VETS in Warwickshire held a feline open morning to celebrate earning the prestigious cat-friendly clinic status.
Avonvale Veterinary Centres’ Southam surgery invited cat owners and families to take part in a morning of activities to mark the practice’s silver level cat-friendly clinic accreditation from the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM).
The event included competitions and activities for children, a behind-the-scenes tour of the surgery and a chance for owners to win a cat vaccination and microchip.
Avonvale veterinary surgeon Andrea Davies, Southam’s designated ‘cat advocate’, said: “It was a really nice morning. Owners and children who came along had a great time with face painting and eating cakes, while we were able to show them the special facilities we have for our cat patients, such as our separate cat ward.”
To earn the cat-friendly silver award, Avonvale had to fulfil a number of conditions. In addition to having a separate waiting area for feline patients away from dogs, the surgery had to demonstrate staff are properly trained in handling cats in a way that minimises stress, that a member of the staff has been appointed as ‘cat advocate’, staff have regular development training and that relevant cat information is always available to owners.
Andrea said: “Because cats are so sensitive, we are keen to do everything possible to make a visit to see their vet as stress-free as possible.”
For more information about Avonvale’s cat-friendly Southam surgery, visit www.avonvets.co.uk/surgeries/southam-surgery or call 01926 812826.
