This week on The Groomer Next Door Podcast we're joined by Dr. Koski. Dr. Koski is a feline whisperer and has lot's of great information to share. For all of our pet parents traveling for the Christmas break we wish you a safe trip, and hope we're entertaining you on your travels.

 

Dr. Marci Koski is a certified feline behavior and training consultant, having received specialized and advanced certificates in Feline Training and Behavior from the Animal Behavior Institute. She also holds a doctorate in Fishery and Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University, and worked as a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over ten years, where she focused her efforts on the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species.

Marci has always been passionate about animals and their welfare, and decided that her education, talents, and passion would best serve people and animals through the creation of her own business, Feline Behavior Solutions. Cats have always had a special place in her heart, and Marci can’t remember a time when she’s been without at least one cat in her life. She currently relies on her four-member support staff (see below) to maintain the feline duties of her household. Marci works with two animal rescue organizations, including the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, where she assists with a program that connects under-socialized cats with inmates at a minimum-security prison.  Marci educates the inmates about cat behavior and helps them socialize the cats (whom they live with until the cats are ready to find permanent homes); then the cats are adopted out through the Humane Society.  This very special and unique program is a win-win-win situation!  She also currently volunteers at Furry Friends, a no-kill cat rescue organization in Vancouver, WA, where she is a member of the executive board and serves as their cat behaviorist to address concerns both in the halfway house, and before and after cats are adopted to forever homes.  Marci performs several additional duties, including socializing the cats, answering patron’s questions about cat behavior and Furry Friends’ services, and participating on the social media team.

Marci’s primary mission through her work with Feline Behavior Solutions is to keep cats in homes and from being abandoned to streets or shelters as the result of treatable behavior issues. Marci believes that the number of cats who are abandoned and/or euthanized in shelters can be greatly reduced if guardians better understand cat behavior, and learn how to work with their cats to encourage desired behaviors instead of unwanted ones. Having cats (and other companion animals) in our lives is a wonderful thing, and the relationships we foster with them are at the heart of living together peacefully. Cats are capable of giving us the gifts of companionship, comfort, love, and even a good belly-laugh at times. And in return, giving our kitty friends happy and healthy lives and relationships with their guardians is what Marci strives to do with Feline Behavior Solutions.