Cat Depot is one of nine shelters selected from a national pool of applicants
(Sarasota, FL, January 26, 2017) – Cat Depot today announced that it was selected by The Jackson Galaxy Foundation (JGF) to participate in Cat Pawsitive, an initiative that introduces positive-reinforcement training to shelter cats.
Jackson Galaxy (star of the television show My Cat from Hell on Animal Planet, and Founder of his namesake organization) developed Cat Pawsitive with a team of animal behavior experts. Highlights of the program include:
[if !supportLists]· [endif]improving cat “adoptability”
[if !supportLists]· [endif]enriching day-to-day life for cats in shelters
[if !supportLists]· [endif]building feline social skills, especially for shy or fearful cats
[if !supportLists]· [endif]promoting the human-cat bond
[if !supportLists]· [endif]teaching and empowering animal shelter staff and volunteers
Sara Russell, a feline behavior expert hand-picked by the Foundation, will lead the program for Cat Depot beginning February 2. Throughout the four-month program, Cat Depot staff and volunteers will participate in weekly trainings with Russell and will have direct access to the entire training team for consultations about the cats in their care.
“Everyone is excited about the potential for learning skills that will ultimately change cat’s lives for the better,” says Shelley Thayer, Executive Director of Cat Depot. “We are not afraid to think outside the box if it benefits cats, staff, and volunteers. Cat Pawsitive will be an extension of our reach to help cats.”
“We are thrilled to be working with Cat Depot to show the world what can be done to step up the game and improve outcomes for cats in shelters,” says Jackson Galaxy. “Cat Pawsitive is about awareness, enrichment, innovation, and increased adoption placement on a grassroots level. I know that the work done during this program will have a ripple effect, helping so many cats in need and the humans who care for them.”
Galaxy will be sharing highlights of the program on the Jackson Galaxy Foundation Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Cat Pawsitive will run through the end of May.
ABOUT CAT DEPOT
Cat Depot, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) no-kill, free-roaming facility, is recognized for its progressive design and commitment to helping homeless, abandoned and injured animals. Cat Depot’s mission is to save lives, find loving homes, and provide the resources and education to improve the destiny of homeless cats. Cat Depot supports more than 130 cats and kittens on any given day. Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handicap accessible. Cat Depot located at 2542 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234. For more information, visit www.catdepot.org, or call (941) 366-2404.
ABOUT THE JACKSON GALAXY FOUNDATION
The Jackson Galaxy Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that improves the lives of animals at risk by transforming the places they live and helping the people who care for them. JGF is led by the vision of Jackson Galaxy, who has developed an unwavering commitment to help animals at risk and the people who work tirelessly to get them homes through his years in animal welfare, as an animal advocate, his work as a behaviorist and host of his globally popular TV show, My Cat from Hell. The Jackson Galaxy Foundation focuses on programs that drive innovation; promotes improved shelter design and construction; and provides “Elevation through Education”—increased knowledge that inspires and empowers staff, volunteers, rescuers and adopters to continually raise the bar for animals at risk. More info about the Foundation’s programs and services is available at www.jacksongalaxyfoundation.org