Broad River Animal Hospital is the only Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) in Norwalk, CT. Broad River Animal Hospital’s designation as a Cat Friendly Practice by The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) insures that Broad River Animal Hospital is committed to improving the health and welfare of cats by supporting and practicing guidelines which have been established by the AAFP. 

In the United States there are more cats owned than dogs, yet cats visit veterinarians less frequently. Contributing to the decrease in cat visits is the stress associated with getting cats to the veterinary practice and owners who are unaware of the wellness and preventative care needed for the pet. Owners often perceive their cats as being more self-sufficient than dogs and needing less preventive care. In fact, cats are prone to many silent diseases such as dental disease, kidney and heart disease; they frequently hide their pain very successfully even from the most astute owners and often don’t show any signs of illness until their condition is very advanced or even fatal. Veterinarians can often detect these conditions early on, alerting owners to their pet’s hidden pain and provide management of hidden disease so the pet can live a longer, more comfortable life. Broad River Animal Hospital’s designation as a Cat Friendly Practice certifies their ability to provide these services with particular attention to cats’ unique behavioral and medical needs.

Some alarming statistics:

In the US, there are 86 million owned cats and 78 million owned dogs. 
Almost twice as many cats than dogs never visit the veterinarian.
41% of cat owners visit the veterinarian only for vaccinations.
39% of cat owners say they would only take their cat to the veterinarian if the cat was sick.
58% of cat owners report that their cat hates going to the veterinarian.
38% of cat owners’ report they get stressed just thinking about bringing their cat to the practice. 
Studies have shown that older cats visit the veterinarian less often than younger cats and that owners of indoor cats are less likely to place a priority on veterinary care than owners of outdoor cats.

The Cat Friendly Practice like Broad River Animal Hospital provides an opportunity for veterinary practices to increase feline veterinary visits and improve the health and quality of life of cats. Broad River Animal Hospital helps the cat owner to better understand feline behavior, provide pain management when needed, provide stress free boarding and veterinary visits, and actively participate in a cat's individual healthcare plan. In addition to attending to the unique medical, surgical, behavioral and dental care of the feline, Broad River Animal Hospital also minimizes the stress of the visit for both the owner and patient. They utilize proven techniques addressing the distinct needs of cats, providing a facility that is equipped for their unique needs, by a knowledgeable staff and with feline-friendly handling.

Please contact us to set up your wellness visit today at (203) 846-3495​​​​​​​. We are looking forward to showcasing our AAFP designation as a Pet Friendly Practice and one of a few in the State of Connecticut.