We’re a certified Cat Friendly veterinary practice in St. Peters, MO.

Does your cat get scared when it’s time to go to the vet? It’s not uncommon. Between a car ride, an unusual environment, and the presence of strange, stressed dogs, going to the veterinarian can be an overwhelming experience for your feline friend. At Spencer Creek Animal Hospital, we understand coming to see us may not be your cat’s favorite thing. We also know a stressed cat can mean a stressed owner, and that’s the last thing you want to be. Skipping a veterinary check-up is never a good idea. However, many owners choose to do this instead of dealing with an upset cat. That’s why our team has taken efforts to make our practice as welcoming to cats as possible. So you’re not tempted to let your kitty’s care slide, Spencer Creek Animal Hospital is certified as a Cat Friendly Practice®!

What is a Cat Friendly Practice®?

We love cats. But being a certified Cat Friendly Practice® means more than that. Cat Friendly is a certification only awarded by the American Association of Feline Practitioners to practices that have met certain criteria.

Being Cat Friendly means our staff is specially trained to handle the unique needs of cats and their owners and that our staff:

• Creates a calming environment for cats
• Understands felines specific behaviors
• Implements feline-friendly handling guidelines
• Develops treatments customized for your cat and utilizing feline-friendly equipment
• Is trained to know how to identify and address signs of feline fear and anxiety
• Works in an environment designed to reduce stress for cats

When you bring your cat to a certified Cat Friendly Practice®, you can rest assured your feline friend is in good hands. Our staff will work to keep your cat calm and collected during their entire veterinary visit. Additionally, we will gladly answer any questions you may have about reducing your cat’s stress or problem behaviors.

What does this mean for my cat and me?

Veterinary clinics designated as Cat Friendly Practices® have proven that they take extra steps to understand your cat’s unique needs. The program is designed to:

• Help reduce stress from a visit to the veterinarian
• Improve the quality of care provided
• Support the veterinary team so that the entire staff has the knowledge and resources to understand cats’ distinct needs and behaviors

The Cat Friendly Practice® program is leading the movement to make veterinary care less stressful for cats and their caregivers. This global initiative was established by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the International Society for Feline Medicine (ISFM). The Cat Friendly Practice® program is designed to elevate care for cats by reducing the stress for the cat, caregiver, and also the entire veterinary team.

In 2012, a committee of feline veterinarians from the American Association of Feline Practitioners realized that many cat caregivers are unwilling or stressed to bring their cat to the veterinarian. The solution was the Cat Friendly Practice® program.