Safe Animal Handling Part 4

Safe Animal Handling
SPCA of Texas
Animal Behavior Programs
2015
Part 4

• Working with Cats
• Practice Observing
Cats
• Picking up Cats
• Crating & Moving
Cats
• Escaped Cats
• Cat Attacks
• Animal Handler
Opportunities

Working with Cats
Cats are very sensitive to their environments and
are aware of sounds, movements, smells,
textures and more. Sometimes a small change in
the room can cause a big change in the cat’s
behavior.
• Do SODA before opening the kennel
• Speak softly and comfortingly
• Think through what you are going to do with
the cat
• Make sure you have everything you need before
interacting

Safe Use Caution Extreme Caution Do not proceed
Body Part Behavior What it means
Gazing, blinking relaxed, calm
Averting eyes/looking away Fearful, trying to avoid conflict
Pupils dilated poor lighting, fear or stress
Eyes wide, whites of eyes are visible Fear, stress or anxiety
Darting eyes Fearful, looking for an escape
Round on bottom, flat on top fear, stress
Forward friendly
moving around or facing the side collecting more information, unsure, fearful
Pinned Back aggressive, defensive
Yawn
Tired (if just woken up or going to sleep),
anxious, stress (when not tired)
Lip Licking or tongue flicking fear, stress, nervous, anxious
Hiss fearful or aggressive
Spit aggression
Panting stressed, hot
Growl aggressive or defensive
High in the air relaxed, friendly
Low undecided, collecting information
wrapped around body tightly fearful, unsure or sleeping
tip of tail flicking aroused
wipping back and forth agitated
puffy, hair piloerect aroused, overstimulated
soft, relaxed calm
hair piloerect aroused, overstimulated, fearful or defensive
Cowering fearful
Exposing belly asking for some space
Tense, stiff fearful or aggressive
Eyes
Ears
Body
Tail
Mouth

Think Like A Behaviorist
In the following slides you will be observing
photos of shelter cats. Take 10-15 seconds to
describe what the cat is doing. Remember to
use objective, rather than subjective,
observations.

Is This Cat Safe to Handle?
Ears forward

Ears forward
Soft eyes

Ears forward
Soft eyes
Looking up at
person

Ears forward
Moving
towards
person
Soft eyes
Looking up at
person

Ears forward
Moving
towards
person
Soft eyes
Looking up at
person
Tail
High up
in the
air

Rubbing face on
objects
Ears forward

Rubbing face on
objects
Body off
balance
Ears forward

Rubbing face on
objects
Body off
balance
Eyes
Squinty
Ears forward

Rubbing face on
objects
Body off
balance
Eyes
Squinty
Body relaxed, soft
Ears forward

This cat is providing us with some
physical information that isn’t related
to her behavior.

to her behavior.
Ear
Notch

to her behavior.
Ear
Notch
Cats’ ears are notched when they are
spayed or neutered in a Trap, Neuter,
Release (TNR) program so that they
won’t be taken for surgery again.

to her behavior.
Ear
Notch
Cats’ ears are notched when they are
spayed or neutered in a Trap, Neuter,
Release (TNR) program so that they
won’t be taken for surgery again.
Sometimes pet cats are accidentally
captured and spayed or neutered in a
TNR program. This may explain this
cat’s friendly behavior.

Is This Cat Safe To Handle?
Ears forward

Ears forward
Feet gathered
underneath,
body in balance

Ears forward
Feet gathered
underneath,
body in balanceEye shape
slightly
flattened on
top

Ears forward
Front paws
collected
under body
Feet gathered
underneath,
slightly
flattened on
top

Ears forward
Front paws
collected
under body
Lips short or
pursed
Feet gathered
underneath,
slightly
flattened on
top

Ears forward
Front paws
collected
under body
Lips short or
pursed
Feet gathered
underneath,
slightly
flattened on
top
Whiskers
flared

Ears forward
Front paws
collected
under body
Lips short or
pursed
Feet gathered
underneath,
slightly
flattened on
top
Whiskers
flared
The look on this cat’s face indicates that he might be a
little cautious. Through a slow introduction we can
continue to observe him for friendly, aggressive or fearful
behavior.

Lying in
litterbox

Ears
facing
different
directions
Lying in
litterbox

Ears
facing
different
directions
Pupils
dilated
Lying in
litterbox

Ears
facing
different
directions
Tail
curled
around
tightly
Pupils
dilated
Lying in
litterbox

Ears
facing
different
directions
Tail
curled
around
tightly
Pupils
dilated
Lying in
litterbox
This cat is lying in her litterbox because
she is looking for a place to hide.
Because she needs a place to go to the
bathroom as well as a place to hide, we
should provide her with an alternate
location to hide such as a cardboard box
or a cat hidey bed. By providing her an
appropriate place to hide she may
become more comfortable and friendly.

Hair
Piloerect
(standing
on end)

Hair
Piloerect
(standing
on end)
Ears pointing
different directions

Hair
Piloerect
(standing
on end)
Tail wrapped
around tightly
Ears pointing

Hair
Piloerect
(standing
on end)
Tail wrapped
around tightly
Ears pointing
Pupils
appear
dilated

Hair
Piloerect
(standing
on end)
Tail wrapped
around tightly
Ears pointing
Looking away
(averting
eyes)
Pupils
appear
dilated

Hair
Piloerect
(standing
on end)
Tail wrapped
around tightly
Ears pointing
Looking away
(averting
eyes)
Pupils
appear
dilated
This kitten shows signs of either fear or illness.
A sick cat or one that is recovering from
surgery will often crouch with its neck
extended and other physical signs seen here.
Check its kennel card or talk to the ACC
supervisor before handling an animal if illness
is a possibility.

Ears back

Ears back
Pupils
Dilated

Ears back
Pupils
Dilated
Tongue out
or Tongue
flicking

Ears back
Pupils
Dilated
Front feet IN balance
Tongue out
or Tongue
flicking

Ears back
Pupils
Dilated
Front feet IN balance
Tongue out
or Tongue
flicking
Similar to dogs, cats may also
display stress signals such as
shaking/shivering, tongue
flicking, yawning or stretching.
Based on our observations of this
cat, it appears he is ready for
Fight or Flight.
Be very cautious if you must
handle this cat.

Introduce Yourself
Offer the back of your hand a few feet away and watch
the cat for any forward movement, poking their nose
forward to sniff you or walking over to you.
If you do not observe any forward movement
proceed with caution and write a BVAL.

Touching Cats
Introduce yourself first by
offering the back of your hand.
Next, sweep the back of your
fingers along the cat’s cheek.
If the cat behaves aggressively
or fearfully, slowly back away.
Cat’s have scent glands in their cheeks so by rubbing our fingers on
their cheeks it releases their scent onto us. Also, when a cat rubs his
face on you or an object it releases pheromones which make him feel
happy and secure.

Petting Cats
When petting a cat it is safest to pet on the cheeks and
under the chin. As the cat gets more comfortable they
may rub their head on you and accept petting on the
top of the head and along their back.

Protect Them, Protect Us
Towels can be useful when working
with cats. They can be wrapped in a
towel to be safely picked up and
restrained, that way if he chooses to
swat or scratch he is contained in the
towel rather than scratching your skin.
Fingerless gloves should always
be used when performing
invasive procedures or medically
evaluating a cat. They are also
useful when handling cats that
are resistant or overstimulated.

Picking Up Cats
- SODA
- Introduce yourself first
- Then, turn the cat’s body so
that his face is 180 degrees
away from you
- Place one hand under his chest
and control his front legs with
your fingers
- Scoop up his back end and tail
with the other hand
- Be careful to avoid his rear
claws while supporting him.
You can also wear protective
gloves and/or wrap him in a
towel.
- Move him where he needs to
go in as smooth a motion as
possible.

Picking Up Resistant Cats
- SODA
- Put on fingerless protective gloves
- Cover the cat with a towel and pick him up as
previously described
If the cat is extremely resistant he may need to be
scuffed to be picked up. You must complete the
Restraint training at the SPCA of Texas for more
information on this technique.

Moving & Crating Cats
If you are moving a cat
through a doorway, across
a large room, through an
area where there is noise
or activity or where there
may be dogs the cat must
be put into a crate.

To put a cat in a crate:
If available, use a top-loading crate. These
crates are easiest when getting a cat into a
crate.
Offer the cat a chance to go into the crate
on his own.
If he does not enter on his own and you
are using a crate that opens from the
front, set the crate on a raised surface
with the edge hanging over the edge of
the surface approximately 2” . Then, lift
the cat as previously described and put
him into the crate.
Top-Loading Crate

If the cat does not go into the
crate work with a partner.
Your partner will hold the
crate upright with the door
open and the opening facing
the ceiling. Lift the cat and
lower him, bottom first, into
the crate and your partner
will close the crate.
Lower the cat in bottom first
Your partner will close the door.

Escaped Cats
• Make sure all doors to the area are closed
before you do anything else.
• Follow or watch the cat but do not chase
it.
• If the cat is friendly, simply lift using the
technique describe previously and return
it to it’s cage
• If the cat resists capture
• Close the are to the public until he is secured
• Notify your supervisor immediately

Escaped Cats
If he can remain loose until he calms down:
• Put a notice on the door that there is a loose cat inside. Often they are
easier to capture after resting for a while.
If he cannot remain loose until he calms down:
• Put on protective gloves.
• Work with a partner to heard the cat into a small area using towels and
capture with a net or protective gloves with fingers (not fingerless type).
Once the cat is secure, lift it into the appropriate cage. Release the cat and
close the door.
 Do not chase or grab at a loose cat or it will become increasingly fractious.
 Do not ever use a catch pole or cat tongs with a cat in the shelter
 R&I may use a net, gloves or cat tongs (but never a catch pole) as needed in
urgent rescue situations

Overstimulated Cats
Cats that become overstimulated are likely to bite or
scratch.
Overstimulated cats often display the following
behaviors:
- Vocalizing, or meowing, frequently
- Vigorously rubbing face and body on objects or people.
- Hair standing on end, most often on tail but sometimes all
over body
Use caution when handling a cat that appears
overstimulated. Put on fingerless gloves for protection.
Also, avoid overstimulation through petting and redirect
the cat’s energy onto a cat wand toy.

Cat Attacks
• If you are holding a cat and it becomes fractious, let it go
immediately and follow the guidelines for an escaped cat.
– If you need first aid, call for help and allow other staff members
to capture the cat.
• If the cat lunges at or chases you, remain calm, and protect
your body as well as possible while moving toward the
nearest exit.
– Cat attacks of this type are rare.
– The cat will usually charge, attack and then run away.
• If the cat manages to grab you with his teeth or claws and
hang on:
– Do not jerk away
– Push the cat forward and then pull up to dislodge his claws
– If the cat manages to hold on, cover his head with a towel and
the lift him forward and then up.

Congratulations!
You have completed the online portion of the
Safe Animal Handling class.
Next Steps:
1. Complete the Animal Handling Review
(details on next page).
2. Turn in your Animal Handling Review Scores
via email, snail mail or deliver in person.
3. Complete Hands-On Training with the
Behavior Department.

Please complete your Animal Handling Review now.
When you click the link above you will be taken to the Animal
Handling Review. The access password is test123.
After your complete your review, you MUST
submit your scores via email or snail mail.
You will need to copy and paste your scores onto a
word document or into an email.
Volunteers:
Email results to mdouglas@spca.org
Staff : report your results to your supervisor.

• Dog Walker
• Cat Volunteer
The following opportunities may require additional training.
• iFoster Foster shelter animals that are not yet ready for
adoption for up to 2 weeks, all supplies provided to you.
• PetSmart Cat Volunteer Clean and feed cats at our
PetSmart locations.
• Adoption Counselor Assist adopters with meeting our
available pets and completing adoption paperwork.
• Clinic Patient Services Assist the clinic staff with both
surgery and wellness services.
• Surgery Tech Assistant Assist with spay/neuter
services and animals recovering from surgery.
• PET/CLASS Basic Obedience training for shelter dogs
• Play Groups Introduce shelter dogs and allow them to
play together
• Admitting Tech Assistant Evaluate incoming animals
and administer vaccinations
• Livestock Assistant Provide exercise, cleaning, training
and enrichment for livestock animals.
Here are some animal handling opportunities that will be
available to you after you complete the hands-on training:

BVALs Reduce Suffering
The BVAL process allows us to identify animals who are suffering in the
shelter environment.
Animals that are fearful, aggressive or going kennel crazy are not happy
animals.
It is important that we identify problem behavior early so we can intervene as
soon as possible to prevent the need for euthanasia.

Safe Animal Handling Part 4

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