Cats are creatures of routine and comfort, which means new environments, unfamiliar handling, and changes to their normal day can feel unsettling and create stress. That’s completely natural and is something we think very carefully about with everything we do at our donation sessions.
One of the best things you can do to set your cat up for a positive donation experience is to spend a little time at home helping them build calm, happy associations with some of the things they will encounter when they come to donate. Gentle, gradual familiarisation, done at your cat’s pace and on their terms, can mean when they get to the donation session for the real thing, they feel calmer, more comfortable, and confident.
The resources on this page cover the key elements of the donation experience that cats can benefit from getting used to in advance.
Each guide takes a step by step approach, using positive rewards and plenty of treats and reassurance to help your cat build confidence gradually. Little and often is the key, even a few minutes of gentle practice each day can make a real difference to how relaxed your cat feels when donation day arrives.
While working on training with your cat, it is important to pay close attention to their behaviour and stress levels. Your cat is communicating with you all the time, and knowing how to listen means you can help them remain happy and content.
Cats use their body language to show you when they’re feeling calm and relaxed, and when they’re feeling stressed or anxious. The document below will help you to recognise any signs of stress and anxiety in your cat before it escalates while you are undertaking training sessions with them.
