A SOLIHULL small animal hospital has proved to be the purrfect place for poorly cats after retaining its international gold status for feline-friendly care.
Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, in Highfields Road, Shirley, has successfully retained its gold level cat clinic status, awarded by the International Society of Feline Medicine.
The award is a big honour for the referral centre, with Willows’ custom-designed cat clinic once again being recognised as delivering the highest standard of care and facilities for felines.
Toby Gemmill, clinical director at Willows, said: “A huge ‘congratulations’ to our cat clinic team for the hard work and dedication that has gone into achieving this gold award again.
“At Willows, we are committed to excellence at every level and this is a ringing endorsement of our work here, as to attain or retain gold award status you must offer an exceptional care package for cats.
“Cats are sensitive animals and offering them a stress-free environment is really important.
“First and foremost, all staff must be trained in feline-friendly care to ensure all cats receive the best possible experience from the moment they come through the door to the time they go home.
“The facilities and level of equipment must be first class, too, and fully focused on feline care and treatment.
“There needs to be a separate waiting area, separate hospital wards and separate kennels for cats, which are positioned well away from dogs and other animals to create a stress-free environment.
The team clinic is not just the ‘purrfect’ place for cats, though, with Toby revealing it also benefits the team at Willows and helps them deliver the best of care.
He said: “If a cat is relaxed and at ease then it is easier to examine and treat without the risk of being scratched or bitten. So, a happy cat also means a happy vet and a happy nurse.”
Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull is part of Linnaeus group, one of 44 primary care and 12 referral veterinary practices across the UK.
