Feline-Assisted Interventions Worldwide: Overview of Organizations and Programs (2026)

Feline-assisted interventions (cat-assisted interventions) are implemented internationally in various forms – ranging from structured animal-assisted intervention (AAI) programs to clinical practice, as well as community-based and volunteer activities.

Unlike some other areas of AAI, feline-assisted interventions are not currently unified or standardized at the international level. Education, team evaluation, and methodological approaches vary across organizations and countries.

Cats are most often included as one of several species within broader AAI programs. Organizations specifically focused on feline-assisted interventions do exist, but they represent a smaller segment of the overall field.

Overview of Organizations and Programs

United States

Pet Partners
• National AAI organization
• Therapy Cats program
• Registration and evaluation of teams

International Cat-Assisted Therapy (I-CAT)
• Focus on cats in therapy
• Education and networking

Love On A Leash
• Certification of teams (including cats)

TheraPet
• AAT programs
• Cats as a complementary species

Joybound
• Facility animals (including cats)

United Kingdom

Pets As Therapy
• National volunteer-based program
• Includes cats and dogs

Bubbles Animal Therapy
• Feline-assisted interventions

Welcare
• Programs for children involving cats

Europe

Slovakia
Felinoterapia Nová Dubnica
• Specialization in feline-assisted interventions
• Direct client work

Poland
Fundacja Na Zdrowie Zwierzęta Ludziom Ludzie Zwierzętom
• Feline-assisted interventions
• Courses and supervision

Czech Republic

Nezávislý chovatelský klub
• Education
• Historical involvement in feline-assisted interventions

Europe – international scope
International Companion Animal Organization (I-CofA)
• Cats in AAS section
• Development of assessment tools for teams

Feline Therapy Therapy Cats EU
• Online platform
• Limited institutional structure

International Felinotherapy Association
• Methodological and educational activities
• Development of the Feline Activities & Behavior approach

Australia

Cat Haven
• Companion Cat Program
• Cats in social and healthcare facilities

PsychMed
• Clinical practice
• Cat Therapy Room

Animal Therapies Ltd
• AAI organization
• Multi-species programs

New Zealand

Hato Hone St John Therapy Pets
• National volunteer program
• Includes cats and other species

Therapy Tides
• Individual therapeutic practice
• Use of cats in AAT

International 

International Institute of Animal Play Therapy
• Animal Play Therapy (APT)
• Inclusion of multiple species, including cats
• Founder: Rise VanFleet
• Practical application: Jacqueline George

Summary

Feline-assisted interventions are present internationally but remin structurally heterogeneous.

The prevailing model includes:
• integration of cats into broader AAI programs
• local or facility-based initiatives
• variability in evaluation and education systems

Fully developed, cat-specific systems exist, but they are not the dominant model.