Becoming a cat-friendly practice pays off, literally. A survey conducted by the American Association of Feline Practitioners found that nearly 7-in-10 hospitals designated as cat-friendly practices attracted new clients because of the status. Eleven percent gained at least 26 feline patients. Launched in 2012, AAFP’s cat-friendly practice (CFP) program aims to make hospitals more accommodating to the needs of cats and improve the animals’ handling, treatment and overall health. Reducing stress levels during a veterinary visit is of utmost importance. “Our 2015 survey results have definitively concluded that the CFP designation helps practices grow their client base of feline patients as well as positively impacts client compliance with the increase in feline visits,” said Ilona Rodan, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, co-chairwoman of the CFP Committee. Just over 950 veterinary hospitals carried CFP status as of early January. An additional 635 clinics were working to meet program requirements, AAFP reported. The time, money and effort involved in becoming more amenable to cats were worthwhile, the survey found. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents stated that they were satisfied with being designated a cat-friendly practice. The top benefits, according to the survey, included: Less stress in feline patients. Higher satisfaction among cat-owning clients. Clinic employees learning “things about felines they did not know before.” Overall, 79 percent of hospitals reported generating more feline appointments—a combination of new and repeat visits—because of the CFP designation. Originally published in the February 2016 issue of Veterinary Practice News. Did you enjoy this article? Then subscribe today!
