nyc cact behaviorist feline specialist
NYC cat behaviorist feline specialist

Contact Michelle

“Arise from sleep, old cat,

And with great yawns and stretchings...

Amble out for love”

― Issa, Japanese Haiku
nyc cat behaviorist feline specialist

Feline Behavior Specialist

ABOUT MICHELLE
ABOUT CONSULTATIONS

Michelle uses science-backed positive reinforcement and fear-free training techniques to change unwanted behavior in cats.

Private consultations are $500, but I am willing to use a sliding scale to ensure that all cats, regardless of their guardian’s finances, receive the help they need.

Consultations include an in-home visit or online call and continued support via emails, phone calls, texts, or Zoom meetings.

How does it work?

What People Are Saying

  • I cannot recommend Michelle highly enough. She immediately sized up the conflict between my two cats and pinpointed the dynamics at play. Her perceptiveness, gentleness, and shrewd understanding of feline behavior were evident from the moment she walked into my apartment. My very anxious cat, who typically hides from strangers, trusted her almost immediately. She carefully assessed the situation and came up with a clear, actionable plan to help repair my cats’ relationship. Her expertise shines not only in her ability to diagnose the issue but also in her detailed follow-up. She sent me comprehensive notes right after our appointment, which included a step-by-step strategy tailored to my cats’ specific needs. Beyond that, Michelle has been incredibly supportive, answering my follow-up questions and providing guidance whenever concerns arise. Her kindness and thoroughness have been such a source of reassurance during a stressful time. I am so grateful for her help—my cats and I are in a much better place thanks to her!

  • Michelle is incredibly knowledgeable and thorough. She understands that our situation, which involves re-acclimating two cats that previously used to get along, necessitates a personal touch. She came to our apartment and walked us through all the ins and outs and got to know us and our cats personally. It'll be a process for us, but it's great to know that we can lean on her as a resource. I'd recommend her for all of your feline behavioral needs! 10/10!

  • Michelle has been absolutely key in helping adjust both my rescue cat, Mitzi's behavior, as well as my own! Mitzi had been dumped for aggression when I started fostering her, and clearly has been through a lot of trauma in her short life. We have been working with Michelle for almost a year now, and I have seen a ton of improvement, growth, and trust from Mitzi in that time. Michelle worked with Mitzi and myself to establish routines, positive reinforcement techniques, and come up with ways to manage her grooming (as a long hair prone to severe matting whose biggest enemy is a brush). Now that I am better at reading and understanding Mitzi's behavior and how I should respond to it, she has really started to come out of her shell in many ways. She still has problems and setbacks so we will have to continue working on things, but I am so grateful for Michelle's continued guidance and help to navigate owning a cat with trauma and behavioral issues to make life better for both of us!

  • Michelle identified some strategies that helped in stopping our cat’s inappropriate litter box use!