking out, allowing the cat to sniff them.
What is the significance of the 'Cat I Love You' technique?
-The 'Cat I Love You' technique involves slow blinking to mimic the relaxed body language of a content cat, breaking direct eye contact and showing the cat that the volunteer is relaxed and non-threatening.
What is the recommended way to pet a cat and how can it prevent overstimulation?
-Volunteers should be aware of signs of overstimulation such as a swishing tail, vocalization, or claws coming out. They should pet cats in areas they generally enjoy like behind the ears, under the chin, down the back, and at the base of the tail, and stop petting if the cat shows signs of overstimulation.
Why is it important to use toys instead of hands or feet when playing with cats?
-Using toys instead of hands or feet prevents cats from developing bad habits of attacking people's hands or feet, which could make them less adoptable and lead to lifelong issues.
What is the cycle of the feline and how does it relate to a cat's well-being?
-The cycle of the feline includes hunt, eat, groom, and sleep. This cycle is important as it satisfies a cat's hunting instinct through playtime, ensures proper nutrition, and promotes relaxation and sleep, contributing to the overall well-being of the cat.
How can understanding cat body language help volunteers?
-Understanding cat body language helps volunteers to interpret a cat's emotions and intentions, allowing them to interact appropriately and safely, and to create positive experiences for the cats.
What are some additional volunteer opportunities mentioned in the script?
-Additional volunteer opportunities include becoming a kitten foster to care for kittens in need, and participating in the Grand Valley Cat Project, which involves trapping, neutering, and returning community cats to prevent overpopulation.
Outlines
😺 Introduction to the Cat Volunteer Program
The script begins with an introduction to the Royce Hurst Humane Society's Level 2 Cat Class for volunteers. It emphasizes the importance of volunteers in socializing cats and kittens for adoption. New volunteers are advised to watch the orientation video first. The speaker, Jenna Crutchman, introduces herself as the Foster and Volunteer Coordinator and provides contact information. The video's purpose is to educate volunteers on cat behavior and body language, which is essential for successful volunteering. After the video, volunteers must take a quiz and schedule a practical session with Jenna to learn proper socialization techniques. The responsibilities of a Level 2 Cat Volunteer (V2C) are outlined, including maintaining a minimum of two hours per month of duties and assisting with various cat-related tasks. The script also includes a slide from the volunteer orientation detailing the V2C role and emphasizes the importance of hygiene and caution when interacting with the cats.
🐾 Understanding Cat Behavior and Interaction Techniques
This paragraph delves into the nuances of cat behavior, body language, and how volunteers should interact with them. It advises against direct eye contact as it can be perceived as aggressive and suggests mimicking a content cat's slow blink instead. The script covers the importance of respecting a cat's boundaries, such as not petting them if they show disinterest. It also explains how to introduce oneself to a cat, the signs of overstimulation during petting, and how to handle it. The types of feline aggression are introduced, with a focus on fear and petting-induced aggression, and the importance of play in satisfying a cat's hunting instinct. The paragraph concludes with the significance of interactive play for a cat's well-being and the types of toys that are most fulfilling for them.
🎮 The Importance of Play and Managing Cat Aggression
The script discusses the significance of play in a cat's life, linking it to their natural hunting cycle. It explains how play helps reduce unwanted behaviors, boosts confidence, and strengthens the bond between humans and cats. The importance of using toys rather than hands or feet during play is highlighted to prevent cats from developing bad habits. The paragraph also addresses how to handle cat fights and the need to separate adult cats from kittens due to differences in size and energy levels. Kitten season is introduced, explaining the influx of kittens that require care and the need for foster homes. The script provides tips for interacting with kittens, such as carrying treats and wearing appropriate clothing to prevent injuries from playful claws.
📚 Cat Body Language 101 for Volunteers
This section provides an in-depth look at cat body language, teaching volunteers how to interpret cats' feelings through their tails, facial expressions, and overall body posture. It explains the meanings behind different tail positions, such as an erect tail signaling confidence and a tucked tail indicating fear. The script describes how a cat's ears, eyes, and whiskers can reveal its emotional state, from a happy cat with forward ears to a scared cat with flat ears and dilated pupils. The importance of recognizing distance-reducing and distance-increasing behaviors is emphasized, as well as how to identify signs of a cat ready to attack. The paragraph concludes with a visual example of a cat's body language, helping volunteers to better understand and respond to the cats they will be working with.
🙌 Advanced Volunteer Opportunities and Conclusion
The final paragraph offers additional volunteering opportunities beyond the Level 2 Cat Volunteer role. It discusses the need for kitten fosters during the busy kitten season and introduces the Grand Valley Cat Project, which focuses on trap-neuter-return programs for community cats. The script invites interested volunteers to contact Jenna for more information. It then directs volunteers to take a quiz after watching the video to test their understanding of the material covered. Following the quiz, volunteers are encouraged to email Jenna to schedule a shelter tour and a practical session for socializing cats. The script concludes by expressing gratitude for the volunteers' interest and looking forward to meeting them in person.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Volunteer
💡Socialization
💡Cat Behavior
💡Adoption Events
💡Post-Surgical Recovery
💡Behavior Modification Plan
💡Under-Socialized
💡Cat I Love You
💡Petting-Induced Aggression
💡Interactive Play
💡Kitten Season
Highlights
Introduction to the Royce Hearst Humane Society Level 2 Cat Class for volunteers, emphasizing the importance of cat socialization for adoption readiness.
Requirement for new volunteers to watch the volunteer orientation video before proceeding with cat training.
Jenna Crutchman's role as the Foster and Volunteer Coordinator and the provided contact information.
Education on cat behavior and body language as a foundation for successful volunteering.
The necessity of taking a quiz and scheduling a session with Jenna to become a certified Level 2 Cat Volunteer.
Maintaining a minimum of two hours per month for Level 2 Cat Volunteer duties to retain the status.
Description of Level 2 cat volunteer responsibilities, including handling cats at adoption events and transporting them.
Instructions for volunteers on signing in and the protocol for entering and exiting the cat room.
Caution regarding 'door darters' and the procedure to follow if a cat escapes.
Importance of hand hygiene to prevent the spread of upper respiratory infections among cats.
Details on the behavior modification plan for cats in white cages and the guidelines for interacting with them.
The method for properly introducing oneself to a cat and respecting their boundaries.
Tips on understanding cat body language and avoiding behaviors that may cause stress or aggression.
Guidance on how to pet a cat to avoid overstimulation and the signs to look for.
Explanation of the different types of feline aggression and how to handle them.
The significance of play in fulfilling a cat's hunting instinct and the importance of interactive toys.
The role of play in reducing unwanted behaviors and the need for satisfying play sessions.
Instructions on how to pick up a cat and the importance of respecting their comfort levels.
The cycle of a cat's day and how it relates to their well-being and the volunteer's role in it.
Information on additional volunteer opportunities such as kitten fostering and the Grand Valley Cat Project.
Final steps for volunteers after watching the video, including taking a quiz and scheduling a shelter tour.
Transcripts
hello and welcome to the royce hearst
humane society level 2 cat class for
volunteers
thank you so much for giving your time
to our cats and kittens at the shelter
our cat volunteers are vital in helping
our cats and kittens become well
socialized adoptable and ready for their
new homes
if you're a new volunteer and haven't
already watched the volunteer
orientation video
please do that first before moving on to
this training
my name is jenna crutchman and i'm the
foster and volunteer coordinator at
royce hurst humane society
you can contact me at the contact
information on the screen
this video will teach you about cat
behavior and body language
and set you up with the basic knowledge
to be successful as a v2 cat volunteer
after you complete this video you will
need to take the quiz linked in the
description of the video
and then email me to schedule a time to
socialize cats with me
so that i can show you proper techniques
and where the supplies are located
after that you're an official v2 cat
volunteer you'll need to maintain at
least two hours per month of v2c duties
to keep your v2c status
here is the v2 cat volunteer slide from
the volunteer orientation
which outlines what you can do as a v2
cat volunteer
we ask that you continue helping with v1
tasks like cleaning
but now you'll be able to do cat related
animal care tasks in the cat and kitten
rooms
handle cats at adoption events and
transport cats
you'll also be able to assist with
post-surgical animal recovery on the
mobile unit
the first thing you'll want to do when
you come in to volunteer is sign into
the volunteer log in the break room
before heading to the cat room you do
not need to grab a radio to work with
the cats unless you want to
we have a limited number of radios so we
try to save them for our dog volunteers
some of our cats live in a colony
setting inside the cat and kitten rooms
which means they're free roaming and not
in cages
use caution when entering and exiting
some cats are what we call door darters
and will bolt out of the door as soon as
it's opened if this happens don't worry
just yell down the hallway loose cat and
go grab the cat
if you need a staff member's help any
staff member would be happy to assist
when entering or exiting the cat room
please wash or sanitize your hands
cats are susceptible to upper
respiratory infections or kitty colds
so we don't want germs to be moving in
or out of the room
in the cat room you will see white cages
against the wall
the cats in these cages are often on a
behavior modification plan
are easily overwhelmed or can't be with
the other cats for one reason or another
many of our cats come to us
under-socialized and are not yet
comfortable with humans
which is why we need your help to
socialize them
sometimes their cage doors are
intentionally left open
so they can wander throughout the room
but still have a safe space that's their
own to come back to
you're totally welcome to interact with
these cats but please don't let them out
of their cages without permission
many of the cats have kennel cards on
their cages or on the wall of the cat
room
so you can get to know them if you're
unsure about a specific cat in the room
feel free to ask a staff member about
them our cat behavior counselor arlena's
desk is located inside the cat room
and she is a great resource to answer
any cat related questions you have
just like when you're meeting a new
human the polite thing to do when
meeting a cat is to say hello
cats greet each other nose to nose so
the best way to introduce yourself to a
cat is to offer your hand to them the
way we do this is to make a fist with
your middle knuckle sticking out to
simulate the shape of a cat's face
and allow them to sniff you like in the
picture
if the cat is receptive to you and wants
you to pet them
they may present their head to you or
rub on you to continue that interaction
if the cat does not want to be petted
don't pet them
cats are big on boundaries and forcing a
cat to do something that they don't want
to do
is how you lose their trust and regress
their behavior if a cat doesn't want to
be petted
you might want to try offering a toy to
them instead
another way to introduce yourself to a
cat is to present the end of your
glasses
the part that goes around your ear to
the cat so that they can sniff your
scent
cats have some interesting behavior
because they're both predator and prey
because cats are a prey species it's
important for them to feel safe
many of our cats come to us from living
on the streets and are fearful or
under-socialized to humans
because they were never closely exposed
to people
it's our job to teach these cats that
humans are friendly fun
safe and trustworthy to help our cats
feel safe around humans it's important
that you approach them slowly and always
introduce yourself
you'll find a lot of our cats up on the
perches in our cat room
because some cats feel safer higher up
be sure to give cats exit routes and
don't corner them when you approach
we'll talk a little bit more about cat
body language in a few minutes
but this is an easy way to help cats
trust you called the cat i love you
cats perceive direct eye contact as
aggression so avoid staring directly
into cat's eyes which might put them on
guard
instead you can mimic the body language
of a content cat and blink slowly
when cats are content and relaxed they
blink their eyes slowly
by doing this back to them this breaks
your direct eye contact
and shows the cat that you're relaxed so
they can relax too
another way cats tell you that they love
you is when they rub up against you with
their face or body
mingling their scent with yours which is
how they claim you as theirs
petting a cat may seem straightforward
but it can be a little more complicated
than you think
all cats are different but here are some
general tips
first be aware of over stimulation when
you pet a cat you're adding energy into
their bubble
after a while that bubble will pop and
they may try to bite or scratch
this is what we call petting induced
aggression
you'll know a cat is getting over
stimulated by watching their body
language
like i said we'll talk about body
language more in depth in a few minutes
but here are a couple things to pay
attention to
a swishing tail vocalization or claws
coming out
means that the cat may be reaching
threshold when this happens
stop petting the cat and offer a toy
instead
like i mentioned earlier it's important
to go slow and meet the cat where they
are
because some cats are learning to trust
humans you can offer pets but don't
force them
be sure to make your interactions
positive a great way to do this is to
reinforce brave or friendly behavior
with treats
you want every cat to leave your
interactions feeling a little more
confident around people
remember that every cat is different but
in general most cats enjoy pets behind
their ears
under their chin down their back and at
the base of their tail
as a rule of thumb don't rub the cat's
bellies
your cat at home might like it but many
shelter cats are unknown to you
and may react differently cats expose
their abdomens as a sign of trust
because it's the most vulnerable part of
their body
by petting their bellies you could be
betraying their trust
remember not all cats enjoy being picked
up
but if you do want to pick up a cat
here's how you do it
place your hand under the cat's chest
and use the other hand to pick up and
support
the cat's rear end like in the picture
if the cat vocalizes gets tense or tries
to wiggle away
stop and let the cat down here's a list
of the different types of feline
aggression
the ones in bold are the most common
that you may experience so we'll just
talk about those types
first is fear aggression which is when a
cat is scared and becomes defensive
you may see the cat hiss spit or lunge
a cat like this does not trust humans at
all and needs significant behavior work
if you're ever uncomfortable working
with a cat or you believe the cat needs
more behavior work
please let a staff member know
next is petting induced aggression which
we talked about earlier
sometimes cats become overstimulated and
will direct their energy into scratching
or biting you
like i said be sure to watch their body
language and either stop petting them or
offer a toy
next is play or predatory aggression
which you'll see when a cat plays with a
toy
as predators cats have a natural
instinct to hunt
we'll talk more about how cats play in
just a couple slides
if a cat doesn't get enough playtime you
might see this type of aggression
directed at you in the form of a cat
biting at your hands or feet
now let's talk about the cycle of the
feline cats naturally go through this
process several times throughout the day
which is hunt eat groom sleep
cats are predators and have an instinct
to hunt and kill
for our domesticated cats this instinct
should be satisfied through playtime
after a satisfying play session it's
meal time
in the wild cats will hunt and then eat
their prey
in our case this is treats or a meal
next the cat needs to wash up after
eating by grooming
which relaxes them and puts them back to
sleep and the cycle starts again
this cycle is the recipe to creating a
happy fulfilled cat
playtime is super important to fulfill
that hunting instinct
every cat has a prey preference which is
the type of prey that they're most
inclined to catch
or in our case the type of toy that
provides the most mental and physical
stimulation during playtime
the best types of toys are interactive
toys which are the type of toy that is
attached to a string that you move
around
this is the most fulfilling type of play
it's important that cats get at least
one satisfying interactive play session
each day
cats who prefer air prey will enjoy
feather toys that they can jump in the
air to catch
at the shelter we have a toy called the
bird that looks and sounds like a real
bird when swung around in the air
cats who prefer ground prey will enjoy
chasing toys on the ground
like mice on a string we have a toy
called the mouse which cats love
[Music]
and lastly cats who prefer insect prey
will enjoy small things that bob and
wiggle around in the air and on the
ground
to make this satisfying for the cat you
need to use a little creativity and
really try to mimic the behavior of the
prey that they're chasing
mice don't fly around in the air so keep
the mouse toy on the ground and make it
act like a real mouse
interactive play is an important part of
a cat's physical and mental health
remember to satisfy this hunting
instinct the cat needs to catch the toy
can you imagine how frustrating it would
be to spend all your energy hunting and
not get the satisfaction of catching it
here are some of the reasons why
interactive play is so important
first it reduces unwanted behaviors
cats have an instinct to hunt whether
you play with them or not
so if they don't have an appropriate
outlet for that energy they'll start
hunting you
or other cats potentially leading to
things like cat fights
or the cat attacking your hands or feet
next it boosts confidence catching prey
makes a cat feel like they're on top of
the world
it's an outlet for excess energy and it
reduces stress
and like we talked about earlier it
maintains the natural cycle of the cat
hunt eat groom sleep and lastly it helps
strengthen the bond between humans and
cat
and while we're on the topic of
appropriate outlets for energy
here's something to avoid doing never
use your hands or feet to play with a
kitten or cat
instead always use an appropriate toy if
they pick up the habit of attacking your
hands or feet it can make them less
adoptable now let's talk about cat
fights
they're rare but they do happen on
occasion if you witness two cats
starting to escalate with each other
block the line of sight between the two
cats using a towel or blanket
never use your hands or feet to block
the line of sight or to break up a cat
fight
your safety is most important also do
not throw the towel
over the top of the cats as that can
make matters worse
if a cat fight does occur first make a
loud noise to distract them
like yelling or clapping find a staff
member for assistance
or if the fight has already ended let a
staff member know what happened
if a cat fight severely escalates you
can use more extreme measures
such as using a broom or dumping a water
bowl on the fighting cats
just beyond the cat room is our kitten
room we separate adult cats and younger
kittens because of their different sizes
and energy levels
the kitten room is empty during the
colder months of the year
but once the weather starts to warm up
kitten season starts
kitten season is when cats begin having
babies
community cats on the streets give birth
to thousands of kittens in mesa county
every year
who are found by people in the most
random places
under houses inside trash cans in the
bushes
and they end up in our care many of
these kittens first move into foster
homes
but then come back to the shelter once
they're old enough and healthy enough
for adoption
just like we talked about with the adult
cats it's never a good idea to use your
hands
feet or hair as toys it's really cute
when they're little
but imagine a 10 pound adult cat
attacking their adopters hair or hands
it's a bad habit for them to get into
and could cause lifelong issues
so just stick to playing with toys
the more exposure kittens get to humans
the better
at this age kittens are little
information sponges
and the kitten room is a great place to
create positive associations with humans
kittens get adopted when they're
confident enough to walk right up to an
adopter and ask to go home with them
here are some general tips for
interacting with our cats or kittens
carry some treats with you and give a
cat a treat when they show brave or
friendly behavior
like approaching you or allowing you to
pet them
remember our dress code of long pants
kittens think humans are really fun
climbing gyms as you can see in the
picture
take my word for it it does not feel
very good when they sink their claws
into your legs
i recommend wearing thicker pants like
denim rather than things like leggings
if you're going to be working with the
kittens
when you're in the kitten room do the
kitten shuffle this is when you shuffle
your feet along the ground rather than
picking them up with each step
kittens are tiny and have a tendency to
end up under feet
so shuffle around to avoid stepping on
them
now let's move on to cat body language
what i'll be showing you today is a
basic version of a cat's body language
a cat's whole body from their head to
their tail works in unison to show you
how they're feeling
but in general i'll teach you a few
things to watch out for
first let's talk about tales
don't read cats like you would read dogs
a wagging tail on a cat is a sign of
overstimulation or agitation
if a cat is swishing their tail they
might be getting ready to attack
if you're petting a cat with a swishing
tail leave them alone or give them
something else to attack
like a toy a cat's tail will show you
how confident they're feeling at the
time
an erect tail means that a cat could be
feeling confident explorative
happy or excited as the tail moves
down a little bit so does the cat's
confidence a flat tail could mean the
cat is feeling apprehensive
guarded or cautious and as the tail
moves down even lower
the cat may be getting scared about
something happening around him
a tucked tail means that the cat is not
happy at all and is a sign of fear
a fluffed out tail is also a sign of
fear but more defensive
they're puffing up to show you how big
and tough they are
next let's talk about the cat's face the
main things you'll want to watch for are
their ears eyes and whiskers
there are small subtle differences in a
cat's facial positioning
that can give away how they're feeling
you'll notice this happy cat has his
ears forward
and a relaxed face nothing is bothering
him and he's just having a good time
notice the differences in the angry
cat's face
his ears are flat against his head
pointing backwards
and his eyes are more focused his
whiskers are also more focused in
forward facing
next is the scaredy cat you can tell
he's scared because his ears are flat
and his eyes are dilated so he can see
everything going on around him
notice the difference in positioning of
the ears between the angry cat and the
scared cat
the playful cat is similar to the happy
cat but his eyes are more dilated
because he's intently watching what's
around him
his whiskers are pointed forward because
he's focused and ready to attack
and lastly is our content cat this cat
also looks like the happy cat but more
relaxed he's giving us the slow blink
and is probably purring
now look at this cat as we put together
his body posture
tail and facial expression to read his
mood
take a look at his body language and
take a guess at how you think he might
be feeling
if you said he's feeling happy or
confident you're right
you can tell he's feeling confident
because his tail is up
his ears are forward and we can read
that his pupils are a normal size
here's the confident cat in a relaxed
state his pupils are normal
his ears are up and he's obviously
relaxed
we can read that his paws are making a
kneading motion which is a sign of
relaxation
and he's showing off his belly which is
a sign of trust
distance reducing behaviors are what we
like to see
this is when a cat attempts to reduce
the distance between you
and him oftentimes by coming to ask for
a pet
or to sit on your lap in this picture
the cat is marking the human
by rubbing his face on him claiming the
human as his
you can tell the cat is acting friendly
and holds his tail confidently up high
the opposite of distance reducing
behaviors are distance increasing
behaviors
which is when a cat tries to increase
the distance between himself and someone
else
the cat in the picture is showing off
how scary and intimidating he is
and hopes that you might back off his
fur is puffed
aka pylorect and his back is arched so
others will think he's big and scary
we can read that his tail is swishing
his claws are out
ears are flat whiskers are back and
pupils are dilated
this is a cat who is not comfortable
with you being near them
this is another type of scaredy cat
except this one is less defensive as the
puffball on the last slide
you can see that his ears are back or to
the side his pupils are dilated his body
is hunched over he's tense and his tail
is tucked
opposite of the cat on the previous
slide he's trying to make himself appear
small
here's a cat ready to attack from fear
when distance increasing measures like
puffing up or making himself small don't
work
defensive aggression comes into play
this cat is feeling very threatened
with his ears back and flat against his
head his teeth showing and claws out
this cat is ready to attack whatever's
coming at him
if you see a cat like this you need to
back away and leave him alone
here's a cat on the hunt this cat is
stalking his prey
whether that's a mouse a toy or maybe
even your feet if he hasn't gotten any
good playtime recently
you can see this cat's ears are forward
his body is low to the ground
muscles tensed and ready to pounce
and that's it now you know the basics
about how to be a successful
v2 cat volunteer if you're interested in
volunteering with cats in other ways
here are a couple more options like i
mentioned earlier we intake hundreds of
kittens every year during kitten season
and almost all of them require foster
care if you have a spare bedroom or
bathroom
and you want to take home a few kittens
for a couple weeks
we are always in desperate need of
kitten fosters
another way you can volunteer with cats
is through our program grand valley cat
project this project is where we go out
and trap
community cats in the 81501 zip code
get them spayed and neutered and then
release them back to their outdoor homes
where they can no longer reproduce
this process is called trap neuter
return and we could always use trappers
transporters and even canvassers to go
door-to-door educating our community
about trap neuter return if you're
interested in helping with either of
these volunteer opportunities
send me an email at jenna
rhumanesociety.org
now that you've watched this video it's
quiz time please click the quiz link in
the description of this video
and answer a few questions about what
you've learned
after that send me an email at jenna
rhumanesociety.org
to schedule a time to come in for a
shelter tour and to socialize some cats
with me so i can show you how it's done
thank you so much for your interest in
volunteering with our cats
and i hope to see you in person soon
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