Charlotte Horsley – Registered Veterinary Nurse and Cat Advocate at Animal Trust Rhyl
Rhyl Veterinary Practice Wins International Gold Award For Cat Care
2 weeks ago 
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A Rhyl veterinary practice has received international recognition for its work to make visits less stressful for cats and their owners.
Animal Trust Vets Rhyl, on Wellington Road, has been accredited as a Gold Cat Friendly Clinic by International Cat Care. Gold is the highest level awarded under the global programme, which assesses veterinary practices against detailed standards for feline care, facilities and staff training.
The purpose-designed practice opened in 2022 with the aim of providing affordable, high-quality veterinary care to pet owners across Rhyl, Prestatyn, Kinmel Bay and the surrounding North Wales communities. It demonstrated that it meets the programme’s requirements for creating a calmer, more welcoming environment for cats.
Measures at the Rhyl clinic include a separate waiting area for cats, facilities that help keep carriers raised off the floor, cat-friendly accommodation and equipment suitable for diagnosing and treating feline patients. Team members are also trained to recognise signs of fear and anxiety and to handle cats gently, avoiding unnecessary restraint.
The Cat Friendly Clinic programme is run by International Cat Care, a UK-registered charity founded in 1958. Its veterinary membership division, formerly known as the International Society of Feline Medicine, is now called the iCatCare Veterinary Society. It provides veterinary professionals with education, clinical guidance and resources dedicated to improving feline care.
Every accredited clinic appoints at least one Cat Advocate to help ensure the required standards are maintained. At Animal Trust Vets Rhyl, the roles are held by lead cat advocate and registered veterinary nurse Charlotte Horsley, lead veterinary nurse Anwen Evans and lead vet Zoe Mayo.
Charlotte said: “We know that a trip to the vet can be frightening for a cat, from travelling in a carrier to encountering unfamiliar sounds, smells and people. Our aim is to make every stage of that visit as calm and comfortable as possible.
“Achieving Gold accreditation is a fantastic recognition of the care and hard work of the whole Rhyl team. It gives local cat owners confidence that their pets will be treated with patience, understanding and respect, whether they are visiting us for a routine appointment or need to stay in the clinic for treatment.”
To qualify for Cat Friendly Clinic status, practices must meet standards covering their premises, equipment, clinical care and interactions with cats. Gold-accredited clinics must satisfy the programme’s foundation requirements as well as additional criteria covering areas such as waiting facilities, consultation rooms, hospitalisation, surgery, diagnostic imaging and laboratory equipment.
To retain its status, the clinic must maintain the relevant iCatCare Veterinary Society membership and continue to meet the Cat Friendly Clinic programme’s accreditation and reassessment requirements.
Cat owners can learn more about International Cat Care and the Cat Friendly Clinic programme at www.icatcare.org.
More information about Animal Trust Vets Rhyl is available at www.animaltrust.org.uk/surgery/vets-in-rhyl.
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