A VETINARY surgery built with cats in mind has proved worthwhile as it has been awarded the Gold Standard in Cat Friendly Clinics.

Dave Cumber Vets, located in Link Park in Chickerell, moved to its new home on the Granby in November.

During construction and design, owner Dave Cumber wanted to ensure that it was built with cats in mind to allow their experience of the vets to be more positive.

The Link Park surgery includes a separate waiting areas with screening from dogs; a separate reception with a shelf to rest cat cages on (cats hate being placed on the floor); a separate cat ward and theatres accessible without going through any areas with dogs; specially designed cages for day patients and larger ones for longer term inpatients; longer 15 minute consultations to allow cats time to relax; a separate cat consultation room and an isolation ward.

Dave Cumber of Dave Cumber Vets said “We started working to improve the experience for our cat patients while we were still at the old Chickerell Road surgery with our vet Sarah and receptionist Mel.

"We did what we could such as separate cat ward and operating theatres, but were very limited by the actual building.

"When we were designing the new surgery at Link Park, cat welfare was very high on the list of priorities and the surgery was designed to give cats the best, least stressful experience we could possibly achieve."

For more than 50 years International Cat Care have been raising the standard of treatment and care provided to cats by veterinary surgeons, boarding cattery operators, those involved in rescue work, breeders and, of course, cat owners by providing the best information possible.

International Cat Care operates the 'Cat Friendly' scheme where practices can attain bronze, silver or gold awards based on how well they meet the very special needs of their cat patients and owners.

Sarah Irons, vet and Mel Davies, Weymouth receptionist have been working in the background keeping the practice focused and on target and ensuring that everything was perfect for the cat patients.

Mr Cumber added: "We are delighted to have the Gold Award but even more rewarding is to see how 'chilled' our in-patient cats now are.

"Libby Hall, registered veterinary nurse noted that she used to get scratched quite often by stressed cats but since moving to our new surgery she hasn’t been scratched once."

For more information visit davecumbervets.co.uk or facebook.com/davecumbervets