Please click here for the latest information on how to access our services.

  • Cat Friendly Clinic

At Shires Vets in Staffordshire we’re proud to be hold a gold Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation at our Stone practice, silver accreditations at Stafford, Eccleshall and Eaton Park, and bronze accreditation at Gnosall as well as being members of the ISFM (International Society of Feline Medicine).

We recognise that cats are unique creatures with specific needs and it’s important to us to demonstrate our commitment to the animals you entrust into our care. Working with International Cat Care (iCC), we have looked at how we can make Shires the best it can possibly be for our feline patients.

Cats by their nature are sensitive to changes in their environment, and by understanding and accepting this we can recommend measures to make your cat’s journey to the vets, and their visit to Shires a less stressful experience than anticipated.

In order to achieve our gold and silver Cat Friendly Clinic accreditations, we have had to meet carefully selected criteria as stipulated by iCC. We have demonstrated that we:

  • Understand the needs of cats and strive to make visits to the vet clinic cat friendly
  • Approach and handle cats gently and with care through ongoing staff education
  • Follow the ISFM Feline Friendly Handling and Nursing Care guidelines and have made the pledge to be ‘Scruff free’
  • Have invested in equipment to manage the specific care requirements of cats
  • Have an appointed Cat Advocate member of staff to implement and oversee our cat friendly clinic status

(source – catfriendlyclinic.org)

Book an appointment for your cat 

Gold

As a Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic, we are trained to handle cats in a manner that minimises stress, fear and anxiety, as well as advising you on the best way to safely and comfortably transport your cat to Shires.

We have cat advocates who are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and to provide information and advice on caring for your cat.

Our cat friendly facilities include:

  • A separate cat waiting area to allow your cat to relax in their basket out of sight of other animals
  • The use of feline pheromone diffusers to help calm and reassure cats
  • A quiet, well equipped cat only consulting room
  • A cat only hospitalisation ward with large kennels, comfortable, soft bedding and cat igloos or perch and hide boxes to allow your cat privacy during their stay with us
  • Overnight hospitalisation facilities so your cat can stay settled in their own kennel during their stay
  • Diagnostic imaging facilities so investigations can be undertaken on site
  • Excellent surgical facilities for your cats
  • A range of equipment such as blood pressure monitors and cat specific weighing scales to provide a high level of care to our feline patients

Book an appointment for your cat 

Silver

As a Silver Standard Cat Friendly Clinic, we are trained to handle cats in a manner that minimises stress, fear and anxiety, as well as advising you on the best way to safely and comfortably transport your cat to Shires.

We have in-house cat advocates who are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and to provide information and advice on caring for your cat.

Our cat friendly facilities include:

  • A separate cat waiting area. There are raised areas on which to place your cat carrier which will be away from areas where other animals may be waiting. There is also a visual barrier to give the cats an extra sense of security
  • The use of feline pheromone diffusers to help calm and reassure
  • A quiet, well equipped consulting room suitable for cats to feel calm in
  • A range of equipment such as blood pressure monitors and cat specific weighing scales to provide a high level of care to our feline patients
  • A hospitalisation ward where there is a visual barrier between the cat and other species. We provide comfortable, soft bedding and cat igloos or perch and hide boxes to allow your cat privacy during their stay with us
  • Facilities for surgery, dentistry, lab testing and diagnostic imaging are available to allow procedures to be performed to a high standard of care for feline patients

Book an appointment for your cat 

Bronze

As a Bronze Standard Cat Friendly Clinic, we are trained to handle cats in a manner that minimises stress, fear and anxiety, as well as advising you on the best way to safely and comfortably transport your cat to Shires.

We have an in-house cat advocate who is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and to provide information and advice on caring for your cat.

Our cat friendly facilities include:

  • Raised areas to place your cat carrier on in the waiting room which will be away from areas where other animals may be waiting. Where possible, there will be a visual barrier
  • The use of feline pheromone diffusers to help calm and reassure cats
  • A quiet, well equipped consulting room suitable for cats to feel calm in
  • A range of equipment such as blood pressure monitors and cat specific weighing scales to provide a high level of care to our feline patients
  • A ward where cats can be hospitalised which has a visual barrier between the cat and other species. Here, your cat will be provided with comfortable, soft bedding and cat igloos or perch and hide boxes to allow your cat privacy during their stay
  • We have facilities for surgery, dentistry, certain lab tests and diagnostic imaging are available to allow procedures to be performed to a high standard of care for feline patients

Book an appointment for your cat 

If you have any questions regarding the facilities and care we provide for your cats, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

In the meantime, you may find the leaflets below useful – click on the link to download.

What is a cat friendly clinic

Bringing your cat to the clinic

Taking your cat home from the clinic

Please contact us in Stafford for additional information.