--- title: "CorpFree Certified" description: "Just Cats Clinic is proud to be CorpFree Certified, verifying our doctor-owned, independent veterinary practice and our commitment to putting feline patients first." date: "2026-10-27T20:30:00Z" author: "Just Cats Clinic" image: "/img/9fc4643f" canonical: "/corpfree-certified/" --- # CorpFree Certified At **Just Cats Clinic**, we believe that the best veterinary care begins with a strong, trusted relationship between pet parents and their veterinary team. When you bring your cat to us, you place your trust in our medical judgment, our dedication to feline wellness, and our compassionate approach. Today, we are thrilled to announce that Just Cats Clinic is officially **CorpFree Certified**! This prestigious certification independently verifies that our hospital is 100% doctor-owned and locally operated—free from corporate ownership, private equity control, or outside management organizations. ## Care Led by Doctors, Not Corporations Veterinary healthcare ownership is not always as obvious as it appears. In recent years, corporate consolidators and private equity firms have acquired thousands of veterinary practices across the country. Frequently, these hospitals retain their original names, familiar branding, and long-time staff, making it difficult for pet owners to know who actually owns the practice or who is setting clinical standards behind the scenes. At Just Cats Clinic, we believe transparency builds trust. You deserve to know who owns your practice, who sets its priorities, and who is ultimately responsible for the care your feline family receives. Being independently doctor-owned means our founder, [Dr. Elizabeth Chapman](/meet-the-owner/), and our [doctors and medical team](/meet-our-team/) make all clinical and operational decisions right here in Reston. We answer to our patients, our clients, and our community—not distant corporate shareholders or profit targets. ## What Does It Mean to Be CorpFree Certified? CorpFree certification is not a self-applied badge or a marketing catchphrase. It is an independent, rigorous verification process designed to give pet parents peace of mind and complete transparency. To earn CorpFree certification, practices must undergo comprehensive third-party review: - **Ownership Verification:** CorpFree independently reviews official legal and corporate documentation to confirm that the practice is strictly doctor-owned and operated without outside corporate or private equity interests. - **Professional Licensure:** Verification ensures all owners and practicing veterinarians hold active, good-standing state veterinary medical licenses. - **Legal Independence Agreement:** The practice executes a binding legal covenant confirming that medical decisions, hospital policies, and patient standards remain entirely independent and doctor-directed. - **Annual Recertification:** Certification is renewed each year to ensure that the hospital's independent status is consistently maintained over time. You can view our official certification profile directly on the [CorpFree Certification Registry](https://corpfree.org/certified/just-cats-clinic/). ## Why Independent Ownership Matters for Your Cat Independent ownership gives us the freedom to shape every aspect of our clinic around what cats truly need. Our care is never dictated by corporate formularies, rigid quotas, or rushed appointment schedules. Here is what choosing an independently owned, CorpFree Certified feline hospital means for you and your cat: ### Unhurried, Personalized Care Cats are subtle creatures who mask pain and illness. Thorough feline medicine requires patience, gentle handling, and time to listen. Independent ownership gives us the freedom to spend the necessary time with every patient, tailoring our approach to your cat's unique temperament, health history, and life stage. ### Treatment Decisions Guided by Patients, Not Profits Because we have no corporate parent company mandating specific product lines or sales goals, our diagnostic and treatment plans are guided purely by what is medically appropriate and compassionate for your individual cat. ### A Fear-Free, Feline-Focused Environment From our specialized cat-only facilities to our low-stress handling protocols, every square foot of Just Cats Clinic was built specifically for felines. As an independent clinic, we invest directly back into state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, continuing education for our team, and comfortable [boarding suites](/boarding/) designed exclusively for cats. ### Deep Roots in the Local Community We live and work in the same community as the families we serve. Our reputation is built on years of lasting relationships with local cat parents. When you call us or walk through our doors, you are speaking directly with people who know your cat by name and are personally invested in their well-being. ## Independent by Choice, Dedicated to Felines We are proud to be doctor-owned, proud to be feline-focused, and proud to be CorpFree Certified. We invite you to learn more about our independent verification on the official [CorpFree certification site](https://corpfree.org/certified/just-cats-clinic/). Whether your cat is due for a routine [preventive wellness exam](/preventive-exams-and-care/), requires advanced feline dentistry, or needs medical evaluation, our dedicated team is here for you. [Contact us today](/contact-hospital/) to schedule your cat's appointment and experience the difference of independent, doctor-led feline care!