VCA Blue Cross Animal Hospital of Amherst

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) sets the standard for quality veterinary care for companion animals. As an accredited hospital, we voluntarily uphold the Association's high standards in 18 different areas and are routinely evaluated on over 900 different standards of veterinary care. Not all animal hospitals are accredited, and we are proud to be amongst only 12-15% of veterinary hospitals that hold this honor.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) represents practitioners in the veterinary community who are passionate about the care of cats and supports its members in improving the health and welfare of feline patients. With a reputation as a leader in the field of feline medicine, the AAFP helps veterinary practices establish a feline-friendly environment that reduces stress for cats during veterinary visits.

The Cat Friendly Practice® program is a leading movement to make veterinary care less stressful for cats and their caregivers. This global initiative is designed to elevate care for cats by assisting practices in developing calming, cat-friendly environments and reducing stress for felines before, during, and after their veterinary visit.

As veterinary professionals, we know that the stress and anxiety associated with taking a pet to the veterinarian is a significant reason why pets don't always receive the medical attention they need. Fear Free℠ veterinary visits reduce feelings of stress, resulting in a better experience for all involved, including pets, owners, and veterinary health care teams. Having a Fear Free℠ Certified Professional can help alleviate your pet's fear, anxiety, and stress when visiting our hospital.

As a Low Stress Handling™ certified practice, our goal is to recognize fear and anxiety in our patients. We use techniques to meet your pet's need for mental and physical comfort while in our hospital, and adjust our handling and medical treatments to help reduce their stress. We are always working to give your pet the best medical care with the least amount of stress possible. We are proud to be a Low Stress Handling™ certified animal hospital. We hold ourselves to a higher standard of care and help make your pet's veterinary visits more enjoyable.