Veterinary Heroes: Susan V. Whittred, DVM

Susan V. Whittred, DVM, the 2024 honoree in feline medicine for the Veterinary HeroesTM program, has been a veterinarian for 21 years, working in private practice for most of her career. She is the executive director of the Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc, a cage-free cat sanctuary in Long Island, New York, which Whittred has run since graduating from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, in 2003.

“We rescue cats from municipal shelters and provide all the medical [care] that they need and get them into good homes,” Whittred told dvm360 in an interview. This includes spay and neuter services and other routine services, according to an individual that nominated Whittred for the award.

Whittred also introduced the “Seniors for Seniors” program at the foundation, which allows senior citizens to adopt senior cats. “What [the program] does is senior citizens who are 65 years [of age] and older can adopt a cat 7 years and older from us, and we cover the medical care for the cat for the rest of its life. If something happens to the [owner], they can just bring the cat back to us,” said Whittred.

“Veterinary medicine has gotten really expensive, and I think it's hard for seniors, and they don't want to commit to adopting an older cat, because that's when [cats start having health] problems,” Whittred explained. “But I tell you, with this program, senior [cats] have been getting adopted like I have never seen before. It's fantastic. So, we're always pulling senior [cats] from other municipal shelters, knowing that we can get them homes now, which is really—it's amazing.”

According to Whittred, there are now 55 cats in the program. “It's just changed people's lives,” she added.

A love for cats

During the interview, dvm360 asked Whittred why she chose feline medicine. “I have just always loved cats. And even when I was in private practice, I always was…the cat lady vet. You go to vet school, you think you get rid of the cat lady title, it's absolutely not true. No, I'm just a cat lady vet. But I just always, my whole life, I've always loved cats,” Whittred shared.

She explained that the most fulfilling part of her work is the adoptions. “I just love the connection that people make with animals, and I just feel good that I'm in a position where I could, you know, pull them from a shelter where they might not have the same chance. You know, take care of any medical or dental that they need, and then place them into a home, and then have people call us up and say, ‘this is the most amazing cat,’ you know?” said Whittred. “They've given so much to me in my life, it's great to be able to give something back to cats.”

Whittred’s passion for veterinary medicine and cats is evident in her active involvement with numerous organizations. She is a member of numerous organizations, including the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (formerly the American Association of Feline Practitioners)—from which she has received an award—, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Long Island Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Society, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. She is also an adjunct member of the Animal Law Committee of the NY Bar Association and the New York director of the Paw Project—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to end feline declawing.

Whittred shared with dvm360 what winning the Feline Medicine Veterinary Hero Award means to her. “As a shelter vet, it’s just such an honor to win an award like [Veterinary Heroes]. I already feel privileged being able to take care of cats…but getting nominated and people voting for me...it’s amazing,” she expressed.

Describing what makes Whittred a veterinary hero, one nominator praised her commitment to supporting fellow veterinarians who face challenges with feline care. “Susan is very focused on helping other veterinarians who encounter issues with cats. She is very willing to discuss treatments and provide insight into what makes a successful outcome for cats in shelters,” they wrote.

In honor of Whittred and 11 other Veterinary Heroes inductees, an award ceremony will be held during the 2024 Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California, where the winners will be recognized for their unwavering commitment and extraordinary efforts within the veterinary profession. The ceremony will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:30 AM PST. All Fetch Long Beach registrants are invited to attend the award ceremony for no additional fee.

The 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center