CFA dips into feline health care sector

PHUKET: The team behind the Chaofa Andaman (CFA) Pet Hospital has stepped forward to corner the feline segment of the pet healthcare market by opening Thailand’s first-ever cat-specific hospital next to their existing business on Chaofa East Road in Chalong.

Open since July 2010, CFA Pet Hospital grew increasingly aware that cats were more stressed than other animals while visiting their clinic and saw the need to open a separate facility for them.

“It’s in a cat’s nature to be independent. However, they are easily stressed when they smell other animals, particularly dogs,” says CFA veterinarian Sasithorn Trairatthanom.

The opening ceremony for the CFA Cat Hospital, held on October 9, was graced by Thailand’s famed Johnny the Cat, who was brought all the way from Ranong to join the ribbon cutting.

The new space allows cats in the waiting room to roam freely or sit with their owners while they wait for treatment, giving them opportunity to explore without the stress caused by the smell or presence of other animals.

“CFA Cat Hospital also offers feline specific medical services, medication and surgeries with high-tech equipment, just as you would find in other leading [pet] hospitals abroad,” Dr Sasithorn says.

Dr Sasithorn, a Veterinary Science graduate of Australia’s University of Sydney, with a concentration in feline medicine, notes that the company’s primary client base are people who treat their cats like members of their own family, emphasizing the importance for medical staff to treat the felines that way as well.

“We pride ourselves in giving feline-specific treatment, offering quick and accurate diagnoses in order to prevent or cure any ailments properly and promptly,” Dr Sasithorn says.

“We chose to open near Chalong Circle because it is a main area that people drive through to connect to other parts of Phuket. However, we are available to go on house calls for clients who cannot drive or have a cat that is very ill.”

CFA Cat Hospital is open daily from 9am to 9pm. Veterinarians can be reached at 076-283356 or 083-501 8488.