May 2012 by Susan B. Krebsbach, DVM

Audience: Executive Leadership, Foster Caregivers, Public, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers, Veterinary Team

Video Length: 67 minutes

What if every cat who entered your shelter had a little decoder ring that would let you know what her personality is like, what stresses her out the most, what doesn't bother her, and what type of future living situation will be just right for her?

Cats don't come with a real decoder ring, but feline behavior assessments, designed and applied appropriately, will help unscramble some of that secret code - the essence of the cat! They are an important tool for gathering information about an individual cat's behavior, designing a plan for her, and revising and evaluating the process as she adapts and responds to her new environment.

We are pleased to present Your Secret Feline Decoder Ring: Feline Behavior Assessments with Maddie's Fund® consultant Susan Krebsbach, DVM. Dr. Krebsbach will give an overview of the unique behavior characteristics of the cat, what those characteristics are telling us, as well as how to use that information in formal feline behavior assessments. The recorded version of this webcast is available below. You will learn:

  • Why what we know about dog behavior assessments may not help us with cats
  • The nuts and bolts of how feline behavior assessments work
  • Challenges of designing and using feline behavior assessments, and additional work that needs to be done in the field
  • The pros and cons of currently available feline behavior assessment tools
  • How to conduct a behavioral intake exam for a cat
  • Tips for creating a plan that will lead to eventual successful placement in a home, rescue group, barn cat program, or other appropriate outcome
  • How to assess behavior on an ongoing basis to determine whether the individual plan needs to be revised

This course has been pre-approved for Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits.

After viewing the presentation, click here to take the quiz and receive a Certificate of Attendance!

Bio photo of Susan B. Krebsbach smiling in a white lab coat, holding a gray cat

Susan Krebsbach, DVM

Dr. Susan Krebsbach graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. After working as a small animal general practitioner for several years, she started concentrating her efforts on animal behavior, opening a veterinary animal behavior consulting service called Creature Counseling in 2000.

In addition to her behavior consulting service, Dr. Krebsbach is a veterinary consultant for Maddie's Fund® and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, a featured speaker for professional and animal rescue organizations, and author of several articles on animal behavior. In addition, she is the founder of Dane County Friends of Ferals and has volunteered her services to several animal rescue organizations. For these efforts, Dr. Krebsbach has been recognized with various awards.

Dr. Krebsbach is truly dedicated to enhancing the special relationship between pets and their people, and advocating for the well-being of all animals.