Socializing Very Shy

or Fearful Cats
By Terri Gonzales and Sherry Woodard
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is working with you – and with humane
groups all across the country – to bring about a time when there are no
more homeless pets.
The sanctuary at Angel Canyon, in the Golden Circle of southern Utah, is
home, on any given day, to about 2,000 dogs, cats, and other animals from
all over the country. Many of them need just a few weeks of special care
before they’re ready to go to good new homes. Others, who are older and
sicker, or who have suffered extra trauma, find a home and a haven here,
and are given loving care for the rest of their lives.
Through the Best Friends Network, Best Friends reaches across the na-
tion and around the world, helping humane groups, individual people, and
entire communities to set up spay/neuter, shelter, foster, and adoption pro-
grams in their own neighborhoods, cities, and states.
And the Best Friends rapid response team brings rescue and relief to
people and pets in times of crisis and disaster.
The work of Best Friends is supported entirely through the donations of
our members. Through the generous hearts and hands of people like you,
we’re getting close to the day when there will be No More Homeless Pets.
Thank you for being part of this work of love.
Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, UT 84741
Phone: (435) 644-2001
E-mail: info@bestfriends.org
Website: www.bestfriends.org
Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 3

homes. Based on their trial-and-error experiences

Table of Contents with the cats of the Great Kitty Rescue, Best
Friends staff and volunteers used a series of steps
Preparation ........................................................ 4
for socializing extremely shy or fearful cats.
About the cage ................................................. 4
Setting up the cage .......................................... 4 The socialization process was dubbed Miss
Tools you may need ......................................... 4 Sherry’s Finishing School for Felines. The pri-
Cats’ body language ........................................ 5 mary objective of the socialization process is to
help cats face their fears and overcome them. How
Recording your progress ................................. 6
does it work? First, the cats are housed individu-
The Lessons ...................................................... 6 ally in small cages. Now, this may seem harsh, but
1. Motivating the cat with food ....................... 6 Best Friends staff discovered that the cats actu-
2. Petting with the wand .................................. 8 ally feel safer in a small, enclosed space. Plus, it
3. Petting with the brush wand ........................ 9 gives caregivers access to the cats so the process
4. Petting with the wand and a glove or hand.. 9 of learning to trust people can begin. Left to their
own devices in a large open space, fearful cats
5. Petting with a glove or hand ...................... 11
will run and hide when people appear – and the
6. Picking up a cat in the cage ....................... 12
process of building trust can’t happen.
7. Taking a cat out of the cage for lap time ... 13
8. Spending time in the playroom ................. 15 Once the cats are in the cages, they are taken
9. Spending time in the real-life room........... 16 through a series of lessons. Working with one cat at
a time, the caregiver insists, gently and persistently,
Graduation and Going Home .......................... 16
on making contact with the cat, using various
Appendix: Cat Socialization Forms ................ 18 “tools” like food, feather wands and long-handled
brushes. These steps are followed by slowly tak-
ing the cat out of the cage and holding him/her for
In 2007, Best Friends was called in to help out some lap time. Then the cat graduates to the play-
with a terrible hoarding situation in Pahrump, room and the real-life room. When the cat becomes
Nevada. Hundreds of neglected and abused cats comfortable with one step, the caregiver and cat
were living in a barren compound in the middle move on to the next step.
of the desert – and local animal control officers
knew they needed help. When Best Friends staff The techniques used by the Great Kitty Rescue
and volunteers arrived at the site of what was to team are based on routine, repetition, slow and
become known as the Great Kitty Rescue, their gentle persuasion, small progressions from one
first priority was getting food, water and medical step to another, and ending each session on a
care to the cats. But, when the dust settled, they positive note. The ultimate goal is to help the cats
realized they had a lot of very scared cats on their make good decisions so they can let go of their
hands. We’re talking about cats who hid from and fearfulness, replace it with trust in people and
avoided people, cats who might be considered fe- eventually find homes of their own.
ral by some.
During the socialization process, you’ll want to do
The socialization process you’re about to learn six to eight sessions per day with each cat, with
was born out of necessity. There were around 800 sessions in the beginning lasting one to three min-
cats at the Great Kitty Rescue and Best Friends utes. Depending on what the cat is working on and
staff were determined to socialize as many of what the cat can tolerate, the length of sessions
them as possible, so the kitties could get rid of will vary. For example, the introduction of a wand
their fear, become house cats and find forever will generally require less time than a lap session.

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 4

The length of a petting session could depend on

whether the cat is new to petting versus familiar
Preparation
with it (coming forward in the cage and soliciting
petting from people). About the cage
The cage gives the cat a place to feel safe. Limit-
Continuity is another important aspect of the so-
ing the cat’s space is necessary to allow interaction
cialization process. Once you start the process,
with the cat and to help the cat learn new skills. If
make sure you work with the cat every day. Skip-
you don’t limit the cat’s space, he will avoid in-
ping a few days of interaction with the cat can
teraction. The cage will be the cat’s bedroom until
cause him to lose momentum and you’ll be repeat-
she’s no longer fearful around people and has com-
ing steps unnecessarily.
pleted the socialization training process.
As you go through the steps, remember that every
At the Great Kitty Rescue, caregivers tried vari-
cat is different. Each cat will progress at a differ-
ous cage sizes. You should experiment to see what
ent rate, so you need to take your cues from the
works best for you, but you probably don’t want
cat. Pay close attention to the cat’s body language
a cage much larger than 2 feet deep, 20 inches
(more details on this below). Treat each cat as an
wide, 20 inches tall. If the cage is too large, you
individual and develop a relationship with each
won’t be able to interact with the cat comfortably
cat on that basis.
and the cat will be able to avoid interaction. The
cage shouldn’t be smaller than the measurements
Disclaimer above, however, because the cat needs to be able
The socialization process described below is a to get up, stretch and move around a bit.
work in progress. Best Friends hasn’t tested these
techniques scientifically. They are offered here You’ll want to use a wire cage that’s open on all
with the caveat that they are based solely on ob- sides. If you’re working with a cat who’s particu-
servation and experimentation by Best Friends larly fearful, you could cover one side, but don’t
staff and volunteers during the Great Kitty Res- cover the whole thing because that allows the cat
cue. We welcome any helpful input from others to hide. The cage should have a slide-out litter
who have successfully socialized fearful cats. tray to make cleaning easier.

Caution Setting up the cage

The techniques described in this manual should First, put some bedding toward the back of the
only be performed by experienced professionals. cage. The bedding should be something soft but
Cats can bite, scratch and attack handlers, caus- flat, so the cat doesn’t hide under it. The litter tray
ing bodily injury to those using these techniques. should be in the front of the cage by the door, giv-
Safety equipment, including gloves, safety glass- ing the cat the feeling that the back of the cage
es, and protective clothing, is highly recommend- is a safe place. The water and food dishes should
ed while using these techniques. Best Friends Ani- attach to the sides of the cage. If the cat is new to
mal Society is not responsible for any injuries to a cage, allow him at least a day to get comfortable
anyone using these techniques. Any person using in the cage before starting the lessons.
the techniques described in this manual does so at
his/her own risk.
Tools you may need
Feather wands. It’s good to have a variety of
feather wands (available at pet supply stores) so
you can use the one that works best with each cat.

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 5

Cats’ body language

You can pick up a lot of cues from the cat to de-
termine how she’s feeling. During each session,
watch the cat closely for signs of what her body
language is telling you. The lists below give ex-
amples of what kitty body language means, but
each cat is an individual, so try to keep in mind
that these are general guidelines only.
Relaxed or curious body language:
Cat returns your blink
Feather wands vary in the amount of feathers they Whiskers forward
have. Some have feathers just at the tip and others Both ears up
have feathers covering several inches of the wand.
Smelling
Neutral colors seem to work best.
Tucks front paws under body
Plastic wand. Take a plastic wand and wrap one Lying down or sitting in a relaxed posture
end in cloth, to create something that looks like a Grooming
large Q-tip.
Purring
Long-handled brush. You’ll use the brush as a Kneading
wand. Soliciting attention
Treats. If the cat is food-motivated, treats like Rubbing head against hand or object
baby food, turkey deli meat and canned tuna work Rubbing against the cage
best. Always give the food-motivated cat a treat at
the end of a session. The amount should be about
a teaspoon of baby food or a few pieces of canned
tuna or deli meat. (See “The Meat-Aggressive
Cat” on page 7 to find out when you shouldn’t use
meat.)
Leather garden gloves. To stay safe during the
beginning steps, wear leather garden gloves. If the
cat is big and strong, get welding gloves, but use
the welding gloves for as short a time as possible
because cats are afraid of the size of the gloves.
You should try to switch to the smaller leather
gloves as soon as it is safe for you.
Pheromones. Pheromones are chemicals excreted
by cats to mark their territory. In some cats, pher-
omones may help to reduce stress and aggression.
Feliway (available in pet supply stores) is one
brand: It’s a synthetic version of the cat phero-
mone that comes in a pump spray. You can spray
a bit on the tip of a wand before you touch the cat
with the wand.

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 6

Undecided or nervous body language:

The Lessons
One ear up and one back
Licking lips Here are the lessons the cat will go through:
Ears up with stiff body 1. Motivating the cat with food
Hissing
2. Petting with the wand
Looking away
3. Petting with the brush wand
Lying firmly against the back of the cage
4. Petting with the wand and a glove or hand
Scared or fearful body language:
5. Petting with a glove or hand
Wide-eyed stare
Ears down 6. Picking up a cat in the cage
Whiskers back 7. Taking a cat out of the cage for lap time
Hissing 8. Spending time in the playroom
Growling 9. Spending time in the real-life room
Biting
Each lesson will now be described in detail. Use-
Holding a front paw up ful tips are provided at the end of each lesson.
Standing with weight on one front paw Please read through all the lessons and tips before
Striking starting the socialization process.
Lying down with head low, head and body stiff

Tip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Motivating the cat

with food
A scared cat can cause serious injury. To be safe, The goal of lesson 1 is to have an initial positive
wear gloves when you first start working with a interaction with the cat. Offering food can bring
cat. Continue to wear gloves until you find out about positive interaction from a very shy or ag-
what the cat’s reaction will be with each step. gressive cat, but keep in mind that not all cats are
motivated by food. To find out if a cat is food-
........................... motivated, place a small amount of baby food or
deli meat on the end of a wand (the end without
Recording your progress the feathers or cloth).
To keep track of how the cat is doing, you’ll want
to record the specifics of the cat’s progress every
day. Best Friends has created forms that you can
use to do this (see the appendix). If you’re work-
ing with a number of cats, it’s especially impor-
tant to have a written “report card” for each cat.

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 7

Slowly move the food tip of the wand about half-

way into the cage, resting the wand just past the The Meat-Aggressive Cat
far edge of the cat box. Wait to see if the cat will If you are working with a food-motivated cat
smell or lick the food. If not, slowly move the and you are using deli meat or another type of
wand toward the cat’s nose. You want the cat to meat during the sessions, you’ll need to watch
lick – not bite – the baby food or gently eat the for meat aggressiveness. This behavior can oc-
deli meat. This may take some practice on the cur when the cat is becoming more comfort-
cat’s part. able with the sessions, but it can also happen
Even if the cat is food-motivated, he may not want in the beginning.
to accept any food from you in the beginning. In Whenever you offer a food-motivated cat a
that case, go to step 2, but continue to offer the piece of meat (from a wand, gloved hand or
baby food or deli meat on the wand at the begin- bare hand), notice how the cat takes it. If the
ning of each session. One day, the kitty may sur- cat is meat-aggressive, he’ll grab it, possibly
prise you! growling while he’s eating or after he eats the
Give the cat a treat every time you finish a ses- meat. When you come back into the cage us-
sion. The cat will come to associate a positive ing a wand or your hand, the cat might grab at
outcome (a treat) with your interaction. The treat your hand, sometimes growling and threaten-
can be a teaspoon of baby food, deli meat or tuna. ing to bite. Test the cat by going back into the
In the beginning, before you’ve established trust, cage with another piece of meat.
the cat will most likely eat the treat after you have If the cat seems even more aggressive about
left the area. the meat, don’t use meat to work with the cat!
The aggressive behavior will only get worse
Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and the cat will stop interacting positively
with you. For the meat-aggressive cat, use
s 4ALK TO THE CAT IN A SOOTHING VOICE WHILE YOU ARE only baby food as treats. Baby food has to be
working with him. Use the cat’s name often and licked and it seems to work better with meat-
let him know what you are going to do. Reassure aggressive cats.
the cat that it’s going to be OK.
s 'O SLOW 7ITH EACH STEP GIVE THE CAT TIME TO
process what’s happening and make good deci- s )F THE CAT STRIKES OR BITES TRY NOT TO REACT OR PULL
sions. away. (We know this is difficult!) A strong reac-
tion from you can give the cat the impression that
s )F THE CAT STRIKES AT THE WAND TIPPED WITH BABY his behavior was successful: He has forced you to
food, reapply the food and try again. The cat will retreat.
often regret hitting the food. Give her a chance to
change her mind. s +EEP AN EYE ON WHERE THE CATS EYES ARE 7HER-
ever she’s looking may be her target for biting or
s )F THE CAT IS FOOD MOTIVATED ALWAYS USE LESSON  striking out.
a number of times to reinforce for the cat that it’s
time to socialize. In a short time, the cat will begin
...........................
to look forward to the interaction.
s 7ATCH THE CATS REACTION AND BODY LANGUAGE 4HE
cat will let you know what he’s feeling. (See the
list of body language signs above.)

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 8

s "RING THE WAND BACK INTO THE CAGE WITH THE

feather or cloth tip toward the cat. Let the cat
smell the wand.
s "RING THE WAND UP TO THE TOP OF THE CATS HEAD
and attempt to touch the cat lightly with the feath-
er or cloth end of the wand. Starting at the top
of the head between the ears (the forehead area),
gently pet the cat. If the cat is receptive, work
your way down the cat’s back. Next, pet around
the side of the cat’s head and chin area.
s )F THE CAT HISSES OR STRIKES PULL BACK A LITTLE WAIT
a few seconds and try again. Even if you only get
to touch the top of the cat’s head, that’s progress.
Next session, you may be able to pet the back of
the cat’s head.
s )F THE CAT CONTINUES TO REACT NEGATIVELY THEN GO
back to a previous action to which she reacted
positively and end the session. Some cats are re-
Lesson 2: Petting with the wand sistant in the beginning of a new lesson, so you
The goal of lesson 2 is to get the cat comfort- may have to do this repeatedly. Be patient!
able with the wand and your presence with the
cage door open. Look for small positive signs at You want to end each session positively, so give
first: the cat smelling the wand; the cat tolerating the cat a treat when you’ve finished a session.
touch on the head with the wand, even for a few The treat can be a teaspoon of baby food or a few
seconds. You’ll work from petting the top of the pieces of canned tuna or deli meat.
cat’s head with the wand to petting the back of his When the cat is receptive to petting with the
neck, his back, the side of his head and his chin. wand, go to lesson 3.
Here are the steps:
s 3TART WITH LESSON  FOOD MOTIVATION TO HELP THE Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
cat make the transition to lesson 2.
s 4ALK TO THE CAT IN A SOOTHING VOICE WHILE YOU ARE
s 4HEN TAKE THE BARE END OF A FEATHER OR CLOTH working with him. Use the cat’s name often and
tipped wand and move it slowly into the cage, let him know what you are going to do. Reassure
stopping about halfway into the cage. Watch the the cat that it’s going to be OK.
cat’s reaction (see tips above on body language).
s 3PRAY THE WAND WITH A PHEROMONE LIKE &ELIWAY
s ,ET THE CAT SMELL THE WAND )F THE CAT ATTEMPTS or touch the wand (feather or cloth end) on some
to bite the wand, stop moving the wand for a few turkey deli meat. The scents make the wand more
seconds; if necessary, move the wand so the cat inviting to the cat.
cannot bite it. If the cat continues to attempt to
s 7HEN YOU OPEN THE CAGE DOOR SIT OR STAND IN
bite the wand, move it out of the cage. You don’t
front of the door. Most of the time, this will pre-
want a confrontation with the cat. Go back into
vent the cat from jumping out of the cage and will
the cage with baby food on the wand and allow
help the cat get comfortable with your presence.
the cat to lick the baby food.

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 9

s 3OME CATS ARE MESMERIZED WHEN YOU TOUCH cat. If the cat is receptive, work your way down
them on the forehead (between the eyes) with a her back. Next, pet around the side of her head
wand. Other cats may hate being touched on the and chin area.
face or head.
s )F THE CAT HISSES OR STRIKES PULL BACK A LITTLE WAIT
........................... a few seconds and try again. Even if you only get
to touch the top of the cat’s head, that’s progress.
Next session, you may be able to pet the back of
the cat’s head.
s )F THE CAT CONTINUES TO REACT NEGATIVELY THEN GO
back to a previous action to which she reacted
positively and try again. Some cats are resistant in
the beginning of a new lesson, so you may have to
do this repeatedly. Be patient!
s %ND THE SESSION ON A POSITIVE NOTE BY GIVING THE
cat her treat.
When the cat is receptive to petting with the brush
wand (or wand of your choice), go to lesson 4.

Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
s 4ALK TO THE CAT IN A SOOTHING VOICE WHILE YOU ARE
working with him. Use the cat’s name often and
Lesson 3: Petting with the brush let him know what you are going to do. Reassure
wand the cat that it’s going to be OK.
This lesson involves using a long-handled brush s 4RY VARIOUS WANDS AND LONG HANDLED BRUSHES
wand or something similar. Many cats enjoy being and learn where each cat likes to be touched.
touched with this type of brush, and it will help
protect you the first few times you attempt to pet s )N EACH SESSION MAKE SURE THAT THE LAST INTERAC-
the cat with your glove or hand (in the next les- tion you have with the cat is a positive one.
son). ...........................
Here are the steps:
Lesson 4: Petting with the wand
s 3TART WITH LESSON  FOOD MOTIVATION TO HELP THE
cat make the transition to a new lesson. and a glove or hand
In this lesson, you’ll introduce the cat to human
s 4AKE THE BRUSH WAND AND MOVE IT SLOWLY INTO THE touch. The goal is to be able to pet the cat from
cage. Watch the cat’s reaction (see tips above on head to tail with your hand while the wand is
body language). Allow the cat to smell the brush. in place. As in the previous lessons, you’ll ac-
s "RING THE BRUSH WAND UP TO THE TOP OF THE CATS complish this by building upon small successes.
head and attempt to lightly touch her with the Learning to enjoy human touch is a big step for
brush wand. Starting at the top of the head be- the cat.
tween the ears (the forehead area), gently pet the

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 10

In the beginning sessions for this lesson, you

should wear a glove for protection. Use a wand
that is rigid enough to give you protection while
you’re petting the cat. The brush wand works well
for this. You might also want to review the body
language tips given above.
Here are the steps:
s 3TART WITH LESSON  FOOD MOTIVATION TO HELP THE
cat make the transition to a new lesson.
s (OLD THE WAND WITH THE HAND THAT IS ON THE SAME
side as the cat’s head. This is very, very important.
If the cat’s head is on your right, then the wand back for a few seconds. You want to help the cat
should be in your right hand. Why? Because you decide that a touch from you will not hurt.
want your other hand (the one that you’ll be pet- s )F THE CAT CONTINUES TO REACT NEGATIVELY THEN GO
ting with) to be as far as possible from the cat’s back to a previous action to which she reacted
head and front paws, to help prevent injury to positively and try again. If the situation becomes
your hand if the cat bites or strikes. unsafe (the cat tries to bite or strikes), remove
s 4AKE THE BRUSH WAND AND MOVE IT SLOWLY INTO THE your hand and go back to petting with the wand
cage, just as you did in lesson 3. Watch the cat’s only. Some cats are resistant in the beginning of a
reaction. new lesson, so you may have to do this repeatedly.
Be patient!
s !LLOW THE CAT TO SMELL THE BRUSH
s %ND THE SESSION ON A POSITIVE NOTE BY GIVING THE
s "RING THE BRUSH WAND UP TO THE TOP OF THE CATS cat a treat.
head and pet the cat with the wand.
Each time you have a session, gently touch and
s 7ORK YOUR WAY DOWN TO THE BACK OF THE CATS pet the cat a little more. As mentioned above,
neck with the wand. Hold the wand across the please use a glove in the beginning. When you
back of the cat’s neck with a little pressure. (This feel comfortable that the cat is becoming more re-
will help protect your other hand when you move ceptive to your touch, then remove the glove and
it into the cat’s range. If the cat turns her head to use your bare hand.
bite, she’ll bite the wand, giving you time to move
your hand to a safer place.) When the cat is receptive to petting with your
hand with the presence of the brush wand, go to
s .OW THAT THE WAND IS IN POSITION YOU WANT THE lesson 5.
cat to see you slowly bringing your petting hand
into the cage. The cat may hiss, but continue mov-
ing your hand slowly into the cage and talking Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
reassuringly to the cat.
s 4ALK TO THE CAT IN A SOOTHING VOICE WHILE YOU ARE
s 4RY TO TOUCH THE BACK OF THE CAT NEAR THE TAIL AREA working with him. Use the cat’s name often and
first. If she hisses, stop moving your hand for a let him know what you are going to do. Reassure
second, but then proceed to touch the back of the the cat that it’s going to be OK.
cat. The idea is to complete the movement of your
hand, even if it is only to lightly touch the cat’s s )N THIS LESSON ITS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO
watch the cat’s body language very closely. A cat

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 11

can cause serious injury, so you’ll want to recog- the cat’s head. If he looks like he might raise his
nize the signs that he’s about to strike. head to bite, you can firmly push the cat’s head
forward and a little down. This gives the cat a
s )F THE CAT LOOKS AWAY WHEN YOU PET HIM HE chance to change his mind and gives you a chance
may be “in denial” – the touch is scary, so he’s to move your hand out of the way.
pretending that you’re not touching him. You’ll
want to make sure the cat is watching your hand s )F THE CAT PREFERS TO BE TOUCHED ON THE BACK START
as you reach to touch and pet him. If the cat is not there and work your way toward the cat’s head.
acknowledging what is happening, and facing his
fear, you may have difficulty when you move on s )F THE CAT REACTS NEGATIVELY AT ANY POINT GO BACK
to lesson 5 (using your hand only). to a spot where the cat reacted positively to your
touch and try again. As always, go slow and be
s .OTICE WHETHER THE CAT SEEMS SENSITIVE TO TOUCH patient.
on a particular area of her body, such as the chin
or tail. Don’t avoid touching these areas, just work s %ND THE SESSION ON A POSITIVE NOTE BY GIVING THE
more carefully and gently with these spots. cat a treat.

s )N EACH SESSION MAKE SURE THAT THE LAST INTERAC- The places where you are able to touch and pet the
tion you have with the cat is a positive one. cat should increase as you do more sessions. The
goal is to get the cat comfortable with you petting
........................... him from head to tail with your hand.

Lesson 5: Petting with a glove As the cat becomes more comfortable with pet-
ting, you’ll want to increase the amount of time
or hand spent on the petting session. Be careful that you
In this lesson, you’ll progress to petting the cat don’t over-stimulate the cat, however, because that
with just a glove or hand, without the presence of might cause the cat to bite or strike. Signs of over-
the wand. To do this, you’ll need to use food as stimulation are the cat rolling or rubbing against
motivation. you and acting over-excited, much like a cat in
heat does.
Here are the steps:
Keep in mind that petting can be scary to the cat.
s 0UT BABY FOOD OR DELI MEAT ON THE TIP OF YOUR Each cat is an individual, so you’ll need to watch
gloved finger or your bare finger (whichever you for what the cat can tolerate while using gentle,
feel more comfortable with) and move it slowly
toward the cat. Stop when you reach the back of
the litter box and rest your finger there with the
food.
s -OST OF THE TIME THE CAT WILL COME TO YOU AND
begin licking the baby food or gently eating the
meat. If that doesn’t happen, slowly move your
finger toward the cat’s nose, talking in a soothing
tone the whole time. Entice the cat to eat by let-
ting him smell the food.
s /NCE HES EATEN SLOWLY REACH HIGH INTO THE CAGE
and with one finger touch the top of the cat’s head.
If he reacts favorably, continue to pet the back of

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 12

persistent persuasion so the cat can make prog- with the cat until she’s comfortable with petting
ress. When the cat is comfortable with petting and more trusting of your actions.
with your hand, go to lesson 6.
s 4HEN REPEAT THE SCRUFlNG SEQUENCE FOR AS MANY
sessions as it takes for the cat to become comfort-
Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . able with it.

s 4ALK TO THE CAT IN A SOOTHING VOICE WHILE YOU ARE s .EXT DO THE lRST TWO STEPS OFFER THE CAT FOOD
working with him. Use the cat’s name often and on your finger and pet the cat) but, instead of just
let him know what you are going to do. Reassure scruffing the cat, put one hand on top of the cat
the cat that it’s going to be OK. and slide your other hand under his belly. Try to
lift the cat so that all four paws leave the cage
s )N THIS LESSON ITS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO floor. Do this for a few sessions until the cat is
watch the cat’s body language very closely. A cat comfortable with it.
can cause serious injury, so you’ll want to recog-
nize the signs that he’s about to strike. s %ND THE SESSION ON A POSITIVE NOTE BY GIVING THE
cat a treat.
s )F YOU FEEL THE CAT IS ABOUT TO STRIKE THE TOP IN-
side of the cage is the quickest and safest place
for your hand to go. Most of the time, the cat will
become less aggressive when you move your hand
away from the cat.
s )N EACH SESSION MAKE SURE THAT THE LAST INTERAC-
tion you have with the cat is a positive one.
...........................

Lesson 6: Picking up a cat in the

cage
The first attempt to pick up the cat takes place in
the cage. This can be a really scary step for the
cat, so be prepared for the cat to react badly.
Here are the steps:
s 3TART THIS LESSON BY OFFERING THE CAT FOOD ON YOUR
finger. Then, pet the cat. Next, scruff the cat and
gently lift her front paws off the floor of the cage
for a couple of seconds. (To scruff the cat, grasp
the loose skin gently but firmly at the back of the
neck above the shoulder blades.) Set the cat back
down and pet her again. This would be considered
one session. Do this for a number of sessions.
s )F THESE SESSIONS DO NOT GO WELL THE CAT IS NOT
ready to be picked up and you need to build more
trust with the cat. Go back to lesson 5 and work

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Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 13

Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kick out of your arms or bite), she’s not ready to

be held. Go back to lesson 6. Don’t get discour-
s 4ALK TO THE CAT IN A SOOTHING VOICE WHILE YOU ARE aged: Try to remember that as you practice, it will
working with him. Use the cat’s name often and get easier for you and the cat!
let him know what you are going to do. Reassure
There are three methods that you can use to re-
the cat that it’s going to be OK.
move the cat from the cage. Use whatever works
s )N EACH SESSION MAKE SURE THAT THE LAST INTERAC- best for you and the cat. Here are descriptions of
tion you have with the cat is a positive one. the three methods:
........................... Method 1. Scruff the cat with one hand; place
your other hand underneath the cat and hold
his front paws together with your fingers so he
doesn’t grab onto the cage. Lift the cat out of
the cage, holding the cat’s head up with the hand
that’s scruffing him, and set him on your lap. As
you can see in the photos below, you can take the
cat out of the cage either tail first or sideways.

Lesson 7: Taking a cat out of the

cage for lap time
Once you feel the cat is comfortable with being
picked up inside the cage, it’s time to practice
picking the cat up and taking her out of the cage
for lap time. Be prepared for some distress on
the cat’s part. The cat thinks of the cage as a safe
place, so the first time you take her out of the
cage, she’ll most likely panic. In time, though, the
cat will feel comfortable coming out of the cage,
being held and being petted in your arms.
Start a session by reaching in and petting the cat.
Then, pick up the cat. If the cat panics, put the cat
down, pet her and try again to remove her from
the cage. If the cat struggles excessively (tries to

Best Friends Animal Society www.bestfriends.org

Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 14

Method 2. Scruff the cat, lifting her front paws Ten to 15 seconds is a good length of time for the
off the floor. Slide your other hand between the first session of removing the cat from the cage and
front paws, supporting the cat’s belly as you pick placing him on your lap. You want the cat to un-
up the cat. Use this method only if the cat is re- derstand and trust that you will return him to the
laxed and seems very comfortable with being cage, the place where he feels safe.
picked up, and you have a very good hold on the
cat. Use caution: You are sliding your arm in front Before lifting the cat out of the cage, you might
of the cat’s mouth. want to place a thick towel on your lap, to help
protect you if the cat decides to “dig in.” When the
cat is on your lap, keep one hand on top of the cat,
near the head, ready to scruff her if necessary as
you pet her. Place your other hand under the cat’s
neck, in front of her chest. This positioning of
your hands gives you better control over the cat.
You will be able to feel if she’s going to leap from
your lap – something you don’t want to happen. If
the cat is struggling some, return her to the cage
and try again on the next session.
In each session, hold the cat on your lap and pet
her. As the cat becomes more comfortable in
your lap and starts to enjoy your touch, you can
lengthen the lap time. As always, pay attention to
the cat’s body language and be alert for signs of
Method 3. Scruff the cat with one hand and slide
discomfort.
your other hand between the cat’s back legs, sup-
porting his belly. This is easier if the cat is turned When you put the cat back in the cage, you don’t
away from you, with his tail facing you. The want the cat to jump out of your arms and into the
drawback to this method is that the cat will be bet- cage. Instead, place the cat back in the cage (see
ter able to grab onto the cage as you’re taking him photo below). You don’t want the cat to feel like
out. You will probably have to remove his paws she’s escaping from you.
from the side of the cage as he comes out.
To end positively, reach in and pet the cat after
you’ve returned her to the cage. And don’t forget
to give the cat her treat after each session.

Best Friends Animal Society www.bestfriends.org

Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 15

Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
s 4ALK TO THE CAT IN A SOOTHING VOICE WHILE YOU ARE
working with him. Use the cat’s name often and
let him know what you are going to do. Reassure
the cat that it’s going to be OK.
s 0UTTING THE CAT BACK IN THE CAGE IS EASIER THAN
taking her out.
s %VERY ACTION YOU TAKE WITH A CAT NEEDS TO BE
completed, if at all possible.
s 9OU SCRUFF THE CAT SO YOU HAVE BETTER CONTROL OF
him. If done properly, scruffing doesn’t hurt the
cat and the cat seems to concede faster to being
picked up. As kittens, their mothers carried them
this way.
...........................

Lesson 8: Spending time in the

places as possible. Cat trees need to be below your
playroom eye level and hiding spaces should be filled with
Once the cat is enjoying being picked up and towels. Provide some soft beds, some toys and
spending time on your lap, it’s time for the play- some places for people to sit and pet the cats. As
room. The purpose of the playroom is to see how the cat becomes more relaxed in the playroom,
the cat will behave in an open area. You’re hoping have different people come in and interact with
that the cat is now confident and trusting enough the cat to help him become comfortable with other
that he won’t run and hide from people. In the humans besides his caregiver.
playroom, the cat will get to interact with a num-
ber of different people. The cat will also practice To introduce the cat to other kitties, place one or
getting along with other cats and learning to play. more friendly cats in the playroom. These cats
will act as role models for your student. The stu-
Set up the playroom so that it has as few hiding dent cat will watch your interactions with the
other cats – playing, petting and picking them up
– and hopefully he will be reassured that these in-
teractions aren’t scary.
The first time you put your student in the play-
room, he may run from you. Give the cat about an
hour to settle down and explore. If, after an hour
or so, the cat hasn’t found a comfortable bed and
runs when you approach, try to distract him with
toys, food or another cat. If the cat cannot be dis-
tracted, give him some lap time in the playroom
and then return him to the cage.

Best Friends Animal Society www.bestfriends.org

Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 16

The next step is supervised playroom time. Have

some lap time with the cat in the playroom, and
then place the cat in a cat bed next to you, con-
tinuing to pet the cat. Return the cat to the cage
after this session. Repeat these sessions until the
cat no longer runs from you. The goal is to give
the cat many chances to make the decision not to
run.
The cat can stay in the playroom for a period of
time ranging from 10 minutes to all day, depend-
ing on the cat’s skill level.

Tip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Walking from the cage to the playroom may be
scary for the cat and she could possibly try to
jump from your arms. So, make sure you have a
firm grip on her.
...........................

Lesson 9: Spending time in the

real-life room
The real-life room should be set up to mimic real chair or table. The test for your student: When you
life. You’ll want to include people furniture and go to reach for the cat, she should not avoid you.
other items (e.g., TV, phone, computer) that a cat If she does, she may not be ready for the real-life
would encounter in a home. You’ll want to mini- room.
mize hiding places, but the real-life room should
have a few hiding places so you can test the cat’s
confidence level. Graduation and
When the cat spends time in the real-life room, Going Home
you’re hoping that she’ll approach you and solicit
holding and petting. If you are sitting and reading, Congratulations! If your student has mastered all
for example, the cat should want to see what you the lessons, your once-fearful cat has graduated
are doing and want to interact with you. to house-cat status. The cat has new social skills,
is ready to trust, and is no longer living in fear of
The real-life room also provides the cat with some people or the things happening around him. Your
new experiences she may not have had, such as graduate has worked very hard, and now he (or
the sound of a phone ringing or a radio playing. she) is ready to go home!
These sounds could be scary to a cat who has not
lived in a home. One caution, though: Adopters or foster parents
need to be aware that they’ll have to keep an eye
As in a home, the real-life room should have some on these kitties to make sure they aren’t regress-
places that cats can avoid you – such as under a ing. If one of these cats goes back to being fearful

Best Friends Animal Society www.bestfriends.org

Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats 17

– hiding or avoiding people – it may be time for a

refresher course.
If you get stuck or have questions about the so-
cialization process described in this manual, send
an e-mail to Sherry Woodard at sherry@best
friends.org.
Sherry Woodard is the animal behavior and care
consultant for Best Friends Animal Society. She
spent many months in Pahrump, Nevada, during
the Great Kitty Rescue socializing fearful cats so
they could find loving homes.
Terri Gonzales also devoted several months to the
Great Kitty Rescue and she helped dozens of cats
overcome their fear so they could go home. She
continued her work with the remaining Pahrump
cats at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Terri was
instrumental in developing the socialization tech-
niques described in this manual.

Best Friends Animal Society www.bestfriends.org

 Appendix:
Forms for Cat Socialization
Da
te
Ha / Na
nd m
ler e of

Tim
e
wit spe
h c nt
at

Wi
de
-ey
ed
Hid
es
he
Ea ad
rs
do
wn
Wh
isk
Cat:_________________________

ers
Lic ba
kin ck
g lip
Fro s
nt
pa
Lu w up
ng
e d/
sp
Str
ike it
Bit
e
His
sed
Gr
ow
led
Bo
dy
sti
Ru ff
ns

Re
tur
ns
Sm bli
nk
ells
Ea
rs
up
Sp
eak
s
Ap
pro
ach
Bo es
dy
rel
axe
Wh
isk d
for ers
wa
rd
Pa
w
un s tuc
de
r b ked
od
Pu y
rrs
Kn
ead
s
Ro
lls:
ne
Ro ar
lls:
dis
Sc tan
ruf ce
fed
He
alt
h
Level 1A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 1A: Touching head

! Does not strike or bite at food
! Smells object with food
! Accepts food from wand
! _______________________________________________________

Positive Progress Seen at Any Level

! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 1B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 1B: Touching head

! Approaches for food

! Smells wand
! Does not strike or bite wand
! _______________________________________________________

Positive Progress Seen at Any Level

! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 1C Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 1C: Touching head

! Smells wand
! Allows top of head to be touched by wand
! Does not strike or bite at wand
! _______________________________________________________

Positive Progress Seen at Any Level

! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 2A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 2A: Petting head with wand

! Allows head to be petted with wand

! Ears up with wand petting
! Does not strike or bite at wand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 2B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 2B: Petting head with wand

! Allows head to be petted with wand
! Ears up when petting with wand
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with wand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 3A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 3A: Pet back with wand

! Allows back to be petted with wand
! Ears up when petting with wand
! Does not strike or bite wand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 3B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 3B: Pet back with wand

! Allows back to be petted with wand
! Ears up when petting with wand
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with wand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 4A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 4A: Pet head with wand and pet back with glove
! Smells wand and gloved hand
! Allows petting with wand on head and gloved hand to touch back
! Does not strike or bite wand or gloved hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 4B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 4B: Pet head with wand and pet back with glove
! Allows petting with wand on head and petting back with gloved hand
! Ears up with wand and glove petting
! Does not strike or bite wand or glove
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 4C Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 4C: Pet head with wand and pet back with glove
! Allows petting with wand on head and petting back with gloved hand
! Ears up with wand and glove petting
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with wand and glove
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 5A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting
Note: This step may be skipped if the cat goes straight to accepting pets with a hand.

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 5A: Pet head and back with glove – no wand

! Smells glove
! Allows glove to touch head
! Does not strike or bite glove
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 5B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting
Note: This step may be skipped if the cat goes straight to accepting pets with a hand.

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 5B: Pet head and back with glove – no wand

! Allows petting of head with glove
! Ears up when petting head with glove
! Does not strike or bite glove
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 5C Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting
Note: This step may be skipped if the cat goes straight to accepting pets with a hand.

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 5C: Pet head and back with glove – no wand

! Allows petting of head with glove
! Ears up when petting head with glove
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with wand and glove
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 5D Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting
Note: This step may be skipped if the cat goes straight to accepting pets with a hand.

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 5D: Pet head and back with glove – no wand

! Allows petting on back with glove
! Ears up with petting
! Does not strike or bite glove
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 5E Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting
Note: This step may be skipped if the cat goes straight to accepting pets with a hand.

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 5E: Pet head and back with glove – no wand

! Allows petting on back with glove
! Ears up when petting back with glove
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with glove
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 6A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 6A: Pet head with wand and pet back with hand
! Smells wand and hand
! Allows petting with wand on head and hand to touch back
! does not strike or bite wand or hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 6B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 6B: Pet head with wand and pet back with hand
! Allows petting with wand on head and petting back with hand
! Ears up with petting
! Does not strike or bite wand or hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments__________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 6C Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Wands: ! Cloth ! Feather ! Brush ! Other __________

Level 6C: Pet head with wand and pet back with hand
! Allows petting with wand on head and petting cats back with hand
! Ears up with wand and hand petting
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with wand and hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 7A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 7A: Pet head and back with hand (no wand past this point)
! Smells hand
! Allows hand to touch head
! Does not strike or bite hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 7B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 7B: Pet head and back with hand (no wand past this point)
! Allows petting of head with hand
! Ears up when petting head with hand
! Does not strike or bite hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 7C Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 7C: Pet head and back with hand (no wand past this point)
! Allows petting of head with hand
! Ears up when petting head with hand
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 7D Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 7D: Pet head and back with hand (no wand past this point)
! Allows petting of back with hand
! Ears up with petting
! does not strike or bite hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 7E Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 7E: Pet head and back with hand (no wand past this point)
! Allows petting of back with hand
! Ears up when petting back with hand
! Sitting or standing with a relaxed body posture while petting with hand
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 8A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 8A: Picking cat up – two paws off cage floor

! Allows petting of head and back
! Allows scruffing and two paws off cage floor
! Does not strike or bite hand when scruff is released
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 8B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 8B: Picking cat up – two paws off cage floor

! Allows scruffing and two paws off cage floor
! Does not hiss or growl when scruff is released
! Allows petting after scruff is released
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Level 9A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 9A: Picking cat up – four paws off cage floor

! Allows scruffing and two paws off cage floor
! Allows hand to slide under belly
! Does not strike or bite hand when scruff is released
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Level 9B Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 9B: Picking cat up – four paws off cage floor

! Allows hand to slide under belly
! Allows scruffing and four paws off cage floor
! Does not strike or bite hand when scruff is released
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Level 9C Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 9C: Picking cat up – four paws off cage floor

! Allows scruffing and four paws off cage floor
! Does not hiss or growl when scruff is released
! Allows petting after scruff is released
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Level 10A Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 10A: Lap holding

! Allows being taken out of cage
! Does not hiss or growl when scruff is released
! Does not strike or bite when held
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Level 10B Cat Name: ________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 10B: Lap holding

! Allows being taken out of cage
! Cat does not bolt from your arms
! Allows petting after scruff is released
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Level 10C Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 10C: Lap holding

! Allows being taken out of cage

! Ears up when petting on lap
! Allows petting after scruff is released
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Level 10D Cat Name:_________________
Cage Skills and Petting

Cat Behavior:
Caution:
Cat Preferences:
Food Motivation: ! Baby Food ! Meat ! Accepts Baby Food from Wand
Petting: ! Head ! Back/Near Tail ! All
Note: Wands not used at this level for petting

Level 10D: Lap holding

! Allows being taken out of cage
! Allows petting after scruff is released
! Sitting with a relaxed body posture while petting on lap
! _______________________________________________________
Positive Progress Seen at Any Level
! Solicits Attention ! Rubs Against Object, Cage, Hand
! Approaches For Food ! Rolls At A Distance
! Approaches For Pets ! Rolls Near A Person
! Returns Blinks ! Grooming
! Smells Object or Hand ! Eating
! Relaxed Body Posture ! Speaking
! Paws Tucked Under Body ! Purrs, Kneads

! Comments __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________