What is a Cat Behaviour Counsellor?

Anita Kelsey is a certified cat behaviourist (BA (Hons), MCFBA, CIDBT) after studying feline psychology and behaviour with renowned cat expert and biologist Roger Tabor and achieving a first class honours degree at Middlesex University based on her work practice. She runs a vet referral service dedicated strictly to the diagnosis and treatment of behaviour problems in cats. Anita is not an all round animal behaviourist but feline species specific. She has studied cats only and knows their behaviours inside out. She is a fully respected member of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association (CFBA).

Anita is a featured behaviour writer for  Your Cat Magazine as well as being on their expert panel to assist with cat grooming enquiries. She also writes for on line magazine Style Tails as well as the CFBA’s behaviour magazine. She has also just joined YOUR CAT magazine as a featured writer and a cat grooming advisor on their expert panels letters page.

Anita Kelsey is based in Notting Hill, West London, UK.

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London cat behaviourist

“It’s important that the behaviour expert identified is someone with the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to treat your pet. Anyone can call themselves a behaviour expert, but many do not possess up-to-date knowledge or the necessary skills required to treat pets with behaviour problems”

- RSPCA (on finding a clinical animal behaviourist in the UK)

Karen L Overall“Many of the complaints noted by clients reflect undesirable but normal behaviours that occur because of artificial social situations in which we force cats to live” - Karen L Overall, animal behaviourist

Anita’s goal has always been to gain the best understanding possible of everything feline, their origins, habits, patterns within their species, health, diet, breed personalities, needs connected to that breed – she wants to help change any problematic relationship between cat owners and their cats to harmonious. She has a particular leaning towards helping owners understand the needs of their indoor cats and, although not an advocate of keeping cats housebound, Anita will work hard towards getting the balance right in the home so that the cat has the most stimulating possible life indoors.


What kind of Unwanted cat behaviours or feline problems does a Cat Behaviour Counsellor UK deal with?

  • Feline territorial aggression
  • Feline re-directed aggression
  • Feline OCD – compulsive disorders/Feline excessive grooming
  • Feline predatory aggression
  • Fouling around the home
  • Feline spraying/marking
  • Furniture damage
  • Feline obesity
  • Problems arising from confinement/in-door cat problems
  • Inter-cat relations/Multi-cat household tensions
  • Feline separation anxiety
  • Confidence building with shy anxious rescue cat
  • Low stress mobile cat grooming. Behaviour training connected to grooming. Anita specialises in working with aggressive, elderly or phobic cats

Cats have individual personalities and Anita would prefer, if possible, to meet your cat to understand and get to know them and also see them in their territory. It’s also important to see how your cat(s) interact with you as well as any other family members and other pets. Speaking face to face with each client and spending quality uninterrupted time is really important in understanding the whole picture especially in complex cases. Your cat will always need to have seen a vet, before a home visit takes place, so that any medical causes are addressed or eliminated. Anita works closely with your vet to ensure the best possible outcome is reached. email your request for a vet referral form.

Steps to take regarding booking a Cat Behaviour Counsellor UK

  1. Email Anita with a brief outline of your issues not forgetting to include your postcode. You will then be guided as to whether Anita needs to hear from your vet (some consultations do not require vet referral)
  2. Contact your vet and ask them you wish to be referred for a cat behaviour consultation.
  3. Give your vet the link to download the vet referral form or you can print off yourself to take in. Your vet must then email the form to: info@catbehaviourist.com or you can bring the signed form home to email over.
  4. Anita will then discuss options * with you and send over a fee sheet. Once you have chosen the option you prefer full payment is required. Once payment is received you will be sent an in-depth behaviour assessment form and a date booked in to visit your home.
  5. A full observatory assessment will be made and discussed with you.
  6. A full report is then written up along with a behaviour modification plan. This report is also sent to your vet. Anita may ask for medical reports from your vet.
  7. Cat behaviour fees can be claimed back via your pet insurance but please always call your chosen insurers to check first.

A consultation with a Cat Behaviour Counsellor UK typically last around 2 hours but you are not on a timer so may go over! Consultations come with 6 week follow up support via email. You may also chat to Anita at a mutually convenient time over the telephone. A further visit may be required for difficult cases but will be at a reduced rate.

* Home visits are recommended in the majority of cases. Home visits give true value for money and are the difference between calling NHS Direct and seeing a specialist face to face in your home. There are so many factors to consider when dealing with any behaviours although, if distance is an issue with any client, consultations over the telephone, email or Skype will be considered.  All cat behaviour consultations are thorough and continued support is always given. 

NEW ADDED SERVICE

Due to the amount of enquiries from cat owners, with cat related problems, in the US, Japan, Europe, and other countries around the world Anita is opening her consultancy to include INTERNATIONAL CAT BEHAVIOUR CONSULTATIONS.

Cat behaviour queries from international clients will still need a vet referral from their cat’s veterinary practice.

Please email your request for a vet referral form.

Please try to keep a journal of your cats behaviour as this kind of information is vital. Video clips on your phone of the behaviour in action are also extremely helpful.


Client testimonials

I contacted Anita for help with Sparkle, my Chinchilla Persian, with grooming and behaviour issues. I’m delighted that within 3 weeks we have combated Sparkle waking me up at 4am to be fed (if I ignored she would scratch consistently until I got up) Anita’s offered key advice which would mean Sparkle would sleep through. Pleased to confirm it worked – I feel I’ve had the best sleep in 6 months. Thanks again.

- Justina Parry, PA at Sony Music, London.

I’m happy to report there has been some very positive and noticeable changes with both Woody & Ralph. I am very happy to report we have one very contented and now vocal cat. It’s just wonderful. All he wants is cuddles on his blanket and has even worked out tricks to get us to the sofa so he can get even more affection! :) The weeing has stopped, however, we are still in working progress on a few things.

I really appreciate the advise you gave us and, whilst it’s all things I knew we should have done way back when, you’ve given us that push we needed to allow us boys their independence. I’m grateful for that.

Shelley Western, Shortlands, Bromley.

Marley is famous at his vets for being an angry difficult to deal with character so grooming has always been a stressful experience for everyone involved. Not the case with Anita though, she knew exactly what to do to calm him down and stop him from felling scared. For the first time he came away from a grooming relaxed and stress free.
Anita also gave great advice and grooming tips on little things we can do at home to make Marley a happier, cleaner cat.

- Barry Kelleher, Brixton.

Thank you so much Anita. I have some work to do but really appreciate the help as I love Lily to bits and want to make sure she is happy so your advice as been invaluable.

Juliet Philips, Islington.

Vet referred cat behaviour consultancy. Photo: Patrick Boyd for Yours MagazineHome consultations typically last around 2 hours but you are not on a timer so may go over! Consultations come with 6 week follow up support via email. A further visit may be required for difficult cases but will be at a reduced rate.

All enquiries most welcome. Travel fees will apply.

Your problem becomes Anita’s problem too and she will leave no avenue unexplored to resolve the issues and to bring peace to your household and leave both you and your cat happy again.

You are not alone so please do get in touch. Your enquiries are most welcome.

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