Would you attend a two-hour class at your local SPCA to understand what your cat's trying to tell you with its body language and behavior? I would! Recently, just such a class was offered in Tampa, FL by the SPCA Tampa Bay in their Humane Education Building.

Some folks say when a cat wags its tail it's telling you it's angry. When my cat wags her tail, I think she's telling me she's happy. When my cat purrs I think she's in cat heaven and oh so content, but some say purring is a sign of illness. Not being a "cat whisperer" by profession, this two-hour class sounded interesting.

The class was given in two parts. Part I, called Kitty Garden, was all about kittens and owners of kittens under 4 months old were encouraged to bring them along. The focus was on early socialization toward visits to their veterinarians, their cat carriers or crates, other animals including a dog (a cat friendly dog mind you), nail clipping and exhibiting aggressive behavior toward other animals.

Part II, called Cat Talk, was geared toward cats older than 4 months and was an owners only forum, the cats were not invited to attend. This class continued the learning on aggressive behavior and not getting along with other animals. In addition, it also covered scratching, biting, litter box issues and excessive vocalization. Some cats pee and poop all round the house instead of their litter box, but why? Fortunately mine doesn't, but if she did, I'd want to know why!

More than anything, it was about how cats are misunderstood. Donna Bainter, Behavior Manager at the SPCA Tampa Bay, taught the class. Bainter explained "When a cat's behavior changes, people tend to think they are just being resentful or mad or just being a cat. That is not the way a cat thinks, and it's not what's behind the behavior they're exhibiting."

So what are the answers? For those of us who couldn't attend the class and have behavior problems with our cats or dogs, try contacting your local SPCA to see if they offer any type of cat/dog behavior assistance classes or training. For those local to the Tampa Bay area, you can call the SPCA's behavior help line at (727) 586-3591, ext. 133.