When you add a new dog to the household, the next stop for a smooth transition is usually dog training. What about the family cat? New cat owners, and experienced owners adding additional felines to the family, could often benefit from good advice or training to help build a long-term relationship with their new four-legged family member.
Tree House Humane Society is hosting two events next weekend aimed at helping cat families tackle some behavioral issues and to get the new family kitten on the right track. On Friday, November 4 from 6 to 8 p.m., Tree House welcomes renowned feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett for Catnip Tea & Sage Advice at the shelter’s Bucktown location (1629 North Ashland). On Saturday, November 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Tree House will hold a Kitten Kindergarten Class with Steve Dale at their Uptown location (1212 Carmen Avenue).
Catnip Tea & Sage Advice - learning about feline behavior
Johnson-Bennett has written the book – eight to be exact – on feline behavior based on her many years of living with cats and working as a certified Cat Behavior Consultant. During Catnip Tea & Sage Advice, Bennett-Johnson will sign her recently re-released book Think Like a Cat and join in on the group discussion that book. Dale, who is a pet journalist (and Tree House Board member), will also be on hand to offer advice and counseling on behavioral issues.
Think Like a Cat is considered the cat bible and well regarded by behavior professionals, veterinarians, shelters and pet owners. The event is free and books will be available for purchase (you may also bring your own) and there will be catnip tea and delicious snacks. Learn more online, register online or call 773-227-5535 or 773-784-5488 for information.
Kitty Kindergarten Class – Must Love Cats taping
Dale also hosts this Kitty Kindergarten Class at their Uptown headquarters that focuses on socializing your kitten and answers questions for new kitten families. The class covers a variety of topics from how to play with and socialize your kitten, to encouraging scratching in the right places, to litter box behavior and other questions you may have about behavior or misbehavior. He also will cover diet, grooming and how to acclimate your kitten to cat carriers, car rides and the visits to the vet.
The added bonus for this class is that Animal Planet will be on hand to tape a segment of their Must Love Cats show. Kittens 8 to 15 weeks old may participate in the class and must have a signed health certificate from their vet to be included. All kittens will need a brush, leash and harness and must arrive in a carrier.
Although the class is free, a $10 donation is requested for materials. If you have a cat or kitten older than 15 weeks old, you may participate without your kitty. Children are encouraged to attend this event but if they are younger than seven they must attend with a second adult. Learn more online or register in advance online.
Tree House Humane Society is Chicago’s oldest, largest cageless, no-kill feline only shelter specializing in the rescue of sick, injured, abused and neglected cats.
Do you volunteer or work for a shelter or rescue that has programs you'd like to promote? Do you have an interesting story on a pet-focused business? If so, contact me at kathypetexam@gmail.com. Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles become available. Just click on the subscribe button above. You may also follow me on Twitter, Facebook or read my blog.
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