Shelter Behavior Roundtable: Socializing Neonate & Singleton Kittens
About this Webinar
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What You'll Learn
Neonate and singleton kittens are some of the most vulnerable in the sheltering system. Balancing the necessary medical needs of this specialized population while also providing positive interactions to boost socialization is key to their long-term physical and behavioral health. Join the ASPCA Learning Lab and colleagues from the field as they discuss tips and tricks of the trade on how your team can best support our youngest feline friends.
Takeaways
- Socialization tips and tricks any organization can use, regardless of resources
- Better understand the balance between medical and behavioral needs of neonate & singleton kittens
- How providing socialization and handling experiences to neonate & singleton kittens prevents behavior issues from developing
Suited For
Animal behavior and shelter professionals, volunteers, and foster care providers.
Chumkee Aziz
DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Senior Director, Shelter Medicine, ASPCA
Dr. Chumkee Aziz is a Senior Director of Shelter Medicine at the ASPCA. Dr. Aziz obtained her DVM degree at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012, completed a general rotating internship with the ASPCA in NYC in 2013, and a shelter medicine residency with the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis in 2016. Dr. Aziz is board certified in Shelter Medicine Practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She joined the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Board in 2017 and currently serves as the Board President.
Adi Hovav
CPDT-KA, Senior Manager, Behavior - Adoption Center, ASPCA
Adi Hovav is senior manager of behavior at the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. Adi has been with the ASPCA for ten years, where she has gained a wide range of experience and knowledge in animal behavior and sheltering. She currently leads behavioral operations at the Adoption Center. In her role, Adi and her team use a holistic approach to improve the welfare of cats and dogs whose behavioral needs make them difficult to place. Adi is best known for launching Lion Tamers, a foster program for undersocialized kittens, which has been featured on ASPCAPro. Adi is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
Jackie Noble
Nursery & Foster Manager, San Diego Humane Society
Jackie earned her Master’s in Zoology from the University of Glasgow in 2009 and joined the San Diego Humane Society staff in 2010. While pursuing her degree, she studied animal nutrition, behavior, and pathology, all of which apply directly to the work being done at the kitten nursery. As Nursery & Foster Manager, Jackie is responsible for staff management, volunteer engagement, case record review, daily rounds, protocol review and development, budget oversight, administrative and marketing tasks specific to the programs, and information sharing with other groups. In her spare time, Jackie volunteers with Orphan Kitten Club’s Full Circle Program. In addition, as a member of the trap team, she helps do her part to end the cycle of kittens being born outside.
Christina Ellwood
Foster and Rescue Coordinator, Charleston Animal Society
Christina has been a part of the Charleston Animal Society's fight against animal cruelty for 11 years. Originally from Houston, TX, she has called Charleston, SC, her home for 15 years. She has seen and been a part of the Charleston Animal Society's growth to become a leader in South Carolina and across the country. She could not be more proud to be part of Charleston Animal Society and the family they have created there. Christina finds foster homes for the most at-risk animals and ensures they always have the "second shelter" within her community. She establishes relationships with people in her community to spread the word about their work and have them help the shelter in their fight. She also spends time mentoring other shelters around the state, country, and world to help them reach their goals and missions. She loves to spend time with her husband, two children, two dogs, and one cat in her spare time.
Meike Oliver
Senior Manager, ASPCA Kitten Nursery
Meike has worked with the ASPCA for over 20 years in both the Adoption Center and Kitten Nursery, working as an Animal Care Technician, Medical Care Technician, and Managing the medical and caregivers in the Kitten Nursery.