Our Penllergaer and Neath surgeries have been accredited as Cat Friendly!

We are proud to have been awarded Silver ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic Accreditation for both our Neath and Penllergaer branches.

What is ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic Accreditation?

The Cat Friendly Clinic Accreditation Scheme is an internationally recognised award, promoting high standards of care and well-being for feline patients.

Here at St James, we understand that due to the unique nature of cats, trips to the vets can be stressful. Cats are very sensitive to new sights, sounds and smells and do not enjoy being taken out of their familiar environments.

In receiving this award, alongside providing our excellent standards of care, we have demonstrated commitment to reducing stress for our feline patients.

How have we achieved accreditation?

To gain accreditation we have met strict criteria, designed to meet the specific needs of our feline patients, therefore reducing stress and promoting feline welfare.

These include:
• Handling cats in a gentle, calm and respectful manner
• Separate cat and dog waiting areas
• Addition of cat shelving in our waiting rooms, to enable cat carriers to be raised up off the floor and prevent cats from seeing other cats
• Re-arranging the layout of our waiting rooms so cats can enter the consult rooms without having to walk through the dog waiting areas
• Quiet and calm cat wards, separate from the dog wards
• Sizeable kennels, with areas to perch and hide to increase comfort whilst hospitalised
• Veterinary equipment specific for treating our feline patients

Whilst all staff at St James love seeing our feline patients, we have introduced ‘cat advocates’ at these branches, who ensure these standards are maintained and would be happy to chat to you!