Care for Cats declares May as the ‘purrfect’ month to raise awareness about the most popular pet – the cat. Their campaign message this year focuses on preventive healthcare and wellness for cats. Studies have shown there has been a decrease in the number of visits to veterinarians by cat owners, and, at the same time, the overall health of cat population has declined.
According to Dr. Liz O’Brien, a board-certified feline practitioner from Hamilton, Ontario, pet caregivers need to know that cats, just like dogs, need yearly preventive healthcare.
O’Brien, who is also the spokesperson for Care for Cats, points out that there is a pervasive “Myth of the Indoor Cat” which even the best intentioned and caring pet owners can fall for.
“It is a myth which continues to this day, that because a person has their cat indoors, they do not need to worry about health concerns or preventive health care because their cats are safe at their caregiver’s side,” says Dr. O’Brien.
Dr. O’Brien also notes that the statistics show 58 per cent of people who know their cat's needs for professional care still do not bring the cat to the vet because of difficulty getting the cat there and once there, they may have a poor experience.
Veterinarians are trying to help these clients now by educating them regarding proper use of comfortable cat carriers for transport, and training to transport safely with minimal stress. Veterinarians increasingly are respecting the adage “cats are not small dogs” in the way their clinics are designed and in how their cat care is implemented to help make cat's visits less stressful.
Throughout the month of May, and for the rest of the year, a number of resources will be available for download through
www.careforcats.ca to help deliver its unified message throughout the community.
Other events planned for 2012 include:
- Sept. 23 – Oct. 2 — National Cat ID Week focusing on permanent identification, licensing and registration
- December — Hoping for Fur-ever homes adopt-a-thon
“We know that being part of the Care for Cats initiative the changes we want to see happen will not occur overnight,” says Dr. O’Brien. “However, with the support we have received within a short period of time from veterinarians, municipal animal services, animal welfare and the pet industry, I am more than hopeful that we will see a positive change in the near future.”
The
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association is working with Care for Cats in their vision to increase the value of owned, homeless and feral cats in Canadian communities, in addition to increasing the level in wellness by promoting regular vet visits.
For more information:
Dr. Liz O’Brien Tanya Frye
Volunteer Chair, Care for Cats Communications, CVMA
drliz@careforcats.ca tfrye@cvma-acmv.org
