Cat Friendly Clinic
ISFM Silver Accredited Cat Friendly Clinic
At Tamar Vets, we understand that visiting the vet can be a stressful experience for cats. Unlike dogs, many cats are not used to travelling, unfamiliar environments or being around other animals, which can make even routine appointments feel overwhelming.
That’s why we’re proud to be recognised as an ISFM Silver Accredited Cat Friendly Clinic.
This accreditation, awarded by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest standards of feline care and creating a veterinary environment that is tailored to the unique needs of cats. It reflects the work we’ve put into making our practice as welcoming, calm and stress-free as possible for our feline patients and their owners.
Whether your cat is visiting us for a routine health check, vaccinations, diagnostics or surgery, you can feel confident that their wellbeing, comfort and emotional welfare are always at the heart of what we do.
What is a cat friendly clinic?
The Cat Friendly Clinic programme was developed by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) to improve veterinary care for cats and reduce the stress often associated with veterinary visits.
Cats experience the world differently to people and dogs. They are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, unfamiliar smells, noises and handling. A traditional veterinary setting can therefore be particularly challenging for many feline patients.
The Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation recognises practices that have taken additional steps to understand and meet these specific needs. To achieve accreditation, veterinary practices must demonstrate high standards in areas including:
Staff training and feline expertise
Cat-friendly handling techniques
Facilities designed to minimise stress
Appropriate hospitalisation and nursing care for cats
Client education and support
Ongoing commitment to feline welfare
As a Silver Accredited Cat Friendly Clinic, Tamar Vets has met strict criteria set by the ISFM and continues to review and develop our feline-friendly standards.
You can learn more about the Cat Friendly Clinic programme on the ISFM website: Cat Friendly Clinic for Owners and Caregivers.
Meet our Cat advocates
A key part of the Cat Friendly Clinic programme is the appointment of dedicated Cat Advocates within the practice.
Cat Advocates champion feline welfare throughout the clinic, helping to ensure that the needs of cats remain at the forefront of everything we do. They work closely with the wider team to maintain standards, identify areas for improvement and ensure best practice in feline care is consistently delivered.
At Tamar Vets, our Cat Advocates are:
Callum, Veterinary Surgeon
Georgia, Registered Veterinary Nurse, CertFN
Laura, Team Manager
Georgia has also completed her Certificate in Feline Nursing, bringing additional specialist knowledge and expertise to our feline patients.
Together, our Cat Advocates help drive our ongoing commitment to creating a positive veterinary experience for every cat that visits us.
What Does This Mean for Your Cat?
Being a Cat Friendly Clinic means we’ve carefully considered every stage of your cat’s journey with us.
When you visit Tamar Vets, you can expect:
A More Relaxed Experience
Our team understands how stressful veterinary visits can be for cats and uses gentle, cat-friendly handling techniques designed to minimise fear and anxiety.
Staff with Feline Expertise
Our team receives ongoing training in feline behaviour, health and welfare, helping us better understand your cat’s needs and provide the most appropriate care.
Reduced Stress During Hospitalisation
If your cat needs to stay with us for treatment or surgery, we take additional steps to make their stay as comfortable as possible, helping them feel secure while receiving the care they need.
A Practice That Understands Cats
From routine preventative healthcare through to complex medical cases, our team recognises that cats are not simply small dogs. We tailor our approach to suit their unique behaviour, needs and preferences.
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation is not a one-off achievement. We regularly review our standards and processes to ensure we’re continuing to provide the best possible experience for our feline patients and their owners.
Putting Cats First
At Tamar Vets, we’re passionate about providing exceptional care for every pet we see. Our ISFM Silver Accreditation reflects our dedication to understanding cats, reducing stress and delivering veterinary care that supports both their physical health and emotional wellbeing.
If you’d like to find out more about our feline services, or would like advice on making your cat’s next visit as stress-free as possible, our team would be happy to help.
