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Dear Prospective Student,
Thank you very much for enquiring about the Basic Animal Behaviour
Course: Cats.
Dr Frederique Hurly, a veterinary behaviourist, and Dr Hannes Slabbert a
veterinary ethologist, present this course.
The Basic Animal Behaviour Course: Cats is essentially done through
correspondence with the optional attendance of a two-day seminar. Most
of the students who enrol for this course work full-time and the course
is therefore designed to be done on a part-time basis. Being a private
company Ethology Academy is very flexible. As long as students
communicate with us we are usually able to accommodate them in various
ways should personal circumstances develop during the year which makes
it difficult for them to continue with their studies and complete the
course successfully.
The Basic Cat Course is recommended by both the South African Board for
Companion Animal Professionals (www.sabcap.org.za) and the Animal
Behaviour Consultants of South Africa (www.animal-behaviour.org.za).
The Basic Animal Behaviour Course: Cats is a prerequisite for enrolling
for the Advanced Behaviour Cat Course presented by Ethology Academy.
The content of the Basic Behaviour course: Cats is divided into four
modules:
Introduction and approaches to the study of animal behaviour.
• Ethological Approach
• Experimental or instrumental approach. (This section deals with the
way animals learn and the different conditioning techniques that are
used in training of animals)
• The developmental approach (Pre-natal – Ageing, development calendar)
• The Physiological approach (the nervous and endocrine systems as well
as pheromones)
• Social behaviour (groups, relationships, factors influencing rank,
social spaces and communication)
Problem behaviour and possible resolutions
Assessment:
• Contextual assessment
• Assessment by classification of behaviour problems
• Assessment of animal welfare
• Assessment of responsible companion animal ownership
Resolutions:
• Indirect approach
• Direct approach
• Complementary therapies
• A report for record purposes
Applied cat behaviour
• Genetic background ( domestication and breed traits)
• Behaviour background
• Most common behaviour problems (such as urine marking, urinating in
the house, scratching of furniture, aggression to name a few)
Care and welfare of cats including human-animal interaction, genetic
selection for breed purposes, nutrition, exercise, training, social
needs, environmental enrichment, transport, hygiene and preventative
measures, handling, breeding and housing facilities.
How the course is presented
After enrolling, the student receives all the study material via
registered mail. Included will be a “Student Letter” giving detailed
information on every aspect of the course. Also included will be eight
assignments (two on every module). Students will receive an electronic
copy of the assignments that can be used if the student elects to submit
the assignments via email. Alternatively assignments can be posted using
the Post Office service.
Evaluation
The student will be expected to submit eight assignments during the
period March to October. The assignments will be marked and returned to
the students. The marks obtained for the 8 assignments constitute the
year mark, which will give the student entrance to write the final
examination in November. The assignments are not difficult, because all
the answers are in the notes. It should not take more than 2 – 3 hours
to complete an assignment.
Seminars
Students are invited to attend a two-day seminar. Cat seminars are
annually hosted in Gauteng and Cape Town. Should student numbers allow a
seminar will also be hosted in KZN and Port Elizabeth.
The seminar dates for 2017 are:
Benoni, Gauteng: 21 July 2017 (full day) and 22 July 2017 (morning only)
Bloubergstand, Cape Town: 28 August 2017 (full day) and 29 August 2017
(afternoon only)
Should there be a high number of students in KZN and/or PE area,
seminars will be held in
these areas. Please enquire about this possibility in March.
Students can attend any one of the seminars. Attendance is not
compulsory (students are not penalised for not attending) but highly
recommended. The attendance fee for the seminars is included in the
enrolment fee, but students are responsible for their own travel and
accommodation expenditures.
Final evaluation
A formal examination is scheduled for Saturday, 4 November 2017. It
consists of a two-hour paper and the pass mark is 50%. To pass the exam
requires a fair amount of studying and insight. Students are therefore
advised to start well in advance with their examination preparation.
Students will be able to sit for the exam at a venue in close proximity
to where they live.
Students who complete the course successfully will receive a
certificate. Distinctions are awarded to students who pass with a mark
of 75% or more.
The study material does not include information on specific breeds. You
may want to purchase a book on breeds, but then ensure that the book
pays attention to the typical temperament of the breed. Alternatively,
some internet searching can provide you with that information as well!
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 Basic Cat Behaviour
Course for 2017 is R 7 300. 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.
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
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