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What's new Pussycat?
Dr Andy Sparkes
ICC's Cat Friendly Practice initiative enters a new phase

Speaking at a special press briefing at the BSAVA Congress, Dr Andy Sparkes, clinical director of International Cat Care (ICC) announced the launch of its "refreshed Cat Friendly Practice" programme on 15 April.

Andy explained that the Cat Friendly initiative continues to be a focal initiative for ICC and the new materials, developed in response to feedback from early adopting practices, will help interested clinics to gain accreditation; or already accredited clinics to raise their profile to the cat-owning public.

The whole thrust of the Cat Friendly Practice programme is to reduce the stress experienced by cats when they visit veterinary practices. During the past three years it has made a significant difference to the well-being of cats and there are 1,200 accredited cat friendly practices worldwide.

Features of the refreshed project include a raft of promotional materials for accredited practices to use in their promotional activities, a video 'walk-through' of a cat friendly practice and 'tweaked' accreditation criteria that now encompass a Bronze level, in addition to the slightly revised Silver and Gold levels.

There is also an eye-catching new logo and a striking 'How old is your cat? poster for use in practice waiting rooms.

Andy took the opportunity to demonstrate how the Cat Friendly Practice programme reinforced the three pillars of the ethos of ICC:

  • Education of cat owners
  • Veterinary education and
  • Cat population control.

He pointed out that the latter is very labour intensive and the future lies in non-surgical control of reproduction in cats. As a step in this direction, a significant part of the ISFM European Congress  in Porto (1-5 July) will be devoted to this subject.

Andy also showed how the ICC's recent initiatives for nurses were intended to fulfil the organisation's criteria, especially in terms of veterinary education and communication with cat owners.

There are now nearly 4,000 nurses spread over 40 different countries who have taken up the option of free ISFM membership, through which they can participate in webinars and receive the monthly online journal, Feline Focus. And nearly 400 nurses have taken the ISFM Certificate and Diploma, with over a further 100 currently enrolled.

Concluding, Andy completed the virtuous circle. "The Cat Friendly Practice programme," he said, "lends itself to being a nurse-led initiative."

The new website, www.catfriendlclinic.org, will be fully operational from Wednesday 15 April.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.