Park Slope Cat Whisperer

Deborah's journey with cats began when she rescued her first stray at age 5. This early bond and heartbreak caring for her cat with feline leukemia until the very end ignited a lifelong passion to work with cats.

During childhood, Deborah spent hours weekly earning the trust of a steady stream of feral mothers and their kittens living under her family’s backyard deck. These feral cats were often fearful and defensively aggressive, so gaining their trust required immense patience, consistency, and deep sensitivity to feline body language. Those early, hands-on experiences shaped Deborah’s ability to connect with even the most fearful or reactive cats — a skill she brings to every feline she works with today.

All her life, Deborah's passion for raising animals and dedication to studying zoology has further enriched her understanding of animal behavior. She's raised dogs, cats, rabbits, aquatics, fish, turtles, crabs, jellyfish, armadillo, goat, and even a goose. She's also cared for sugar gliders, gerbils, hamsters, birds, and a variety of insects.

Over the years, Deborah has also been the proud parent to five cats, ranging from kittens to seniors. Her experiences as a multi-cat owner, combined with her professional knowledge, allows her to have a comprehensive approach to feline care, behavior modification, and enrichment.

With a degree in Social and Behavioral Science PH, with concentation in Psychology, Deborah has over a decade of experience as a behavior change consultant. Working with children affected by trauma in conflict-affected regions has honed her ability to use body language, tone, and patience to help fearful or shy individuals feel safe enough to express themselves. This skill has translated seamlessly into her work with cats, particularly those who are anxious, fearful, or socially challenged.

A strong advocate for fear-free, positive reinforcement methods, Deborah specializes in feline enrichment, behavioral modification/training, and also socializing both kittens and adult ferals. She's been mentored in, studied and practiced cat behavior, and is currently working towards CCBC certification through International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

As a Cat Sitting Specialist, Deborah offers drop-ins and overnight stays, and provides behavioral consulting to many of her clients. Some cat behavior clients also use her cat care services to get a more in-depth view into behavioral issues like inter-cat aggression, or ensure consistency with their behavioral modification homework when they are busy.