Applications to the Fellowship of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association are considered from individuals who can be shown to have made a significant and original contribution to dog behaviour, training development, and/or general pet welfare.
Eligibility may be founded on one or more of three criteria:
A person through considerable experience in dog behaviour and or training based on original work in the field and as a front line practitioner
The publication of one or more books or the publication of a body of scholarly work (e.g. learned articles, essays, educational films, media production)
A major contribution to dog or cat behaviour scholarship in a form other than publication; e.g. A recognised academic qualification that directly relates to cat or dog behaviour and that has been successfully applied.
By Invitation from the CFBA Fellows
Applications should be supported by one Fellow of the Association who has knowledge of the applicant’s experience and or practical work. S/he need not be known to the applicant personally. A list of current Fellows is available on this website: It is important that the recommendation demonstrates knowledge of the applicant’s work and testifies to the quality of the applicant’s contribution to dog/cat behaviour training and general welfare.
Applications are considered by the Associations Governor’s Committee, which reserves the right to request further references if necessary. The final decision on applications is made by the said Governors.
Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. They will be considered at the next meeting of the Governors. Applicants and their referees will be informed once a decision has been made on the application.
More information on definitions and Fellowship criteria
What is the Fellowship of the CFBA for?
The Fellowship of the CFBA Association (FCFBA) is a professional development award that recognises and encourages an advanced level of professional contribution, development and achievement by people in any area of dog and/or cat behaviour work.
Fellows go above and beyond their job role:
- Leading change in an organisation, area of practice, or thinking, which has significant impact supporting the development of others in the field
- Generously sharing their skills and knowledge with the pet owning public or colleagues
- Advocating for CFBA and the work of CFBA associates and members
The CFBA Association champions the value of CFBA to the pet owning society and supports people who work in and for them (including volunteers); this aims of the CFBA’s key values of independence, creativity, integrity and inclusivity, underpin the above criteria for achieving the CFBA core aims and developments.
How do I apply to become a Fellow of the CFBA Association?
Notwithstanding what is written on the previous page; if you are interested in becoming a Fellow of the CFBA please contact the CFBA team to register your interest and to discuss the assessment process in more detail.
Our key values are independence, creativity, integrity and inclusivity – these values underpin the criteria for achieving CFBA Fellowship.
Anyone achieving the Fellowship of the CFBA goes above and beyond their job role, applicants should:
- Lead change in an organisation, area of dog and cat behaviour practice or thinking which also has significant wider impact on the pet owning public
- Lead a group and/or an area of practical or field of knowledge/skills and creates a demonstrable benefit to colleagues, peers and/or the public.
- Innovate in areas of work of national, regional or local significance.
- Develop ways of working to support continuous dog/cat knowledge
- Contribute to the National and international media news streams
Generously share their skills and knowledge:
- Further knowledge, understanding and/or practice within the dog/cat behaviour sector
- Give their time to support and enable others, outside direct practice with management/skills/training to generate new knowledge and insights, e.g. through, mentoring, learning programmes or their own courses e.g. The Pet
- Gundog (APGi) Programme by Lez Graham FCFBA
- Communicate with the wider sector, e.g. publishing articles, presenting at conferences et al.
- Invest in their own and others’ development:
- Support behaviourists other than his or her own practice (as adviser or trustee, for example) and/or plays a leading role in the work of pet dog & cat sector groups e.g. committees of specialist groups/federations, working groups government policy units e.g. DEFRA – The Kennel Club.
- Contribute to the development of others as a mentor and/or by participating in a peer learning network.
- Actively plan, act and reflect on his/her personal and professional development.
- Learn from others and work with like minded organisations.
- Advocate for the profession at home and internationally
- Look beyond the local work area, building relationships and advocating for the work of British behaviourists with organisations and/or individuals outside the association CFBA.
- Demonstrate how the CFBA code of ethics underpins his or her work, and their wider sphere of influence.
- Actively advocate and encourage others in their organisations to embrace the code of ethics (e.g. with governing bodies; in investment decisions).
