press release

What effect has cat friendly practice had?

We asked practices who received awards last year and this, three questions.  Here are some of their replies.

Have you had any feedback from your clients relating to your cat friendly approach?
Our clients generally love the cat friendly approach of the practice and were right behind us with our entry.  Many came in and asked had we heard anything yet.  They feel we deserve the award as we have made so many changes within the practice.   Clients especially love the classical music in the cattery and the cat/dog divider in the waiting room. To sum up, clients LOVE the cat friendly practice scheme.
Avalon Vet Clinic

The greatest impact on our clients has been a new separate waiting area with a separate cat consulting room, which we implemented about six months ago. The overall consensus among cat owners is that it's a great idea. Everyone appreciates having a separate area and many people comment how much calmer their cats are. One woman in particular was absolutely amazed how calm her kittens were compared to previous visits. The cat owners enjoy sharing cat tales while waiting and reading cat literature. It has definitely created a positive attitude.
Lewes Pet Doctors

The feedback we have had from clients has been positive.  Cat owners very much appreciate the cat only waiting area & also that we have vets who have a specific interest in feline medicine & who like cats. ( Some of the dog owning farm clients don't really understand the feline waiting area!)   
Endell Veterinary Group

Clients are impressed by the measures we have undertaken. We talk with much greater confidence – our understanding of cat needs is greater; clients pick up on our greater interest and knowledge, and the care that the cats receive – we trained all our staff in cat needs and this comes across in our guided tours.
Bluehouse Vets

Our clients were delighted!  Many of them commented that they felt we deserved the award and they are always impressed by the enrichment of the cage environment created by the nurses for our medium / long stay in patients.
Farthings
 
Feedback from clients has been very well received. We have put an amended version of our scrapbook in the waiting room which clients love. The "cat only chairs" have gone down well, especially with parents threatening their children, if they sit there they will turn into cats. 
Goddards, Kennington

Our owners appreciate the empathy we have with them regarding their cats – we don’t see cats unless it is indicated and many owners find the journey very stressful.  Appreciating that bringing in some cats can be quite an ordeal is valued by our clients.   
Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital

Have you noticed any difference in the behaviour or reactions of the cats in your surgery resulting from changes?

We find that cats are a lot calmer when visiting the surgery now, especially with gentle handling and the use of Feliway sprays and diffusers.  Even our most fractious patients are becoming much easier for us to deal with.
Avalon Vet Clinic  

We have always had a separate cat ward since moving to these premises four years ago but overall I'm sure the nurses would agree cat in-patients are certainly much calmer and relaxed.                              Lewes Pet Doctors

We probably haven't noticed too many changes in the behaviour of our feline patients as we have had separate dog and cat kennels for some time now and our nurses are very good at handling cats with sensitivity.  Now the nurses have increased their use of patient care plans for in-patients the cats are probably a bit happier in the hospital if they are in for a few days as we try and feed them familiar foods etc.  Almost all the cats really appreciate the new beds we have given them ie, the half cat carriers as they feel very secure and comfortable in them.
Endell Veterinary Group

We adopted new drugs and now use feeding tubes a lot more.  
Bluehouse Vets

Far fewer problems with aggression in consulting rooms and with blood samples etc owing to our changed handling, appreciation of signs of fear, use of Feliway diffusers in every room, quiet clippers etc. Most of the cats genuinely seem to like being here which is so different from how things were five years ago!   Farthings

Our cats in the hospital are pretty well behaved. I think a combination of Feliway diffusers and suitable handling techniques are the cause.  I think one of the best benefits has been the change in attitude of staff to different aspects raised in the booklets and systematically applying it to our practice. 
Goddards, Kennington

Reducing noise and interruptions in the prep area was important and has helped our cats, making them less jumpy on induction of anaesthetic.  For example, some time ago we decided to use the autoclaves, which can be a significant source of sudden noise at the end of the day and not while we are operating.  Provision of more varied bedding and places to hide has been great for the more nervous cats and all of the nurses have taken this on board.
Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital
 

Have you noticed any benefits to your business as a result of being a cat friendly practice?

Our feline client base has definitely increased.  We have good compliance with routine preventative healthcare due to good information provided by all staff.
Avalon Vet Clinic  

It's difficult to know if we have gained new clients as a direct result, but only having achieved the award this year, time will tell. It's been a very positive move for the practice, which staff and clients (and patients) are appreciating.    
Lewes Pet Doctors

We have had new clients come to the practice with their cats as a direct result of seeing the article in our local newspaper last year about us receiving a silver cat friendly practice award.  When clients see the signs that we are a cat friendly practice they usually comment and ask what it means.  They are impressed with the facilities and services that we have in place.  This often then leads on to further discussions about feline health generally and may result in the sale of a more appropriate diet or a blood pressure check.  We know that our regular cat clients talk to their friends and recommend us as a practice that is good with cats. The awards scheme has definitely been positive for us. 
Endell Vet Group

Cats are much calmer –they chill out, settle, and life is much easier.          
Bluehouse Vets

We have had new clients registering with us after hearing of our cat friendly status.  On a small minus point, we do get the occasional client that wonders why there isn’t a dog equivalent!!
Avalon

Certainly greater readiness to take part in proactive and preventative healthcare, eg, early scanning and medication of cats with murmurs associated with HCM. Greater monitoring of renal and thyroid patients.  Greater sales of Feliway.  This probably stems from our own changed approach and conversion to the cause so that we in turn are more proactive in promoting it to the clients.  Promotion in local newspaper (your official photos were very helpful here) and talk to Cats Protection on reducing stress in cats visiting the practice have helped.
Farthings

To my knowledge, the biggest increase in business relating to cat friendly practice, has been the increase in foot fall into the practice due to reminder letters for senior clinics, worming , blood pressure testing etc. Our disease specific information leaflets have also resulted in an increase knowledge base for clients and hence better compliance.
Goddards, Kennington

Too early for any great increase in clients although we have picked up a new breeder who was impressed by our ‘stall’.
Bluehouse Vets

And finally

The best thing about being a cat friendly practice is the opportunity to enjoy working with our feline patients and taking that bit of extra time and trouble to make cats feel at home in the practice – it rubs off on us too.
Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital