Cat Petting and Holding

Cat Petting and Holding

We want to limit our petting of the cats as much as possible for multiple reasons.

1. Petting in a rescue environment is different from petting in a home environment.

• At home, the cat knows it is safe and can relax to enjoy the petting. The cat also knows it can run away when it is done with being pet.

• Cats in a rescue cannot run away and they have a hard time relaxing in an environment they are unfamiliar with and people they are unfamiliar with.

2. Petting is overstimulating.

• Rescue cats are already in a high-stress, high-stimulation environment. Petting increases both stress and stimulation. Overstimulation can appear as positive behaviors mixed with stressed behaviors.

3. Petting during the day makes the cats uninterested in being pet later in the day by potential adopters.

   • Petting is an important factor in deciding whether or not to adopt a cat, especially for potential adopters who may have little to no experience with cats and their behaviors.

   • Potential adopters are more likely to not pursue a cat if they are unable to make physical contact with that cat.

4. Petting is not always welcome for cats.

   • Some cats will show signs of happiness or relaxation, but this is not an invitation to start touching them.

   • A cat that welcomes petting will headbutt into hands or mark or wipe its face on hands, often accompanied by other relaxed behaviors such as purring and kneading.

   • A cat perched on its shelf is not asking for petting even if it is displaying relaxed behaviors. A cat sleeping in its bed is not asking for petting. Showing their belly is not asking for belly rubs. All of these are signs the cat is relaxed in a human’s general presence.

SAFe Cat Petting Policy:

1. Do not enter any enclosures unless they are specifically within your assignment.

• This may include cat care, enrichment, or adoption counseling.

• Staff only enclosures are not within any volunteer assigned role.

2. Only touch a cat if it is 100% necessary and will benefit that cat.

• Examples of necessary petting include blocking a cat from exiting its enclosure, petting to encourage eating, etc.

• Unnecessary petting includes handling for only personal benefit, i.e. grabbing a sleeping cat or touching while the cat is drinking.

If you are interested in additional interaction with the kitties, ask about joining the enrichment program!