According to veterinarian Dr. Karyn Burritt of Temple, a lot of cats don’t get to the vet as much as they should.
Many cats don’t like traveling or being handled by people they’re not used to. A vet visit can be a stressful experience, so Burritt wants to give cat owners in the community a new option when it comes to vet care. And most importantly, “I want to be an advocate for cats,” she said.
Burritt has recently started a new business in the Monadnock region, Comfy Cat Veterinary House Calls. Instead of caring for cats out of an office, she will travel to cats’ homes to provide vet services.
Burritt has been a vet for five years. She has a veterinary degree from Tufts University, and has always loved animals. She has volunteered at rescues and an international veterinary aid program, and worked at a humane society after finishing school.
“My passion was helping homeless animals,” she said.
Burritt was especially drawn to cats. At Tufts, she had realized lectures and classes were mainly dog-focused.
“Even in vet school, cats were an afterthought,” she said, and when working at a general practice veterinary office, she noticed there were a lot more dogs coming to appointments than cats.
Burritt knew cats needed to be seen, too, even indoor cats.
“Cats mask their illnesses to the point that sometimes we won’t see a kitty until they’re very, very ill,” Burritt said, explaining that hiding signs of sickness is an evolutionary instinct. “If they were out fending for themselves, they would become prey.”
When Burritt is making a house call, she doesn’t rush the cat. She wants the cat to feel safe and relaxed, which will be benefit the cat’s health. She is also able to observe the cat in the home and get to know the cat and owner.
“I take time to let them acclimate to me being in the home,” she said.
Comfy Cat offers wellness care, sick care, disease management, behavior consultations, health certificates and hospice care. If there is a service, like a surgery, that Burritt cannot provide in the home, she will refer the cat to a clinic or specialist.
Right now, Burritt is focussed on establishing her practice, but in the future she hopes to be able to expand to offer more-specialized services and become involved with local rescue organizations.
“My main goal is just to be part of the community. I love helping people and their pets,” she said.
Burritt announced the business a couple weeks ago, and she already has a number of appointments lined up and lots of interest.
“I’ve been so overwhelmed with the reception that I’ve had,” Burritt said, “I knew there was a need out there and seeing the response affirms it.”
Burritt can be contacted through the submission form on her website, comfycatvet.com, or by calling 603-562-2287 (603-562-CATS). Comfy Cat Veterinary House Calls provides services in Dublin, Greenfield, Greenville, Hancock, Jaffrey, Lyndeborough, Mason, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Sharon, Temple, Wilton and Rindge. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.