In this episode I’m joined by Sarah Ellis and Vicky Halls from International Cat Care. During the show we discuss ICCs approach to Cat Friendly Care, how we can improve welfare, rehoming and support for the Cats in our shelters and rescues. Shelters and rescues can be stressful places for all animals, but Cats in particularly can often struggle in silence. Learn from two of the leaders in the cat welfare and behaviour space how we can identify Cats who are struggling and what steps we can take to improve overall welfare both in care and beyond.

About Dr. Sarah Ellis Sarah’s interests span the behaviour and welfare of the domestic cat. She has a BSc in Zoology and Psychology from the University of Bristol (UK), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from the University of Southampton (UK) and a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast (UK) which focussed on improving the welfare of cats housed in homing centres. Sarah spent eight years at the University of Lincoln (UK) as a post-doctoral research scientist working on numerous projects involving animal welfare assessment and furthering our understanding of cat behaviour and the cat-human relationship. Since 2015, Sarah has divided her time between her role at charity ‘International Cat Care’ as Head of Cat Wellbeing and Behaviour and working an an independent feline welfare educator, writer and consultant. About Vicky Halls

I have been working closely with cats since 1988 and specifically as a Cat Behaviour Counsellor from 1994 to 2019, treating behaviour problems in cats both in the UK and abroad. I am also an international bestselling author of 7 cat behaviour books for the cat-owning public and co-author of a number of veterinary textbooks.

I am a Registered Veterinary Nurse and member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. I am also a Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council. I also have a diploma in person-centred counselling and am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

Links https://icatcare.org/cat-advice/unowned-cats https://icatcare.org/courses/cat-friendly-homing-foundations Sarah’s paper on barriers to play: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124003277