Peak Performance As Derbyshire Vets Earn Silver ISFM Award
2 years ago 
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A top veterinary centre in Derbyshire has received prestigious international recognition for its feline-friendly care.
Chapel House Veterinary Practice, which has two surgeries in Chesterfield and Staveley, has won a silver award as a Cat Friendly Clinic. The awards are run by the prestigious International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM).
To earn their silver award, the team at Linnaeus-owned Chapel House needed to show it offers high-quality treatment, support and privacy for feline patients.
This includes separate cat waiting areas, quiet consulting rooms and hospitalisation units with visual barriers to provide cats with a sense of security.
Chloe Craven, lead RVN and nursing cat champion at Chapel House, said: “I’m the cat advocate at Chapel House as I feel all vet practices should go the extra mile in looking after our feline patients.
“I am proud to help lead this continual evolution and help further educate fellow team members about feline behaviour and recognising signs of distress. Since we have improved our delivery of care and facilities even more, I can see our feline friends are more relaxed during examinations.
“Cats are sensitive animals, so taking them out of their environment can be very stressful. If a cat is unwell, it’s really important that their trip to the vet is as calm and welcoming as possible. Becoming a cat-friendly clinic shows we’re going the extra mile to support our feline patients and their owners.”
The ISFM launched the cat-friendly clinic initiative to encourage veterinary clinics to make changes to improve the welfare of cats in their care.
Chloe said: “The ISFM examines the provision of facilities and staff activities and attitudes aimed at reducing stress in cats, both as in-patients and out-patients.
“Its criteria include having separate dog and cat waiting areas, feline-friendly hospitalisation cages and veterinary equipment specifically for treating cats.
“Most importantly, staff are encouraged to approach and handle cats sensitively and respectfully.
“Clinics are also expected to maintain high standards of veterinary care, including continuing to update their knowledge of feline medicine as new knowledge becomes available.
“The whole team at Chapel House are incredibly proud to have earned this award. We specialise in treating small animals and this recognition shows we’re really dedicated to caring for our feline patients.
“Soon it will be a legal requirement for all cats to be microchipped, and this will be a much easier procedure for them in a private and calm setting.
“We’ve been looking after animals in Derbyshire for more than 25 years and are always looking for ways to provide better care for pets.”
The award follows a significant refurbishment at Chapel House Veterinary Practice, worth more than £500,000. The site is equipped with the latest equipment and technology for ultrasound, digital x-rays and sample analysis.
For more information, visit www.chapelhousevet.co.uk or search for Chapel House Veterinary Practice on Facebook.
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