Veterinarian's shelter music project helps reduce stress in shelter cats
Rescue Animal MP3 to the rescue!
Animal caretakers have long known the benefits of playing calming music in animal's areas, whether it's a horse stable, a veterinarian's office, or an animal shelter. The problem is that not every shelter can afford to license a music service like Pandora, but local radio stations can be problematic, between bad reception and commercials that interrupt the music with LOTS OF YELLING.
Enter Pamela Fisher, an Ohio veterinarian who started the Rescue Animal MP3 project. Fisher solicited music donations from musicians around the world who submitted everything from nature-inspired instrumental pieces to classical works by Beethoven, Bach, and others.
Fisher gives shelters MP3 players loaded with 30 hours of soothing playlists, and the results have been remarkable. Her MP3 players are in shelters in all 50 states, and shelter staff report greatly reduced barking among dogs, and overall animal stress.
Maybe she can team up with the Music for Cats project!