Enrichment at AHS
Why is feline enrichment so important for our shelter cats?
By providing the cats under our care with a wide variety of enrichment activities that tend to all of their senses, we have a more purroactive approach that may purrvent both physical and behavior problems.
Cats who lack enriching activities in their daily lives lack mental stimulation, which can lead to stress, anxiety, reclusiveness, illness, and aggression.
Other behaviors and medical concerns a cat may exhibit if daily enrichment activities are not implemented may include but are not limited to:
• Destructiveness
• Bullying and inter-cat aggression
• Retreating from interaction/seeking solitude
• Hiding
• Overarousal and inappropriate play interactions
• Eating excessively or not eating
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Feline idiopathic cystitis
• URI
• Hyperactivity
• Overgrooming
Through regular enrichment activities and daily interaction, we can help our shelter cats maintain their mental, emotional, and physical health. Enrichment and friendship building time is implemented each day and we aim to end each “session” on a positive note.
Enrichment Boxes: These are supplied as a part of a partnership with the Cat Amazing Toy company. They donate the boxes twice a year to provide an extra tool to use with the shelter cats. This provides cats with the opportunity to engage in their hunting instincts, interact with other cats, and stimulate their minds!
DVD Player: There is one DVD player in the Shy Cat Room that has cat TV DVD’s. Cat TV provides the cats with sound and visual enrichment from nature. The fast movements and sounds are very much like sounds from the outdoors. It is always a good idea to wrap up a TV session with a tangible toy. This helps the cats to unwind and relax.
Music: Our shelter has music players throughout the building. This is research-based music for the cat’s wellbeing and calming. It is best to have it on when there is a lot going on and when the shelter is opened. It is from the I Calm Pet website. The music is shut off at night to ensure our cats have a peaceful night’s sleep.
Peacock 🦚 Feathers and Other Toys for Play Therapy:
In the communal setting there are so many different purrsonalities and providing a variety of play therapy activities helps to keep each cat’s body and mind enriched and hopefully ending each day with a peaceful cat nap or two. What is play therapy? This is an intensive 15-20 minute interaction with the cats. Finding toys that the cats like to play with and how they like to play is an important part of keeping them interested. Cats’ instincts are to hunt, catch, and play with their prey.
Providing them with various interactions while being fully engaged with them is critically important. Fully engaged means hands on play time with them with you giving them your undivided attention. Interactive toys are good for when we do not have anyone at the shelter. When volunteers and visitors are there, we strive to provide them with proper enrichment which helps to keep the environment pawsitive and happy!
Feliway Diffusers: There are 6 diffusers throughout the shelter. 3 on the main floor, 1 in the office, 1 in the shy cat room, and 1 in the new cat room. Feliway is a pheromone-based diffuser that provides a calming effect in various settings. With a multi-cat setting at the shelter, we are always seeking out ways to help our cats to stay happy and calm.
One Fast Cat Wheel(s): We are fortunate to have three wheels for the cats to utilize at the shelter. There are times the cats use the wheels on their own volition, however many times it is a matter of encouraging them to use them. Tools like the peacock are excellent for luring them onto the wheel and slowly getting them used to the motion. Once they get the hang of it it is endless hours of fun for them.