Mission
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) supports its members in improving the health and wellbeing of cats through high standards of practice, continuing education, and evidence-based medicine.
Vision Statement
We are the trusted leaders in feline health and wellbeing for the veterinary community and cat caregivers.
Core Values
We work collaboratively and demonstrate a constant commitment to the best interests of our members.
We lead with science, providing trusted and evidence-based information. We support veterinary teams in their education and awareness of feline health and welfare, increasing the standards of care for cats, and encourage the ongoing pursuit of knowledge.
We uphold high standards for the endeavors of the Association on behalf of our members and the community, acting with integrity, honesty, and respect in all of our individual pursuits and collective initiatives.
We commit to convene and nurture a diverse community of individuals, and respect the dimensions of diversity among us and the populations we serve. We further value the differences in ideas, perspectives, and people in our community in order to foster an environment of inclusion in pursuit of excellence in feline medicine and surgery.
We practice prudent financial decision-making and accountability, as well as demonstrate commitment, passion, and leadership to our members.
We practice positive and effective communication, promote individual and organizational growth, work as a cohesive team, and support leadership decisions to be one voice for the Association.
History
In 1970, at the American Veterinary Medical Association meeting in Las Vegas, an informational meeting was held for a new interest group, the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. Alvin Kaplan brought together a group of veterinarians who had a strong interest in feline medicine for one single goal: To improve the field of feline medicine.
The 25-member Association was convened in 1971. By 1974, with the assistance of Dr. Barbara Stein, Dr. Fred Scott, and Dr. Bill Hardy, the Association grew to more than 200 members and was officially incorporated. Throughout the years, the Association continues to grow as a respected institution in the field of feline medicine. It has partnered with other well-respected veterinary associations and organizations to advance its mission.
The Association changed its name at the 2024 Annual Conference to the Feline Veterinary Medical Association. The FelineVMA works to improve the standards of feline health, in part by providing its members with progressive research and valuable resources which include, but are not limited to, peer-reviewed scientific research in the open access Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, breakthrough continuing education at the FelineVMA Conferences and feline tracks at other conferences, and the well-respected and highly utilized Practice Guidelines and Position Statements compiled by the FelineVMA.
The FelineVMA continues to build on its reputation as a leader in the field of feline medicine, launching initiatives to improve and standardize the delivery of feline veterinary care. Explore this website to learn more about the award-winning Cat Friendly Certificate Program, the Cat Friendly Practice® Program, The Feline Practitioner Magazine, and so much more.