Posted: Aug. 17, 2009, 3 a.m. EDT
Veterinarians will be examining cats for free Aug. 22 in Chicago for the first annual Take Your Cat to the Vet Day. |
The first annual
Take Your Cat to the Vet Day is fast approaching, and program sponsor Feline Pine is gearing up for the inaugural event Aug. 22 at the University of Illinois Center for Veterinary Medicine in Chicago.
At the event, veterinarians will be examining guests’ cats for free between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Time slots are limited, so those interested in scheduling a free exam are encouraged to call 312-226-2588 to set an appointment. Guests will take home samples of Feline Pine cat litter and can enter to win a year’s supply of the litter. They will also have the opportunity to speak with Michelle Gaspar, DVM, a board-certified feline specialist about cat behavior and health.
According to Feline Pine’s public relations representative Jenna Oltersdorf, the company’s efforts outside the Chicago area involve education and tools available on their website, which now features a tool through which cat owners can set reminders for themselves to bring their cats in for veterinary check-ups. On the day for which they set their reminders, each person will receive an e-mail from Feline Pine reminding them to set a veterinary appointment.
“From a national perspective, we’re just trying to get as much education out to people about getting their cats to the veterinarian,” Oltersdorf said. “People know they need to take their dogs to the vet but they might forget about their cats.”
In a recent study conducted earlier this year by Feline Pine, more than one-third of respondents said they only bring their cats to the veterinarian for obvious illness, and only 17 percent of those surveyed provide necessary vaccinations for their cats.
“Cats hide illnesses well, so even a kitty who is appearing well can have one or more underlying problems,” said Gaspar. “Although your cat may appear perfectly healthy, it’s still very important to bring them to the veterinarian for an annual exam so they stay that way. We want to remind people that a thorough exam is the key to maintaining good health. With a thorough exam, a veterinarian can pick up clues of illness that may warrant testing and prevent suffering.”