They Did It: Easy & Accessible Cat Enrichment
Worried that enrichment tasks take too much time, money, or resources? See how Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) is improving their cats' lives by implementing free and easy ways to enrich their environment.
WHO: Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS), Waukesha, WI
DID WHAT:
HAWS had established a dog enrichment program that regularly engaged canines in daily activities, but the shelter cats were not accessing the same enrichment opportunities. The HAWS team knew that cats are highly intelligent beings who need both physical and emotional stimulation to remain healthy and get adopted more quickly. Additionally, they knew that even with the budget and space limitations that animal shelters face, they could provide cats with ways to express their natural behavior by starting a cat enrichment program. So, they committed to researching, developing, and implementing a cat enrichment program.
The HAWS team included the enrichment training as part of their general Cat Cuddler entry-level onboarding. Additionally, they engaged experienced cat volunteers to work with long-term cats not ready for the adoption floor yet due to medical or behavioral monitoring.
HAW’s staff were already passionate about helping cats and very motivated to support new enrichment efforts. Making the process clear and easy to follow helped staff jump in more readily, even with an already busy list of tasks. Also, the program was a phenomenal collaborative opportunity with their volunteers, so all felt engaged and empowered through the new initiative.
HAWS built in a variety of different options to engage cats’ multiple senses—soundscapes, scentscapes (Feliway spray), and tactile enrichment supporting socialization and independent play, including wands, shaker bottles, paper bags, and tubes, cat nip bubbles, and even cat TV. (See downloads for a full list of cat enrichment ideas, schedules, and more.) Once items were added to their shelter wish list, many donors were inspired by the fun choices and even kids wanted to spend birthday money to support their local shelter. Even better, many of these items can be upcycled and collected through drives. For example, empty pill bottles from the veterinary team were used simply by drilling some holes and placing small mammal bedding inside for cats to engage with.
By reducing stress and providing positive stimulation, enrichment and positive human interactions can create happier, more confident cats in your shelter.
HAWS has seen their enrichment efforts positively impact cats, staff, and volunteers. Plus, HAWS can support their cats to stay emotionally strong and healthy during their stay and provide interesting insights about the cats’ preferences and personalities in their adoption counseling to carry over into their new homes.
WHY: By reducing stress and providing positive stimulation, enrichment and positive human interactions can create happier, more confident cats in your shelter. This, in turn, can improve a lot of other elements, such as:
- Easier, less stressful, and safer cleaning routines
- Improved staff and volunteer satisfaction
- Increased adoptions
- Decreased length of stay
- Improved health
Now You Try It
By highlighting the importance of cat enrichment and engaging your teams, your shelter can help access regular cat enrichment using free, upcycled, and donated items to improve outcomes and change the lives of cats.
If you’d like to give this idea a try, HAWS recommends the following ideas:
- Explain the importance and benefits of daily enrichment
- Make enrichment quick and simple to implement
- Provide cats with options that engage all 5 senses (smell, sight, taste, touch, and sound)
- Give staff adequate supplies, tools, and training
- Create a safe space to try new approaches together
- Keep the feedback loop open on what’s working and what isn’t working
- Provide cats with variety, monitoring, and a way to bridge enrichment options into their new homes
Resources & Downloads
Downloads
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