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Preamble to the Feline Behaviour Qualification (FBQ) |
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Currently it is possible to gain degrees in animal behavioural science at a number of universities but few offer practical, hands-on behavioural and training study of cats. Many of them also do not offer places to students whose background is not of an academic nature.
The Natural Animal Centre aims to fill this gap by offering a quality, scientifically and practically based qualification for those seeking to help cats from a behavioural perspective. |
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Objectives of the Feline Behaviour Qualification (FBQ) |
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- to give the cat owners, feline welfare organizations and veterinary surgeons the choice and security in referring behavioural problems to qualified feline behaviourists with a recognizable, trustworthy qualification;
- provide prospective feline behaviourists with a credible, scientifically-based accreditation which would give them the knowledge and practical experience to offer professional behavioural advice to a paying client;
- to provide on-going Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain the integrity of NAC graduates’ feline behavioural knowledge in the market.
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Format of the FBQ |
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The complete course comprises 7 modules (21days of lectures, assessment and practical study at the Natural Animal Centre) and two modules of Case Studies. An optional revision module is available after Module 6 prior to the formal assessment in Module 7. Students are expected to supplement study at the Natural Animal Centre with Required Reading over the course.
Modules need to be completed in chronological order. Final commitment for the qualification need only be made on registering for Module 7 (which includes formal assessment). The course is structured so that students who are either unsure or do not wish to follow the course all the way to qualification, may still benefit from learning more about cat behaviour. |
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MODULE 1 - Aim: Introduction to cat behaviour ( Three Days) |
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MODULE 2 - Aim: Introduction to communication in cats ( Three Days) |
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MODULE 3 - Aim: Behavioural development and learning in kittens ( Three Days) |
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developmental behaviour (including socialisation periods) in kittens |
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parental behaviours in cats, attachment theory and implications for artificial weaning practices |
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instrumental learning and classical conditioning in cats |
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introduction to play behaviour in cats |
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introduction to clicker training cats |
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MODULE 4 - Aim: Introduction to physiology of cat behaviour ( Three Days) |
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MODULE 5 - Aim: introduction to feline welfare ( Three Days) |
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MODULE 6 - Aim: Solving behaviour problems and professional conduct ( Three Days) |
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introduction to structuring, counselling and running a consultation |
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ethics of working with vets |
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solutions for behaviour problems (pulls together your learning on the FBQ) |
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live practice at running a consultation |
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REVISION MODULE - Aim: Introduction to consulting and professional conduct (Three Days) |
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after completion of Module 6, an optional module is sometimes available for those students who require more consultation practice prior to the formal assessment in Module 7. The Module is available as a one or a two-day format depending on students’ requests. Current experience has shown that around 50% of behavioural students at the NAC opt for additional revision although the decision to attend is entirely personal. |
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MODULE 7 - Aim:
Formal Assessment (Four Days) |
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MODULE 8 - Aim: Prepared Case Studies |
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Students submit answers to four written case studies within three months. |
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MODULE 9 - Aim: Field Case Study |
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Students will submit the results of a field case study based on advice given to a real client. The equine behaviour problem needs to be a level of seriousness that a progression towards a successful outcome would require approximately three month’s work. It is a requirement that the initial consultation with the client is submitted on video for assessment. |
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Time limit for Completion of FBQ |
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Whilst the Natural Animal Centre seeks to help students spread the expenditure of the cost of the FBQ (See Payment Terms below), there is a time limit of three years in which to complete the FBQ. Most modules will be offered at least once per year so students can plan their study. Typically, a dedicated student could expect to complete the FBQ in approximately two years. |
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) |
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| Retention of this qualification requires annual renewal that takes the form of attendance of a three-day course at least once per year at the Natural Animal Centre where graduates of the FBQ will be given the latest up-to-date research on felines and other relevant animals. In this way, the Natural Animal Centre will ensure the scientific quality of the FBQ remains intact. |
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Registration, Supervision, and the NAC Code of Ethics |
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| On graduation of the SABQ (Exotics), the option of registering with the NAC is available, registered graduates work under the supervision of the NAC and sign up to the NAC Code of Practice and NAC Ethical Guidelines. |
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Advanced Qualifications - the Feline Behaviour Qualification (Stage 2) |
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The Natural Animal Centre aims to be the first “ Practical Animal Behaviour University” where the emphasis is on educating prospective feline behaviourists in practical hands-on solutions for clients with animals that have behavioural problems. To this end, we offer a serious career path to those wishing to progress their scientific equine behavioural knowledge even further in the form of more advanced study.
By building on work undertaken in Stage 1, the FBQ (Stage 2) gives students the opportunity to pursue in-depth feline behavioural study over approximately eighteen months giving the graduate a currently unsurpassed professional feline behavioural qualification in the market |
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Payment Terms and Required Reading |
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Students may pay as they register for each module. Upon registration, the full fee is due and part payments will not be accepted.
The Required Reading list is sent to the student on confirmation of registration for a module. Reading material is for the account of students |
