enrichment …on a dime · enrichment “enrichment” is defined as “a process for meeting the...

Enrichment …...on a Dime

Becky Burton, Kennel Mgr.

Webinar Sept. 2012

Where are we going?

What is Enrichment?

How does Enrichment Help Animals & Reduce Length of Stay?

Tips, Tricks & Techniques for Implementing

Enrichment

“Enrichment” is defined as “a process for meeting the behavior needs of animals by improving their environment or behavioral care (e.g. toys, perches, beds, hiding places, etc.).

--Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Newbury, 2010

Enrichment & Stress Reduction

Behavior Needs of Animals. Enabling adaptation and coping in environment. Use of animate and inanimate techniques.

Stress Reduction

The Optimization

Focus limited resources on enrichment activities that not only promote well-being, they also produce behaviors adopters find attractive.

That’s the Ticket!

The Ticket Home !!

Recommended ReadingNational Federation of Humane Societies’ Best Practices, Length of Stay ….coming soon. www.humanefederation.org. Will have long list enrichment study citations.Weiss, E. et al., Why Did You Choose This Pet?: Adopters and Pet Selection Preferences in Five Animal Shelters in the United States. Animals 2012, 2, 144-159. See citation list here, as well.Articles by Deborah Wells, Emily Weiss, Gourkow, McCobb, more…Each will have extensive reference list.Train to Adopt by Sue Sternberg, www.suesternberg.com

Example: OptimizationProviding toys in cat cage and items that gives cat ability to engage in natural behaviors

Shown to increase play & activity in cats (well-being)Study suggests that active cats more likely to get adopted, adopters spent more time viewing cats with toys in cage (adoption)

De Monte M, Le Pape G. Behavioural effects of cage enrichment in single-caged adult cats. Animal Welfare 1997; 6: 53–66Fantuzzi, J., K. Miller, and E. Weiss, Factors relevant to adoption of cats in an animal shelter. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2010(13):p.174-179

IMPLEMENTING - GENERAL

Daily RoundsEach animal every day:

WHO are you?

HOW are you?

WHAT may we do for you today?

Dr. Phil Bushby, MSU Vet School

The “Five Freedoms”

Dr. Phil Bushby, MSU Vet School

Do Your Staff Meetings Look Like This?

CATS

Enrichment – Elevated Space

http://www.petfinder.com/admin-content/hide-perch-go.html

http://www.kuranda.com/humane

UC Davis Veterinary School, Shelter Medicine ProgramStress reduction: Because clinical signs and shedding of FHV-1 are activated by stress, reduction is crucial to feline URI control

Giving cats elevated space and distance from the litterbox is known to

reduce stress levels.

Reduced Stress = Less URI

Less time in isolation & recovery cycles

Saves $$ and Lives

Tanaka A, Wagner D, Kass P, Hurley K, Associations among weight loss, stress and upper respiratory tract infection in shelter cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2012; 240(5) 570-576

$3.49 - $5.25 each. Send home with cat.

$28 each, permanent.

Enrichment – Increasing Space

Can be purchased commercially or buy new cages.On a Dime – DIY: http://www.sheltermedicine.com/shelter-health-portal/information-sheets/cat-cage-modifications-making-double-compartment-cat-cages-

Enrichment – Increasing Space

Hiding Space

http://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=629

$65 or less if bulk order

Hawkins KR. Stress, enrichment and welfare of domestic cats in rescue shelters. PhD Thesis; University of Bristol, UK, 2005.

Hiding SpaceOn a Dime: Hide, Perch & Go Boxes, visit local retailers and get cardboard boxes for free –especially from “Club” stores like Costco & Sam’s.

Hawkins KR. Stress, enrichment and welfare of domestic cats in rescue shelters. PhD Thesis; University of Bristol, UK, 2005.

Auditory

Auditory Stimuli - CatsFirst Reduce Negative Noise

Barking Dogs = Higher Stress1

Noisy = Stress = Sick CatsRelocate cats away from barking dogs if at all possible.

1McCobb, E.C., et al., Assessment of stress levels among cats in four animal shelters. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2005. 226(4): p.548-555Coppola Cl, Enns RM, Grandin T. Noise in the animal shelter environment: building design and the effects of daily noise exposure.Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 1997; 9:1-7.

Auditory StimuliOn a Dime:

Staff and volunteers training, quiet policy –being mindful of banging doors, yelling to co-workers, clanging cage doors. We’ll discuss dog runs later.Put dampeners / weather stripping in door jams, replace SS latches with plastic

Auditory Stimuli – CatsAdding Calming Noise

Classical musicSounds of natureTom’s homemade CD

Special Note: Auditory enrichment is less or unable to be individually “selected” so be mindful with usage.

Scent

Olfactory StimuliPhermonatherapy

FeliwayAromatherapy:

VanillaEastern SandalwoodChamomileFrankincenseLavenderSpearmintCinnamonPlant based oils

Griffith CA, Steigerwald ES, Buffington T. Effects of a synthetic facial pheromone on behavior of cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2000; 217:1154-6.

Delivery

Diffuser

Cotton Balls Placed in Carriers or Cages

On Collars, Thundershirts or

‘TuTus’

As with auditory stimuli, be mindful that animals cannot select exposure to olfactory enrichment.

Griffith CA, Steigerwald ES, Buffington T. Effects of a synthetic facial pheromone on behavior of cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2000; 217:1154-6.

Ultrasonic aromatherapy Nebulizer, www.HUBMAR.com $69.99

Natural BehaviorsBunting BehaviorDollar Store Scrub Brush

Wire tied to cage frontCan be sanitized between cats for re-useFerals

Optimization: Cats come to the front of the cage –adopters find this attractive.

Natural BehaviorsScratchingIndividual Scratchers

Attach to cage frontSingle Use – Cannot be reused.Price = ~$1.50 eachWe ask for sponsorship

Optimization: Cats come to the front of the cage –adopters find this attractive.

Natural Behaviors, FeedingProvide feeding method that supports natural behavior – locating, capturing food, paw use

Kitty Kongs with special canned fishy pasteOn a Dime: Plastic Easter Eggs from Dollar Store with treats inside; empty tissue/paper towel rolls with food inside.

Natural Behaviors, FeedingCat Activity Fun Board

PlasticAround $40Variety of nooks & crannies to put food.Likely too intensive to clean for widespread, daily use. Episodic use or idea generation for alternate techniques.

http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Trixie-Pet-Products-Cat-Activity-Fun-Board/6095176/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}

Natural Behaviors

There’s an app for that!

Volunteer lent iPad

Possibly less frustration than laser toys. Cat can ‘catch’ item. No studies – watch for frustration

In Cage: Toys

Study suggests potential adopters spend more time in front of cage with toys in it.Toys good for cat –play, activityMore active cats get adopted

This kitty is not sitting in litter – it’s a bed

Visual, In CubbyAlleviate cage boredom through visual enrichmentHang moving items from ceiling

We buy at Christmas Tree Shop, very inexpensiveMove frequently or not visually enrichingKids can create mobiles if you provide instructionsDecorates Cat Room at same time

Following study experimented with televisions only ( or no television as control). Study suggested some enrichment value to TV with program featuring movement, prey responses. Ellis SLH, Wells DL. The influence of visual stimulation on the behavior of cats housed in a rescue shelter. Applied Animal Behavior Science 2008; 113:116-74.

Out of Cage TimePerching, Pouncing, PlayingThese trees can be cleaned & disinfectedIn use in our healthy adoption room only.Donor sponsored

$600 & up

On a Dime:

Trex Decking or similar non-porous products available.

Attach with shelf brackets.

Make a Crate Tree

Out of Cage TimeSitting on volunteer lap ($0)Treat searchConspecific Time *MirrorsWindows – Bird Feeders outsidePerching places

Time with Humans

Whether interacting in cage or out –rewarding cat to approach people or the front of the cage will help them to get adopted.Clicker Training Cats!

A Good Idea?

How we doin’?

DOGS

Enrichment – Mental, In RunPupciclesSS Bowls in Freezer

KibbleCanned FoodWaterPeanut Butter or ??Leash in Mix – Then can attach to chainlink or equiv. in enclosure

Volunteers – Young, too

Enrichment – Mental, In Run

Meal(s) served in Kong or Puzzle Toy

At St. Hubert’s we feed our dogs their meal in a Kong at least 5 times a week

Soft Bedding, Company of other Dogs

Treat Cups on Cage FrontTraining: Reward quietComfort: Positive interaction from people that walk byEncourages dogs to approach front of cage - Dogs that approach front of cage & look at visitors….get adopted.

Treat Cups on Cage FrontStainless Steel ones that remove easily from cage for cleaning, $2.25 each

http://www.birdguys.com/steel-coop-cup-10oz.html

Plastic Ones, $1.59 each – Fall off more

http://www.petco.com/product/6386/Petco-Plastic-Bird-Cage-Cups.aspx

Treat Cups on Cage FrontMake your own or ask volunteers / scout group / youth volunteers to make them:

Sweet VirginiaKentucky Puppy Mill Survivor. Undersocialized.

Thundershirt® employs swaddling technique to calm. The company has a widget for websites so donors may directly sponsor and they are shipped to you.

http://www.petfinder.com/admin-content/thundershirt.html

Conspecific (same species) interaction = very important for dogs

Time with humans shown to be even more important

Wells, D.L, A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris. Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science 85 (2004) p. 307-317

Train To AdoptEnrichment & Adoption Readiness

Sitting with attention, looking into eyes of whoever holding leash (v. staff/volunteer in room!)Train to be comfortable with head patting & body thumping (visitors do this to our dogs)“Do Nothing”Door Manners, Basic Commands

Optimize by training for behaviors that support adoption & in home realities.

Staff - Finding some time…

Auditory

Auditory Stimuli – DogsAdding Calming Noise

Dogs prefer:Through a dogs earLaughing dogsClassical musicEasy listeningSoft rock NO angry hard rock music

Scent

Olfactory Stimuli

Chill Pill $19.99 Whole FoodsRoman ChamomileVanillaSandalwoodLavenderSpearmintCinnamonPlant based oils

Delivery

Diffuser

On Collars, Thundershirts or

‘TuTus’

As with auditory stimuli, be mindful that animals cannot select exposure to olfactory enrichment.

BIRDS, SMALL & FURRIES

Cage Enrichment

Out of Cage Time

Special Comments on SeniorsConsider scent work, like “Noseworks” to provide mental stimulationSeniors cats & dogs matched in our Pet Therapy programThey still enjoy toys and pupcicles!

Special Comments on SeniorsOdor work (e.g. Noseworks®) is a fun, low-impact mentally enriching way for dogs to use their natural desires to seek and flush out scents / food.Cardboard boxes, scents & treats.

What Works in ISO?

Cleaning, disinfecting all supported with these enrichment activities. Combined with noise reduction and good medical protocols - and your kitties well-being is getting its consideration. UC Davis estimates the cost of URI at $200 - 400 per animal – You can’t afford not to think enrichment in intake area & isolation.

http://www.sheltermedicine.com/shelter-health-portal/information-sheets/facility-design-and-animal-housing

Where were we?Considering each animal

Broad array of opportunities & ideas for enrichment

Tie enrichment into adoption potential & promotion to optimize limited resources and time.

THANK YOU!

Questions/CommentsBecky Burton

RBurton@sthuberts.org