Photo Credits
Header Photo: Photo of Kristyn Vitale in 2016, Credit to University Marketing, Oregon State University.
All Other Photos: Cat Photography Belongs to Kristyn Vitale, 2004-2024.
Screenshots: Credited below image.
Dr. Kristyn Vitale is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and internationally recognized expert in cat behavior. In 2014, she founded Maueyes Cat Science & Education to enhance cat welfare and strengthen the cat-human relationship through education, behavior consulting, and science outreach.
Cats readily learn new behaviors. Cats can be taught tricks, to walk on harness and leash, and to participate in their own care, also known as cooperative care. Cats learn from their environment, whether their caregiver actively trains them or not. Learning principles can be applied to promote the welfare of cats.
Cats and humans have a long history of co-existence that spans back nearly 10,000 years. Cats can form strong relationships with humans and research indicates that domestic cats display socio-cognitive abilities, such a responsiveness to human behavior and gestures, that help them engage in social relationships.
Free-roaming cats (FRC) display flexible social behavior. FRCs can develop friendly relationships with other cats and they can live in highly gregarious social groups.
Shelter cats have unique welfare needs. Shelter professionals can provide enrichment opportunities to cats as well as recruit volunteers to foster cats in their homes.
Applying science to promote the welfare of cats and their caregivers. Early education in animal behavior is also key to promoting the welfare of cats.
Media Quotes
“
Cats rival dogs on many tests of social smarts. But is anyone brave enough to study them? Social cognition researchers are finally probing the secrets of the feline mind…”
“
The field [of cat behavior & cognition] is definitely expanding,” Vitale says. “Cats are finally getting their due.”
“
….a fairly simple study that attempts to peer into the feline mind can break new ground.”
CatSci Blog
-
Stosh
Stosh’s fighting days are over but the scars from his battles can still be clearly seen by his ears. A lot of un-neutered tom cats get cauliflower ear, similar to human boxers and wrestlers. The constant hits to the head have deformed Stosh’s ears. But, he doesn’t let that shake his confidence. He is well respected… Read more
-
Teacup
This is Teacup, a male cat that lives on a hacienda in the Yucatán Peninsula. It may seem unfitting for a male cat to be named Teacup, but oddly enough it fit him due to his small frame and playful personality. Sometimes he would get in a mischievous mood and the momma cat would put him in his… Read more
-
Jungle Cats
Can you spot the cats? Read more
-
Feral Cats
A feral cat is a domestic cat that has lived without human influence most of its life. These cats are “unsocialized”, meaning they have not developed accepted social behaviors toward humans. Because feral cats lack interactions and positive experiences with humans they are often fearful, aggressive, self-defensive and distant when a human is present. In my opinion, this makes them… Read more
Maueyes 