MOLLY DEVOSS, CFTBS, CCBC, FFCT, CRM
Certified Feline Training & Behavior Specialist, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, Fear Free Certified Trainer, Certified Reiki Master/Teacher
Available for Nationwide Consulting

An animal behavior specialist uses training and knowledge of feline behavior and behavior modification, to help guardians enable their cats to express natural behaviors, but in ways that are acceptable for both the humans and cats.

If you notice your cat's behavior changing drastically, having a problem, or causing you problems, it's time to reach out to us. If your cat is having medical issues, reach out to your veterinarian.

The most common reasons we see are inappropriate urination outside the litter box, clawing furniture/destroying items, aggression to people, aggression to other cat/pets in the home, obsessive/compulsive actions (over-grooming, chewing on things other than food, etc.)

No. Just like with people, your cat's personality and their behavior are two separate things. Your cat may be acting out (behaving bad) due to an environmental stimulation, or it might be shy due to a personality trait, but the consulting process, and subsequent environmental changes, will not change the personality of your cat.

If you see your cat have a sudden change in behavior patterns, excessive vocalizations, or anything that is "different" from the norm, you should always reach out and touch base on what to do next. Remember, cats don't typically show weakness or pain, so if you think your cat is in pain, contact your veterinarian immediately.

We promote the physical and psychological wellbeing of your cats. We use force-free, positive, reinforcement-based techniques that are least invasive and minimally aversive. Learn more about training methods here.

If you’ve exhausted the resources on this site and would like to engage in a consult with Molly, visit the Consultations page for the next steps. Once Molly receives your deposit, and completed Initial Consultation Form, she will reach out to schedule your Zoom consultation. The consults take a minimum of an hour – many times longer – and when finished, you will have a comprehensive list of things to try to correct the behavior.

On-site behavior consultations are a $300 donation — however, CBS is dedicated to serving your cats' needs and is set up as a non-profit, so if you can't afford the consult donation fee, please feel free to donate what you can afford. Your inability to pay will not keep us from serving your cat. If you are out of our service area, consults are done virtually, via Skype call and those run $175 - $250 (depending upon the complexity of the case) donation — again, we are dedicated to serving your cat so if you can't afford the donation amount, please donate what you can. All donations you make for your consult are tax deductible.

A virtual consult happens through a Zoom call. An on-site visit is preferred, but sometimes clients live outside the service area and this is required. The guardian will need to provide a drawing and photos/video of the environment prior to the call.

An on-site consult takes place at the guardian's home and gives the behavior consultant the best opportunity to observe firsthand the environment and behaviors. Once the consultant has gathered background information, an on-site consult will be scheduled at the home. The consult usually takes about 1-2 hours.

Both virtual and on-site consultation processes include follow up. The behavior specialist will ask you to follow up after a prescribed time period and you will keep in contact via email and phone until the issues are resolved or referred to another area of specialty.

The behavior specialist will meet the cat, people and other pets in the home and discuss the behaviors that are causing concern. The cats' resources (litter, food, water, etc.) will be observed. The consultant will look for antecedents and dialog with the guardians to uncover potential causes of the behaviors. ​ Cat behavior consulting is a dynamic process which structures and changes an animal’s environment in a way that provides behavioral choices to animals and draws out their species-appropriate behaviors and abilities and enhances their welfare. ​ The behavior specialist will educate the guardians about the cat's natural behaviors so reasonable expectations can be established. Then changes may be recommended to the environment, routines, nutrition, etc. that will make the cat more content. A content cat = happy guardians!

We're so glad you asked! Check out our How You Can Help page.

As a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), I work under the Standards of Practice, code of conduct, and code of ethics as follows: Strong professional ethics, education, and expertise within our profession are crucial to the wellbeing of the animals and humans we serve. We are competent, ethical professionals in our field. I only use positive reinforcement-based training. I understand and promote Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) training and behavior work I continue professional development by reading relevant material; attending conferences, workshops and seminars; and pursuing other educational opportunities I review and understand source material and academic texts for information I abstain from representing training and behavioral information as scientific, unless the information is derived from peer-reviewed and published research I refrain from offering guarantees regarding the outcome of training and behavior work I always maintain professionalism through: Providing services honestly Treating animals and clients respectfully Valuing and preserving the privacy of clients Maintaining professionalism with colleagues and other professionals.

LIMA does not justify the use of punishment in lieu of other effective interventions and strategies. In the vast majority of cases, desired behavior change can be affected by focusing on the animal’s environment, physical well-being, and operant and classical interventions such as differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior, desensitization, and counterconditioning. LIMA is the most in-depth, answerable, evidence-based set of applied guidelines for trainers and behavior consultants focusing on positive reinforcement-based behavior change. The LIMA guidelines do not justify the use of aversive methods and tools including, but not limited to, the use of electronic, choke or prong collars, in lieu of other effective positive reinforcement interventions and strategies.