Kittens on Campus

The Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation (ABEC) Department, in cooperation with the SPCA of Erie County, has welcomed six foster kittens to the Margaret L. Wendt Animal Behavior Lab in Science Hall. Kittens on Campus is part of ABEC 220: Animal Learning lab class instructed by Dr. Maura Tyrrell, Experiential Learning Coordinator for ABEC.

The morning training sessions include teaching the kittens to walk into a carrier on their own, performing a high-five and completing a small agility course, which makes them attractive adoption candidates and encourages positive relationships with humans that will help kittens transition to their new families. Stress and anxiety attached to catching and putting cats in a carrier are major reasons why cats are seen less often by veterinarians. For these kittens, there will be no stress or anxiety, as they will choose to enter the carrier by themselves!

The lab windows will be unfrosted during morning training and afternoon enrichment sessions. The campus community is invited to view the sessions from outside the lab during the times listed below.

The kittens will be on campus until the morning of November 21, and will then be available for adoption. If you are interested in adopting a kitten, please contact Dr. Tyrrell at tyrrell3@canisius.edu.

VIEWING SESSIONS

Mondays:

8:20 – 9:15 a.m.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Tuesdays:

8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Wednesdays:

8:20 – 9:15 a.m.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Thursdays:

8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Fridays:

8:20 – 9:15 a.m.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.