Date Published:
6 August 2005 |
Clinical Training Scholarship awarded by Cats Protection for research at Bristol University
Cats are currently the UK's favourite
pet with over nine million cats owned by six million UK households.
Of
the 60,000 cats homed by Cats Protection each year, approximately 10% initially come into the charity's care with behavioural
problems.
A graduate has been awarded Cats Protection's first Clinical Training
Scholarship in cat behaviour and welfare, to be based at the University
of Bristol's School of Veterinary Science.
Jenna Kiddie, 23, from
Monifieth near Dundee, was awarded the Scholarship, the first of its
kind in Europe, after graduating from the University
of Edinburgh in January with an MSc in Applied Behaviour and Animal Welfare.
The aim of the three-year Scholarship is to further understanding of
feline welfare, particularly within a rescue environment. Together with
veterinary experts in the field of animal behaviour, Jenna will develop
a series of research projects specific to cat behaviour.
"To have the chance to work with specialists, learn from their
expertise and then use my knowledge to further cat welfare within a rescue
environment really is a great opportunity for me," said
Jenna.
Jenna's research findings will have a number of positive outcomes
for Cats Protection, including the provision of further training for
staff and volunteers in feline behavioural and welfare issues.
Behavioural
problems are a particular concern as cats are often abandoned or brought
into the charity's care because they have displayed behaviour that
is unacceptable to their owners, such as inappropriate toileting or aggression.
It's a vicious cycle, as felines with behavioural problems can
be harder to home. The provision of behavioural advice, based on scientific
research studies, can help to tackle the causes of the problems.
"Our
behavioural work has helped us to develop procedures to enable new
cats to cope within the rescue environment, and to identify those
that haven't adapted well so that special care can be provided
for them,"
explained Beth Skillings, Cats Protection's
Head of Veterinary Services.
"Jenna's studies will certainly help
us to rehabilitate more cats and find them suitable homes."
Jenna's research findings will also promote appropriate behavioural
therapies for cats, as opposed to pharmaceutical treatment, to the wider
animal welfare community.
As part of its commitment to providing quality information concerning
cat welfare, Cats Protection presently funds three academic veterinary
posts at Bristol University - covering specialist feline medicine, feline
epidemiology and feline behaviour and welfare.
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