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Fear Free

Fear Free strives to “take the pet out of petrified” and “put the treat into treatment!” and assists pet owners in helping their pets live happy, healthy, full lives.

Happy couple with their dog

Overview

Fear Free is a unique program that has a proven record of success in reducing pet fear, anxiety, and stress by understanding when pets are communicating these behaviors. We partner with you to manage and change the behavior of your pet to provide a Fear Free experience for all.

With over 52,000 veterinary and pet professionals committed to becoming Fear Free Certified, Fear Free is one of the largest initiatives to this day. 

Fear Free’s mission states, “Our mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.”

Why Choose Fear Free:

Your pet’s enrichment and emotional well-being are Fear Free’s top priority. Our Fear Free certified team will partner with you to tailor a plan that improves you and your pet's experience at our hospital. We will partner with you to prepare for a hospital visit before, during, and after your pet becomes conditioned to enjoy a weekend with us.

Benefits:

  • Reduce your pet's fear, anxiety, and stress

  • Minimize physical restraint

  • Hospital/Pet Parent Partnership

  • Online Resources

Learn More:

To learn more about what you can do at home to reduce your pet's fear, anxiety, and stress, please visit Fear Free’s website:

FearFreePets.com

Fear Free - Cats

You can live harmoniously alongside your cat with claws and still maintain nice furniture by understanding a bit more about your cat’s natural behaviors, and enriching your home with items your cat can scratch. Cats are often more likely to approach us for affection, and to hang around longer, when we let them make the first move.

A brown cat being scratched

Good Touch, Bad Touch

Being picked up and smushed into a hug is a stress trigger for cats. Cats are often more likely to approach us for affection, and to hang around longer, when we let them make the first move.

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A brown cat being scratched

Good Touch, Bad Touch

Being picked up and smushed into a hug is a stress trigger for cats. Cats are often more likely to approach us for affection, and to hang around longer, when we let them make the first move.

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Girl Hugging a Cat

Living with a Clawed Cat

Living alongside a cat with claws can be an adjustment, especially if you are unfamiliar or a first-time cat caregiver. Let’s learn more about your cat’s amazing body.

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A Cat Playing with a Toy

To Make Cats Happy, Offer Choices

Cats can make great pets when we learn what each one needs to thrive, and then meet these needs. But when things go wrong, fear, anxiety, and stress can be the result in both our cats and ourselves.

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3 White/Brown Cats Looking Up

How To Set Your Kitten Up For Success

Before you bring one of these cute kittens home, learn how to help ensure a happy transition to a new life for both of you.

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3 White/Brown Cats Looking Up

How To Set Your Kitten Up For Success

Before you bring one of these cute kittens home, learn how to help ensure a happy transition to a new life for both of you.

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A white cat crawling out of its litter box

Litter Boxes

Cats eliminate to fulfill a fundamental need. They also use eliminations as a way to mark their territory. Our goal is to help you provide your cat with a positive experience when using the litter box.

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Kitten playing with a toy

Teach Kittens Gentle Play

If you have a mouthy, bitey kitten, don’t let her learn that it’s okay to play rough with you. Instead, set your kitten up for success by teaching her how to play nicely.

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Three cats sitting on an exam table

Fundamentally Feline

At Fundamentally Feline the focus is to address all aspects of a cat's behavior that can be improved upon to help both cats and humans live more harmoniously together.

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Three cats sitting on an exam table

Fundamentally Feline

At Fundamentally Feline the focus is to address all aspects of a cat's behavior that can be improved upon to help both cats and humans live more harmoniously together.

Read More >

A white cat sitting in its carrier

Your Cat’s Vet Visit Begins at Home

America’s cats are facing a healthcare crisis. Making vet visits less stressful for cats begins with a number of things cat parents can do at home, long before the actual trip to the clinic.

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Fear Free - Dogs

Dog wearing a green jacket in front of a yellow background

What's Wrong With The Prong?

Prong, choke, and shock collars HURT! And in turn, they hurt your relationship. Pain is not needed to teach your dog to become a more enjoyable and better-behaved companion.

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Dog wearing a green jacket in front of a yellow background

What's Wrong With The Prong?

Prong, choke, and shock collars HURT! And in turn, they hurt your relationship. Pain is not needed to teach your dog to become a more enjoyable and better-behaved companion.

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A dog receiving a treat

Dog Behavior

We at SF SPCA are committed to providing high-quality resources and recommendations for your training needs. We're proud to offer some helpful options related to behavior and training.

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A dog sitting in its crate

How to Crate Train Your New Dog or Puppy

Crate training is one of the easiest ways to help your new dog be successful in your home. Most veterinarians recommend crate training your dog from the puppy stage up through the senior years.

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Two cartoon dogs

Dog Body Language 101

Animals speak all the time through their body language, but their messages are often misunderstood or unheard. As a result, a dog may be placed in a situation or interaction where they’re uncomfortable.

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Two cartoon dogs

Dog Body Language 101

Animals speak all the time through their body language, but their messages are often misunderstood or unheard. As a result, a dog may be placed in a situation or interaction where they’re uncomfortable.

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A cartoon dog with separation anxiety

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Have you ever come home to a disaster created by your own best friend? Canine separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral problems dog owners deal with.

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A cartoon dog with noise phobia

Dog Noise Phobia

During thunderstorms or fireworks, do you find your pooch shivering, shaking, and hiding? These are signs of a possible noise phobia, something that thousands of pet owners deal with every day.

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A baby Husky in a Veterinarian's arms

Your Puppy’s First Veterinary Visit

Background information about your pup can help the veterinary staff better care for the little guy. Here’s what you should plan on bringing to the visit.

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A baby Husky in a Veterinarian's arms

Your Puppy’s First Veterinary Visit

Background information about your pup can help the veterinary staff better care for the little guy. Here’s what you should plan on bringing to the visit.

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A cartoon dog wearing a red bandana

How to Prepare for a Veterinary Visit

Your veterinary team needs your help to make your pet’s visit as Fear Free as possible. Here are some tips to implement at home so you can prepare your pet for the visit well in advance.

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A brown puppy lying down and relaxing

How to Help Your Dog Chill

Animals do not have the same cognitive patterns as humans, so we can’t teach them mindfulness & breath control, but we can teach them to go to a specific location and give them a cue to help them relax.

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