Qualifications and Previous Employment

BSc (Hons) Zoology and Psychology, University of Bristol, 2001

PG Diploma Companion Animal Behavioural Counselling, University of Southampton, 2006

PhD, Queen’s University Belfast, 2007

“Sensory enrichment for cats (Felis silvestris catus) housed in an animal rescue shelter”

HE lecturer in Animal Management and Science, Askham Bryan College, 2006-2007

Current Position

I joined the University of Lincoln in 2007 and am working on a project investigating how domestic cats adapt to confinement based in the Cat Welfare Centre.

Research Interests and Activities

My PhD research was based around investigating the use of sensory stimulations (visual, olfactory and auditory) as means of environmental enrichment for cats housed in a rescue shelter. I therefore have a keen interest in investigating novel methods for improving the welfare of cats kept in confinement.
During my PhD, I carried out feline behaviour consultations on behalf of the Canine Behaviour Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. I am therefore very interested in the prevention and management of feline behavioural problems including environmental and behavioural modification.

Professional Bodies

Member of the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB)
Member of the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group (CABTSG)
Member of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW)

Recent Publications

Ellis, S. & Wells, D. L. (2010). The influence of olfactory stimulation on the behaviour of cats housed in a rescue shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 123(1-2), 56-62.

Ellis, S. (2009). Environmental enrichment: Practical strategies for improving animal welfare. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11, 901-912.

Ellis, S. & Wells, D. L. (2008). The influence of visual stimulation on the behaviour of cats housed in a rescue shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 113(1-3), 166-174.

Downey, H & Ellis, S. (2008) ‘Tails’ of acquisition: The incorporation of the feline into the family. Journal of Business Research, 61, 434-441.

Ellis, S. (2007). Enrichment for animals: pets and environmental enrichment. In: Encyclopaedia of Humans-Animal Relationships. Eds. M. Bekoff & J. Nystrom, Greenwood Publishing Group, 695-698.

Conference Publications

Davies, K. & Ellis, S. L. H. (2009). The effects of a novel feeding device on the behaviour of domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus). Proceedings of the 7th International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting, Edinburgh, U.K., 28-31 October.

Ellis, S. (2007). Assessing the behaviour and welfare of captive cats. Proceedings of the Northern Irish British Veterinary Nursing Association Congress, County Cavan, Ireland.

Ellis, S. (2007).Enriching the environment of the ferocious feline. Proceedings of the Northern Irish British Veterinary Nursing Association Congress, County Cavan, Ireland.

Ellis, S. (2007). Common behaviour problems in the domestic cat. Proceedings of the Northern Irish British Veterinary Nursing Association Congress, County Cavan, Ireland.

Ellis, S. & Wells, D. (2006). The use of video material as a means of enrichment for the rescue cat. Proceedings of the VDWE Conference ‘Welfare and behaviour: the art behind the science’ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Belgium.

Ellis, S. & Wells, D. (2005). Olfactory enrichment for rescue shelter cats. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference for the International Society of Anthrozoology, Niagara Falls, U.S.A.

Ellis, S & Wells, D. (2005). The influence of olfactory enrichment on cats in an animal rescue shelter. Proceedings of the British Psychological Society, 13(2), 227.

Ellis, S. (2005). Olfactory enrichment in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris). The Irish Psychologist, 31(9), 259.