We are proud to hold a Cat Friendly Practice Gold certification by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. This certification means we have gone above and beyond to make a visit to our hospital stress-free for you and your cat. We have an exam room dedicated to only cats, we use pheromones to help calm our kitties while they are here and we use gentle handling techniques to reduce stress. We also keep cats separated if they are hospitalized or staying with us for the day! 

Why “cat-friendly”?

In the United States, there are 86 Million Owned Cats and 78 Million Owned Dogs. And yet, almost twice as many cats than dogs NEVER visit the veterinarian. This statistic is sad, however not surprising, considering that 60% of cat owners report that their cat hates going to the veterinarian. 

 

Many cat owners are stressed even thinking about a trip to the vet with their feline friend. The cat-friendly practice program works to resolve this problem by making veterinary visits with your cat a much less harrowing experience. 

What is required to be a Cat Friendly Practice?

To become a certified Cat-Friendly Practice, we had to meet a series of standards set out by the AAFP. These standards include:

  • They make an effort to have a calming environment.
  • They have incorporated a waiting room/area that reduces stress associated with noise, other pets, or unfamiliar smells (methods can include a feline-only area, a separate space with a barrier blocking visual contact, cat-only appointment times, going directly into the exam room, etc.).
  • Staff is trained to understand the individualized needs of cats including feline-specific facial and behavior cues.
  • They implement the Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines to facilitate a more positive experience.
  • They use a slow approach to achieve positive results.
  • They develop an individual plan based on your cat’s specific needs, preferences and behaviors.
  • They implement ways to make you and your cat be as comfortable as possible.
  • Staff continually obtain education on the most current feline research and guidelines.
  • They will help ensure that you are a valuable member of your cat’s healthcare team and help you understand your cat’s needs and what you can do at home to ensure they get the care they need.
  • Many use synthetic feline facial pheromones for a calming effect.
  • Many have a feline-only examination room that provides a safe, non-threatening area where cats can be examined calmly and effectively.
  • They have the experience to recognize subtle, early signs of fear or anxiety and adapt appropriately.
  • Their cat ward, hospitalization area, and operating room have been assessed to include appropriate feline equipment, tools, and procedures.

Because we hold to these standards, you can expect a visit to our hospital to be a refreshing change from past experiences at the veterinarian with your cat. We hope to see you and your cat at our practice very soon! Schedule a wellness exam today.

(Requirements & statistics provided by the AAFP: How Can I Benefit)