How Police Cats Work. People often wonder if cats sniff out hidden drugs because they want to eat them, or because they’re addicted to drugs themselves. In fact, the cats have absolutely no interest in drugs. What they’re actually looking for is their favorite toy. Their training has led them to associate that toy with the smell of drugs.
The toy used most often is a catnip mouse. Police cats love to play a vigorous game of tug-of-war with their favorite mouse. To begin the training, the handler simply plays with the cat and the mouse, which has been carefully washed so that it has no scent of its own. Later, a little bag of marijuana is rolled up inside the mouse. After playing for a while, the cat starts to recognize the smell of marijuana as the smell of his favorite toy. The handler then hides the mouse, with the drugs, in various places. Whenever the cat sniffs out the drugs, he digs and scratches, trying to get at his toy. He soon comes to learn that if he sniffs out the smell of drugs, as soon as he finds them he’ll be rewarded with a game of tug-of-war.
Based on a HowStuffWorks article.
I’m sure there’s marijuana stashed away under that 17-50 mm standard zoom lens…
or maybe a little catnip?
I didn’t know there were police cats!
There’s only one Police cat: Mr. Bowie! But I can sniff out hidden chocolate…
Ah! But he is indeed quite resourceful and useful 🙂
Great photo of a nosy kitty and very interesting info. We didn’t know about kitty police. Thanks for sharing. Purrs and hugs, the kitties at http://www.thecatonmyhead.com, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
Watch out for the Police Cats checking your baggage at the airport…
Ours would all fail Police Academy. If roast beef were illegal, they’d all be behind bars (at least while we were eating).
Ha ha ha… Well, it seems your cats are roast beef dealers after all…
Nice post…didn’t know police cats existed!
As far as I know there’s only one… 😉
Mr Bowie is clearly a seasoned member of the FBI :: Feline Bag Investigator 😉 Loved today’s post, it really made me laugh!
I guess I’m lucky he’s going after the drugs and not after the hidden chocolate!
Thanks for your nice and funny comment…
Captain Bowie – Commander of the Cat Patrol…..well, he certainly is doing a good job checking out the lens case – whatcha got in there Herman? Hmm?
Pam
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
DRUG SNIFFING CATS—BACK AT YA! –Jonathan
Who knew? Bowie is going to find your marijuana now for sure!
Wow! What a cool job! Mr Bowie looks like he has it all under control! Bisous Bailey
For real? There are drug-sniffing cats? Those cats gotta take away ALL a dog’s jobs, don’t they?
There’s a new kid in town Rumpy…
How very interesting! I am sure Mr Bowie would make an excellent member of the team but his loyal fans would be sad if he went.
Bwahahahaha
Mr Puss Puss says ” please come to our house Mr Bowie…..No drugs but heaps of cat nip as my mum grow it and we love to roll in it:) ” …..take some leave from your job…
Reblogged this on Run Tonto Run…… and commented:
here is another Mr Bowie post…..Mr Puss Puss loves Mr Bowie….this is post is a crack up:)
Mr Bowie, you have so many talents.
Patrick Jane is my favourite investigator, but I will make an exception for Mr Bowie.
How long before it’s Detective Inspector Bowie. I wonder?
Has Bowie applied?
We didn’t know you worked customs.
Mr. Bowie, Scotland Yard called for you!
I’m stll mulling over the part about maryjane in the camera bag…. 🙂
Pixel’s just been scratching away at my camera case! He does it because it will annoy me enough that I’ll go to bed and give him his treats 😉
I tweeted this one. https://twitter.com/CathiCarol/status/299338399205171200
Hi Cathi, thank you for the retweet. Much appreciated!
Scotland Yard and FBi needs you!
We want to apply 🙂