Many cats are admitted to the Bridgend Adoption Centre every year from all backgrounds and situations. For most, the upheaval from their past lives, the people they knew, familiar sights sounds and smells can be stressful. Some cats adjust quite quickly to their time at the Adoption Centre while they wait to find their forever home, but some may need a little extra help. For these situations, we have a team of volunteers and staff in our Desensitisation Program.
Milky was just such a cat; a beautiful 7-year-old, all white, long-haired female. She was admitted to the centre by her owner, after her landlord had threatened eviction when they found out she had a cat - she was left having to make the sad decision to give Milky up.
It was observed quite quickly that Milky was avoiding any interaction with the staff and volunteers as they did their daily cleaning and feeding. She would move from her inside pen to her outside run through the cat flap, and seemed quite anxious when people were in close proximity. Because of this, it was decided to include Milky in the Desensitisation Program, to try to help her gain confidence.
Milky’s pen was set up in a way that meant minimal cleaning was needed – this is because some timid cats can find having their pens cleaned stressful. A high-vis apron is worn during cleaning or administering any necessary medication, but not when carrying out desensitisation or feeding - this is so that the cat can distinguish between positive and negative experiences.
Sometimes a towel is used to cover half of the pen window, to help ease the cat’s stress if they prefer not to see other cats. Bedding is left alone (as long as it remains clean), as this will create a scent profile (they can smell their own scent on the bedding) which helps make the cat feel more relaxed. Feliway can also help as it releases calming pheromones into the pen, so this is sprayed onto a cloth or blanket and once dry it is placed into the pen.
The first stage of interaction is for the Cat Carer to sit outside the pen and to observe the cat, seeing what their behaviour is and where they are sitting in the pen, speaking softly and calmly to the cat and making no effort at this early stage to touch the cat. Everything within the Desensitisation Program is done at a slow pace so that the cat is happy – instead of forcing interaction which would cause further stress to the cat and would set back the process. Only when the cat is making good progress is it moved on to the next stage.
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Senior Cat Carer Katie during one of Milky's sessions |
Milky slowly began to show signs of interest and started interacting with the team members by approaching them and rubbing against them. She became interested in the toys being offered to her as she progressed through the stages of the program, and her confidence started to grow. She even started enjoying a little fuss! This just shows how important the Desentitisation Program is for stressed or nervous cats. It’s always a great feeling to see the difference in cats like Milky when they begin to regain their confidence and trust in people.
We’re happy to say that Milky was placed up for adoption and was soon on her way to her new family. All the Adoption Centre staff and volunteers hope her confidence continues to grow, and we know that she will become a much-loved member of her new family!
- Bridgend Adoption Centre Team
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