A Brie-lliant example of positive socialisation in action

Recently, participants in our Darwin programs were given the exciting opportunity to welcome some very special visitors into the Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) room: a litter of ‘cheesy’ kittens, named Mozzarella, Brie, Halloumi and Cheddar, fittingly the offspring of a mum named Cheese. 

Before the kittens arrived, participants worked together to prepare the room, drawing on their growing understanding of animal welfare and setting animals up for safe and positive interactions in the HPHH session room.  

Initially, the kittens were introduced into a secure enclosed/ fenced space, a common practice when working with young kittens. These smaller contained spaces can help kittens feel safe while allowing participants to observe their behaviour and confidence from a distance before introducing them to larger environments. 

As the session began, participants carefully observed the kittens. With some support from Program Trainer, Margaret, the group discussed feline body language to understand how they were feeling. Together, they noticed signs that the kittens may have appeared somewhat restricted by the enclosed space.  

After this careful observation, the group decided that the kittens may benefit from having access to the larger room. The participants quickly got to work, transforming the space into a safe and enriching kitten playground. They helped secure doorways, set up boxes for hiding and exploration, and scattered toys throughout the room to encourage natural play and curiosity. 

The impact was immediate, proving to be a pretty ‘gouda’ decision by the group.  

The kittens soon began exploring confidently, zooming around the room, climbing, playing and engaging with both their environment and the participants. What could have been a stressful experience became a positive and enriching one, supporting the kittens' socialisation and helping them build confidence in a new environment.

For participants, the moment was about much more than simply playing with kittens. It was a practical demonstration of the skills they develop through HPHH—observing behaviour, interpreting body language, problem-solving as a team and making decisions that place animal welfare at the centre of every interaction. 

Perhaps the best part was watching the participants beam with pride as their observations led to a positive outcome, helping some very lucky kittens have a brie-lliant experience. 💞🐾