Buffalo, NY - The Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation (ABEC) Department, in cooperation with the SPCA Serving Erie County, has welcomed five foster kittens to the Margaret L. Wendt Animal Behavior Lab in Science Hall. Students train the kittens to do a variety of behaviors using positive reinforcement in ABEC 220: Animal Learning lab, instructed by Dr. Maura Tyrrell, Experiential Learning Coordinator for ABEC and anthrozoology.
The morning training sessions include teaching the kittens to walk into a carrier on their own, perform a trick and complete a small agility course, which makes them attractive adoption candidates and encourages positive relationships with humans that will help kittens transition into 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 kittens will be on campus until the morning of Nov. 26 and will then be available for adoption. The community is invited to view the training sessions from outside the lab on the days and times listed below.
Anyone interested in adopting a kitten, should contact Dr. Tyrrell at @email.
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.
