- Home
- Anneleen Bru
Anneleen Bru
Cat Behaviour Counsellor
Anneleen Bru (1985) is a Belgian, internationally recognised cat behaviourist, public speaker and author. Since 2008, her mission has been clear: to make cats happier by helping both cat owners and professionals truly understand feline behaviour and prevent, manage and resolve behavioural problems before they escalate.
She holds an MSc in Communication Sciences (University of Antwerp, BE) and an MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling (University of Southampton, UK). Anneleen is a fully certified member of the IAABC (USA) and co-founder and former chairman of the Belgian Association of Animal Behaviour Professionals.
She is the author of several I Love Happy Cats books. Her first book, Guide for a Happy Cat (2017), has been published in 14 countries, translated into eight languages and sold over 50,000 copies worldwide.
In 2019, she developed the Cat Matrix®, a 50-step behavioural framework based on more than a decade of clinical experience. The model has become a respected blueprint for feline professionals seeking structured, science-based solutions to prevent, manage and resolve unwanted cat behaviour.
In 2023, Anneleen co-developed a unique feline product line with Laroy Group and D&D Home, now distributed internationally.
Today, she leads the Happy Cats Academy and Happy Cats PRO Academy, two online learning platforms dedicated to science-based feline behaviour, welfare and prevention, while expanding the Cat Matrix® model globally.
Programme at Groomers’ Day 2026
12:30 – 13:00 | Presentation
Boosting your Cat Grooming Business: Welfare, Behaviour and Professional Responsibility
In this session, cat behaviourist Anneleen Bru explores what it truly means to work with cats from a behavioural and welfare perspective. Cats are highly sensitive, stress-prone animals who perceive subtle emotional shifts, environmental changes and handling techniques far more intensely than many professionals realise. Without species-specific knowledge, even well-intended grooming can compromise both welfare and long-term client trust. Cat grooming is not an extension of dog grooming, it is a discipline in its own right. In this lecture, Anneleen examines the essential foundations of professional cat grooming: behavioural literacy, health awareness, coat-friendly techniques, stress-sensitive handling, environmental set-up and appropriate tooling. Attendees will gain a clear framework for creating a truly cat-centred grooming service, including space design, client education, interprofessional collaboration and preventative welfare strategies.