The American Association of Feline Practitioners unveiled its “Cat Friendly Practice” initiative Monday at the North American Veterinary Conference in Kissimmee, Fla. The initiative provides strategies to help practices become more accommodating to the needs of cats and certifies practices as "Cat Friendly Practices." The AAFP launched the program in response to declining clinic visits by cat owners and intends to help clinics increase veterinary visits for felines and boost the level of healthcare cats receive. Certification requires a practice to have at least one staff member who belongs to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, though a practice does not need to specialize specifically in cats. Practices must comply with a 10-item checklist and send it to the AAFP for review. If approved, the clinic earns the “Cat Friendly Practice” designation and receives marketing materials to promote its new status to customers and is listed in the “Cat Friendly Practice” online database. The AAFP is working with the American Animal Hospital Association on the initiative and has meetings planned with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare. The initiative shares similarities with the Cat Friendly Practice Makeover program launched last year by the Catalyst Council. Though the American Association of Feline Practitioners is a member of the council, no formal partnership plans are in the works. <HOME>
