Cat ownership is up, and leaders in veterinary care want to ensure that Houston-area veterinarians can receive the continued training necessary to give the best care they can.
The Houston Zoo is hosting Roo at the Zoo on Nov. 8, a continuing education and networking event designed to give Houston-area veterinary professionals practical feline-care training in a unique setting.
What is it?
Roo is a flexible staffing and careers platform for vets, techs and animal hospitals. It also connects professionals with hiring opportunities and free continuing education.
Charlotte Weir, Roo's VP of Partnerships, said this event is especially important because there has been an increase in cat ownership over the past several years, but treating cats can present challenges compared to other pets, like dogs.
“Cats are masters at hiding illnesses,” she said. “They’re a lot more sensitive to stress in a hospital, and they have different needs for everything from anesthesia to handling. It all requires a feline-friendly and very specific approach.”
Weir added that cats do not receive routine care as often as dogs, or as consistently as they should.
The training is designed to address practical challenges in feline care. Professionals will learn how to make anesthesia safer for cats with diseases and consider when anesthesia is needed.
Attendees will also receive hands-on training using ultrasound technology, learn how to handle cats without increasing their stress and learn how to create a more comfortable environment for felines. They will also hear from experts during lectures.
Weir said, “That’s why we wanted Roo at the Zoo to be more than lectures; we’re bringing together all those pieces.”
Why now?
Cat ownership has increased in recent years, Weir said, especially among young people and males. The American Pet Products Association reports that 43% of cat owners are men, and the number of Gen Z cat dads has increased by 27% year over year.
“Cat daddies are having a moment; that population of feline ownership by males is climbing a lot,” Weir said. “We're just seeing this growing enthusiasm for cat ownership, particularly among those younger generations. And that means that our vet teams have to be prepared to meet their needs.”
Weir said cats are becoming the ideal pet compared to dogs for several reasons:
They can live in smaller spaces more comfortably
Their exercise requirements and outside engagement are lower
They have more independence
Caring for them can feel like less of a time commitment
She noted that this shift is breaking old stereotypes.
“Historically, there’s been this ‘cat lady’ label and now you’re seeing this awesome increase in male ownership,” she said. “That’s why we’re calling it the cat daddy era.”
Final takeaways
This is a first-of-its-kind event, Weir said and they chose Houston because its veterinary community “shows up.”
“Everyone in this profession tends to be really compassionate and empathetic, but it can be isolating,” she said. “You’re working within those four walls and you’re focused on your patients; you don’t really get to expand those four walls day-to-day.”
Weir said that while this is a one-time event, she hopes that Roo can make it a regular occurrence on a national level. To attend the event, visitors must RSVP online.
