Pet Resource Center
Getting help for your pet
Regardless of your dog or cat's behavior, we offer several free options to help!
Our team of behavior specialists provides enrichment, daily training, and when necessary, additional behavior support to pets in our shelters so that they become the best possible candidates for adoption.
Other resources
Schedule a Behavior Help Line appointment:
helpline for a dog helpline for a cat Other Resource links Have General Questions?See our FAQ
clear filter Resources filtered by Category:
Resources/Cats
Search
All Categories
All Tags
- Wildlife (2)
- Vocalizing (8)
- Veterinary Care (4)
- Training (56)
- Spay/Neuter (4)
- Safety (8)
- Pulling (4)
- Play (4)
- Pet-friendly Rentals (1)
- Pet Food (1)
- Other Shelters (2)
- Life Events (7)
- Jumping (1)
- Introductions (14)
- Instructions (2)
- Indoor or Outdoor? (7)
- House Soiling (20)
- Holiday (2)
- Health (19)
- Fearfulness (16)
- Estate Planning (5)
- Escaping (8)
- Eating Disorders (7)
- Dumb Friends League Guidelines (1)
- Dogs (2)
- Destruction (14)
- Cats (1)
- Breed Ordinances (3)
- Aggression (33)
What does this mean?
The cat has a history of urinating or defecating outside the litter box. This behavior could be inconsistent meaning it happens once in a while or it could be consistent where it happens regularly.
What causes this type of behavior?
This behavior is a normal behavior...
It's important to have realistic expectations when introducing a new pet to a resident pet. Some cats are more social than other cats. For example, an eight-year-old cat that has never been around other animals may never learn to share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the...
While some are more social than others, cats are wonderful companions to each other. An 8-year-old cat that has never been around other animals may need several weeks or even months to learn to share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the household. However, a very young...
Be sure to make this holiday season safe and enjoyable for everyone in your family by observing the following pet safety tips:
- If you have a live Christmas tree, keep the water stand covered. Pine sap mixed with water makes a poisonous drink for your pet. The smell...
Halloween is a fun holiday for humans, but there are some things you should do to make sure it doesn't get scary for pets. Here are some tips that will help keep pets safe:
- Protect your pets on Halloween by keeping them indoors. A pet that's out at night...
Cats are territorial animals, selecting areas of territory for survival. They let other people and animals know about their territory by marking it with a variety of methods and at many levels of intensity. For example, a cat may mark a valued object by rubbing it with her face. However...
Does your cat demand to be petted or played with? Ignore you when you call him? Wake you up to be fed in the middle of the night? "Nothing in life is free" (NILIF) can help. NILIF is not a magic pill that will solve a specific behavior problem; rather...
Cat owners sometimes have difficulty understanding why their cats, who seem to be friendly and content one minute, may suddenly bite and scratch them the next. While overstimulation isn't aggression, the response may appear aggressive. Cat owners however can find some relief, knowing that this behavior is normal and is...
While pet owners would never consider withholding food or water from their cats, many forget to provide adequate exercise and stimulation. Yes, cats do sleep a lot, but play is an important component of any pet's health and well-being. The release of energy triggered by regular daily interactive play sessions...
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior. It makes that behavior more likely to occur in the future, and it is a powerful tool for shaping or changing your cat's behavior. Correct timing is essential when using positive reinforcement. The reward must occur...
The arrival of your new family member will bring changes for everyone. Handling your pet's curiosity, anxiety, and increased insistence for attention may seem like an overwhelming task. In addition to preparing yourself and your household for the baby's arrival, but you can help your pet adjust to the big...
- Never leave your pet in a parked car. Even cracked windows won't protect your pet from overheating or suffering from heat stroke during hot summer days.
- Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening hours, instead of during the middle of the day when it's hottest.
- If your...
Pets bring a joy to your family that is unmeasurable. They are known to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and provide companionship. Selecting the right pet for your family is easy to do when you first consider the following…
What type of pet is best?
There are many different types...Cats tend to have surface and location preferences for where, and on what, they like to eliminate. Most cats prefer a loose, sandy substance, which is why they will use a litter box. It's only when their preferences include the laundry basket, the bed, or the Persian rug, that normal...
Most cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. By following the suggestions outlined in this handout, you'll be able to start off on the right foot with your new cat.