Free Member Webinar

CEUs: PPAB 1, CCPDT 1.5, IAABC 1.5, KPA 1.5

Are you puzzled about puzzle feeders for cats? Most cat guardians are. Even the few who have limited knowledge as to what a puzzle feeder is they are still unaware as to why their cuddly couch cat desperately needs daily mental and physical enrichment. This results in a severe lack of species-appropriate enrichment for companion cats. 

A lack of mental and physical stimulation is linked to a myriad of medical and behavioral issues in cats. But this can be reversed! When properly utilized, foraging enrichment can enhance the lives of both cats and their guardians. This webinar will discuss how to successfully and safely enrich the lives of our feline family members, no matter their age.

Learning Objectives

• Learn why Foraging enrichment should be viewed as an essential part of providing an excellent quality of life for companion cats in captivity
  
• Receive guidelines for safely and successfully implementing foraging opportunities
  
• Discover how to easily implement this important tool into everyday life.
  
• Dispel the myths behind foraging tools for senior and geriatric cats
  
• Explore the positive side effects of foraging for both cats and their guardians
  
• Learn why house cats need food enrichment that parallels the enrichment offered to exotic cats in captivity
  

About the Presenter

Amy has studied animal welfare, applied behavior analysis, animal husbandry, animal enrichment, and ethology for nearly 20 years. Throughout this time her work has focused on teaching others how to implement force-free (choice-based) training, while enhancing the human-animal bond.

Amy worked at one of the Association of Zoo’s and Aquarium’s (AZA) top ranking, accredited zoos for a decade. Just a few of the many hats she wore while at Audubon Nature Institute were: Visitor Programming Animal Coordinator, ZOOmobile’s Educational Outreach Coordinator, Animal Enrichment Coordinator, Lead Animal Trainer for the Education Department, and the Institutional Representative for various critically endangered Species Survival Plans (SSP).

Through these programs Amy was fortunate to work closely (train/manage/breed) a wide variety of exotic and critically endangered species. Some of these species were Felis and Panthera, corvids, psittacines, raptors, venomous species, primates, hoof stock, elephants, crocodilians, Komodo dragons, Giant tortoises, the world’s first African wildcat clones, and dozens of other SSP animals. Amy has received multiple certifications from AZA's Professional Development Certificate Program. Some of her professional published works include An Analysis of the Post-release Success of Captive-bred Louisiana Pine Snakes and Target Training and Voluntary Blood Drawing of the Aldabra Tortoise.

Amy Martin is the owner, founder, and chief operator of Conscious Companion™. Some of her former and current advisory roles for companion animals include: The board of advisers for Family Paws Parent Education, advisory board member of Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary, licensed presenter of the Dogs & Storks® and the Dogs & Toddlers™ programs, Doggone Safe, the Pet Professional Guild's Cat Committee, and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

Amy has taken a break from animal behavior consulting to focus her efforts on writing a few books and to serve the Marine Corps; she and her husband are serving as the 1st Marine Raider Support Battalion U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Team on the West Coast.

You can learn more about Amy at ConsciousCompanion.com.