Continuing the ‘cat friendly’ evolution

Abstract

in late 2020, discussions began between the AAFP and iSFM on updating the 2011 AAFP and iSFM Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines. 1 Plans quickly evolved in order to coincide with both the 10-year anniversary of the Cat Friendly Clinic and Cat Friendly Practice programmes in 2022 and November 2022 being the final print Clinical Practice edition before JFMS becomes open access and onlineonly from the beginning of 2023. To celebrate these two momentous milestones, we are proud to share this Cat Friendly Special issue, which contains 'iSFM's Cat Friendly Principles for Veterinary Professionals', the '2022 AAFP/iSFM Cat Friendly Veterinary interaction Guidelines: Approach and Handling Techniques'and the '2022 iSFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines'. iSFM's Cat Friendly Principles for Veterinary Professionals, endorsed by the AAFP, introduce the seven principles that underpin the work of iSFM's parent charity, international Cat Care, and define what 'cat friendly' means. These