We are excited to provide you with the Happy Cat Pack Toolkit, a resource intended to help you increase cat visits to your clinic. While some of these tools can be used as standalone marketing pieces, many are intended as companion pieces to our Happy Cat Pack program. If you are interested in working with us to pilot the Happy Cat Pack program in your clinic, please reach out to: Emily Ferguson at emily.ferguson@vetoquinol.com.

We hope you find this toolkit to be a valuable resource for your practice. Please feel free to contact your Vetoquinol USA Sales Representative with any questions.

Pre-Visit Prep

Few things inspire as much dread as a visit to the veterinarian – both for cats and their owners. One of the most important aspects of a visit to the veterinarian is what happens beforeleaving the house. Here are some simple tips to prepare for your cat’s next vet visit:

• The Car: The car can be very stressful, especially when it’s only used to transport your cat to the scary vet! By taking your cat for regular drives where the vet isn’t the destination, they will gain a more positive association with car rides. Always make sure your car is set at a comfortable temperature and consider what kind of music you are playing. It’s been proven that softer more calming music (such as classical) can have a calming effect.
  • TIP! Get your cat used to the car! They may end up liking it.

• The Carrier: Make the carrier comfortable for your cat, and keep it out and open as if it’s part of your regular furnishings. Work with your cat to associate their carrier as a safe space. Be sure you don’t use it exclusively for vet visits, boarding and other travel-related activities. A soft towel or t-shirt with your scent and your cat’s favorite toys can also go a long way toward making the carrier more enticing.
  • TIP! Make the carrier a favorite resting place for your cat.

• Positive Reinforcement Training: Help your cat associate the carrier with a pleasant experience by rewarding them with high value treats and positive reinforcement when they enter it.
  • TIP! Use treats as a reward!

• Consider medication or supplements: Discuss medical options with your veterinarian if your cat is not responsive to calming techniques and practice.
  • TIP! For best results, some supplements should be started 24-48 hours before the appointment.

• Prepare your questions in advance: To minimize time at the clinic, write down any questions or concerns ahead of time and bring those to your visit. This also helps ensure you won’t forget a question that pops up prior to your visit.
  • TIP! Keep a notebook and pen on hand for about a week before the visit, and jot down any questions or concerns that come to mind.

• Stay Calm: Stay calm—no matter how stressful the pre-visit process becomes. By keeping your actions and voice neutral, your cat will feel reassured that this is a normal event.
  • TIP! Cats pick up on the energy around them. Stay calm and positive!

If you have any questions about your cat’s behavior or ways to make their visit to our office easier, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

At the Clinic

You’ve passed the hurdle of getting your cat out of the house and have made it to our office – now what?! Here are some tips to make your experience in our office easier – forboth you and your cat.

• Ask to be scheduled at a time that’s slower for the clinic. Typically we have “off hours” which are times we know won’t be as busy. If your cat has a high fear of other animals and you have a more flexible schedule, this could be a great option to minimize stress.
• If coming during a slower time isn’t an option for you, ask about waiting in your car until an exam room is available. We can call or come get you when an exam room is available.
• Bring your pet to the appointment hungry! The veterinarian may use treats throughout the exam to keep them calm.
• Remember to talk to your cat in a soothing voice during the examination and offer lots of praise. Cats pick up on energy very easily, by staying calm and positive, it may help keep them calm.
• Use the proper carrier techniques after the visit is over, even if you are in a rush to leave. It’s important to calmly place your cat back in their carrier.
• Talk to us! Expressing any concerns before, during and after the visit is critical to building a more comfortable relationship. Keeping a journal of any questions or concerns you have and bringing it to your cat’s appointment is a great way to remember all the things you want to cover.
• Remember your cat comes first! We will do everything in our power to complete the exam, but if your cat is highly stressed and presents a danger to themselves or our staff, we may have to stop and plan another time to continue. Your cat’s well-being is our #1 priority!

If you have any questions about your cat’s behavior or ways to make their visit to our office easier, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Carrier Tips

The carrier is a common point of stress for our feline friends. Here are some tips on getting your cat in a carrier and ways to make them feel more comfortable while being transported.

• Verify the carrier is functional and clean — ensure there are no cracks or broken hinges. Use soap and water to clean the carrier instead of harsh cleaners that have a strong smell your cat may find upsetting.
• Ensure the carrier is the right size for your cat – it should be big enough they can stand, stretch and make a full turn comfortably.
• Include a cozy blanket or towel — it can keep your cat from sliding around during transport. A favorite toy or an article of your clothing may also be nice to include.
• Leaving the carrier out in the home at all times can make the cat familiar with the carrier. Removing the top and placing a blanket or towel inside can make the carrier a comfortable place to sleep. Alternatively, try serving their meals in the carrier to get them used to sitting inside. When they climb in on their own offer them a treat and praise.
• Work with your cat on getting in and out of the carrier without fear – use toys, treats, catnip or other items to entice them to go in and out on their own.
• If your cat needs help getting into the carrier, be gentle —try scooping them up with a blanket wrapped around them and placing them softly into the carrier. We recommend using a carrier with both a top and front opening to make this process easier.
• Be mindful when moving around with your cat in the carrier— sharp movements can throw off a cat’s equilibrium and make them ill or increase stress. Carry the carrier with both arms gently, holding it from the bottom to avoid sharp movements or swinging.

Buckle up! Keep the carrier secured in the car!

Phone Scripts

Phone Script #1 – Cat households/Appointment Call (Current Patient)

Caller: Hi, I need to get my cat _____ scheduled for a wellness/annual appointment.

Reception: No problem, has ________ been here before? What is the last name?

Caller: Yes she has, her name is ________ but she hasn’t been in for X years so I just want to get her checked out.

Reception: That sounds great – has _____ had any issues we should know about? Or just a general check up and catch up on vaccines?

Caller: Just a general check up. And yes to vaccines as well. We haven’t had them done in a while because she was so scared last time it was really tough.

Reception: I understand. I know that the veterinary visit can be especially tough for cats, we see it quite often. Here at _______ Clinic, we offer Happy Cat Packs that are intended to make the visit to our office less stressful. They include Zylkene, a stress relieving supplement, pheromone wipes to use with the carrier, catnip for the car and while at the visit and some treats to use during the carrier and transfer process to build their comfort levels. {Optional: Add gabapentin if that is also included – or other inclusions unique to your clinic.} We also provide literature and tips on the previsit process and carrier process, which can help decrease their stress quite a bit before they arrive at the clinic.

Caller: That sounds great, is there a cost?

Reception: Yes, they are just $10 which we can add to your account / wellness visit invoice. The cost is primarily to cover the medication cost and we can either ship it to your home or you can drop by and pick it up if that’s convenient. Instructions on the medication will be included but if you have any questions or concerns feel free to call us back. If we ship that out today, how about if we set your appointment for ____ – would that be ok?

{Optional: You may choose to offer a discount on the cat packs upon their wellness visit completion}

Caller: Sounds great, please go ahead and mail one to me – Thanks!

Phone Script #2: New Cat Patients

Caller: Hi, I need to get my cat _____ scheduled for a wellness/annual appointment.

Reception: No problem, has ________ been here before? What is the last name?

Caller: No we are a new patient, her name is ________

Reception: Ok great, will you be needing a full wellness exam with vaccines or is there a specific problem you are wanting us to check out?

Caller: Just a general check up. And yes to vaccines as well. She hasn’t had them done in a while because she was so scared last time.

Reception: I understand. I know that the veterinary visit can be especially tough for cats, we see it quite often. One thing I might suggest, here at _______ Clinic, we offer Happy Cat Packs that are intended to make the visit to our office less stressful. They include Zylkene, a stress relieving supplement, pheromone wipes to use with the carrier, catnip for the car and while at the visit and some treats to use during the carrier and transfer process to build their comfort levels.  {Remember: Zylkene can be given without a previous patient/client relationship so it’s a great option for new patients} We also provide literature and tips on the previsit process and carrier process, which can help decrease their stress quite a bit before they arrive at the clinic.

Caller: That sounds great, is there a cost?

Reception: Yes, they are just $10 which we can add to your account / wellness visit invoice. The cost is primarily to cover the medication cost and we can either ship it to your home or you can drop by and pick it up if that’s convenient. Instructions on the medication will be included but if you have any questions or concerns feel free to call us back. If we ship that out today, how about if we set your appointment for ____ – would that be ok?

{Optional: You may choose to offer a discount on the cat packs upon their wellness visit completion, especially for new patients}

Caller: Sounds great, please go ahead and mail one to me – Thanks!

Phone Script #3 – Dog Patients with cats at home

Caller: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment for my dog ________

Reception: Okay no problem, what will we be seeing ______ for? Just a check up or is there a specific problem?

Caller: Just a check up this time and update on vaccines.

Reception: Ok no problem – it looks like Dr. _____ has _____ date and time, will that work ok?

Caller: Sure that’s great.

Reception: Ok and just checking, has ____ had any behavioral changes since our last visit? Any trouble with the car or concerns you might have bringing him in?

Caller: No, nothing I can think of at this time.

Reception: Ok great and while I have you on the phone, I noticed that you also have a cat, ______, that we haven’t seen for a while. Is _______ doing ok? Should we look at making a wellness appoint for him also?

Caller: Yeah, ____ has been doing ok. I don’t think he needs an appointment right now but thanks for checking.

Reception: Ok and just letting you know that for cats, we are now offering Happy Cat Packs to help make the veterinary visit less stressful. When it’s time to bring _____ in and you’re concerned about the carrier/car or how he’ll do in our office, let me know and I can provide you with more information. It’s a great way to help cats who get really anxious about going to the vet.

Caller: That sounds great, I will definitely call you about that.

Reception: Awesome, and in the meantime, I can go ahead and send you some more information via email just so you have it.

Caller: Perfect – thanks.

Reception: Ok, see you and _____ soon.

On-Hold Messages

On-Hold Message #1: Happy Cats – General

Do you have a cat at home that tenses up the minute you pull out the carrier? That hides when the word “vet” is mentioned even if you are spelling it out? ______ clinic is excited to now offer Happy Cat Packs. Happy Cat Packs contain everything you need to make the vet visit less stressful for cats. It contains: Zylkene, a natural behavior supplement, Feliway pheromone wipes for the carriers, catnip, cat treats and tons of tips and tricks to getting your cat comfortable with the carrier and visit. At ____ clinic, we are committed to the health and well-being of our cat patients and their owners. Contact us today to learn more! s

On-Hold Message #2: Happy Cats – Fireworks

July 4^this coming up and, while most humans enjoy the light show, it can be pretty traumatizing for our cats. If you have a kitty that gets scared of fireworks, contact our office today to learn how Zylkene and our Happy Cat Packs can help! Zylkene is a natural behavior supplement that is proven to reduce stress in cats without causing sedation or change in personality. Plus, it’s cat owner approved due to it’s easy-to-dose capsule format. Simply open and sprinkle on their food! Purchase Zylkene directly in 14 or 30 count options or ask us about our Happy Cat Packs which contain Zylkene, pheromone wipes, catnip and treats – everything you need to make July 4^thcat-approved.

On-Hold Message #3: Boarding Cats

Life happens, and as much as we’d love to bring our cats everywhere we go, sometimes it just isn’t possible. That’s where we come in! ______ clinic is happy to provide full service boarding facilities. Plus, we go above and beyond for your feline friends – caring not just for their physical needs while separated from you but their emotional needs as well. We provide the option to add Zylkene administration to their stay. Zylkene is an all-natural behavior supplement that’s clinically proven to reduce stress. Simply purchase a 14 or 30 count supply from our office or we’ll provide daily administration for a small add on fee. Contact our office to learn more about our boarding services.

Happy Cat Signs