Meet WAIF’s Cat Trainer and Behavioral Specialist

Meet Cece Sydnor, WAIF’s Certified Feline Training and Behavioral Specialist! Cece started at WAIF as an animal care technician in May of 2024. As of Dec. 10, 2025, she has officially taken on the role of our on-staff cat behavioralist and trainer.

WAIF sponsored Cece’s 6-month certification program with the Animal Behavioral Institute through the support of our generous donors. Since beginning her schooling, Cece has wasted no time in implementing what she’s learned, making a major difference for WAIF cats and their adopters.

Cats have a reputation as low maintenance pets who don’t require much engagement, Cece said, but this is a misconception. While the average cat might act marginally more aloof than its canine counterpart, cats still need mental and sensory stimulation, opportunities to express their instinctual behaviors, and intentional care and attention.

A deep understanding of feline behavior provides the framework for engaging cats, correcting problematic behaviors, and keeping cats happy and healthy, in the shelter and at home. Informed training and enrichment helps cats have a more positive shelter experience and improves their chances of getting adopted.

Cece’s expertise has already helped WAIF broaden our approach to cat enrichment, training, and socialization. She creates customized plans for the cats in WAIF’s care, which our animal care staff and volunteers work together to implement. 

One recent intake, Ash, has already benefited from a feline care plan. When Ash first arrived at WAIF, he would swat, hiss, spit and lunge at anyone who tried to get close to him. Within a week of Cece and the animal care team implementing his behavior plan, however, staff were able to get him to calm down significantly and even come out to play.

WAIF shelter cats aren’t the only ones benefiting from these plans; Cece is also offering support to cat adopters welcoming new WAIF cats into their homes. She checks in with cat adopters within a few weeks of their adoption to see how their kitty is adjusting to their new home, and offers customized plans for adopters whose cats are struggling with any behavioral issues or having a hard time acclimating to their new environment. This intervention helps cat owners gain confidence and address concerns before they feel the need to return their cat to the shelter.

Most cat enrichment, training, and behavioral interventions aren’t huge, intimidating programs, Cece said. Rather, they are small and easy adjustments that any cat owner can make.

“I truly am very thankful to WAIF and the donors,” Cece said, adding that investing in our shelter cats is making a difference that everyone can see.