American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)
The ACVB is a professional organization of veterinarians who have achieved board certification in the specialty of veterinary behavior. Board-certified individuals are called diplomates and have the letters “DACVB” after their names. The mission of the ACVB is to advance the behavioral health of animals by certifying veterinary behavior specialists and providing science-based education. These specialists do research and work with individual pet owners, other animal professionals, and facilities that care for animals to manage behavior problems and improve the welfare of animals.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
The AVSAB is an organization of veterinarians and research professionals who share an interest in understanding animal behavior. It is committed to improving the quality of life of all animals and strengthening the bond between animals and their owners. The website offers several expert position papers on important issues and a locator to help you find a veterinarian with an interest in behavior near you.
Animal Behavior Society (ABS)
The ABS is devoted to the scientific study of animal behavior, including applied animal behavior, which studies the behavior of companion animals and of farm, zoo, laboratory, and wild animals as it applies to their management. The website includes a list of certified applied animal behaviorists (CAABs) and associate certified applied animal behaviorists (ACAABs) who have met the society’s requirements for certification. These individuals provide behavior consulting services to the public as well as to other professionals.
Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (SVBT)
The SVBT promotes scientifically based techniques of animal training, management, and behavior modification. It connects veterinary technicians around the world, sharing their knowledge and experience to enhance the role of the veterinary technician in veterinary medicine and welfare.
Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (AVBT)
The AVBT certifies qualified veterinary technicians as veterinary technician specialists (VTSs) in the field of animal behavior. A VTS in behavior has demonstrated superior knowledge in scientific and humane techniques of behavior health, problem prevention, training, management, and behavior modification.
American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
The AAFP supports its members in improving the health and welfare of cats through high standards of practice, continuing education, and evidence-based medicine. Among the AAFP’s activities are providing its members with progressive research and valuable resources, which include peer-reviewed scientific research in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
The AAHA accredits small animal hospitals throughout the United States and Canada that meet its standards for excellence in pet health care. The website includes pet news and informative articles written by experts, helpful videos, and activities for children.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
The ASPCA website includes updates on legislative matters, animal shelter support, behavior articles, and general information about animal welfare. It also includes the Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspcapro.org/about-programs-services/aspca-animal-poison-control-center) and a searchable toxic plant database (www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants).
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
The AVMA website includes podcasts and the latest news in veterinary medicine that may affect your pet—including pet food recalls.
DACVB Feline Body Language Tips
https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/dacvb.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/docs/Tip2-Feline_body_language.pdf
AAFP Cat Friendly Homes Care Sheets
“How to Feed a Cat”: https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/how-to-feed-a-cat/
“Top 10 Tips for Your Senior Cat”: https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/senior-care/10-tips/
AAFP and ISFM Guidelines
AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X13477537
AAFP and ISFM Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.jfms.2011.03.012
AAFP and ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X14539092
American Association of Feline Practitioners Senior Care Guidelines: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.jfms.2009.07.011
Karen Pryor Clicker Training
https://clickertraining.com/cat-training?source=navbar
Fear Free Pets
Fear Free Pets provides online and in-person education to veterinary professionals and pet owners. The educational content offers information and tools to help owners look after their pets’ physical and emotional well-being. Both complimentary and premium (for a fee) memberships are available, providing access to articles, tips, monthly deals, and fear-free veterinary visit resources. Veterinary professionals and their associated hospitals can seek Fear Free certification.
Committed to Claws
Committed to Claws provides cat owners with educational resources that promote understanding of the role cats’ claws play in their physical and behavioral health and guide the humane management of scratching behavior. The goal is to reduce declawing through education. Solutions to scratching challenges focus on offering choices and catering to individual cats’ needs.
Bradshaw, John.Cat Sense. New York: Basic Books, 2013.
Bradshaw, John, and Sarah Ellis. The Trainable Cat. New York: Basic Books, 2017.
Kirkham, Lewis. Tell Your Cat You’re Pregnant. Melbourne, Australia: Little Creatures Publishing, 2015.
Pryor, Karen.Clicker Training for Cats. Waltham, MA: Sunshine Books, 2003.