For decades, animal welfare was measured through a primitive lens: Is the animal fed? Is it free from physical disease and injury? If the water bowl is full and the fur is sleek, case closed, right?

In the world of animal welfare, “Agency” is a bit of a buzzword, but for a cat behaviourist, it is the absolute golden key to resolving cat anxiety and cat stress. To put it simply: agency is the power of choice. It is the ability for a cat to have a say in what happens to them, where they go, and how they spend their day.

When a cat begins urinating outside of the litter box, it is often a sign of underlying physical or emotional distress. At The PAWS Approach, we understand that these situations are challenging for both the cat and the owner. This behavior is rarely a choice made by the cat to be difficult; rather, it is a form of communication.

At The PAWS Approach, we believe that the most effective way to support our feline companions is by looking at the world through their eyes. Every cat has a unique personality, but they all share a fundamental biological need for safety and security.