Stephanie Merlin CFTBS FFCP
Cat Wellbeing Educator + Advocate
Advocate for Cat Advocates
Stephanie is a Certified Cat Behavior & Wellbeing Educator dedicated to improving the lives of cats through education and advocacy. She primarily collaborates with shelters, rescues, and animal welfare organizations, empowering their staff and volunteers with the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate care for their feline residents. Her journey began in 2013 at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, where she discovered her passion for understanding these often misunderstood animals. This experience inspired her to become a Certified Feline Behavior Specialist (Animal Behavior Institute) in 2017 and a Fear Free Certified Professional in 2022.
Stephanie brings an integrated approach to feline behavior, combining her behavioral expertise with empathy and a trauma-informed perspective. She understands the profound impact of a cat's emotional wellbeing on their behavior and guides animal welfare professionals in creating environments that promote feline wellbeing and reduce stress. Stephanie also works with individual cat guardians, helping them navigate behavioral challenges and deepen their bond with their feline companions.
Beyond her work with individual cats, Stephanie is a dedicated advocate for the wellbeing of animal welfare professionals. She understands the unique challenges of this field and actively provides resources and education on burnout and compassion fatigue to support those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals.