The Jackson Galaxy Cat Pawsitive Program is
Making a Difference for HART Cats !
Developed by Jackson Galaxy and a team of animal behavior experts, The Jackson Galaxy Project’s Cat Pawsitive is a mojo-enhancing, positive-reinforcement clicker training initiative that enriches day-to-day life for cats in shelters, builds new skills for cats as well as shelter staff and volunteers, promotes the human-cat bond, and helps improve adoptability.
By utilizing positive, reward-based Cat Pawsitive training, HART staff and volunteers are reducing the stresses that might keep a cat from connecting with an adopter. With clicker training that positively reinforces good behaviors, a shy cat can learn to feel comfortable coming up to the front of her cage to meet a potential pet parent, a feisty cat can learn to play nice, and an outgoing kitty can even learn to give an endearing "high five" to his visitors to seal an adoption deal. Cats gain confidence and get mental and physical stimulation through their clicker training sessions, and soon they are building connections with staff, volunteers and potential adopters.
By utilizing positive, reward-based Cat Pawsitive training, HART staff and volunteers are reducing the stresses that might keep a cat from connecting with an adopter. With clicker training that positively reinforces good behaviors, a shy cat can learn to feel comfortable coming up to the front of her cage to meet a potential pet parent, a feisty cat can learn to play nice, and an outgoing kitty can even learn to give an endearing "high five" to his visitors to seal an adoption deal. Cats gain confidence and get mental and physical stimulation through their clicker training sessions, and soon they are building connections with staff, volunteers and potential adopters.
High Five to the Cat Pawsitive 2020 & 2022 Teams!
The first time that HART participated in the Cat Pawsitive Program was in 2020, under the leadership of Brittany Donecho. Unfortunately, the program started not long before Covid forced us to send all of our cats to foster care. Luckily, the cats who participated in the program learned some great new skills, and all were successfully adopted.
HART Participated in Cat Pawsitive again in winter of 2022 under the new leadership of Evelyn Zanella . This time, the team was able to complete the program without interruption. It was a great success! All of the cats in the program have now been adopted. Desiree and Delilah learned to spin and dance, Murphy and Cosmo learned how to "nose touch" a ball, Phil & Madonna learned how to "high five," and Midnight learned how to sit pretty and run an obstacle course.
Phil even won 3rd place in the Greater Good Charities' Feline High Five Contest with his EPIC high-fives (see video at the bottom of this page!)
The cats loved it so much, that many of the adopters are continuing the training with them.
HART team members who participated in the program continue to train cats who are most in need.
HART Participated in Cat Pawsitive again in winter of 2022 under the new leadership of Evelyn Zanella . This time, the team was able to complete the program without interruption. It was a great success! All of the cats in the program have now been adopted. Desiree and Delilah learned to spin and dance, Murphy and Cosmo learned how to "nose touch" a ball, Phil & Madonna learned how to "high five," and Midnight learned how to sit pretty and run an obstacle course.
Phil even won 3rd place in the Greater Good Charities' Feline High Five Contest with his EPIC high-fives (see video at the bottom of this page!)
The cats loved it so much, that many of the adopters are continuing the training with them.
HART team members who participated in the program continue to train cats who are most in need.
We hope to participate in Cat Pawsitive again in winter of 2024.
Brittany Donecho
Team Leader - 2020
Brittany began working at HART in December 2018 and quickly got started on creating a Fear Free Initiative in order to reduce the fear, anxiety and stress of HART's shelter residents. Shortly after, she took on the role of Foster Coordinator and created HART's highly successful Foster Club. In 2020, she led HART staff and volunteers in completing Jackson Galaxy's 1st Cat Pawsitive Program. HART is truly grateful to Brittany for her dedication to helping HART residents feel safe, loved, engaged, and comfortable.
Brittany began working at HART in December 2018 and quickly got started on creating a Fear Free Initiative in order to reduce the fear, anxiety and stress of HART's shelter residents. Shortly after, she took on the role of Foster Coordinator and created HART's highly successful Foster Club. In 2020, she led HART staff and volunteers in completing Jackson Galaxy's 1st Cat Pawsitive Program. HART is truly grateful to Brittany for her dedication to helping HART residents feel safe, loved, engaged, and comfortable.
Evelyn Zanella
Team Leader - 2022
Since retirement, Evelyn’s devotion to HART's cats & kittens is indisputable as she continues dedicating her time and energy by volunteering. In addition to fostering our most vulnerable cats in need, she took on the role of Team Leader for Cat Pawsitive Class of 2022! HART cannot overstate its appreciation for her tireless dedication and for her expertise that provides quality care for our cats and kittens.
Since retirement, Evelyn’s devotion to HART's cats & kittens is indisputable as she continues dedicating her time and energy by volunteering. In addition to fostering our most vulnerable cats in need, she took on the role of Team Leader for Cat Pawsitive Class of 2022! HART cannot overstate its appreciation for her tireless dedication and for her expertise that provides quality care for our cats and kittens.
Cat Pawsitive Teams 2020 & 2022!
National High Five Day!
The Jackson Galaxy Cat Pawsitive Training Team had a lot of fun with Phil (the mini bobcat) on National High Five Day, capturing some video of his amazing high-fives! Phil was enrolled in the Cat Pawsitive Training Program to help Phil learn more pawsitive interactions with both cats and people. Phil came to us from the streets with a broken tail, which needed to to be amputated. Once he healed and entered our main shelter, Phil started pretending he was a bobcat, and practicing his "bobcat moves" on any people or cats in his vicinity.
Now that Phil is learning new "moves" through his Cat Pawsitive training, he feels much less inclined to show off his wildcat side. He has been a joy to work with for all of us. We were excited to enter him in the #felinehighfive2022 Contest through Greater Good Charities. We won 3rd Place out of over a thousand entries. Thank you to the HART Cat Pawsitive Training Team, The Jackson Galaxy Project, and Petco Love!
Now that Phil is learning new "moves" through his Cat Pawsitive training, he feels much less inclined to show off his wildcat side. He has been a joy to work with for all of us. We were excited to enter him in the #felinehighfive2022 Contest through Greater Good Charities. We won 3rd Place out of over a thousand entries. Thank you to the HART Cat Pawsitive Training Team, The Jackson Galaxy Project, and Petco Love!