Crazy cats

An eight-year-old tortie and white cat called Kirry Alison Blaxter

Press release issued: 9 November 2009

‘Crazy cats’ will look at issues such as how cats communicate, whether they can be trained in the same way as dogs and how people believe they view the world. The talk will take place on Tuesday 24 November at 7.30 pm in the Pearson Building, University of Bristol School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford.

Why do cats behave as they do, how do they learn to behave, and what do they really think of people? These questions will be answered along with an exploration of cat behaviour at a free talk this month.

Crazy cats will look at issues such as how cats communicate, whether they can be trained in the same way as dogs and how people believe they view the world.

The talk, organised by the Langford Veterinary Services Small Animal Practice will take place on Tuesday 24 November at 7.30 pm in the Pearson Building, University of Bristol School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford.

Behavioural problems such as fighting between cats, toileting in the house and intolerance of handling will be explored and there will be the opportunity to discuss how these issues can be dealt with.

Dr Alison Blaxter, Small Animal Practice Director, who will be giving the talk, said: “Cats are one of the UK's favourite pet. Anyone who shares their home with a cat is curious and intrigued about their behaviour and trying to work out why they behave as they do is fascinating. We look forward to welcoming cat lovers to an evening that explores feline behaviour and celebrates cats."

The cat behaviour talk is the second in the Small Animal Practice’s ongoing client education programme, ‘Animals Behaving Badly’.

The talk is free but entry is by ticket only. To request a ticket, email the Small Animal Practice on smallanimal-practice@bristol.ac.uk or tel 01934 852422 between 9 am-6 pm on weekdays, or between 9 am-12 pm on Saturdays.

Refreshments will be available and all proceeds will be donated to the Cats Protection, the UK's leading feline welfare charity.

Further information

Langford Veterinary Services (LVS), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Bristol. The company has two main aims - firstly to provide excellent care for the animals in their care as well as through excellent customer service and secondly to provide caseloads in all species to support veterinary student teaching.

Dr Alison Blaxter began working for the University in 1984. She was appointed Practice Director in 1995 and is now the senior vet in the practice. She has worked in many areas of the veterinary profession – general practice, farm practice, charity clinic work abroad and for the PDSA, clinical research and teaching. Her main interests lie in medicine, and she was awarded a PhD for a study of over 120 diabetic patients visiting Langford and more recently has gained a Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from the University of Southampton.

Please contact Joanne Fryer for further information.