"Portals" lessen stress-related illness in shelter catsJune 15, 2020Cats in 82 shelters across the U.S. and Canada are now enjoying safer living conditions, thanks to a new campaign by the Million Cat Challenge. Dubbed Portalmania 2020, the movement has seen the installation of more than 2,400 “portals” in animal shelters.
SPONSORED CONTENTThe Case for Year-Round Heartworm Prevention and Affordable OptionsVeterinarians are often more than just clinicians - they’re advisors, educators, and, increasingly, financial counselors. In today’s economy, pet owners may hesitate to invest in year-round prevention due to budget constraints; but, skipping even a few months of heartworm protection can have serious consequences. + Learn More
Support shelters get $400k shot in the armMay 27, 2020Animal shelters impacted by COVID-19 might soon feel relief, thanks to a joint venture from Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.
Reduce pet-to-pet contact, shelters warnedApril 1, 2020Veterinarians working in shelter medicine should practice extra caution to help ensure the safety of humans and pets amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 …
