Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) has been selected by The Jackson Galaxy Project (JGP), a signature program of Greater Good Charities, to participate in the 2021 class of Cat Pawsitive Pro, a life-saving initiative that introduces advanced, positive-reinforcement-based behavior training and enrichment to shelter cats. Supported by the Petco Foundation, this innovative training program aims to increase feline adoption rates as well as empower shelter staff and volunteers to maintain and improve cat “mojo.”
Jackson Galaxy, star of the television show My Cat from Hell on Animal Planet, and founder of JGP, developed Cat Pawsitive Pro with a team of feline behavior experts. Highlights of the program include:
- Improving cat “adoptability” and feline social skills, particularly for shy or fearful cats and long-term residents
- Enriching day-to-day life for cats in shelters with physical and mental activity
- Promoting the human-cat bond
- Teaching and empowering animal shelter staff and volunteers
Cats who are exposed to the reward-based training methods of Cat Pawsitive Pro 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 her cage to meet people, a feisty cat can learn to play nice, and an outgoing kitty learn to give an endearing "high-five" to seal an adoption deal. Cat Pawsitive Pro is the advanced version of the JGP’s introductory training program, Cat Pawsitive.
“It's hard to believe that it’s been five years since our inaugural class of just nine shelters went through our fledgling Cat Pawsitive Pro program. In my wildest dreams I never imagined that five years from then 168 organizations would have been part of Cat Pawsitive, Cat Pawsitive Pro, or both! That's 168 animal shelters and rescues conducting over 4,700 hours of training for more than 2,650 cats, with over 1,600 staff members and volunteers reached,” said Galaxy. “It's a humbling and beautiful process to witness - with each incoming class, our mission becomes more crystallized, our program more refined, and the ripple effect grows throughout our country's animal welfare system.”
A JGP feline behavior expert will lead the program for the shelter beginning February 1 – April 30. Throughout the Spring, staff and volunteers from the select animal welfare organizations will participate in weekly seminars with their expert and will have direct access to the entire training team for specialized consultations about the cats in their care
“We are very excited to have this opportunity at our shelter,” said Tiani Schifano, Animal Care Supervisor and Cat Pawsitive Pro Team Leader at OCAS. “Cats are very easily stressed in the shelter setting and providing them (and us) with the tools to expend their energy and occupy their minds is what this program does best. We are thrilled to be able to have weekly one-on-one time with our Trainer-Mentor to help us achieve the best possible outcomes, not just for our kitties, but for the volunteers and staff participating in Cat Pawsitive Pro.”
Since 2016, more than 1,800 cats have been adopted during Cat Pawsitive program semesters, with hundreds more cats benefitting from being in the program and continuing their training on the road to adoption. To date, a total of 168 unique animal welfare organizations have participated in Cat Pawsitive programs and conducted over 31,000 training sessions, with over 1,600 staff members and volunteers taking part in the training of thousands of cats.
The Jackson Galaxy Project is a signature program of Greater Good Charities that seeks to improve the lives of cats at risk and help the people who care for them through innovative programs that educate, inspire and empower staff, rescuers and adopters.
Jackson Galaxy will be sharing highlights of the Cat Pawsitive Pro program on The Jackson Galaxy Project Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
More information about Orange County Animal Services can be found at www.orangecountync.gov/animalservices or by calling 919.942.7387.