Cat friendly interactions in a veterinary setting involve both the non-physical and physical interactions that respect the cat as an individual while achieving the required outcome such as performing a through physical examination or performing diagnostics. Cat friendly techniques offer cats strategies to cope with their emotions, giving them a sense of control and promotes a sense of safety in the cat. Established by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the International Society for Feline Medicine (ISFM) in 2012, Cat Friendly became a global initiative designed to elevate care for cats by: reducing the stress for the cat, reducing the stress for the caregiver, and reducing stress for the entire veterinary team. A survey published in 2023 confirmed that Cat Friendly Practices® have more satisfied clients, more satisfied veterinary staff, less workplace injuries, diagnosed more feline diseases and overall had a more positive impact on cats.
Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic and the Cat Specialty Center is a certified Gold Level Cat Friendly Practice® which is the highest certification level achievable, and our team members are individually Cat Friendly certified through the American Association of Feline Practitioners. When you visit our Cat Friendly Practice® you can expect our team to have a thorough understanding of the unique needs and behaviors of cats, provide a feline-friendly environment making veterinary visits more cat friendly, and understand how to approach and handle your cat in a gentle, empathetic, and caring manner. Additionally, we guarantee that we have the appropriate equipment and facilities needed to diagnose and treat feline patients and meet specific standards for the facility and care of hospitalized cats.