Hartpury University Lecturer in Animal Behaviour Debbie Anslow will join an international line-up of feline behaviour, veterinary medicine and animal welfare experts at the Cat Behaviour Conference 2026.
Taking place online on Saturday 3 October from 9am to 6pm BST, the conference will bring together cat professionals, veterinary teams, rescue volunteers, students and cat owners from around the world for a day of evidence-based learning focused on improving feline health, behaviour and welfare.
Now in its second year, the Cat Behaviour Conference provides an opportunity for leading experts to share the latest research alongside practical behaviour modification and training approaches.
Debbie, a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Registered Veterinary Nurse as well as a Lecturer in Animal Behaviour at Hartpury University, will deliver a session exploring chronic pain in cats and its impact on behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
Chronic pain can be an important but sometimes overlooked factor when considering changes in a cat’s behaviour. Debbie’s session will explore the relationship between pain, behaviour and welfare, helping attendees develop their understanding of the ways physical health can influence how cats behave and respond to their environment.
Her involvement in the conference reflects Hartpury’s commitment to connecting education and research with current professional practice across the animal sector, while providing students with access to academics who continue to engage actively with their respective industries.
Debbie will appear alongside a programme of internationally recognised specialists covering a wide range of topics in feline behaviour, health and welfare.
Veterinary Psychiatrist Dr Katrin Jahn will discuss feline urination problems, while Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Registered Veterinary Nurse Caroline Clark will explore understanding and managing Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
Associate Professor of Ethology Dr Karolina Westlund will examine the ways in which cats are kept from an animal behaviour science perspective, and feline behaviour consultant and Elite Fear Free Registered Veterinary Technician Ingrid Johnson will share practical approaches to making the process of medicating cats more positive and less stressful.
International cat behaviour consultant and research scientist Dr Mikel Delgado will explore how play and enrichment can improve feline welfare, while Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore OBE, a leading authority on feline medicine, will discuss the role of stress in Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC).
The programme will include live Q&A sessions and opportunities for attendees to connect with fellow professionals and cat enthusiasts from around the world.
The conference is open to animal behaviourists, veterinary professionals, rescue and shelter teams, cat sitters, cattery staff, groomers, students, cat owners and anyone with an interest in feline welfare.
For Hartpury students studying animal behaviour and related subjects, Debbie’s participation is another example of how the expertise of their lecturers extends beyond the classroom and into the industries and professional communities connected with their studies.
Attendees can join the conference live, while presentations will also be recorded and made available to watch on catch-up for eligible ticket holders.
The Cat Behaviour Conference was founded by feline behaviourists Claire Stares and Lisa Sinnott to make high-quality, evidence-based education more accessible to those who work, volunteer or live with cats.
Tickets for the Cat Behaviour Conference 2026 cost £35, with registration now open.
Find out more and register for the Cat Behaviour Conference 2026
