Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Post.
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
My journey started many years ago with the cats I grew up with – Tiger and Shakka. They taught me what it means to be a caring cat guardian, and I often reflect on my time with them when processing my client’s relationships with their cats. I always knew I loved cats and wanted to work in an animal-related field. However, I didn’t see the traditional veterinary path as right for me. I dabbled in wildlife rehabilitation in college and through volunteering, but jobs there are few and quite competitive. In my late teens, I learned that cat behavior consulting was a job that some people do and knew that if I could make it happen, that would be the perfect job for me. I eventually got a B.S. in Animal Behavior as a stepping stone towards this goal, and when the time was right (several years later), I launched my business.
Over the last 2.5 years, since making OmniCat Behavior a primary career goal, I have developed a solid client base and community presence. I officially launched my website in March of 2020. Since then, over 150 cats and families have received my guidance and are now able to live peacefully together. I have a small income that allows me to keep going. I volunteer with two local rescues, managing the behavioral welfare of cats and fielding behavior questions at another. I am particularly proud of my role as Enrichment Manager at Feline Rescue. This role has been valuable in teaching me about our community’s needs about their cats and has given me hands-on experience working with all kinds of cats. I have connected with local veterinary clinics, one that routinely refers clients to me. Soon, I will be offering Kitten Kindergarten classes through Feline Rescue in a partnership with another cat behavior consultant. This is a paid class where proceeds go to cats in need.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I launched my business and website one week before the pandemic shut everything down. I was counting on summer opportunities in 2020 to get the word out and be present at events to share my story. So, I lost out on all those opportunities in the beginning. Unfortunately, very few people know the type of services I provide. While this isn’t so great for cats and people, it leaves a huge opportunity for me. The bulk of this opportunity lies with the fact that cats are wholly misunderstood in our culture. They are considered aloof, independent, sassy, standoffish, and untrainable. Cats are domesticated but retain much of their wild instincts and need specialized and unique care to address these characteristics. These misunderstandings lead to behavior problems, inadequate care, mistreatment, and in some cases, euthanasia. However, the process of reshaping our thoughts around felines has already started. There is a growing interest in the behavior and uniqueness of cats thanks to popular tv shows, social media, and internet celebrities. Right now, the greatest thing holding me back is the lack of knowledge that my services exist. It hasn’t been enough to have a website or social media presence. I am working on developing relationships with local veterinary clinics to help educate them and cat owners.
As you know, we’re big fans of OmniCat Behavior. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
OmniCat Behavior is a consulting service for families dealing with unwanted behaviors of their cats. The service is ideal for those needing customized, in-home help that specifically addresses their individual needs and home environment. The emotional toll of living with your cat’s unwanted behaviors is immense. Repeated instances of aggression, elimination messes, fighting, or urinary blockages lead to the debilitation of the cat guardians’ health, relationships, and finances.
Twenty-six and a half percent of Minnesota households own cats, and the average number of cats per household is 1.9. This equates to about 585,117 households and 1.1 million cats in Minnesota that could benefit from my services. Yet less than 1% of cat-owning individuals sought behavioral care in 2016 (compared to 4% for dogs, indicating the desire for behavior care for pets exists). In 2016, 3.5 million cats in the U.S. did not receive veterinary care because of the behavioral challenges faced by just getting them to the vet. With my low-stress, desensitization, and counterconditioning behavior modification plan, 3.5 million more cats, could receive necessary medical care.
The geographic scope of my service is primarily local because I want to serve my surrounding community. Still, I also offer video consultations which add a larger population to utilize my services. Understanding an individual cat’s needs relies heavily on understanding their environment, which is easiest done in person and at home. My clients can provide an appropriate environment to reduce or eliminate unwanted behaviors with a better understanding and improved ability to communicate with felines. My clients finish our appointments feeling relief and motivated to make changes.
My services aren’t just for those facing current behavior problems but for anyone who has upcoming life changes or wants to better their cat’s life. Behavior problems can always arise whether the owner is educated in cat behavior. Things like a traumatic vet visit, medical conditions, seeing stray cats outdoors, and introducing a new family member or pet, can all alter the cat’s ability to cope. OmniCat Behavior can also benefit anyone that works with cats. This includes shelters, rescues, veterinary clinics, and communities with feral cat populations. I can provide education and training specific to each of their situations.
My long-term goals include adding crafted cat-specific products such as shelves, scratchers, and toys to help meet specific behavioral challenges and needs. I also want to offer highly reduced or free consultations to those in economically disadvantaged situations who stand to gain the most from my services. I want to see fewer distraught families and fewer cats surrendered, abandoned, and euthanized for preventable reasons. I want to build meaningful relationships between cats and their families.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
The biggest thing people can do is an advocate for their cat. You know your cat best. You care about them and want to better their life. Take them to the vet a minimum of once per year and seek out help and advice for behavior problems when you need it; take the opportunity to learn more about their unique minds and behavior. Start young too. A cat’s openness to new experiences and ability to learn most effectively occurs at a very young age. When you start early, you’ll set them up for success for their whole life. If you’re currently dealing with a cat behavior problem in your home and are ready to make some changes to solve it, reach out through the form on my website. If you have a project you’re working on that could use a little cat-related flair, let me know! I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate with local businesses or rescues, cat related or otherwise.
Pricing:
- 30 min phone call with summary – $35 and up
- Full in-home consultation with detailed behavior plan and follow up support – $275
- Full video consultation with detailed behavior plan and follow up support – $225
Contact Info:
- Website: www.omnicatbehavior.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/omnicatbehavior
- Facebook: facebook.com/omnicatbehavior
Image Credits
Shelter photos – Tony Mantovani All other photos – Jesse Robb
