Five kittens have taken up residence in the Margaret L. Wendt Animal Behavior Laboratory in Science Hall. In cooperation with the SPCA of Erie Country, Miranda K. Workman’s ABEC 220: Animal Learning class welcomed the kittens for enrichment and training. The sessions include teaching the kittens to walk into a carrier on their own and complete a small agility course, which makes them attractive adoption candidates and encourages positive relationships with humans that will help the kittens transition to their new families. Stress and anxiety attached to the act of catching and putting cats in the carrier is a major reason why cats are seen less often at the veterinarian. For our kittens there will be no stress or anxiety as they will choose to enter the carrier by themselves! The kittens will be on campus until Friday, May 6.

This is the second year that the college has partnered with the SPCA. Last year, all six kittens were adopted. Four were adopted by members of the Canisius community.

Workman, adjunct professor of animal behavior, invites the faculty, staff and students to view the training and enrichment sessions during the following times beginning Monday, April 4:

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays – 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays – 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Every day (Sun – Sat) – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For more information about Kittens on Campus, including how to adopt, please contact Workman at workmanm@canisius.edu. The kittens will return to the SPCA for adoption on Friday, May 6.

Submitted by Public Relations