Rory has always been a beloved member of Marissa and Clara’s family. But as the six-year-old cat grew increasingly anxious, his fear began to show in unexpected ways. Over the course of a year, Rory became more reactive, sometimes lashing out at guests and eventually even attacking his guardians.
“We had reached a breaking point,” Marissa and Clara shared. “It always seemed to stem from a place of fear and stress, not malice, but we had no idea how to help him regulate and calm down.”
Determined to help, they tried changing his enrichment, reducing stressful triggers, and managing his environment, but they knew Rory needed more support.
Finding the right support
Marissa and Clara turned to the San Francisco SPCA Behavior team, where they worked with Dr. Alison Gerken to understand Rory’s anxiety better and develop a treatment plan tailored to his needs.
Together, they explored behavior management strategies, enrichment, and medication options. After some trial and adjustment, Rory found a combination that helped reduce his reactivity while allowing his personality to shine through.
“From the start, Dr. Gerken and the whole SPCA Behavior team were exceptionally professional, compassionate, and knowledgeable,” they said.
Remarkable Rory
Since starting treatment, Rory has made remarkable progress. He hasn’t had an aggressive incident in almost a year and is noticeably calmer and more comfortable in situations that once overwhelmed him. His guardians were even able to take a two-week vacation while a neighbor cared for Rory, something they once thought would be impossible.
As Rory’s behavior journey continues, his family now has the tools, guidance, and confidence to help him thrive.
“We cannot recommend the services of the SPCA Behavior team enough,” Marissa and Clara said. “We hope they can provide the same level of relief to other concerned pet parents.”