We’ve renewed our ISFM Silver Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation for 2026. Here’s what that quietly means for your cat, every single time they visit our Blackheath practice.

Whisker & Woof is proud to be an ISFM Silver Cat Friendly Clinic in Blackheath for 2026 — an international standard awarded by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), the veterinary arm of the charity International Cat Care. If you share your home with a cat anywhere across Blackheath, Lewisham or Greenwich, here’s what our accreditation actually means for them.

What is an ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic?

A Cat Friendly Clinic is a veterinary practice independently assessed as understanding cats and designing its care around their specific needs. Run worldwide by the ISFM since 2012, the scheme sets clear standards for the clinic environment, equipment and staff training — all aimed at making veterinary visits calmer for cats and easier for the people who love them. It’s the same recognised standard the world over, and it’s renewed every year.

What the Silver award means

Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation comes in three levels — Bronze, Silver and Gold — reflecting how far a practice goes beyond the essentials. Silver means we’ve gone further than the foundation standard in our facilities, our equipment and our team’s feline training, specifically for cats. It’s independently assessed against ISFM’s criteria and renewed annually, so our 2026 Silver status reflects standards we meet right now, not years ago.

Why cats need a clinic built around them

Cats aren’t small dogs. They’re territorial, finely tuned to smells and sounds, and easily overwhelmed by an unfamiliar environment — which is exactly what a busy waiting room full of dogs can be. On top of that, cats are experts at hiding when they’re stressed, frightened or in pain; a worried cat tends to go quiet and still rather than make a fuss.

That hidden stress matters more than it might seem. A frightened cat’s heart rate and blood pressure climb, early signs of illness are masked, and even a straightforward examination becomes harder — so problems can be tougher to catch. A calm cat, then, isn’t simply a happier one; it’s a cat we can assess more accurately and treat more effectively. Keeping stress low is, quite simply, good medicine.

What being a Silver Cat Friendly Clinic means for your cat

Our accreditation shapes your cat’s whole experience with us:

• We keep cats and dogs apart as far as possible, with a separate feline waiting area and minimised sight, sound and smell of dogs.
• We handle cats gently, following ISFM’s feline-friendly handling guidelines — no scruffing — so cats feel secure rather than restrained.
• We’ve invested in cat-specific equipment and a calm, quiet, unhurried approach to feline consultations.
• We have a dedicated Cat Advocate, Head Veterinary Nurse Melissa Barnett — the person who champions our feline standards day to day, and who’s always happy to talk cats with you.

Comfort, and our Zero Pain approach

Because cats hide pain so well, part of the Cat Friendly standard is actively looking for it — using validated feline pain scales rather than waiting for obvious signs. That dovetails with something else we’re proud of: as London’s first Zero Pain Philosophy accredited practice, we treat pain as the “fourth vital sign” for every patient. For cats especially — who give so little away — that combination means discomfort is far more likely to be spotted, and treated, early.

Making your cat’s visit less stressful: a few simple tips

Much of a calmer visit begins at home, before you even reach us. A little preparation goes a long way:

• Leave the carrier out year-round, not just on vet days, with a familiar blanket inside so it feels like a safe den rather than a warning sign.
• Choose a sturdy carrier that opens from the top and front, so we can examine your cat while they stay tucked in their own bed where possible.
• Cover the carrier with a towel on the journey to reduce the sights and sounds that unsettle cats.
• Try a synthetic feline pheromone spray in the carrier beforehand to help your cat feel more secure.

If your cat still finds the journey stressful, just ask — our team is always glad to talk through what might help your individual cat.

Part of a bigger commitment

Our Silver Cat Friendly accreditation sits alongside our Dog Friendly Clinic accreditation, our RCVS Accredited Practice status and our Zero Pain Philosophy accreditation — each independently assessed, and each renewed regularly. Together they reflect the practice we set out to be: welfare-led, independent, and built genuinely around the animals in our care.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ISFM Silver Cat Friendly Clinic? It’s a veterinary practice independently accredited by the International Society of Feline Medicine as meeting enhanced standards — beyond the essential Bronze level — for cat-friendly facilities, equipment and staff training.

Where is your cat friendly clinic? We’re Whisker & Woof, at 143 Lee Road, Blackheath, London SE3 9DJ, welcoming cats from across Blackheath, Lewisham and Greenwich.

How can I make vet visits less stressful for my cat? Leave the carrier out at home so it feels familiar, use a top-opening carrier, cover it on the journey, and consider a feline pheromone spray. Our team is always happy to advise for your individual cat.