Exploring Life & Business with Bonnie Still of Real World Cat Consulting, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonnie Still.

Hi Bonnie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my journey into the cat world thanks to my dog at the time. I was looking for a small dog park to take him to when I learned about Wayside Waifs. I started volunteering there and was fortunate enough to be hired in their cat department within a few months. Even though we had 2 cats at home, I quickly learned that shelter cats sometimes differed from our cats. Aside from general care of feeding and cleaning the shelter cats, I learned how to interact with them. The main room I was responsible for at the time was where all new incoming cats were housed. Some were friendly and social, while others were very shy or fearful. To care for them, I had to learn how each cat wanted me to interact with them (or not!). One cat, Roxanne, was known for not liking most people and would swat and hiss. She taught me to respect a cat’s boundaries and to learn what they are comfortable with. Most of the time, it is all about patience. After a day or two, I was one of the few Roxanne would sit in a lap.

I had always been interested in psychology and loved animals, particularly dogs. I did not know many cats while growing up, and even when we adopted our first kitten, some of her normal play behavior made me cautious around her. She liked being at the top of the stairs and would flatten herself to the floor with wide pupils staring at me as I got closer. She never did anything, and eventually, I understood she was playing.

I also had to research how to help our 2nd adopted cat adjust to our home, the first cat, and of course, with our dog. So, I became very interested in cat behavior through shelter cats and my own. At the time, cat behavior wasn’t heard of even though it existed. The shelter allowed me to create some behavior programs over time. The goal was to focus on the cats still needing to be placed on the adoption floor. They needed interaction with more than 1 or 2 people. I created a program where I taught volunteers how to socialize with specific cats. For shy or fearful cats, they were given a specific directive, while cats considered to be high-arousal or desperate for attention would receive another directive. The goal was to get them to the adoption floor where all volunteers could interact with them and the public. All interactions were documented so adopters would have a good understanding of what to expect.

I worked for Wayside Waifs for 10 years, mostly in management. During that time, I started researching how to become a “cat behaviorist.” I studied through ABI (Animal Behavior Institute) and, in 2014, earned my specialized certificate in Feline Training & Behavior. I also completed the Humane Society of the United States Cat Retention Program, which helped me and a co-worker develop a cat retention program at the shelter. This mainly involved contacting cat guardians planning to give up their cat due to unwanted behaviors. We would work with the guardian over the phone by providing a behavior modification plan and follow up every week. We also created basic cat behavior solutions for volunteers that followed up with adopters. So now, I am working with shelter cats and adopted cats. I also often fostered some “behavioral” cats or kittens since they often needed to be in a home. I knew eventually that I wanted to start my own business helping cats and their guardians, and in 2020, Real World Cat Consulting, LLC was started. I provide compassion, support, and guidance using positive reinforcement to those experiencing behavioral issues with their cat or cats. Mostly this is done virtually, but I have conducted a few home visits as well. I am also now a member of the Pet Professional Guild and a supporting member of IAABC. I currently volunteer at Wayside Waifs, socializing with the cats and helping create their videos.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Finding clients has been a struggle, especially in the beginning. It has been an ongoing learning process of marketing my business. Clients often contact me because of a friend or family member who referred them to me. I am very thankful for that.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have over 10 years of experience helping cats with unwanted behaviors in a home or a shelter environment. I use positive reinforcement methods such as clicker training. Suppose a cat guardian needs help with their cat not using its litterbox, separation anxiety, aggression towards them or other pets in the home, or even socialization. In that case, I can offer help virtually (or in-home, if requested). I always recommend that the cat be examined by a Veterinarian in case the cause for the behavior is a medical issue. The guardian submits a form to provide basic information about the cat and the unwanted behavior. I then meet with the guardian virtually to understand what is happening, how long it has been happening, what might have already been tried to resolve the issue, and what the guardian wants the outcome to be. This gives me a chance to understand not just the cat’s personality and behavior but also the guardian’s needs and what they are willing to do to help their cat. After that, I create a detailed behavior modification plan, and we review that together. I also provide support for the following month as needed (or longer, if necessary).

I offer compassion, support, and guidance. Sometimes, guardians need someone to support them along the way, which helps them know I am here for them. Knowing I will follow up with them helps them relax and focus on the goal. Also, I always remind them to take baby steps and to expect setbacks as part of the process. And, if that happens, we will work together to make progress.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Former management, staff, and volunteers at the shelter deserve credit. Thanks to them giving me free rein to work with the cats and to create ongoing programs or training helped me to grow in my cat behavior education—also, huge thanks to my husband, Chris, for his ongoing support.

Pricing:

• $50 for first meeting/history-gathering
• $150 for a behavior modification plan
• 1 month of support included
• If more than 1 month of support is needed, an additional $50 per month

Contact Info:

• Website: realworldcatconsulting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realworldcatconsulting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realworldcatconsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniestill/
• Twitter: @CatReal