VPN Plus+ ExclusiveBreaking down barriers to the feline veterinary care crisisJuly 2, 2025Veterinarians have reported treatment delays or cessation among cats suffering from major health conditions, with dental issues and obesity being the most common. Additionally, more than one in three veterinarians report that mobility issues and kidney or urinary issues have gone untreated in cats.
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VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTech Talk: Vet techs can help make your clinic more cat-friendlyJune 12, 2024By Jamie Rauscher, LVTNAVTA president on how credentialed veterinary technicians can be instrumental in helping educate their co-workers and clients in the benefits of implementing cat-friendly interactions that will help to enhance appointment efficiency and overall human safety.
Elective declawing banned in Cat Friendly PracticesJanuary 12, 2021Elective onychectomy (declawing) procedures will no longer be permitted at designated Cat Friendly Practices (CFPs).
Feline-friendly tactics help boost the bottom lineMarch 12, 2020Refining the cat-handling skills of team members can help get feline patients through the door and on an exam table.
AAFP survey finds Cat Friendly Practice program growing in popularityFebruary 7, 2019Ninety-eight percent of members of the Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) program say they would recommend it to other veterinary professionals. That's one of the findings of the American Association of Feline Practitioners' (AAFP's) 2018 Cat Friendly Practice survey. The program's main purpose is to cater to the unique behaviors and needs of cats, and to help decrease the stress of the veterinary visit for the cat and the caregiver by providing the veterinary team with tools and resources needed to treat feline patients. "The survey results tell the story that CFPs, and their clients and cats, are benefiting from the program in vital ways," says Heather O'Steen, CAE, chief executive officer of the AAFP. "They're improving treatment of cats in their care and helping to advance feline medicine. We encourage any practice that has feline patients to learn more about becoming a Cat Friendly Practice. The program is an AAFP membership benefit with no additional charges, and there are many resources to walk you through the process. Implementing just a few cat-friendly strategies can make a huge difference in the experience for the cat, caregiver, and your entire veterinary team." The survey—which included 460 respondents—also found the following: 99 percent …
Survey reveals cat-friendly practices rate high in client satisfactionJanuary 18, 2018The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) announced the results of its 2017 Cat Friendly Practice® (CFP) Survey, which provides an in-depth look at the effect the program has on feline healthcare and the veterinary industry. The 2017 survey revealed a 99 percent satisfaction rate among participants and that the program continues to grow and positively influence veterinary care for cats, caregivers, and veterinary teams. What the survey said 98 percent would recommend the CFP program to other veterinary professionals. 92 percent state the CFP program has positively impacted their team morale when handling, treating, and caring for cats. Many practices said they are now more confident when working with cats, and their teams have adopted the use of cat-friendly techniques to reduce stress during the visit. 91 percent reported an improvement in feline knowledge and care among practice team members. Many practices noticed a great improvement in staff understanding of feline behavior, feline-friendly handling, and ability to read a cat's body language. 80 percentreceived positive feedback from clients on implementing the program. 80 percent have increased visits because they are a CFP. 79 percent report increased practice revenue since implementing the CFP program. 75 percentstate the acquisition of new feline patients due to their CFP …
AAFP Cat Friendly Practice endorsements promote programSeptember 6, 2017The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has announced endorsements of the Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) Program by CATalyst Council, Cat Healthy, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. The program is a global initiative designed to elevate care for felines by reducing stress for the cat, their caregiver, and the entire veterinary team, according to the AAFP. The CFP program, launched in 2012, currently includes more than 1,100 clinics in North and South America. It provides tools to integrate the feline perspective into clinics' physical environments and the delivery of medical care, focuses on increasing the standard of feline care, educating practices about feline patients' needs, decreasing the stress of veterinary visits, and ensuring each cat receives the highest quality, according to the association. To earn the CFP designation, veterinary clinics must meet specific criteria, such as embracing gentle and respectful handling of all cats, providing adjusted procedures to make veterinary visits less stressful for cats and their caregivers, and training staff to understand the individualized needs of cats. "Visiting the veterinarian can be stressful for both cats and their caregivers," said Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, MS, DABVP (Feline), co‐chair of the CFP committee. "So often regular check-ups …
