Feelin’ the Felines / CAT FRIENDLY
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it, and it lets consumers know that cats- only practices do not have a corner on the market.” “We’ve seen absolutely no downside,”
she said. “The program is better for the patients and good for the bottom line. It’s certainly something I want for my business—to be healthy and viable while providing excellent veterinary care to ani- mals that have been underserved.”
It’s an ongoing process At VCA Monte Vista Animal Hospital
“We’ve seen absolutely no downside. The program is
better for the patients and good for the bottom line.”
—Christen Skaer, DVM
in Concord, Calif., the biggest challenge to meet the CFP standards was the recep- tion area, said Marybeth Rymer, DVM, medical director. “We were unable to separate the
Better for patients and the bottom line Skaer Veterinary Clinic in Wichita,
Kan., always worked to be cat-friendly, said Christen Skaer, DVM. But with the clinic officially being certified through the CFP since fall 2012, additional efforts have come into play. The practice has changed its cat-handling techniques and has become more conscious of “scruff- ing” cats. “It’s not so much of a problem for cats,”
said Skaer, “but the owners hate it and we are making a concerted effort to be a good experience for the cat and its owner.” Other changes include: No longer allowing dogs in the cat exam room
Bringing cats and their owners directly into an exam room without having to wait in the reception area
Offering the option of leaving a cat in the exam room until the owner has finished checking out
Offering house calls (Although this service is for all species, said Skaer, “cats were in mind when we planned it. If cats are too afraid or anxious to bring to the clinic, we can provide them with the care they need at home.”)
Skaer, a self-described “huge cat fan,”
said it was worth it to jump through the hoops to get designated. “Cat owners like
reception into cat and dog waiting areas. But, by being creative, we found a way to meet the standards.” Now, upon arrival, owner and cat may be escorted directly into a cat exam room, brought to a con- verted bathing room to wait or to be examined, or be asked to sit away from the dogs with the cat carrier on the bench covered with a towel. For fractious felines, appointments are
made when the master cat handlers are available and the cat exam room can be reserved, where the pheromone diffuser is turned on and towels pre-sprayed with pheromones are available to cover the carrier as well as to handle the cat. She said that the owners have been
educated to buy a carrier with a remov- able top so the cat may be examined in the bottom. The hospital also features a Cattitude program, which offers a bag of goodies such AAFP’s booklet on how to get a cat to the veterinarian. Because the hospital is already accred-
ited by AAHA, it took only a few months to review the CFP standards, present informa- tion and education at staff meetings, and fill out the online application, said Rymer. It achieved CFP status in August 2012. “Be creative, discuss cat-friendly prac-
tices at your staff meetings and have those who are comfortable with cats be your feline handlers,” said Rymer. “Being
Trends magazine, May 2013
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