SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society is one of 10 shelters in the nation to begin a new initiative to make shelter life better for cats.
The Jackson Galaxy Project selected Dakin’s Springfield location to participate in the Spring 2018 semester of Cat Pawsitive Pro, a program that teaches shelter workers how to use positive reinforcement training for shelter cats. Jackson Galaxy, host of Animal Planet’s show “My Cat From Hell” and an advocate for animals, is the founder of the project.
Dakin’s Springfield location was chosen because of its size, number of staff and volunteers, and because it possessed the needed facilities and Wi-Fi hookups for the program sessions.
The adoption center staff members work at Dakin’s Springfield and Leverett locations on a rotational basis, so this program will benefit animals at both adoption centers.
While most people are familiar with positive reinforcement training for dogs — such as being rewarded with a treat for good behavior — Dakin’s Executive Director Carmine DiCenso says people often forget that this can be done with cats, too. By using positive reinforcement, the shelter can help shy cats become more friendly and interactive with potential adopters.
“The shelter can be a scary place, especially for cats,” said DiCenso.
When cats are stressed or scared, they can lash out or become withdrawn. Sometimes when cats exhibit these behaviors, the shelter has to move the animal to a different, less stressful room where they aren’t viewed as much.
“In a home, this cat may be a great lap cat,” DiCenso said. “But you may not get to see this in the shelter.”
The positive reinforcement training will help shelter cats become more confident and used to visitors coming in.
“People choose cats that come forward (in the cage),” DiCenso explained. “As you can imagine, a cat sitting in a cage hiding won’t get as much attention as a cat that’s coming forward.”
Each trainer will work with certain cats for approximately 10 minutes, twice a day. The training will include treats, toys and other interactive items. Positive behavior, such as coming forward in the cage or rubbing up against people, will be rewarded.
In addition to helping the cats get adopted sooner, DiCenso says that the training will help them have a better shelter stay. He worked at another shelter that used the program and saw its benefits.
“The cats are really important and a big part of what we do,” he said. “I’m just excited to have a program that focuses on cats.”
Dakin Manager of Media and Public Relations Lee Chambers says the shelter hopes to “pay it forward” and train new staff and volunteers in this program, too.
A hand-picked group of staff and cat-savvy volunteers will receive the training once a week via webinar, said Chambers.
“We’re going to absolutely incorporate this training from this point forward,” Chambers said.
Reach Christie Wisniewski at: cwisniewski@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 280