EveryCat Health Foundation and the National Kitten Coalition are hosting a three-part Webinar Series, “The Art of Raising a Happy, Healthy Kitten”.
If you are planning to or have recently added a new kitten to your family or are looking for information to share with new kitten families in your community, this series will provide crucial information for raising a kitten into a happy, healthy cat.
Register for all three sessions HERE!
Part one: Getting Ready for your New Family Member – May 6th, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30 pm EDT.
Speakers: TBA
This session will cover:
-Selecting the right kitten (evaluating your needs and expectations, where to go, what questions to ask)
-Preparing your home (kitten proofing, necessary supplies, litterbox logistics)
-Where to go for help (finding the support you need)
Part two: Raising a Happy Kitten – May 20th, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30 pm EDT.
Speakers: Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, Elite Fear Free Certified
Jessica Benoit, RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, Elite Fear Free Certified
This session will cover:
-Socialization (kitten kindergarten, introduction to new experiences)
-Understanding Behavior (environmental enrichment, appropriate play)
-Fear free handling (training techniques)
Part three: Raising a Healthy Kitten – June 3rd, 2023, 12:00-1:30 pm EDT.
Speakers:
Vicki Thayer, DVM, DABVP (Feline);
Kelly St. Denis, DVM, MS, DABVP (Feline)
This session will cover:
-Routine Vet Care: (finding a cat-friendly practice, vaccines, spay/neuter)
-Normal Development: (growth and nutrition)
-Common Health issues: (what to watch for to help decide when to go to the vet)
Speaker Bios-
Vicki Thayer, DVM DABVP (Feline) – Dr. Thayer has an almost 50-year background in feline medicine, including owning a successful feline-only practice in Walnut Creek, California for 20 years.
She has served on the board of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) for 20 years, including serving as President of the Association from 1996 to 1998 and as AAFP Delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) from 2004-2010. Dr. Thayer served as Board President for EveryCat Health Foundation from 2011-2014 and as Executive Director from 2014-2018. She remains active in the Foundation, serving as a co-chair of the Education Committee and the Scientific Review Committee. She was co-chair of the 2022 AAFP/EveryCat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. She previously served as a board member and Vice President of the Cat Adoption Team in Sherwood OR.
Kelly St. Denis, DVM, MS, DABVP (Feline) – Dr. St. Denis is a practicing feline medicine specialist, board certified with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She is medical co-editor of the AAFP Feline Practitioner Magazine with Dr. Jessica Quimby and has recently joined Drs. Margie Scherk and Andy Sparkes as a co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
Dr. St. Denis is a consultant on the Veterinary Information Network in feline internal medicine and lectures internationally on all things feline.
Tabitha Kucera is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, and KPA-CTP. She is the owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio. Her teaching credentials include lecturing on the regional and national levels and lecturing at multiple veterinary technology programs. She is a Fear Free certified speaker, a Fear Free Practice Certification Consultant, and the host of the podcast, Tails from a Vet Tech. Tabitha has helped to develop training and behavior programs for various veterinary hospitals and shelters and works as a consultant for many shelters and private veterinary practices.
Jessica Benoit is a Registered Veterinary Technologist and the co-owner of Companion Veterinary Clinic, a Fear Free Certified Practice in Alberta, Canada. She is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behavior, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Jessica is also a Fear Free Certified veterinary professional, trainer, and speaker. She has a special interest in cooperative veterinary care and enjoys helping canine and feline patients feel more comfortable and empowered for veterinary examinations and procedures. Jessica enjoys educating and sharing her knowledge both locally and internationally for veterinary professionals and trainers and providing client education seminars. In addition, she provides mentorship for veterinary technologists and trainers interested in animal behavior.
About The National Kitten Coalition:
The National Kitten Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing kitten survival rates and transforming their lives through the power of education. The National Kitten Coalition accomplishes its mission by educating and training animal shelter and veterinary staff, rescue groups, volunteers, and fosters to provide high-quality, cost-effective care; providing outreach and educational materials to animal welfare and veterinary professionals and the public; and promoting cooperation and information sharing within the animal welfare community.
This series is being offered free of charge thanks to our generous sponsors:
