Dear Prospective Student,

Thank you for enquiring about The Advanced Behaviour and Management Course: Cats.
Drs. Frederique Hurly (veterinary behaviourist) and Hannes Slabbert (Veterinary ethologist) present the Advanced Behaviour Course: Cats. This certificate course together with the required practical experience is required for registration as an Animal Behaviourist with the South African Board for Companion Animal Practitioners (SABCAP). For information on SABCAP please visit the website www.sabcap.org.za. The Advanced Cat course is also recommended by The Animal Behaviour Consultants of South Africa (www.animal-behaviour.org.za).

Students who have successfully completed the Basic Animal Behaviour course: Cats are welcome to enrol for this course. Although not recommended, students will be allowed to enrol simultaneously (that is in the same year) for both the Basic and Advanced Cat behaviour courses. Students will however only be allowed to do their final examination for the Advanced course once they have written and passed the Basic course examination.

The Advanced Course: Cats is in many ways an application of the study material of the Basic Cat Course and sound knowledge of the content of the Basic Course is required to be successful in this course. Students are encouraged to view behaviour and attempt to find successful resolutions for behavioural problems in a holistic framework and no “generic recipes” to solve behavioural problems are introduced. Aspects of behavioural practice management, research and ethics in practice, consultation skills and the use of training aids and alternative therapies are incorporated in the course.

The study material consists of a set of study notes, assignments and a student letter. It is essentially a correspondence course, but attending a two – day seminar in either Benoni or Cape Town is compulsory for all students (this may be extended to a three day seminar should student numbers require this). To accommodate students who enrolled for both the Advanced Cat and the Advanced Dog course and due to the overlap in the management and consultation modules, all students will attend the same seminar.

The broad outline of the Advanced Behaviour Course: Cats is as follows:
The Advanced Course: Cats course consists of four Modules:
  • Handling techniques and Training methods.
  • Analysis of cases of behavioural problems
  • Behavioural practice management and communication skills
  • Breeding programmes, cattery evaluation and socialisation programmes

The student will be evaluated on written assignments, practical skills, and ability to apply the knowledge in theoretical case studies as well as in a real life case study. There is a written exam during the seminar.

The course is presented from February to November each year. Registration for this course takes place from 2 January to 28 February 2017. Students may enrol earlier (in 2016) but the study material will only be posted as from the 2nd January 2017 and once proof of payment has been received. The course fee for the Advanced Behaviour Course: Cats for 2017 is R 7 950. The fee includes the study material, assignments, attendance of the seminar and the evaluation fee. Travel to and accommodation at the seminar is not included in the course fee.

A student can enrol for both the Advanced Dog and the Advanced Cat courses in the same year provided that they have completed both the Basic courses. The Advanced Dog and Cat seminars will be presented jointly to accommodate students who enrol for both the Dog and Cat Advanced Courses.

The Seminar dates are:
Benoni, Gauteng: 2- 3 August 2017
Bloubergstrand, Western Cape: 31 August 2017 and 1 September 2017


How to enrol for this course:
Go to the website www.ethology.co.za
  • Click on ‘Enrol’
  • Read ‘Terms of Agreement’
  • Complete and submit the enrolment form and financial agreement form if only the registration fee is paid when enrolling.
  • Pay the appropriate fee
  • Provide Dr Frederique Hurly admin@ethology.co.za with confirmation of payment

Do not hesitate to get in touch should you need more information.

Best regards
Dr Frederique Hurly
BVSc, MPhil, MANZCVS
(Veterinary behaviour)
Course administrator, Ethology Academy