Ada's Animal Welfare Day Review｜Not Just Training, But a Dialogue on Animal Wellbeing
If cats and dogs could make their own choices,
would they willingly come to a veterinary clinic?
For most animals, fear creeps in the moment they step into the hospital.
It is not sickness they fear,
but the surroundings, unfamiliar scents, strange noises,
and their past memories of this place.
That’s why we did something meaningful last week.
We invited Hayley Walters, a registered veterinary nurse from the UK,
along with more than a dozen clinic directors from different cities,
to spend a full day at Ada’s.
We didn’t talk about business operations,
nor medical equipment or professional techniques.
Our core discussion revolved around:
👉 How animals truly feel in a veterinary hospital
👉 What practical changes we can actually make
In the morning, we led all guests on a full tour of our clinic,
from the waiting area and consultation rooms to the inpatient ward.
We focused not on decorative designs or aesthetics,
but on tiny yet crucial details:
A non-slip mat on the floor
A soft comforting towel
Allowing pets to wait at their own pace, with no force
These details may seem trivial to us,
but they make a world of difference to scared animals.
In the afternoon, we gathered around for in-depth sharing and discussion.
Everyone wrote down real dilemmas they face in daily clinical work:
Pets that fiercely resist examinations
Pet owners who refuse to bring their companions back for care
Medical teams struggling to break old routine habits
One key message we emphasized throughout the day:
An animal’s unwanted behaviors are never misbehavior — they are their way of communicating.
When a pet struggles, hides, or even acts defensively,
it is not being naughty or disobedient.
It is crying out: I am terrified.
After Hayley’s professional sharing,
our team at Ada’s also shared our long-term practical efforts and attempts.
We give every pet time to settle in the consultation room,
instead of rushing into examinations right away;
For anxious dogs, we complete all examinations gently on the floor;
For stressed cats, we never force them out of their carriers,
and wait for them to come out on their own terms.
Little by little, gentle changes have taken place.
Nervous dogs no longer need to be dragged into the clinic;
Timid cats start to peek out curiously on their own;
Many pet parents have told us:
“My pet seemed far less scared this time.”
We never claim to be perfect,
nor do we have a one-size-fits-all standard answer.
We simply keep focusing on one sincere mission:
Veterinary care is not only about curing illnesses,
but also about easing fear and anxiety for every animal.
This day was truly special for our entire team.
We are deeply heartened to see
more and more industry peers beginning to prioritize
the emotional experience of animals in medical environments.
Our small efforts are being noticed and recognized across the industry,
and these low-stress care concepts are being discussed at major industry events.
Change may never happen overnight,
but it is steadily unfolding, little by little.
And we will always keep moving forward with dedication and care 🐾
