Tucked inside the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, South Africa’s first internationally accredited Cat-Friendly Clinic has officially opened its doors. It’s not just a first for the province; it’s a significant step forward in how this country cares for its most vulnerable, fragile, and often misunderstood patients.
Unlike your average vet practice, this clinic is purpose-built for cats, from the separate feline waiting room to the soft lighting, non-slip floors, and specially trained staff. The result? A low-stress environment that prioritises both physical health and emotional wellbeing.
“This clinic reflects our commitment to advancing animal health through science, education, and compassion,” said Dr Kgasi, Director of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital. And this commitment is visible in every corner of the facility, which meets the International Cat Care (iCatCare) Gold Standard, one of the most rigorous global benchmarks in feline veterinary practice.
A Collaboration That’s About More Than Bragging Rights
This isn’t just a university flex. The clinic was made possible by a partnership between the University of Pretoria and Royal Canin, the global pet nutrition brand. Royal Canin supported the initiative with infrastructure funding, educational materials, and training resources, all aimed at improving how vets and students understand and handle cats.
“At Royal Canin, we are guided by our purpose: a better world for pets,” said General Manager Frank Chadinha. “This clinic brings that purpose to life by combining scientific innovation with practical education and meaningful collaboration.”
The project itself was championed by Dr Tanya Schoeman, a Veterinary Specialist Physician and Royal Canin Feline Health Specialist, who saw the need for a space that would allow cats to be treated on their own terms, without the noise, scent, and stress of sharing space with dogs or larger animals.
Where Training Meets Compassion
Beyond its clinical services, the Cat-Friendly Clinic also doubles as a training site for final-year veterinary and nursing students. It gives students hands-on experience in one of Africa’s most advanced feline care environments, a significant upgrade from textbooks and simulated practice.
“This is more than a place for treating cats,” Chadinha noted. “It’s an environment that nurtures empathy and clinical excellence in future vets. That’s how lasting change is created.”
And while the clinic isn’t free, it operates at standard university hospital rates, making gold-standard feline care more accessible to the public.
Why This Clinic Matters Right Now
The clinic arrives at a time of growing concern for global pet welfare. A recent Mars Petcare study found that more than 362 million cats and dogs are homeless in just 20 countries. Many South African pets never make it to a vet, often because the visit itself is traumatic especially for cats, who are notoriously anxious in clinical settings.
This new clinic doesn’t just treat that anxiety; it removes it from the equation.
“Clinics like this help bridge the gap between people’s love for their animals and the quality of care those animals receive,” said Dr Kgasi. “We’re raising the bar for feline healthcare in South Africa — and we’re not doing it alone.”
The Cat-Friendly Clinic is now open at the Onderstepoort campus and is expected to become a model for other veterinary facilities in the country and beyond.
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