For the primary time in its historical past, the Oregon Humane Society’s (OHS) Habits Modification Program for cats and kittens has surpassed 100 annual adoptions, with 102 cats discovering loving properties in 2024. This groundbreaking program is particularly designed for pets who require specialised coaching and care earlier than they’re prepared for adoption.
Habits Modification Coaching for Cats
Cats on the OHS typically face distinctive challenges. Many are extraordinarily shy and fearful, whereas others battle with overstimulation, frustration, or particular behavioral points that make it tough for them to adapt to life in a house. That is the place the Habits Modification Program is available in.
“When people think of behavior modification and training, dogs are often who comes to mind,” says Tanya Roberts, OHS Director of Coaching and Habits. “But this program is having an extraordinary, lifesaving impact on cats and kittens.”
Take, for instance, a 5-month-old kitten named John. On December 24, John grew to become the one hundredth feline to be adopted by the Habits Modification Program in 2024. John got here to OHS from an overwhelmed pet proprietor struggling to look after too many animals. His adoption represents a significant milestone for a program that has seen important development since transferring to its purpose-built Habits and Rescue Middle in late 2022.
Erika Sims, the OHS Feline Habits Modification Supervisor, explains that “cats and kittens are getting ready for adoption almost 50% faster than they did when we were doing this work in the main shelter. This means we can help even more cats because we are truly a lifeline and often the last option for most of the felines who come through our program.”
The success of the Habits Modification Program lies in its individualized method. Each cat getting into this system receives a personalized plan tailor-made to their particular wants.
“Working with a shy, fearful cat is a slow process of building trust,” says Erika. “While a cat who gets overstimulated and frustrated needs time to decompress before we can start changing their behavior.”
Endurance is vital to addressing behavioral challenges in cats. The method is commonly gradual, however the outcomes are profound.
“Progress is measured in small increments, but the results are life-changing, and lifesaving,” Erika provides. “We are changing stereotypes and showing that cats have an incredible capacity to learn and change.”
A Lasting Impression
Pet mother and father who welcome these particular cats into their properties obtain further assist and steerage to make sure a easy transition and a profitable match. This additional degree of care helps create lasting bonds between the cats and their new households.
As this system continues to develop, so does its influence. The milestone reached in 2024 is a testomony to the dedication of the OHS staff and the transformative energy of habits modification. By addressing the distinctive wants of every cat, OHS will not be solely giving them a second probability at life but in addition altering the way in which folks view feline habits and coaching.
With each success story, the OHS Habits Modification Program is proving that even probably the most difficult cats deserve an opportunity to thrive—and that with endurance, compassion, and experience, they will discover their place in a loving residence.
In regards to the Oregon Humane Society
Based in 1868, the Oregon Humane Society is without doubt one of the most revered animal welfare organizations in america. By way of their mission of Making a Extra Humane Society, they’re working towards their imaginative and prescient of a world the place all animals are handled with compassion, kindness, and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, OHS is an Oregon-based nonprofit that depends on donor assist for its adoption, schooling, medical, and humane legislation enforcement applications. Go to oregonhumane.org for extra data.
Pictures offered to Catster by Oregon Humane Society
