My Story: Speaking the Language of Cats

About Laurelyn

My name is Laurelyn, and, simply put, I speak “cat.”

​

While I began my career as a Spanish teacher, I’ve spent much of my life studying and working directly with cats. Over a decade of that time was spent as a manager at my local animal shelter, where I fostered hundreds of cats and kittens—many of them feral or under-socialized—and worked hands-on with cats labeled “unadoptable.”

​

Through that experience, I became highly skilled in working with a wide range of behavioral challenges, including aggression, anxiety, and cats requiring medication or specialized care.

During my time at the Norfolk Animal Care Center, I saw firsthand how often cats were surrendered due to behavior issues. That’s when something clicked. Understanding cats is a lot like learning a new language. And many cat owners simply haven’t been taught how to “speak” it. That realization shaped everything I do.

​

Today, my work is grounded in a compassionate, science-based approach. I am Fear Free certified, and I build every plan around the Five Pillars of Feline Wellness, as defined by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. I also follow the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) model—focusing on solutions that reduce stress and support long-term behavioral success.

​

I became known as the “shelter cat therapist,” spending countless hours studying feline behavior, working with my “office cats,” and helping foster cats become calmer, more confident, and adoptable. Using positive reinforcement and fear-free techniques, I helped transform stressed, misunderstood cats into loving companions, many of whom went on to find homes.

Understanding feline body language and behavior is my specialty. It allows me to help you get to the root of problem behaviors, and more importantly, rebuild a calm, positive relationship with your cat.

​

And when you’re away, that same experience ensures your cat receives compassionate, attentive, and truly individualized care.