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. Vitale is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and expert in cat behavior and cognition. Her research and expertise has been internationally featured in media outlets such as Science and National Geographic and in film documentaries such as How the Cat Conquered the World (ARTE France) and Inside the Mind of a Cat (Netflix).
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 are always learning 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
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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…”
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The field [of cat behavior & cognition] is definitely expanding,” Vitale says. “Cats are finally getting their due.”
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….a fairly simple study that attempts to peer into the feline mind can break new ground.”
CatSci Blog
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Southern Siblings
These cats live outside of a condo complex in Hilton Head Island, SC. They appear to be siblings as they are both a manx mix with only a stub of a tail. They patiently wait on the porch in the early evening to be fed their dinners. Read more
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Jerry
Currently I am in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This is Jerry, he lives outside of a condo complex and is cared for by the residents. As seen in the first photo, he is extremely talkative. But, he has an issue with meowing, he is extremely bad at it… it seems as though he never… Read more
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Pester
This is Pester. His ear is a little funky in this photo, but the farm dogs have gladly helped him wash it out and now it is back to normal. He got his name from his clingy nature. He acts like a little kid, constantly pestering the farmer for attention and staying directly in front… Read more
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Ghost-est with the most-est
This is Ghost. His name is fitting as he is the most stealthy cat on the farm. The farmhouse is well over a hundred years old and in need of some major repairs. There is a hole at the top of the house in which the cats are able to exit through and sun themselves… Read more
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Misfit
This is Misfit, Queen of the farm colony. She has a bossy attitude which causes the other cats to keep their distance from her. She often dominates the food, growling and swatting at cats who come to close to the pile she has designated for herself. Despite her antagonism towards other cats, she loves the… Read more
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