Is “Cage-Free” the Way to Be? Rethinking Shelter Housing for Happier, Healthier Cats (On-Demand Webinar)
Recorded On: 01/15/2025
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Webinar Overview
When it comes to caring for cats in shelters, housing isn't just a place to stay—it’s a critical factor in their health and happiness. But how do you know when to go "cage-free" or stick with individual enclosures? In this engaging and practical webinar, we’ll explore the ins and outs of non-cage housing for shelter cats.
Discover the surprising benefits and hidden risks of room housing. Learn which cats thrive in group environments and which need their own space to feel safe. See real-life examples of smart room setups and furnishings that work for cats, caregivers, and shelter operations alike. Plus, we’ll walk you through an inspiring case study that demonstrates how creative housing solutions make a lifesaving difference in disaster response.
What you’ll walk away with:
- A clear understanding of the pros and cons of cage-free vs. cage-based housing.
- Insights on designing and furnishing non-cage housing that supports social play, stress relief, and behavioral wellness.
- The skills to make informed decisions on when and how to use group housing to support cats' natural instincts and well-being.
PLUS: Get exclusive access to our new, game-changing Cat Housing Assessment Tool!
More Cat Housing
Want more cat housing learning opportunities? Watch the Level Up Your Cat Housing: Game Changing Upgrades Are Within Reach on-demand webinar and complete the Cat Housing Self-Paced Course here.
Continuing Education Credits
This webinar has been approved for 1.25 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) continuing education credit by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and by National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA).
Contact
Email us at help@shelterlearniverse.com if you have any questions or concerns about this webinar.
Keywords
MMPC, learniverse, housing, cat, kitten, feline, best, practices, group, room, kennel, cage, disaster, response, temporary, stress, humane, design
Maddie’s®️ Million Pet Challenge
With the Maddie’s®️ Million Pet Challenge, the Five Key Initiatives of the Million Cat Challenge have expanded to include other species at risk in shelters and evolved into the Four Rights.
Within the Four Rights, every element works in concert to support one another: animals and people are treated as individuals, empowering shelter staff to make the best decisions for everyone; community safety net services are in place and flourishing; and humane care within the shelter is provided, with appropriate outcomes for the animals that do come in, allowing shelters to deliver the Right Care, in the Right Place, at the Right Time, and to the Right Outcome
Learn more about Maddie's®️ Million Pet Challenge Learniverse. #ThankstoMaddie
Maddie’s®️ Pet Forum Discussion Thread
You can also join the discussion about these concepts over on Maddie's Pet Forum in the "Is Cage Free the Way to Be?" discussion thread.
Click to visit the Discussion Group (will open in a new window/tab).
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Denae Wagner, DVM, MPVM
Veterinarian
Koret Shelter Medicine Program, UC Davis
In her work for the Koret Shelter Medicine Program, Dr. Wagner has helped shelters from Florida to Vancouver. Her contributions have ranged from Capacity for Care (C4C) calculations and population health to full facility design consultations.After initially fashioning them by hand, Dr. Wagner oversaw the design and manufacture of the Kat Portal for the Koret Shelter Medicine Program. Over 5,000 of her hand-made and manufactured portals have been installed in animal shelters throughout North America and beyond, earning Dr. Wagner the nickname, The Portal Queen. The portals safely and cleanly couple pairs of existing cat cages, transforming cramped housing into roomier double-compartment condos.Dr. Wagner’s current interests include evidence based shelter design and the effects of housing and the shelter environment on animal health and well-being.
Becky (Rebecca) Stuntebeck
Facility Design Veterinarian UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Becky joined the KSMP team as a Facility Design Veterinarian in April 2022. She obtained her DVM degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. She completed a shelter medicine internship at Dane County Humane Society via the KSMP team in 2014 and a shelter medicine residency with the UW Shelter Medicine Program in 2018, achieving board certification through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners that Fall.
Becky has also worked as a shelter veterinarian at two private shelters in Wisconsin. In addition to facility design her interests include proactive population management and infectious disease prevention in shelters, as well as building relationships with folks across the sheltering field.
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