THE
SPICY CAT
PROJECT
A Better Way to Manage Cats
Case Studies
Here are some case studies where I utilize my "Bundle & Bond" technique to socialize cats. Many of the cats below were kept off the adoption floor due to aggressive behaviors. To keep track of their stress levels, I scored them using the Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) chart, on a scale of 0-5. 0 being the most relaxed and 5 showing the most severe signs of stress. Almost every cat I socialized decreased their FAS score by at least 2 levels during my time with them. Since finishing my Capstone project, I have continued to work with shelter cats and trapped community cats to show just how effective my techniques are, even with feral cats and kittens. Again, watch my training videos to see how I assess and work with these amazing cats.
Most of the following cats were relinquished to the shelter for one reason or another by a previous owner; therefore, they were known to once be loving house pets. If your shelter does intake community cats, it is important that they are promptly assessed, sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to where they came from, if appropriate, as this is almost always the best pathway for them. However, if needed for medical treatments or hospitalizations, many "feral" or community cats can be socialized or managed if assessed and handled appropriately. The majority of feral cats are more terrified than anything due to the stress of being trapped and the way trapped cats are handled, but you'd be surprised at how many "feral" cats want love, too!
Chorizo
Chorizo was a feral cat that was trapped and brought to our clinic for neuter and treatment of several bite wounds. For the first week of hospitalization, he displayed FAS levels of 5/5 as he hid in his feral box and hissed at anyone who came near. A sheet was used to cover his dog crate to help mitigate his stress levels. A week after intake, I was able to work with him. He quickly warmed up to me within just a couple of minutes of socialization. From then on, Chorizo was very loving and no longer hid away, rating a 0/5 FAS level. The sheet was removed, and his eating habits improved. Not long after, Chorizo was able to be picked up, held for blood draws and wound cleanings, and even catheter placement. To see the full video of my first session with him, check out the "My Mission" page.
Marley & Little Grey
Marley and Little Grey were surrendered together to the shelter by their owner. Marley, being so overweight that she could no longer groom herself and was covered in matted fur. Upon intake, Marley had to be sedated and shaved. The pair was then placed in the front showroom of the shelter, a narrow room with glass on either side, located in the lobby of the shelter, not an ideal place for two fearful cats. Their FAS levels were 5/5, hiding all day, hissing at staff, and feigning sleep. The two went about one month with minimal human interaction, as many staff members noted them as being"mean." This is a common occurrence when staff are not properly trained on recognizing stress behaviors in cats. We decided to load these two up and bring them to our hotel for a few nights of peace, quiet, and socialization. The first night, they both hid and did not eat. By the second night, they slowly came out of their shell, relieved to finally receive love and attention for the first time in a while. Each day they progressed and showed us how truly special they both were; I could not bear to bring them back to the shelter I decided to take them home with me to help find them a forever home again.
Mia
Mia was surrendered to the shelter on July 1, 2022.
Initially, she scored a 3/5 for FAS, she hid in her carrier most of the day and had little to no human contact until I began working with her on Sept. 26, 2022. By Oct. 3, Mia was showing no signs of stress while out of her kennel with me. Even after working with Mia for over a month, she still hid inside her carrier within her kennel. Mia truly enjoyed her out-of-kennel enrichment and was able to be herself during this time. Unfortunately, Mia was never put on the public adoption floor and was sent to live at a cat sanctuary, where she was recently put in quarantine due to increased FAS levels and scratching one of the caretakers.
Ink
~5y/o Spayed Female, surrendered by her owner to the shelter on Aug. 10, 2022. Ink was never touched or socialized until I began working with her Sept. 26, 2022, due to her aggressive behavior inside her kennel and I was told by the staff "I wouldn't even touch her, she's evil." She ranked a 5/5 on the feline FAS chart as she would spit, growl, hiss, and lunge at me while inside her kennel. During my first session with her in the enrichment room, she was much more relaxed outside of the kennel environment, but I did not let her out as I was still assessing her behavior. By the second session, I could tell she was okay to be let out and as I reached for her head she gently leaned into my hand, relieved to finally be given love and attention after a month and a half of stressfully hiding in her kennel. Within 25 minutes of gentling, Ink opened up and showed me how amazing she really was and scoring 0/5 stress levels. Ink hated the idea of being inside her kennel, a space that she now associated with loneliness and stress so she continued to lash out while inside, but the second she got into the enrichment room, she was a brand new cat. Unfortunately, Ink was sent out to a cat sanctuary because of her kennel aggression, where she is still struggling to thrive.
Juniper
Juniper was a 4-6 y/o spayed female. Surrendered to the shelter June 8, 2022. Juniper was a more laid back and quiet cat and crouched in the corner of her kennel for most of the day. During the first 4 sessions she defecated on the bench while I pet her, but she finally stopped that on her 5th session and started making the tiniest biscuits and snuggling. Juniper went from a 3/5 to a 1/5 on the FAS chart during our sessions. The crouching and hiding behavior displayed by this cat are typical for a cat of 2-3 FAS, who are fearful, but non-aggressive. Unfortunately, despite never being aggressive, Juniper was never placed on the adoption floor and was sent out to a cat sanctuary. I am unsure how she is doing today.
Corey
Corey was a roughly 1-2 year old neutered male, surrendered to the shelter by his owner on Aug. 24, 2022 and was placed under quarantine. After almost 2 months of quarantine I learned his cage card had never been updated and his quarantine period expired weeks prior. I began working with him Nov. 17, 2022 and scored him a 4/5 FAS level due to his extreme freeze behavior. During our first gentling session, I wrapped him in a towel burrito, held him close, and pet him for 30 minutes straight, softly talking to him. He gave me little reaction, until something in him clicked and he seemed to realize he was safe. He began kneading and purring and started to open up. After a couple sessions, Corey began laying outside of his hiding den while in his kennel, something he had never done before. By the 4th session, another staff member was able to pet him inside his kennel. Despite my best efforts to get him moved to the adoption floor, Corey was sent out to become a barn cat, having likely never been outside before. I contacted the new owner a month later who reported she let him go in her garage, but had yet to see him a single time. After 6 weeks, I offered to come out to the owner's house to help re-capture Corey and teach her to socialize him. Unfortunately, I lost contact with this owner and am unsure of how he is doing.
Lovey
Lovey was brought to the shelter on Sept. 23, 2022, after his owner passed away. He was also placed in quarantine at this time and remained in quarantine for 6 weeks until it was found that his quarantine period had expired. Lovey hid in his kennel box and hissed at staff when feeding him. On Nov. 1st I began working with him and ranked him a 3/5 on the FAS chart. Upon bringing him into the enrichment room, he became very curious and vocal, whining as he explored the room. At first, he was not interested in human interaction, but by our third session, he opened up. We played with toys and had a photoshoot. Also by the third session, Lovey had become much more relaxed inside his kennel too, scoring a 0/5 now. By Nov. 17th I was able to convince management to move him to the adoption floor and no more than 3 days later, Lovey was adopted by a private owner. I was able to get in touch with the new owner and they sent me wonderful photos of Lovey adjusting very well and receiving the love and attention he deserves!
Azure
Azure was roughly 8 years old, neutered male. He was a large and intimidating cat at first, having only seen him peering out from his hiding box while growling. He was labeled "Caution" and was being treated with Gabapentin for kennel stress. I first assessed him on Oct. 5, 2022, and ranked him a 5/5 on the FAS chart due to his hissing, growling, and lunging behavior inside his kennel. I closed him in his hiding box and brought him to the enrichment room. Upon taking the towel off his box it was apparent that he was already much more relaxed now that he was not in his kennel. After only a few minutes of assessing him, I opened up his box and he immediately came out. He was very curious and friendly from the start. Within minutes he warmed up to me and began rubbing against me looking for treats, and watching squirrels out the window. Azure quickly became my favorite cat to work with. He was one of those cats with character, only wanted to be pet on his terms, and acted like he knew he was above humans. After our first session, I placed him and his hiding box back in the kennel and he immediately came out and started eating from his food bowl. I distinctly remember a staff member seeing this and exclaiming "Is that Azure? I've never seen him come out of his box before!" This socialization had immediate and positive effects on him. I continued to work with Azure for over 2 months as we both waited, hoping to get him moved to the adoption room. Unfortunately, because Azure would occasionally give off a warning growl that he was getting overstimulated, he was never moved to adoptions and was ultimately sent out to become a barn cat. I tried reaching out to the new caretaker but was unsuccessful.