- The FelineVMA launched a free Cat Friendly Resource Center for veterinary teams.
- Resources focus on feline behavior, emotions, handling, the clinical environment and caregiver communication.
- Materials include bite-sized tips, printable handouts, quick-reference materials and comprehensive guides.
- The resources address handling and examinations, reducing distress in clinical areas, caregiver preparation and understanding feline behavior.
- The Resource Center is part of the FelineVMA’s broader Cat Friendly Campaign.
- FelineVMA will host a free webinar on implementing Cat Friendly care on Oct. 20, 2026.
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) has launched a free Cat Friendly Resource Center designed to help veterinary teams reduce barriers to care, improve the veterinary experience and support better health outcomes for cats.
The resources are based on FelineVMA’s evidence-based Cat Friendly approach, which focuses on understanding how cats experience veterinary visits. The materials provide practical guidance covering feline behavior, emotions, handling, the clinical environment and communication with caregivers.
FelineVMA said that while more cats are entering veterinary practices, many continue to receive less routine and preventive care than dogs. Barriers can include getting cats to the veterinary practice, stress during visits and caregiver perceptions about feline healthcare.
“Veterinary teams have a tremendous opportunity to improve feline health outcomes and engage more cats in routine care,” said Heather O’Steen, CAE, CEO of the FelineVMA. “When veterinary teams understand the experience from the cat’s perspective, they can make practical changes that reduce distress, improve care, and strengthen relationships with caregivers.”
Resources for veterinary teams
The Cat Friendly Resource Center includes bite-sized tips, printable handouts, quick-reference materials and comprehensive guides.
Practical guidance covers recognizing and describing feline emotions and behaviors, adapting handling and examinations to individual cats, and reducing distress in waiting, examination and hospitalization areas.
The resources also address making improvements without renovations or major workflow changes, using terminology intended to promote unbiased understanding of emotions motivating feline behavior, and preparing caregivers for carrier use, transportation and returning home following appointments.
“Cats can show fear, pain, and frustration in ways that are easy to miss or misread,” said Hazel Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine/Feline Emeritus), president of the FelineVMA. “These new resources help teams recognize those signs earlier and make adjustments that decrease fear-anxiety, strengthen caregiver trust, and ultimately provide better care.”
Research on the Cat Friendly approach
FelineVMA cited a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery that found practices with the Cat Friendly Practice designation averaged more visits per feline patient each year and performed diagnostic testing at 12% more clinical visits.
According to the release, those practices also identified clinically relevant abnormal findings in more cats, allowing earlier diagnosis and treatment.
“Being Cat Friendly does not require a practice overhaul,” said Ashlie Saffire, DVM, DABVP (Feline), immediate past president of the FelineVMA. “Small, practical changes can reduce barriers to care, improve the quality of veterinary visits, and help more cats receive the routine healthcare they deserve.”
Part of broader Cat Friendly Campaign
The Resource Center is part of FelineVMA’s broader Cat Friendly Campaign, which focuses on feline healthcare through education, communication, implementation resources and awareness of cats’ unique needs.
Veterinary teams can access the Resource Center at catvets.com/CatFriendly. Additional training is available through the role-specific Cat Friendly Certificate Program, while veterinary practices can pursue Cat Friendly Practice designation at catvets.com/cfp.
FelineVMA will also host a free webinar, “Elevate the Feline Experience: Implementing Optimal Cat Friendly Care,” presented by Saffire on Oct. 20, 2026. Registration is available at catvets.com/eLearning.
Information sourced from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s press release.
