by Shojai, Amy
Veterinarians with a special interest and additional study in the field of animal behavior. As veterinarians, they are also able to diagnose concurrent health conditions and prescribe drug therapies that may be helpful. http://www.veterinarybehaviorists.org
THE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SOCIETY
Certifies qualified individuals as Applied or Associate Applied Animal Behaviorists http://animalbehaviorsociety.org/
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CONSULTANTS, INC.
A professional organization that accredits and qualifies members as Certified Animal Behavior Consultants (CABC), and addresses behavior issues of cats, dogs, and other companion animals. http://www.iaabc.org
APPENDIX: FURTHER READING FROM AMY SHOJAI
ComPETability: Solving Behavior Problems In Your Cat/Dog Household
Complete Care for Your Aging Cat
Complete Kitten Care
AFTERWORD
Many years ago, more than I care to admit, I became an accidental pet writer.
I grew up rescuing orphan bunnies and baby birds fallen from nests, turning turtles and snakes into pets, and luring squirrels and raccoons to eat from my hand. I loved feeding Grandma’s chickens, horseback riding, and milking the cows (or trying to).
But my deepest affection was for dogs and cats.
It seemed fated when I found a job as a veterinary technician and met countless caring owners. But many felt frustrated by their relationships, and all too often, heartbreak resulted. I never set out to be a writer, and my career as a pet journalist would never have happened without the countless veterinarians, behaviorists, trainers, researchers, and pet lovers who put up with my endless questions. Thank you!
If you’re reading this, you belong to the “pet generation,” part of the 60+ percent of U.S. households that keep cats and dogs. The more time we spend with our cats and dogs, the stronger our bond becomes. The medical profession has legitimized these attachments through multiple research studies that prove the positive impact pets have on human health. So, while in the past we may not have admitted these affections, today our love affair with pets has become a very public one. Deep affection toward and a new awareness of our enhanced relationship with pets—and the way cats and dogs relate to each other—drives today’s owner to seek the most current, highest quality behavior care to preserve this loving bond.
This dedication toward pets isn’t surprising. Economic conditions that prompt young professionals to delay marriage and/or children can result in them lavishing affection and attention on their pets. But emotional attachment to pets continues when owners marry and start families. Pet love only begins there—older people relish the interaction and unconditional love offered by dogs and cats.
This book offers prescriptive solutions for the owners of multiple pets, to help you better understand how cats think, relate to each other, and can best be taught to follow your rules and get along. It provides quick answers to common everyday concerns, helps improve pet behavior, and provides information that allows pets to live longer and healthier lives. I’ve presented information in an easy-to-use format with step-by-step tips to help readers build their very own peaceable kingdom.
I’m confident “ComPETability” will help you and your multi-pet family. Pets have certainly changed my life for the better, and I hope my writing will make a positive difference in the lives of cats, dogs, and those who love them.
Author Biography
Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified animal behavior consultant, vet tech, and nationally known authority on pet care and behavior. She is the author of more than two dozen award-winning nonfiction pet books and over a thousand articles and columns. Amy addresses a wide range of fun-to-serious issues in her work, covering training, behavior, health care, and medical topics.
Amy is a founder and president emeritus of the Cat Writers’ Association, and a member of the Dog Writers Association of America. She frequently speaks to groups on a variety of pet related issues, lectures at many writing conferences, and regularly appears on national radio and television in connection with her work. Most recently she appeared as an expert on the Animal Planet “CATS 101” and “DOGS 101” shows. She and her husband live with assorted critters at Rosemont, their thirteen-acre “spread” in north Texas. Amy can be reached through www.AmyShojai.com.
PUBLISHERS NOTE
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be re-produced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.
The author has made every effort to provide the most current information; however, the understanding of veterinary medicine, pet behavior, and training is constantly improving. Provide optimum health care for your pets by regularly consulting a veterinarian. Ongoing behavior problems are best addressed by a professional pet therapist, behavior consultant, or trainer.
Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your pet’s physician and/or qualify trainer/behaviorist. All matters regarding your pet’s health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book. While the author has made every effort to provide accurate product names, telephone numbers and/or Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publications.
FurryMuse Publications
Published by FurryMuse Publications, a business of Amy Shojai
PO Box 1904, 1750 W. Moore Street, Sherman TX 75092
First Edition, April 2012
Copyright © Amy D. Shojai, 2012
All rights reserved
