Horsham has gone and done it again – put itself on the map, but this time thanks to cats. Lots of cats.
Dr Joanna Szymanska, the co-founder of Graylands Cat Clinic, has just been crowned Vet of the Year at the National Cat Awards 2025, run by Cats Protection. And yes, that’s basically the Oscars… but for cats.
A Clinic Designed for Whiskers, Not Woofs
Graylands isn’t your run-of-the-mill vet practice. It’s cat-only. No dogs barging in, no barking in the waiting room – just calm, quiet, whisker-friendly spaces where even the most nervous moggy can feel like royalty.
Since opening in 2023, Dr Joanna and her team have been on a mission to make vet visits less “terrifying trip to the box of doom” and more “spa day with a stethoscope.” Think dimmer lighting, gentle handling, and a whole lot of patience.
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Dr Joanna didn’t just scoop the award for her medical skills (which are top-notch). She was recognised for her whole approach: speaking up for cats who often “suffer in silence,” teaching owners how to spot the little things, and tailoring treatments that work in real homes – not just on paper.
Her colleague Hazel Green secretly nominated her, praising Joanna’s “compassion, expertise, and knack for turning stressful visits into something cats (and their humans) can actually cope with.”
