HOBART — Australia is estimated to have more pets than people, with 69% of Australians owning at least one. Fish are the most common, followed by dogs, then cats, and finally birds and small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and other rodents.
Yet while most dog owners understand the importance of training their four-legged companions, the same awareness doesn’t always extend to those living with a cat. Animals communicate through their actions, expressing discomfort — or contentment — through their behaviour.
This is why, when problems arise, early intervention matters. In recent years, a growing number of professionals have emerged with the goal of helping families and their pets understand each other better — a prerequisite for a happy life together. It was this mission that led Andrea Carne to become a feline behaviour consultant.
As a veterinary nurse at a shelter in Hobart, Tasmania, Carne witnessed firsthand the challenges of managing cats, particularly in overcrowded settings. “I became increasingly aware of their needs,” she explained.
That awareness drove her to explore the field more deeply and pursue formal study in animal behaviour. In Australia, however, specialisation opportunities were limited — especially for felines. In 2017, Carne began with dog training courses, completing a certification through the Delta Institute, before moving on to more cat-specific studies, often through international programmes.
A year later, she launched her own practice, initially offering in-home consultations across the Hobart region.
Over the years, Carne has never stopped pursuing deeper knowledge. Although “the profession is not yet regulated in Australia” and no dedicated training pathways exist locally, she chose to earn the title of Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant (CCBC) through the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) — a demanding process that brought her both great satisfaction and professional preparation.
Her approach is clear and methodical: analyse the animal’s environment, “reconstruct its history and identify the root causes of problematic behaviours. Every case is different, because every cat is different,” she said.
Among the most common issues she encounters are litter box difficulties, aggressive behaviour, and conflict between household pets. Yet the underlying cause is often the same: an unstimulating environment. “Most cats don’t have enough to do. There’s a lack of enrichment, routine, and stimulation.”
Environmental enrichment, in particular, is one of the most overlooked aspects of cat care. Vertical spaces, toys, hiding spots, and interactive activities are essential — especially for cats that live exclusively indoors. Without these, the risk of unwanted behaviour born of boredom or frustration is significant.
Another widespread misconception is that cats simply can’t be trained. “Absolutely they can,” Carne said emphatically, noting that the key difference from dogs lies in motivation: “While dogs tend to want to please their owners, cats will only do something if they see a benefit in it. If it’s worth their while, they’ll do it.”
When it comes to understanding pets regardless of breed, Carne points to one principle that never fails: every behaviour has a purpose. Punishing it doesn’t solve the problem — it can actually reinforce it. What’s needed instead is to understand what the animal is trying to communicate and respond accordingly.
Among the more unusual cases in her career, Carne recalls a cat that would steal shoes from the neighbours and bring them home to its owner. Amusing as it seemed, “the animal was simply expressing its predatory instinct, reinforced by the owner’s entertained reactions.”
“I asked the client to ignore the behaviour” — it was precisely her laughter that kept encouraging the shoe-hunting expeditions. Once the positive reinforcement was reduced and suitable play alternatives were introduced, the behaviour faded — though the question of how to reunite those stolen shoes with their rightful owners remains unanswered.
Carne certainly has no shortage of variety in her work — a career to which she has devoted not only years of study and dedication, but through which she has developed a sharp eye and a deeper understanding of the feline world, one of humanity’s most enduring companions. Some of the earliest evidence of this bond dates to around 7500 BC, when a man was buried alongside his cat in Cyprus.
A remarkable detail, especially given that no wild cats existed on the island at the time — meaning the animal must have been brought there by humans.
It is a bond that has never weakened, even after cats stopped serving any practical purpose — such as hunting rodents — and took on the role they hold today: guardian of the couch.
