Most cats do not get proper care, even when it is readily available. No matter where we fit in the various channels-of-influence, enabling proper cat care is improves their life quality, avoids a cat population becoming a vector for zoonotic disease and strengthens the animal care economy.
Last week we posted Get a handle on cats which referenced various feline care toolkits. “If we want to help more [cats] in veterinary practice, we have to address the No. 1 reason cat owners don’t bring them in—they don’t believe they need it. The majority of cat owners say they would bring their kitties in, however, if they were sick, injured, or acting strange.”
Source: AAHA Trends, August 2016.
Louise Dunn offers a strategic road-map to meeting the needs of cats and cat owners. She summarizes this as the simple 3 C’s to improve cat care at your clinic:
- Cat compatible
- Client connection
- Champion for cats
INSIGHTS: There are many resources to help support a cat-friendly practice. The Fear Free initiative, Cat Friendly Practice certification and other assets from various manufacturers for connecting with cat owners. Sales representatives can help by accessing various resources for their customers. Distributor representatives can help identify resources, as well.