Boehringer Ingelheim launched the first-ever Catvocacy Forum for the company, uniting veterinarians to elevate cat care nationwide. The forum aims to raise the standards of feline care in the Philippines, empowering vets to provide compassionate, quality care.
48.3% of Filipino households own cats with a population of over 2.74 million, highlighting the growing need for veterinarians trained in feline care. Cats often conceal pain, hide illness, and react strongly to stress, making specialized veterinary care essential for early detection, treatment, and prevention.
“Veterinarians play a crucial role in ensuring animal health, food security, and public safety,” said Dr. Michael Banawa, Head of Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Philippines, Inc. “The Catvocacy Forum brings the Going Beyond campaign to life, showcasing veterinarians’ dedication and advancing the broader goal of elevating veterinary standards and safeguarding animals and communities.”
The forum also introduced the Going Beyond campaign, a global initiative launched during World Veterinary Day 2024, celebrating veterinarians’ vital yet often unseen role in providing expert care, safeguarding animal welfare, and supporting communities.
“Caring for cats goes beyond treating illness—it’s about understanding their behavior and ensuring their well-being,” said Dr. Vincent Casimero, Head of Companion Animals, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Philippines, Inc., “Through the Catvocacy Forum, we aim to support veterinarians in providing expert feline care, promoting preventive health, and strengthening the bond between pets and their families.”
The event, titled The First Catvocacy Forum: Veterinarians Going Beyond for Feline Healthcare, featured CPD-accredited lectures, providing practical knowledge, skills development, and collaborative discussions that foster innovation and elevate standards of feline care.
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Dr. Chantal Celindano, Director and Lead Veterinarian of Feline Fine Mobile Vet, and Dr. Linda Tong, Small Animal Internal Medicine Senior Registrar at Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty (WAVES), engage in a Q&A session at the Catvocacy Forum, addressing veterinarians’ questions on feline healthcare, behavioural management, vaccination, and internal medicine to provide practical, evidence-based guidance for improving cat care.
Key speakers included Dr. Chantal Davina Celindano, Director of Paws-Fire Mobile Vet and Feline Veterinarian at Monier Veterinary Clinic; Dr. Linda Jane Tong, Senior Medicine Registrar at Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty; and Dr. Michael Banawa, Head of Animal Health. Dr. Celindano is accredited by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), a global organization that advances cat health and welfare through education and best practices.
The forum equips veterinarians to deliver tailored care using feline-friendly handling techniques, stress-reduction strategies, and specialized medical protocols. It strengthens understanding of feline behavior, improves clinical outcomes, trains professionals in early disease detection, and emphasizes preventive care using quality vaccines and dependable parasiticides.
Speakers highlighted the five pillars of a healthy feline environment: a safe space, separate areas for food, water, litter, and rest, opportunities for play and hunting, positive interactions, and a clean, cat-friendly environment.
They emphasized that veterinarians must treat cats differently from dogs, especially when diagnosing illnesses and managing their care. The speakers covered common conditions such as feline idiopathic cystitis, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, and cognitive decline, providing veterinarians with practical strategies for early detection, treatment, and prevention.
Through the Catvocacy Forum, Boehringer Ingelheim underscores the critical need for specialized veterinary care and encourages pet owners to recognize and support veterinarians in delivering the highest standards of care for cats.
Give your cat the care they deserve—schedule regular visits with veterinarians advancing feline health.
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